The Role of the Companion





     
     The primary focus of the popular scifi franchise "Doctor Who" is a strange alien being known only as the Doctor. He/she is an ancient time and space explorer with a tendency to play the hero. The Doctor is most often accompanied by at least one traveling companion. These are usually  (though not always) relatively young human women from modern Earth. At the start of both the classic and revived series the Doctor is a somewhat abrasive and incredibly mysterious figure who is difficult to approach. The companions whether they be Ian, Barbara and Susan or Rose Tyler act as our way into the story and we meet the Doctor through them. In stories like 'The End of the World' we see these characters exposed to a side of reality which is outside of anything they have established a context for. The Doctor is on the other hand far more knowing and has a different perspective than the companions of the audience. Here lies a major part of what makes an effective companion which is voicing the concerns of the audience.


  Not only is the companion (usually) supposed to be confused and awe struck by strange new worlds and situations but they also as beings who almost invariably less intelligent than the Doctor there to ask them questions so that the Doctor can explain plans to the audience without it seeming unnecessary within the story itself. The companion is by no means an idiot. They are simply not a genius by Time Lord standards. The companion is the Watson to the Doctor's Holmes. They are smart and curious enough to engage with the Doctor and the plot but still not so mentally capable as to make the Doctor seem less impressive.

It has been argued that the companion is the main character and in some moments they do take on this role but for a majority of the story and in a larger sense companions are major supporting characters who give context to the Doctor and his/her world. They are people with hopes and dreams and opinions who can die or be turned into cybermen or lost in a parallel universe. The Doctor on the other hand must go on, make new friends and have new adventures knowing that regardless of what decisions are made the TARDIS is the only constant in their long life. When you run with the Doctor you can't run long but it is certainly worth watching. I look forward to seeing Jodie Whittaker's first season and am eager to meet the people she will call her friends. 

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