Doctor Who
Summary
In the most late episode ofDoctor Who , " The Giggle , " there is a line that imply thatthe Doctor ’s allies , long called companion , are develop a new and improved name , but unfortunately , the installment does n’t quite fix what to call them now . Doctor Whohas just end premiere its sixtieth anniversary special . Made up of three episode , the peculiar sawDavid Tennant return toDoctor Whoas the Fourteenth Doctor with Catherine Tate alongside him , reprising her theatrical role as Donna Noble . Though they only describe a abbreviated fourth dimension within theDoctor Whouniverse , these special episodes saw major change to the franchise as a whole .
SinceDoctor Whofirst began in 1963 , the Doctor has always had his comrade . InDoctor Who , a " fellow " is typically a human character reference that keep company the Doctor on his escapade . Over the years , the medico ’s companions have change constantly , and at sentence , the Doctor will have several familiar at once or just one for an lengthy stretch . Oftentimes , the fellow serves as something of a crony to the Doctor , but their purpose is much more important than that . Doctor Who’scompanions are essentially point of view - ins for the audience . They ask important inquiry , dispute the Dr. , and give their alone view .
One Line From Donna Means Doctor Who Companions Are No Longer “Companions”
AlthoughDoctor Who’scompanionsare as long - last as the Doctor himself , the series may finally be making a variety to them . InDoctor Who’sthird 60th day of remembrance episode , " The Giggle , " the Fourteenth Doctor ’s companion , Donna Noble , says a line that implies that the full term " associate " is on the verge of changing . After entering the UNIT edifice , Donna say , " Do n’t say companion . - that sounds like we park him on the seafront at Weston - super - Mere . “What this wrinkle is saying is that Donna dislike the terminal figure " companion " because of what the give-and-take insinuates . This is definitely something of a first forDoctor Who , which has always stuck by its " fellow traveller " title .
David Tennant , who portrayed the Tenth Doctor from 2005 to 2010 , and the Fourteenth Doctor in 2023 , has had a total of 13 companions . Donna Noble was both the Tenth Doctor ’s familiar , and the Fourteenth .
However , Donna is correct . Although " companion " is n’t as mortifying as " prole " or alien as " acquaintance " , the password does suggest that the companion fictitious character is lesser to the medico . The word"companion " feel more like a helper or someone who is spending time with another person , because there is a sorting of welfare to the relationship . And while there is a sense that the companion aids the Doctor in getting out of scraping and frailty versa , the bond between a Doctor and his fellow traveler is much more akin to friendship , or even romance in some case . Overall , " associate " is n’t the uncollectible word , but it seems to have reached its natural end .
So, What Do We Call Doctor Who Companions Now?
The biggest problem with this Donna Noble assembly line is that it does n’t elucidate what the comrade should be called now . Donna is n’t shy about what she thinks about the terminal figure " companion , " but she fails to offer any alternativesthat the show could now use . Therefore , for now at least , audiences have to project out a better name for the companions . The most obvious alternative would in all probability be " Quaker . " Although it may seem overly perfumed , the term " friend " is a full summation of the relationship that develop between the Doctor and those who come with him . A term that bridge the disruption between personal and professional could be " partner . "
No matter what hearing determine to call familiar after Donna ’s line from " The Giggle,“at some pointDoctor Whowill have to step up and change the companion title themselves . Though it is acceptable for the serial publication to leave alone something of a blank for now so as to focus on great trouble , Doctor Whowill have to finally finish what it started . This could easily be done byDoctor Whoseason 14 ’s castwhen Ncuti Gatwa take the part of the Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson becomes his companion , Ruby Sunday . Right from the first episode , this new pairing can set the foundation for this new Doctor / companion human relationship .
Why Doctor Who’s “Companion” Change Has Been A Long Time Coming
Although Donna Noble ’s recent program line may seem like a surprise , the " companion " change has actually been a prospicient time coming . The full term " fellow " has been used for 60 years now , and though it has become a basic ofDoctor Wholore , it has n’t always been easy on the capitulum . In fact , from the beginning,“companion " was ultimately used as an option for " assistant , " which is even more patronizing . So , despite the fact that " companion " has been withDoctor Whofor ten , it is good that the serial is acknowledging the power structure that " fellow " implies , and is changing it to , hopefully , something more meaningful and respectful .
