Ranking Clara With the New Who Companions: Countdown (Part 2)
Guest contributor Kane Andriunas concludes his countdown.
4. River Song
Played by: Alex Kingston, Doctor: 10th & 11th, Best Episode: A Good Man Goes to War
Flying in at position number four is our time travelling hero’s wife, a killer woman in red high heels! Yes, River Song has been a mystery that has kept us glued to our screens for almost eight years. We might know who she is now, but the mystery surrounding her numerous encounters with the Doctor remain. Sexy, sophisticated, devious and a complete psychopath, River did not only become the Doctor’s on-off companion, she became his wife too.
It’s been a decade of New Who and one of the most memorable things throughout the whole nine series is still her word “Spoilers”. Alex Kingston does a marvelous job acting out a secret within a secret within a secret. I’m a huge River fan and to be honest I reckon she has brought more to the show than any of the previous companions mentioned in this article. Not only is she the perfect mystery but she makes you feel extremely excited whenever she appears. She’s also not shy of giving the Doctor a well-deserved slap across the face when needed or putting him in his place. She is my perfect number four and cannot wait to see her back this Christmas!
Favourite River Quote: “You’ve got all of that to come. You and me, time and space. You watch us run! Spoilers!”
3. Sarah Jane Smith
Played by: Elisabeth Sladen, Doctor: 3rd, 4th, 10th & 11th, Best Episode: School Reunion
Starting off my Top 3 is the incredible and iconic Sarah Jane Smith. The alien fighting journalist fought against Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans, Zygons, Slitheen and so many more with four different Doctors. Back in 2006 when the BBC announced that Elisabeth Sladen was set to make a comeback with David Tennant’s Doctor, I was overwhelmed with joy and excitement. When watching 2006’s School Reunion it was like Sarah Jane had never been away. She fit back in so perfectly and it was nice to see her get a chance to ask the Doctor why he never came back for her and of course to mention that he left her in completely the wrong place!
A couple of months after the episode aired it was announced that Sarah Jane was to receive her very own spin-off series and yet again with her as the lead it was fantastic. What always got me throughout the whole of the new decade of Doctor Who is a specific moment in ‘The End of Time’ when the 10th Doctor visits Bannerman Road to say a final goodbye. No words were said, just a look, a look Sarah Jane had seen before. It was so incredibly moving and it reduced me to tears. It’s a shame that Elisabeth was taken from the world, but she is and will continue to be so a Doctor Who legend in her own right.
Favourite Sarah Quote: “I’ve seen amazing things out there in space, but strange things can happen wherever you are, life on Earth can be an adventure too, you just need to know where to look.”
2. Clara Oswald
Played by: Jenna Coleman, Doctor: 11th & 12th, Best Episode: Kill the Moon
At number two is the current companion Clara Oswald. Some would probably disagree with this placing, as looking through numerous Doctor Who forums some don’t seem to like Clara. The Impossible Girl, the girl who has always been there for the Doctor, the girl who told him which TARDIS to steal and the girl who made him make a choice that would change him forever.
When Clara started to become the companion in Series 7B, it was quite clear that she loved the Doctor, not in an overt way like Martha did, more subtle and hidden. Why wouldn’t she? The Doctor was the man who saved her life and camped outside her house to make sure she was safe and then whisked her away to meet terrifying monsters like Daleks, Zygons, Cybermen, Whispermen and so many more. Little did she know that she would become the most important companion ever to travel with the Doctor and would eventually be there for him throughout every single regeneration.
Many of you probably saw my best episode for her and thought ‘what’s this guy on’? I know 2014’s Kill the Moon isn’t liked much either in the Whoniverse, however I seem to think Clara was at her best throughout the entire episode and was left quite cruelly by the Doctor to make a horrible decision. Afterwards when she had a go at the Doctor, I thought to myself, ‘Good on you Clara. He was out of order and needed telling’. I’m certainly looking forward to brand new adventures with Clara for the final time in Series 9.
Favourite Clara Quote: “Run, you clever boy. And remember.”
1. Donna Noble
Played by: Catherine Tate, Doctor: 10th, Best Episode: The Fires of Pompeii
So here we are at number one. My favourite companion has to be Donna Noble, brilliantly portrayed by Catherine Tate. For once it was a companion that didn’t love or fancy the Doctor, the chemistry that was shown between David and Catherine came across in every episode, and season four was a complete masterpiece and one, in my opinion that is yet to be beaten.
Doctor: I just want a mate
Donna: You just want to mate?
Doctor: No! I just want a mate, a mate…
Donna: Good, cus you’re not mating with me sunshine!
Donna was what the Doctor needed, a best friend. She was brilliant, she had a loud mouth and was never shy of putting her opinion across or telling the Doctor when he was wrong, where other companions would just nod and agree. Donna brought comedy back into the show and reminded us that the Doctor and his companion are not meant to be lovers. I also believe that Donna had one of the most tragic exits in the history of Doctor Who and should be recognized for it over Rose’s and Amy’s. There is yet to be a companion like Donna, so maybe Moffat should take note and bring in a character just like Donna for the next companion!
Favourite Donna Quote: “I was going to travel with you forever, The Doctor and Donna in the TARDIS”
So there it is folks! My top 8 companions over the past decade of Doctor Who! Do you agree or disagree? Let me know by leaving a comment! Until the next time!
