Doctor Who Companion typology

[maniakes]

Over the course of watching through the surviving Classic Doctor Who stories in order with EvilBen and ophiomancer (we're currently about half-way through the Troughton (Second Doctor) era), it's occurred to us that just about all of the Doctor's companions fit the archetypes of the original three companions from the beginning of the show.

Comments

[britgeekgrrl]

The companions exist for two purposes - someone to explain the plot to, and someone to put into danger in order to move the plot forward. Beyond that, I've always been happy to let 'em all be themselves.

That said... ;)

Despite the actress's dreadful skills, I'd break out the "Zoe" type as a bucket all by itself. Adric and (to a lesser degree, Turlough) would land right in it, imho.

Totally agree that Jack's a Jamie-Ian, though. ;)

I salute your fortitude in watching the very early era of the show. I've seen bits and bobs and I'm afraid a lot of it was wasted on me. With a couple of exceptions, things don't really pick up for me and that show until Pertwee comes on to the scene. Even more so with the introduction of The Master. ;)

[maniakes]

The connection in my mind between the Zoe role and the Susan role is that the original Susan had some very Zoe-like moments, particularly in The Unearthly Child and The Sensorites. From what I gather, Carol Anne Ford envisioned the character as much more of what would become the Zoe archetype, emphasizing the "unearthly" side of Susan's nature, whereas the writers mostly preferred to use her in the Vicki-like role, emphasizing the "child" side of her nature (probably partly because, as you say, they need someone to get into danger and they need someone to explain things to), and this conflict was the main reason CAF left the show. Looking at the early stories in hindsight, especially with what's now been established about what Time Lords are, I pretty firmly favor CAF's side

[maniakes]

The early Hartnells were indeed pretty rough going (with a few flashes of brilliance, like "The Sensorites"), interesting more for historical interest than for its own merits, but the show seems to be really finding its feet in the Troughton era. I can definitely see the roots of the show's style in the Pertwee and Tom Baker eras in the Troughton stories I've seen so far. It's also, looked at in a different way, pretty strongly reminiscent of the Matt Smith era -- I've read part of an interview where Smith identified Troughton as a major influence on his portrayal of the Doctor, and I can definitely see that

[britgeekgrrl]

I really mourn the loss of all the early Troughton stories.

Preaching to the choir, my friend. Erasing master tapes in the name of saving money wasn't one of the BBC's most brilliant moments, no. But they couldn't know they had a cult hit in the making. ;)

Oh, I agree with you re: The Master. I mean, I love the Daleks and all, but an alien conqueror of the universe that couldn't climb stairs until 1988? Pssht.

I'll have to dig up the essay I saw somewhere that posited (not without merit) that all of Delgado!Master's schemes were grandiose attempts to get the Doctor to pay attention to him, dammit. ;)