RANKING BEST DOCTOR AND COMPANION DUOS FOR THE FIRST SEVEN ERAS OF DOCTOR WHO (1963-1989)

The series, 'Doctor Who', has been in existence since 1963 and has been driven by constant change. The Doctor is a time traveler with the ability to stab off death by regenerating. Turning into a new person with the same memories acquired before. Same person with a new shell. Every since that first story, The Doctor has not traveled alone. The companions serve a important part to the series. The audience is represented by the companions. The ones to ask the questions; help solve the problems and to get into problems. Sometimes we learn a lot of these characters and other times not so much. Much of the time The Doctor travels with young women. Now of course there have been exceptions to that, but experience has shown that female companions tend to work better with The Doctor as they mainly are shown to bring needed element of expertise.In modern 'Doctor Who' (2005-present) a more physical relationship was on display between Doctor and female companions, but was not present in the classic era. The Doctor tended to see companions as almost children to him thus treated many as students or family than as objects. To show the wonders of the great Universe and educate as was the original series objective. No matter how many companions might travel with The Doctor, and there have been as many as three at a time, its that one on one dynamic that shines through. One always standing out because of personality; need or passion of character that the audience remembers. A character that wants to be useful. Cares about the main character and those around them. A possible voice of reason which needs to tell The Doctor to act or maybe to just STOP. These are ones that I like the best with each Doctor. Didn't do it chronological order as that is very boring so here we go. 7.First Doctor and Steven: Steven Taylor had joined The Doctor at the end of season 2 and throughout season 3, he became Watson to The Doctor's Sherlock Holmes. He would question The Doctor's reasoning and was able to step in to fight battles beyond The Time Lord. Very much a mentor and student relationship that was strengthened by respect. 6. Second Doctor and Jamie: The fourth season was full of constant change. The First Doctor regenerates at the end of the second story and the fourth they get a third companion (Jamie). Just had gotten two new ones (Ben and Polly). Jamie would remain for the rest of The Second Doctor era. Jamie was well meaning but a little thick in the thought process. Loyal to The Doctor and served as his bodyguard. They were a buddy team like a vaudeville act of the thirties. Quick with the double talk. Both watching each others back able to get out of a no win situation by the skin of there teeth. Eventually, Jamie and other companion, Zoe, were returned to their time periods with their traveling days with The Doctor erased by The Time Lords, so The Doctor could start his exile on Earth. A sad way to end this team, but there is reason to believe the mind block didn't last forever. 5. Sixth Doctor and Peri: Peri was the first companion meant to be American and she joined up with The Doctor in his previous form just before his regeneration. Going from a gentle sort to a maniac with an acidic personality, Peri endures. The Doctor mistreats her; tried to kill her and puts her in constant danger. But throughout her time with this multi-colored nightmare, Peri never left him. She could but decides to stay to help him through these volcanic changes. She also stand for herself and will put him in his place. She leaves him without choice. The Doctor couldn't save her from brain surgery which at first implied Peri was dead. Later to find out Peri survived as a Warrior Queen on an alien world. 4. Seventh Doctor and Ace: This Doctor was one who wanted to settle old scores. A manipulator to all whether friend or an enemy. No longer wandering into a problem but playing the situation like a chess board. A much darker sense to this incarnation in spite of his silly appearance and demeanor. Ace, real name Dorothy McShane, is a juvenile delinquent who make explosives. She helps The Doctor even though he uses. Trying to make her face her past to become stronger but that eventually pushes her away. 3. Fifth Doctor and Nyssa: Nyssa joined the show officially in the last story of Fourth Doctor. She was the third companion after, Adric and Tegan. Nyssa is the the sweet genius of the group who is fascinated by all aspects of her travels with The Fifth Doctor. She is scientist and sees The Doctor as a father figure after losing her own. Though on screen she never traveled alone with him, Nyssa was the one who could understand The Doctor and be a use to. She would stick around for two season but would have actaul solo adventures with Doctor in novels and audios. 2. Third Doctor and Jo: Very much a father/daughter connection. Jo Grant joined UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Task force) in 8th season during The Third Doctor's exile to Earth. Using her connections with her Uncle, Jo gets a job as The Doctor's assistant. She is not qualified for that job at all. She is the definition of the audience character;. Well meaning; shy; innocent but able to figure ways to get out of jam while being useful to The Doctor if anything else to remind him of who he is.

1. Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith: In the Third Doctor's final season, season 11, we are introduced to reporter, Sarah Jane Smith. She strong; forceful and quite human. A relationship that started out as a way for her to get news stories to sell to her publisher became a adventure of a lifetime. She stuck around after The Doctor regenerated into number 4 and thus she dealt with him going from suave to overly bohemian. Sarah Jane Smith is the one character in the classic series, this series, who The Doctor may actually have loved in all matters of the word. No just friendship but something deeper. On many occasions he referred to Sarah as his best friend. On other occasions The Doctor was willing to allow himself to die to save her. He would allowed others to fall if he had to keep Sarah safe. She was never a damsel in distress. Sarah Jane could take care of herself, but like anyone, she needed help from time to time. Not a burden to him at all. They explored the Universe as partners in crime able to look after each other with even trying. The only reason Sarah finally left The Doctor, was he could not bring her with him to Gallifrey. Time Lord forbade Humans from entering Gallifrey for whatever reason.