Halfway Out of the Dark: Clara’s Departure (Part 2)
Guest contributor Woody McFarland explores this year’s story arc and Clara’s exit.
If you haven’t read Part 1 of this article, I urge you to do so before proceeding, as I will be drawing on some of the points raised in it.
So, seven of the thirteen episodes in Series 9 have aired. We’ve been treated to a truckload of dialogue between Clara and the Doctor, on subjects such as Clara’s newfound recklessness, the Doctor’s “duty of care”, and how he can’t bear to lose Clara. But what have these exchanges told us about Clara’s inevitable departure? And what about that Hybrid theory I promised you all last time? Once again, it’s time to delve into the depths of that wonderful sea known as speculation.
The foreshadowing of Clara’s departure has been very heavy this series, especially in Episodes 3-6. Almost too heavy, I would say, and if we didn’t know Jenna is leaving the show, I’d think it was all a trick. Alas, it seems we are bound to bid the Impossible Girl goodbye come this December. Or are we?
Let’s begin in like manner to Part 1, by outlining the points at hand (in this case, the conversations foreshadowing Clara’s departure).
1. “Today might be the day […] the day I kill you” Missy, The Magician’s Apprentice
This was the first suggestion that Clara may die this series. I must say, after this line, it seems wrong for Clara to die unless her death is at Missy’s hands.
2. “Please, save Clara” The Doctor, The Magician’s Apprentice
In this scene, the Doctor literally begs for Clara’s life, on his knees before his worst enemy. That’s just how far he’s willing to go to save his (and my) favorite companion.
3. “Who’s going to tell me that Clara Oswald is really dead?” The Doctor, The Witch’s Familiar
The Doctor here reiterates how much he cares about Clara, and even seems to threaten her apparent murderers.
4. “Don’t go native.” The Doctor, Under the Lake
In this conversation, the Doctor begins to show concern for Clara’s well-being, both in the TARDIS and in her everyday life. Or rather, a concern that these two are in fact synonymous. He’s clearly noticed her recklessness and is concerned that it may have disastrous consequences.
5. “You owe me.” Clara, Before the Flood
This exchange reveals just how dependent Clara is on the Doctor. She is, essentially, the ultimate example of losing touch with life on Earth.
6. “I’m changing history to save Clara.” The Doctor, Before the Flood
The quote above is essentially all that I can say about this dialogue between the Doctor and Bennett. It shows just how far the Doctor is willing to go to preserve Clara. So what might he do in the case of her death?
7. “A good death is the best anyone can hope for.” The Doctor, The Girl Who Died
Is it really? I suppose we’ll see if that is indeed the best Clara can hope for. This conversation again expresses the Doctor’s concern for Clara, on a slightly deeper level. “I keep thinking, what if something happens to you?” This exchange also contains an interesting remark on how the Doctor has made a warrior of Clara.
8. “One day, the memory of [Clara] will hurt so much I won’t be able to breathe,” The Doctor , The Girl Who Died
This line reveals a lot about the Doctor and his relationship with Clara. This stirs some memories of School Reunion, in that the Doctor knows that he will inevitably lose his companions, yet he still takes on new ones. In fact, the last time the Doctor lost companions, he nearly quit traveling. What might happen to him if Clara is lost?
9. “[Ashildr] might meet someone she can’t bear to lose. That happens, I believe.” The Doctor , The Girl Who Died
The Doctor is quite clearly referring to Clara here. And he’s just said that Ashildr would make such a person immortal. Referring back to Point 6, what lengths would the Doctor go to to save Clara? Might he go so far as to immortalize her?
10.“She’ll die on you, y’know.” Me, The Woman Who Lived
A reiteration of the Doctor’s knowledge that Clara will die one day. However, this conversation also asks the question I just asked, why hasn’t the Doctor made Clara immortal? The Doctor seems to dodge the question with “Look how you turned out,”, not denying that he may indeed immortalize Clara.
11. “I’m not going anywhere. ” Clara, The Woman Who Lived
This line should send shivers down your spine, because it’s very clearly stating the precise opposite: that Clara will in fact be going somewhere.
12. “Everybody middle-aged always thinks the world’s about to come to an end. It never does.” Zygon-Clara, The Zygon Invasion
This felt more significant on first viewing, but now knowing that this was Zygon-Clara speaking, it may be nothing. Nevertheless, Zygons do use data gathered from the mind of the original person (in this case, Clara), so I’ve decided to include this on my list. Could this be a hint that Clara’s world might just be coming to an end?
Wow, twelve separate conversations worth of foreshadowing. Now you see why I decided to dedicate an entire article to this topic. So, what possibilities do these exchanges give us? I’m glad you asked. Here are my top three theories on Clara’s departure (In order of continuity, not likelihood):
The Doctor Forces Clara to Leave
(Points 2-4, 8-11)
This theory is the only one that contradicts the theory I presented last time, as it doesn’t involve Clara’s death. I’m going to be honest here, this is my favorite theory. It’s something that hasn’t been done since Adam Mitchell. However, this would be under very different circumstances. The Doctor says he can’t bear to lose Clara, and he knows he eventually will if she continues to travel with him. It then follows that he’d rather give her up to know she’s safe than let her die due to his influence. I think this would be a very poignant and unique end to Clara’s time on the TARDIS. Plus, I wouldn’t have to spend hours sobbing in a corner on finale night. The main issue here is that Clara would most definitely not take it well. Thus, the Doctor would probably have to wipe her memory, which would lead quite nicely into the dialogue in Moffat’s Episode 12 preview, which many have associated with the diner scene I mentioned in Part 1.
Clara’s Death
(Points 1-5, 7-12)
This seems to be the popular theory. I’ve seen a lot of people say death is the only fitting end to Clara’s story, but I must say I think she deserves better. No, she’s owed better. So, if Clara does die, the big question is how? Well, I’ll examine this in terms of the theory I presented in Part 1 of this article. The way I see it, there are three ways Clara might die (if the Doctor dies in Episode 10, and assuming Clara survives Episodes 810)
- She commits suicide A very rarely seen end to a character, we’ve only seen it twice in New Who (Adelaide Brooke and Vincent Van Gogh). Per Point 5, the Doctor is essential to Clara. What lengths might she go to if she lost him?
- She is killed by Missy Point 1 says my reason for this quite well.
- She is killed by the finale villain Whoever that may be. Personally, I’d prefer one of the other two. However, I think this outcome is far too obvious and over-foreshadowed. “But your original theory included Clara’s death!” you say. Yes, it did. But that theory is only complete once I explain…
C. Clara’s Regeneration
(Points 3, 6, 9, 10)
Surprised? Me too. But I think this theory has been very subtly foreshadowed, hidden behind the many foreshadowings of Clara’s death. Shall I explain? Okay, I will.
But first, let’s talk about the Hybrid. We’ve been led to believe that Ashildr is the Hybrid, but I seriously doubt that. Think about how much criticism the Mire have received for their weakness. Could they really be one of the two great warrior races Davros spoke of? I really don’t think so. The same reasoning applies to Osgood being called a hybrid in The Zygon Invasion.
I think that Davros made a mistake. Perhaps the prophecy really speaks of two great warriors, not warrior races. What two warriors? Why, the Doctor and Clara (Point 7 is of particular interest here)! And how would they be fused into one? Through Clara’s regeneration.
Now, I mentioned earlier that the Doctor might make Clara immortal. Seeing as Jenna Coleman is leaving this season, the Doctor can’t use a Mire medical chip, as Clara would retain her original appearance under these circumstances. The same is true of every other form of immortality seen on the show, except regeneration. Thus, regeneration is the only form of immortality available to Clara.
Way back in Episode 2, we found out a very important bit of information regarding regeneration. The Doctor can gift his regeneration energy on demand. Coupled with the Doctor’s theory that he now has infinite regenerations (Kill the Moon) , this means that, provided regeneration energy is compatible with human anatomy, he could, in theory, resurrect a dead Clara. And if he can, why wouldn’t he? After all, he resurrected a Viking girl he’d barely met, how much more would he do for Clara?
The question is, would Clara be different as the Hybrid? Would she become a villain, or simply continue her travels with the Doctor? I would suspect the latter, but with Mr. Moffat in charge, I would not hesitate to say the former is possible.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my wild romp in the fairytale land of speculation. Now that I’ve shared my theories, I want to hear yours! Be sure to post them in the comments below!
