What if… Doctors Were Paired With Different Companions?

Guest contributor Rob Boyte presents his dream line-up for some alternate Doctor/companion pairings.

I believe that Doctor Who’s revival deserves its own anniversary special, on its own merit. There’s even an ideal story plot already in place in the current series, waiting to be exploited (more on that below). Setting aside any debatable matters, I want to focus on one feature which I’d like to see in any future multi-Doctor special, anniversary or otherwise: pairing each revival series Doctor with a companion he has never met or been linked with before.

Something similar was originally done during a 1993 Children In Need special, a celebration of Doctor Who’s 30th anniversary which assembled many surviving actors and actresses from the original series. (Available online, for those who wish to view it.) One feature of the ‘plot’ involves several different Doctor/companion pairings, including ones never seen before. Alas, this was simply a charity skit, a fun production created to pay homage and to raise donations. Its use of atypical Doctor/companion pairings was done purely for the novelty, and although possibly fun to watch, they offer nothing to the ‘story’ other than lighthearted moments. What I propose is something very different.

Think of choice cuts of prime beef. To achieve the best dining experience, each steak should be paired with the proper wine. Likewise, a Doctor/unknown companion teaming must be more involved than just taking one from the “Doctor” column and one from the “Companion” column. Modern-day companions add to the storytelling, and it should be no different with a companion unfamiliar to the Doctor. Any ‘new’ companion should not only offer assistance, but also:

• Challenge the Doctor. A ‘new’ companion ought to make the Doctor question himself and his choices. Such an individual could be a source of unexpected, disturbing, or even delightful insights for him.
• Enhance the drama. All modern companions have strong, distinct personality traits, as do the Doctors. Clashes are almost inevitable, but they can also complement. So, a really good fit between Doctor/’new’ companion heightens the conflict, makes the viewer wonder how (if) these two can come together to overcome the main struggle.
• Provide a laugh. If nothing else, an unknown element or the classic “fish-out-water” situation can provide the comic relief every good Who episode needs.

Now, let’s imagine a 10th anniversary special of New Who, 90 minutes long, and all the desired actors and actresses are available and willing to participate (Christopher Eccleston, back on Doctor Who!). So…we need a decent story.

The Plot

(Disclaimer: the following is merely a premise, not a completely thought-out, structured narrative. Any outrage, criticisms, or further speculation are referred to the comments section.)

Time has been harmed due to two recent major changes to the Doctor’s timeline. Altering the end of the Time War (“The Day of the Doctor”) radically compromised the Doctor’s history, and his new regeneration cycle (“The Time of the Doctor”), which delays his death, reworks his future. Some outside power – some force, some agency, someone – tries to correct matters. Not necessarily to destroy the Doctor, but to repair the damage. One consequence is companions being transported to different Doctors at different points in his history.

Here is my particular dream line-up:

The Ninth Doctor with… Clara Oswald

Talk about loggerheads from the word “Go”: The Ninth Doctor, never known for his patience, and Clara “bubbly-personality-masking-bossy-control-freak” Oswald. I have no doubt she would set him off and he’d end up calling her ‘impossible.’ Still, Clara would have a secret weapon – she is the Impossible Girl. Her journey throughout the Doctor’s timeline, including Nine’s, would give her special insight into him. She would know how the aftermath of the Time War shaped him, so she’d be able to look into his own sad eyes and find the words to soften him towards her, help maintain the peace, and keep Nine somewhat in line.

The best place to link these two dramatically would be just after Nine’s regeneration in “The Day of the Doctor”, but prior to the events of “Rose.” Nine would be suffering at this stage, both post-regenerative stress and shell shock from the War. He’d still be forming his identity, making Clara’s presence all the more nerve-wracking. (One potentially amusing moment: Clara makes fun of his ears – which he hasn’t even seen yet.) And what would Clara do, with her own knowledge of events of “The Day of The Doctor”? Could she bring herself to tell Nine that he didn’t actually destroy Gallifrey? Even telling him might only distress him further, since he probably wouldn’t remember later. And, would he even believe her?

The Tenth Doctor with… Amy Pond

Amy surely knew something about regeneration from stories like “The Eleventh Hour,” “The Impossible Astronaut,” and “Let’s Kill Hitler.” But it’s unclear just how much she truly knew about it, about how radical a change it is for the Doctor in both looks and personality. She never knew the Doctor as anyone else other than Eleven, so pairing her with Ten – his immediate predecessor – would certainly be a shock.

Ten himself would probably also find it bizarre encountering a future companion. So, the ideal place/time for him and Amy to meet is just after “Forest of the Dead” before “Midnight.” I’m sure he’d be a bit jumpy about another glimpse into his future so soon after meeting River Song in the Library. Having Donna go missing again (more on that below) and his being anxious to locate her would only worsen matters. And, just try to picture his reaction when Amy describes his future incarnation’s looks and manner. Sorry? Big chin? A bow tie? Seriously?

(For those of you wondering why I haven’t put River alongside Ten, nor have both Amy and River together, there’s a reason. Yes, River would be useful explaining the Doctor to Amy, as only she can. And yes, we could possibly – and finally – witness the Picnic at Asgard. But I believe there’s far more anticipation to be had in Amy’s handling the Doctor herself.)

The Eleventh Doctor with… Rose Tyler

Swap Rose for Amy somewhere among the early days of the Eleventh Doctor, then step back! I want this pairing just to see Rose look at Eleven, realize he’s the Doctor, and go “Okay. Uh….okay.” The adventurous companion of the prior two Doctors witnessing his childlike, manic persona? The mind races! She’d certainly start making comparisons between him and her Doctors, always keeping Eleven on the defensive. He wouldn’t act this way. My Doctor wouldn’t have done that. It’s a feeling I’m sure many of us have had: justifying how you are now to someone who knew you long ago. But the bow tie? The fez?! I’m sure you get the picture.

Here’s a promising, albeit heart-wrenching moment. Once the crisis is past, the villain defeated, and the players start returning to their proper places, the Doctors could all meet one last time to take stock of one another. The Ninth and Tenth Doctors, particularly, would look each other over, each commenting on the other. Behind them, Rose appears some distance away. She has had no contact with either of them, in any way, throughout this adventure. She sees both of them, smiles her big smile, and starts running toward the pair. Just before they both turn towards her, she fades away, back to wherever she was earlier in space/time. Nine and Ten never see her, nor ever know she was there. And we, the viewers, would never know exactly which Doctor she was running to.

I dare you not to cry.

The Twelfth Doctor with… Donna Noble

This one writes itself… Surely Donna wouldn’t see the Twelfth Doctor, but Caecilius, Capaldi’s prior Who role in “The Fires of Pompeii.” No matter how it’s explained in the series, she’d insist he’s not the Doctor, keep addressing him as “Caecilius,” and may never be entirely convinced. Imagine her non-stop barrage of questions: “How did you get in here?” “Why are you dressed like that?” “How did you learn how to fly the TARDIS?” “Why do you keep calling yourself the Doctor?” “How’s the family getting on?” “Why are you grimacing like that?” Anyone would be driven to distraction! Pure gold!

Conclusion

Other Whovians unquestionably have their own favorite match-ups. Captain Jack teamed with the Eleventh Doctor. Wilfred Mott travelling alongside Twelve. River Song or Adelaide Brooke (!) working with Nine (!!) Or Lady Christina de Souza (finally!) journeying with Ten. I’m fine with all that. The Whoniverse is a big place, and there’s plenty of room to play. That’s part of enjoying the series, modern or classic. Even if there isn’t a 10th anniversary special, or any future multi- Doctor episodes (Perish the thoughts!), there’s still wonder to behold just from imagining…

Feel free to state you own dream pairings in the comments!