30 Days of Doctor Who Meme: Day 5
This is a complicated question that could be looked at from at least two angles: favorite companion/Doctor dynamic, or favorite companion on their own. I think it makes more sense to take the latter path. I'll leave the other for Day 21, because my definition of OTP includes platonic pairings.
(Have I mentioned I hate these 'choose just one' things?) Anyway, one thing I really love is character development. It's why, despite my main instinct to go "WTF?!" at The Waters of Mars, I still appreciate what they/RTD was trying to do. It's also why my favorite companion is a three-way tie between Barbara, Romana and Ace, with Donna and Liz Shaw not far behind.
Barbara: I haven't seen most of her stories, but in every single one I've seen, Barbara has been wonderful. She is more willing to believe Susan's claims in An Unearthly Child than Ian, simply because facts are facts. And in a similar but opposite vein, in The Aztecs she refuses to heed the Doctor's advice before she sees the evidence for herself. I just love that she's a strong woman who stands up for what she believes in, and doesn't let the Doctor get away with shit.
Romana: Again, my Romana-knowledge is spotty, but that doesn't stop me liking her in the least. She starts out thinking she's better than the Doctor, yet obviously has a sense of adventure even so, and gradually along the way learns that grades aren't everything in life. Then she chooses to go off and do her own wonderful thing with the Tharils. (I've only read the novelization and apparently the version of her exit on TV was more abrupt, so I'll just stubbornly stick with the novel's. Headcanon. It's our right as fans, yo.) She is as smart as the Doctor, but not in terms of 'street-smarts' if you will, and Romana I doesn't deserve her ice queen reputation. She's not as OMGCUTE as her second incarnation, but she's still a joy to watch.
Ace: I think it's silly how everyone says she's a 'strong' character- even Kate Orman, who I normally love to bits; apparently they're too mired in science-fiction to see how, well, sci-fi that is. Ace's blow-em-up attitude is covering up for a whole host of insecurities and problems, which I find makes her a lovely character, but not a strong one. Still, her image among fans aside, I like her on her own and with the Doctor, the way she's usually so gung-ho and willing to jump into any situation, but she also has her weaknesses.
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Ha. Even with a three-way tie and two runners-up, I cannot resist adding some names: Jamie, Charley, Evelyn... Yes, Big Finish does own my soul and my wallet, what of it?
Day 01 - Your Favorite Quote
Day 02 - Your Favorite Classic Series Episode
Day 03 - Your Favorite New Series Episode
Day 04 - Your Favorite Doctor
Day 05 - Your Favorite Companion
Day 06 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 07 - Your Favorite Piece of Music
Day 08 - A Who-Related Photo That Makes You Happy
Day 09 - A Who-Related Photo That Makes You Angry/Sad
Day 10 - A Who-Related Photo That You Took
Day 11 - Your Favorite Season (Classic or New)
Day 12 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 13 - Your Favorite Villain
Day 14 - The Villain Who Scared You the Most
Day 15 - Favorite Who-Related Tumblr
Day 16 - Your Favorite Who-Related FanFic
Day 17 - A Piece of Who-Related FanArt
Day 18 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 20 - The Character Who Is Most Like You
Day 21 - Your Doctor Who OTP
Day 22 - A Who-Related Fan-Site
Day 23 - A Who-Related YouTube Video
Day 24 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 25 - Favorite Who Actor
Day 26 - Favorite Who Actress
Day 27 - An Episode You Wish Hadn’t Been Made
Day 28 - An Episode Idea You Created Yourself
Day 29 - Who You Think Should Be the Next Doctor
Day 30 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
(Have I mentioned I hate these 'choose just one' things?) Anyway, one thing I really love is character development. It's why, despite my main instinct to go "WTF?!" at The Waters of Mars, I still appreciate what they/RTD was trying to do. It's also why my favorite companion is a three-way tie between Barbara, Romana and Ace, with Donna and Liz Shaw not far behind.
Barbara: I haven't seen most of her stories, but in every single one I've seen, Barbara has been wonderful. She is more willing to believe Susan's claims in An Unearthly Child than Ian, simply because facts are facts. And in a similar but opposite vein, in The Aztecs she refuses to heed the Doctor's advice before she sees the evidence for herself. I just love that she's a strong woman who stands up for what she believes in, and doesn't let the Doctor get away with shit.
Romana: Again, my Romana-knowledge is spotty, but that doesn't stop me liking her in the least. She starts out thinking she's better than the Doctor, yet obviously has a sense of adventure even so, and gradually along the way learns that grades aren't everything in life. Then she chooses to go off and do her own wonderful thing with the Tharils. (I've only read the novelization and apparently the version of her exit on TV was more abrupt, so I'll just stubbornly stick with the novel's. Headcanon. It's our right as fans, yo.) She is as smart as the Doctor, but not in terms of 'street-smarts' if you will, and Romana I doesn't deserve her ice queen reputation. She's not as OMGCUTE as her second incarnation, but she's still a joy to watch.
Ace: I think it's silly how everyone says she's a 'strong' character- even Kate Orman, who I normally love to bits; apparently they're too mired in science-fiction to see how, well, sci-fi that is. Ace's blow-em-up attitude is covering up for a whole host of insecurities and problems, which I find makes her a lovely character, but not a strong one. Still, her image among fans aside, I like her on her own and with the Doctor, the way she's usually so gung-ho and willing to jump into any situation, but she also has her weaknesses.
---
Ha. Even with a three-way tie and two runners-up, I cannot resist adding some names: Jamie, Charley, Evelyn... Yes, Big Finish does own my soul and my wallet, what of it?
Day 01 - Your Favorite Quote
Day 02 - Your Favorite Classic Series Episode
Day 03 - Your Favorite New Series Episode
Day 04 - Your Favorite Doctor
Day 05 - Your Favorite Companion
Day 06 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 07 - Your Favorite Piece of Music
Day 08 - A Who-Related Photo That Makes You Happy
Day 09 - A Who-Related Photo That Makes You Angry/Sad
Day 10 - A Who-Related Photo That You Took
Day 11 - Your Favorite Season (Classic or New)
Day 12 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 13 - Your Favorite Villain
Day 14 - The Villain Who Scared You the Most
Day 15 - Favorite Who-Related Tumblr
Day 16 - Your Favorite Who-Related FanFic
Day 17 - A Piece of Who-Related FanArt
Day 18 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 20 - The Character Who Is Most Like You
Day 21 - Your Doctor Who OTP
Day 22 - A Who-Related Fan-Site
Day 23 - A Who-Related YouTube Video
Day 24 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 25 - Favorite Who Actor
Day 26 - Favorite Who Actress
Day 27 - An Episode You Wish Hadn’t Been Made
Day 28 - An Episode Idea You Created Yourself
Day 29 - Who You Think Should Be the Next Doctor
Day 30 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy