Doctor Who: What Happened To Every Companion?

Since 13 hasn't completed her run yet, this is sadly where we must end. The 12th era isn't as beloved as 11 and definitely nowhere close to 10, but it definitely has its merits. And yes, having The Doctor be played by one of the greatest actors who has ever lived is a big one.

But the companions were also a big draw. Case in point, Clara Oswald. Clara started her journey with 11, but it ended with 12. Clara's spunky personality was the perfect offset to 12's grumpy, narcissistic, "so many idiots, so little time to kill them" routine. But like with the Ponds, when someone would rather die than leave The Doctor, the universe calls their bluff. After Clara lost her boyfriend Danny, she tried to get him back by manipulating time using a chronolock. What resulted was her being trapped in a fixed point of her own death. Despite The Doctor's best efforts, not only could he not save her, he ended up purging his own memories of her.

This season also saw the end of the story of River Song, the time displaced archaeologist, who despite being the closest thing The Doctor has to a wife, they keep meeting in the wrong time periods. She was a prominent character in 11's era, but 12 is The Doctor she originally fell in love with. But of course, it couldn't last, and after taking her on one last vacation, The Doctor had to watch her leave for a new mission to the largest library in the universe. Where the 10th Doctor will watch her die.

After both Clara and River died, the Doctor obviously needed some time to himself, and so spent a few several decades as a college professor. Where he meets Bill Potts, a gay canteen assistant who attended his lectures on her time off. Seeing her untapped potential spurs The Doctor to have adventures again.

Eventually joining them was Nardole, a cyborg assistant to River Song, who stayed behind with The Doctor. His departure came when he was ordered by The Doctor to defend a small helpless group of villagers.

Bill's departure was very nearly as tragic as the Ponds. While fighting against The Master, now a woman named Missy, Bill was fatally shot and then converted into a Cyberman. However, due to the strong will that The Doctor took her under his wing for in the first place, she broke free of the brainwashing. She was then rescued by her girlfriend Heather, a being made of sentient oil. Heather converted Bill into a similar being, and Bill left The Doctor to be with Heather, exploring the universe with the woman she loves forever.