10 Worst Ideas In Doctor Who History

8. The Most Important Girl In The World

It wouldn€™t be a problem if it hadn€™t happened three times now: but the three most important companions in the resurrected show€™s history have all been young women from the same generation, who instantly grab a foothold in their Doctor€™s life and render themselves indispensable within moments. Rose Tyler, Amy Pond and Clara Oswald are treated as The Most Important Girls In The World within the context of their Doctor Who narratives (and yes, that €˜girl€™ definition is the one the writers specifically draw upon €“ not €˜person€™, but €˜girl€™). Very rarely, if ever, are these MIGITWs shown to make a mistake or do something incorrectly. On the other hand, when there€™s something to be done that is difficult, vital or a combination of both, all three will inexplicably rise to the challenge to €˜prove€™ that the Doctor, that amazing judge of character, was correct in picking them above everyone else he€™s ever met to join him in travelling through space and time, while he looks on with a kind of avuncular pride. Essentially, we€™re told how awesome they are over and over€ and then episodes are gradually written around them to provide evidence of that position. For nearly all of the past ten years, whenever the Doctor has needed a pep talk or a dressing down, there€™s been a young, devastatingly attractive MIGITW to provide it: even if they€™ve known this ancient, contrary, unpredictable, idiosyncratic and perverse alien for barely enough time to wear out a pair of socks, they€™ll still have the inside scoop on what makes him tick, when usually even he doesn€™t know. And of course, it goes without saying that they're secretly in love with him. Even Amy, travelling with her husband, has a thing for her 'raggedy man'. The silly thing is that it€™s been the non-MIGITW companions in the last ten years who have been the better characters. Donna Temple, the Tenth Doctor€™s €˜best mate', crotchety, loud and compassionate; Martha Jones, the smart, capable doctor who realises that her unrequited love for the Doctor is screwing with her life, and chooses to leave him; Rory Williams, Amy€™s other €“ and better €“ half, the bumbling, nervous fool who seemed to have punched above his weight with Amy, and yet proved himself time and time again. We don€™t need another MIGITW when Clara leaves the show. We need another Donna, another Martha, another Rory €“ someone who seems real.
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Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.