Doctor Who: 7 Supportive Women Seared Onto Our Hearts
6. Adelaide Brooke
Episode: The Waters of Mars (special) We meet Adelaide Brooke, the commander of the first human colony on Mars, after the tenth Doctor decides to do a bit of sight-seeing. Since this is Doctor Who, we quickly find out that the colony is doomed to be destroyed by a nuclear blast with no survivors. Adelaide especially must die, as her sacrifice is pivotal in galvanizing humanity to explore the universe. The Doctor cannot accept this and saves Adelaide and two of her crew, putting his own needs above those of humanity. What happens next says a lot about Adelaides strength of character and why she is so memorable. The Doctor explained how her death inspired others to explore the stars and Adelaide is horrified that he interfered. After he drops her off in front of her house she steps inside and kills herself to preserve the integrity of her timeline. Adelaide is an extremely likeable character who wears her authority with ease. Its obvious she is highly respected by her crew and her concern for them is touching. The Doctor admires her greatly and its certainly understandable why he wants to save her. He dismisses her wishes however, to serve his own selfish ends. Adelaide, however, is having none of it. She didnt work her way into commanding the first human colony on Mars by allowing herself to be used. Adelaide is an enduring character not only because she sacrifices herself but also because that act does not wholly define her. She bursts out of the story long before we ever reach the shocking conclusion and that makes her end all the more tragic.