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Well, I decided I should finally make my first journal entry and I figured there was no better way to do that than start with the best of the best; Doctor Who. I thought it might be fun to rethink my Companion list, so that's what I decided to start with. I'm basically a pure TradWho fan, so you won't see any NuWho companions on this list, sorry. Anyway, here goes.
My Companion List
1. Jo Grant
- An odd favorite, I know, but I just love her. She wasn't The Doctor's most intelligent or skilled companion, but she made up for this in quick-thinking and determination. In fact, I think her limited skills actually made her a more interesting companion, because she was able to do so much without being a mathematical genius or bioengineer. She was a strong and capable character, able to help the Doctor just as much as he helped her. She could handle quite a lot, including the introduction of The Master. She was also a fun character. Her dialogue with The Doctor was humorous and often touching and their relationship was really compelling. When she left was a terribly sad scene. Besides, what makes a better companion than an escapologists who can pick locks?
2. Romana
- This one should probably come as no surprise to anyone. Who doesn't put her on their lists? As if one Romana wasn't good enough, we get two really great ones. I preferred Romana I the most, but the first was still a wonderful character. Romana was probably The Doctor's most intelligent companion (ignoring K-9) and certainly the one he got closest too (Rose Tyler had nothing on Romana.) Her relationship with the Fourth Doctor was wonderful. It was full of humor and more than a few touching moments, but she was also his only companion to be truly 'on his level.' Hell, she may have even been a bit smarter. She could hold her own against The Doctor and the way they played off each other was the best. Not to mention, it's always good to have someone around who can also pilot the TARDIS.
Quote: "You were the noblest Romana of them all." (Fourth Doctor)
3. Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart
- Okay, he doesn't 'technically' count as a companion, I know that. But The Brigadier was such an amazing character and one of my all-time favorites, so I just had to add him. After all, he's the only person to meet every Doctor except for Nine (of course, he was playing a different character when he met The First, but whatever.) He's the longest lasting character besides the Time Lords and yet I never get tired of him. His relationship with The Doctor is hilarious. The whole love/hate thing always cracks me up. I liked The Brig most when he was working with Three. This 'companion' could really kick butt, too. He was a crack-shot, a skilled tactician and leader, and I'm fairly certain he managed to score more 'bad guy kills' than any other companion. And the way he could be so ridiculously stern and sarcastic at the same time was great.
4. Nyssa
- I wish she could have lasted longer. Nyssa was definitely my favorite of the Fifth Doctor's companions. She was highly intelligent, strong, and capable. How many bioengineering whizzes do you know? She could handle herself and cope with all the insane situations The Doctor landed her in. She was a great person, too. So calm and logical all the time. She could negotiate a situation just as well as The Doctor. I liked that about her, it was a stark contrast to the other companions of the time. Nyssa was a very noble person too, but was willing to do what was necessary when it came to it, more so even than the Doctor. If someone had to be killed, she was willing to do it, even though she didn't want to. Plus, she was royalty, how cool is that? I loved the Trakens as a people and her intro-story was great. The Master having her father's body was just a great dynamic. I wish they had explored that more. She had one of the coolest outfits, too.
5. Tegan Jovanka
- The "mouth on legs" was probably the Doctor's toughest companion (and the most argumentative). She complained a lot and always claimed to not want to be there (though we all know different), but was also strong-minded, brave, and and honest. Stubborn and loud are good descriptions, too, but I always found this more engaging than annoying. She was a different sort of companion than the Doctor had ever had or would have (Donna came close, maybe). She didn't just sit around and nod at everything the Doctor said. She spoke her mind, did what she felt was right, and didn't just follow along.
Quote: "Brave heart, Tegan." (Fifth Doctor)
6. K-9
- Why does this little guy never get the recognition he deserves? I know some people really hate him and others don't even notice him, but I loved K-9. This guy has to be the best dog, ever. He was obviously the Doctor's most intelligent companion and, I think, the most helpful. I mean, he had lasers, fire blasters, guns, a huge memory bank, and a dozen other little gadgets that never failed to amaze me. He was also the Doctor's most adorable companion. Heh. I flipped out when they brought him back in the new series and 'SJA.' One of the only reasons I keep watching. And he could beat The Doctor in chess. How great is that?
7. Adric
- Yep, that's right. Adric, the boy wonder. Nobody ever puts him on a list, I know. Most people hate him, including his own actor, but I found him endearing. He was one of the Doctor's most intelligent companions, second only to Romana (again, ignoring K-9). He could also pick locks with a metal star! Too cool. He could be annoying at times, mostly due to the inexperience of his actor, but he was extremely helpful, dedicated, and brave. He's one of (possibly the) only companions to give his life saving others, the entire Earth for that matter. When he died was one of the saddest scenes in Doctor Who. I think he could have been an even better companion if he'd had more opportunity, but alas, he had to be squashed in with two other companions for most of his air-time. That was the problem for Nyssa, Tegan, and Turlough, too. On their own, they all could have been a lot better.
8. Kamelion
- I know for a fact no one puts this guy on their list. Most don't even think of him. After all, he was only in two episodes (his introduction and destruction), but I loved every second of him. He had great potential as a character and I really wish they had of explored it further. I loved the dynamic of this being who was so easily influenced by others, but still had a mind of his own. I would have loved to seen more of this 'identity crisis' and him trying to figure out who he was. That would have been really interesting. Alas, his mechanical prop was too hard to work and they killed him off. Well, at least he got to be played by the great Anthony Ainley when he went. His ability to infinitely change his appearance would have been extremely helpful, too. Plus, he had a superb voice-actor for the part (and normal actor, as he was King John when Kamelion appeared as him in 'King's Demons.')
9. Sarah Jane Smith
- Everyone else puts her very high on the list, so I know this may come as a surprise. It's not that I don't like her. I do, a lot. It's just that the other eight companions hold more pull for me. Sarah Jane came off to me as the 'typical Doctor companion.' For many, this is why they love her so much, but I always like the more unique and different companions, as my list probably shows. I still loved Sarah Jane. She was smart and capable and a very strong character, especially compared to other female characters of the time. She lost some of this as time went on, but she got it all back in the new "Sarah Jane Adventures." Sarah was confident, inquisitive, and willing to speak her mind, much like Tegan (Though usually with less hostility). I also think she's worked with the most Doctors, after The Brigadier, but I'd have to check on that.
10. Susan Foreman
- To be honest, Susan probably makes my list by right of being The Doctor's granddaughter. I always thought that was a great dynamic. She worked well with The First Doctor, though that's to be expected, of course. She was kind, loyal, and extremely intelligent, probably third on the list of smartest companions, though she might actually beat Adric in this field. Tough call. It was sad to have The Doctor leave her, for the best or not, and I've always been disappointed in the show's complete avoidance of her. I think The Doctor would mention or visit his own granddaughter at least every now and then. Besides, there are not many people who can hold their own against The Master (Delgado) and not only survive, but defeat him. (This was in the book 'Legacy of the Daleks.')
Honorable Mention:
- Vislor Turlough (He really only doesn't make the list because I couldn't decide where to put him.)
- Martha Jones (The only companion from the new series that I had any love for.)
 Nic Coay · Sun Jan 31, 2010 @ 07:24pm · 0 Comments |
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