Can you imagine a modern Who episode where one of the central characters of the series just sort of wanders off mid-story and never comes back? Meet Dodo, companion to the First Doctor, who, in a fit of really bad writing, did exactly that. Now to be fair to the writers at the time, the character was not very popular, and the actress who played her, Jackie Lane, had not had her contract renewed. So she was gone no matter what. Plus, of course, no one had any reason to believe that fifty years down the line, wed still be talking about the show. But theres something to be said for at least trying to give a character a good send off! She really, honestly does just sort of wander away during the story, and were later told that shes staying behind on Earth. Yes, her departure was basically an informed attribute. Even if she did have to leave mid-story, which apparently was when her contract was up, they could have at least given her a death scene, or something where she gets to say a proper goodbye to the Doctor. No, instead she goes away, and the new companions, Ben and Polly, hop on board the TARDIS. It was a sad end to a character who, while not great, certainly deserved better than she got. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj4nFt_ejwc
Chris Swanson is a freelance writer and blogger based in Phoenix, Arizona, where winter happens to other people. His blog is at wilybadger.wordpress.com
