The Fifth Doctor
The Best Companion: Nyssa It gets a little more difficult from now on, because up to this point, there have been some truly brilliant companions to choose from. From 1981 onwards, I never felt the companions were in the same league as those that came before themwell perhaps one and Ill come to her later. Of the numerous companions of the Fifth Doctor, I always liked Nyssa the best. Nyssa was always played under the radar. Quiet and reserved she had the tendency to be overshadowed by the bratty, tempestuous duo that was Adric and Tegan. But she was always a bright and engaging character who for me seemed to suit the Fifth Doctor the most. Between series 19 and 20, The Fifth Doctor and Nyssa travelled alone and I would have liked to have seen more of their adventures together. My favourite moment for her was probably the Fifth Doctors debut adventure
Castrovalva, trapped in a mathematical equation by the Master. Not only did Nyssa get to show the intelligence and skill that made her a worthy addition to the Tardis, but she did this battling the Master who had taken her fathers body and destroyed her home planet of Traken. Ill admit I havent seen her final adventures from the Black Guardian trilogy but from what Ive seen, Nyssa stands out (or perhaps she doesnt) as a great companion. Though perhaps could have been developed a bit more.
The Runner Up: Tegan Jovanka
Probably the most remembered of the Fifth Doctors companions, Tegan certainly made an impression. Shes a little too brash for my liking, though even with her first appearance in
Logopolis, though there is a good heart underneath that forthright demeanour
. Her best moments are probably being possessed by the Mara in
Kinda and
Snakedance. When Janet Fielding got the chance to play a version of Tegan a lot more subtly (and absolutely evil) she was great on screen. I just wish she didnt whine and moan at the Doctor so much. He had Adric for that. (Though they did kill him off in style!)