Rose was good with both Nine and Ten, and I never could see why the Ten/Rose love story bothers some people. My only criticism there is that they should have played it as serious romance instead of "flirting around the universe". For me, she is the companion to top all companions and the standard against which all successors will be judged. The point about her being needy is that's also what makes her strong!

(Also, contrary to one post above, her relationship with the real Doctor is an unfinished story. The way it was left in Journey's End is hugely unsatisfying. We need to know why the Doc would push her off for utterly stupid, unconvincing reasons and why somebody as devoted and loyal as Rose would snog the wrong Doctor. So seemingly out of character, there simply HAS to be more to follow.)

I love Donna, but she doesn't quite cut it next to Rose. She saves the universe, but only as a result of absorbing all that Time Lord energy when her survival instinct kicked in. As for Martha, she rescues the Doctor and the world from the Master but indirectly. She's a catalyst who follows his instructions. Rose saves the world off her own initiative, directly and hands-on, risking her life again and again, whether it's Daleks, Cybermen or The Beast. In Parting of the Ways she saves the day when the Doctor himself has given up. A true heroine, the very opposite of selfish, able to stand on her own and take charge of situations, and all because she's come to love this man and everything he stands for.

Yes, in S4 Russell did make her look selfish at times, but that was poor characterisation. I'd like to see her come back as a more mature Rose who has put that behind her. As for Donna, I'm delighted she's returning. She shares with Rose the distinction of actually WANTING to travel with the Doctor for the rest of her life. That's dedication. Most of the old series companions left when a suitable opportunity came up. Donna and Rose gel very nicely and it would be brilliant to see them travel together for a season!

Oh, and River Song... Intensely irritating and with a slightly smutty line in handcuff humour but I think that's a smokescreen. My guess is that she's a mind-swapped past self of Rose, but living in the future. (The clues are in Moffat's episodes.) That will enable Moffat to bring her in as a new love interest, piggybacking on Rose's popularity, while leaving the door open for Billie to return. Still, almost any companion is preferable to her as River Song.

Donna was the best by a mile, then Martha, and then a long way behind would be Rose.

Sorry I may be in the minority but I can never take Donna seriously.

There was almost always something in everyone of her episode that made me cringe especially the Dalek-destruction sequence in "Journey's End" when her techno-babble was so insincere it was embarassing!!

Martha for me was the best of the three!. She showed a level of intelligence that the other two could never match.

I loved 1st series Rose, she worked very well with Nine but got very annoying, selfish and smug during series 2.
Martha bless her-had some big shoes to fill and unfortunatly was ruined by the soppy-eyed love they wrote for her-but Martha made me smile, she was a lovely caring character.
Donna has to be my favorite overall. Ballsy and yet caring. I loved Donna to bits and cried buckets at her ending. Still can't watch it now.

My OH and eldest son felt that way too.

Hello Andy.....I have to say that I disagree very much with that.....Donna and Marth are equally, and I would say more so, of heroines as much as Rose is...


Martha....In Smith and Jones, she gave her last breath to the Doctor, whom she didn't know enough at that point....that in all shows how brilliant and unselfish, and the ability to stand on her own two feet she was...Rose may have looked into the Time Vortex....but never with the intention, or the thought of the risk of death in her mind, unlike Martha, who knew that by giving him CPR, which was using up all her oxygen.....and not only would she done it for the Doctor...but in Turn Left, she does it for Oliver....a truly selfless act...and an everyday hero...also in Gridlock she used a lot of her initiative to keep her kidnappers going, and her advise was what kept them alive, not what the Doctor told her....same with in the Dalek to parter....she stood up the Daleks twice...the Doctor obly asked her the second time, just to ask what they were doing...but it took her courage to do it.....Rose was only able to do that in Doomsady, after having met the Daleks a couple of times, and before with the power of the Time vortex....but Martha didn't have that....but yet she spoke to them, and shouted at them....and again in the same two parter, she was only sent to the empire building by the Doctor, wasn't told what to do...and she proved her worth again, also in the Lazarus Experiment, she went back into the building when she didn't need to, in 42, she was the one who stood by the Doctor, and tried to calm him when he was losing control, and she was the one who really pushed the riley and them lot to let the sun particles go....in the Human Nature two parter...she spent two months as a maid, being treated as a second class citizen, having rasicm being thrown at her....patiently...yet Rose, couldn't believe she was a Kitchen waitress, or a dinner lady for what a day or two....and yet Matha was the one who grew up in a better class, and where rasicm even though existent, but at least easily challenged.....and yet she still didn't let that get her down for the reason the Doctor had brought her there...and she stood by this human version who she found annoying and treated her quite badly....I say that in it self takes a lot of guts....which I could see Rose sulking much earlier....and then in Blink, its Martha who has to work and look after the Doctor, while he does what he has to do according to Sally's stuff. In Sound of Drums, Martha openly questions the Doctor, especially when her family come into danger because of his actions....while Rose easily dismissed Jackie 19 yeras of looking after her, and chose to be with the Doctor...not because she loves him, but because she wants the Doctor....its about what makes her happy....no thought about how her mother would live without her, while both Mickey and Jackie (in POTW), are happy to let Rose go to give her what she wants....she tells them that she has nothing left there....that is selfish, while Martha, really starts to worry about her decision to travl with the Doctor has had a horrible and dangerous effect on her family....and in TLOTTL, Martha maybe doing what the Doctor told her, but she is doing it all under her strengths....it isn't easy going round the whole of the Earth, seeing the Master's cruel rule being taken place....and she does all that without any extra help with god like powers....she puts her life at risk....she may have been lucky to be brought back to the Valiant...but she wasn't to know 100% percent that he wasn't going to kill her when she came out onto the street......And then finally, she walked out on the Doctor....it took a lot of guts for her to do that too, while Rose still can't let go, and just want the Doctor to love her, hence why she kissed the other Doctor...not because she loved him, but he actually said those words that she wanted to her...you see, its she....while Martha accepted she couldn't have what she wanted, so wanted to move on, and let the Doctor go, because he would have carried on travelling with her....but sh knew better...and she left.....and while Rose was using Davros's destructive plan as a way to get back to the Doctor...Martha, was willing to put her self at risk, in order to stop Davros's plan....and lets not forget, soldiers folow instructions.....but they are still heroes....

Donna....her first selfless act was in TRB, when she stood in front of the Doctor when the Santa Robots were about to shoot him....and without thinking she stood in the way and said she wouldn't let....even though there was a risk of being shot herself at that time, I mean she didn't even now him that well enough at that time, but yet she that...more than what Rose had done when she met the Doctor...she was just interested in the adventure and fun in that....
Donna, spent most of her time looking for the Doctor, on her own initiative....in FOP, she stood up the Doctor many times....and I really can't see Rose doing what she did, willing to die for the world...I mean, yes Rose did say to the Doctor in WW3 to allow for the bomb to head for No 10, but next minute she tried to say that she doesn't want to die yet, and starts looking for a sfae place to survive....while Donna says "never mind us"....guts or what....and then later again, she is wanting the Doctor to save someones life, to go back....while Rose only did that for the Dalek, because she knew he had chnged, and saw some of her in there somewhere....and as for her saving her dad, well that was a little who wanted her daddy back ( a selfish side we all have)...but Donna wanted to save a bunch of strangers...even though technically they are all dead in her time anyway...And while Rose also didn't like the Ood as being slaves, it wasn't something she delved on for to long....yet Donna....didn't like it one bit, and seemed to even understand their biology....she did show them more sympathy....and probably even made the Doctor remember how much he didn't really do alot for them on Satan's pit....In the Sonatarn two parter, although she was folowing orders, she wasn't really used to dealing with aliens on her own, so again a lot of guts for her...and I have to say that her reaction of seeing the Doctor going off to the Sontaran ship, was that of genuine concern and worry of something happening to her friend....with Rose...it always felt as if the Doctor's gone....and he can't leave her...again elements of selfishness....in The Doctor's Daughter, Donna really shows understanding of the Doctor...and really helps him to come to terms with having a daughter...somehow, I don't think Rose would have been very helpful at all, not if her reaction to his comment in fear her is anything to go by....and lets not forget, we see the super temp in Donna in this episode...and her ability with numbers and stuff....in TUATW, she is Agatha's Consience at times....she has her moments of investigating, in her own Donna ways....and she uses her own initiative to shock the Doctor....In Silence of the Library two parter, again she is quite challenging of the Doctor, her sympathy of the underdog....her support for her friend when questionning River, and her life in the matrix world, show what a brilliant human she is and caring...also, she finds her self questioning her reality at times, which shows awareness....In Midnight, that hug is more than enough to show how much she understands the Doctor, In Turn Left, well it just goes to show that the Donna most loved in series 4, would have still come through as it was always there...and she too gave her life....Rose never did that...what ever she has done, its always to get back to the Doctor....and as for TSE, can you see anyone else being so happy at the Doctor finally seeing Rose, than Donna herself???....a true friend....and as for her saving the Universe, yes she came to save it by having the Time Lord brain.....but that is because Dalek Caan chose her....as he knew she was the one who could have that initiatve, she just needed the courage and self beief, which she felt that was gained by having a Time Lord brain.....so basically it was just her having an extra bit of knowledge...but she was still a super temp....and she was still Donna....the same Donna that had saved the Doctor in TRB...Turn Left prooves that it couldn't have been anyone....it had to be Donna, and who and what she is.....so yes another heroine, who has had the worst fate so far.....


Probably have loads of spelling mistakes, but I can't be botherd now

Rose begins to be annoying by Series 2, has a truly wonderful goodbye scene, gets back to kicking a** in The Stolen Earth and then gets back to being soppy in Journey's End.

Martha is believable from head to toe, in any of her choice and any of her doings. She is not a heroine, she is just someone who tries to do good... and tries to deal with an unrequited love.

And Donna rocks. Period.

For detailed arguments : please see post above

standing ovation for crazzy!!!

@crazzyaz's post!!! well done you!!

*digs out muscle rub for crazzyaz's most probably aching arm!*

Right now I'll go read it!

Oh yeah! And Martha rocks too!

And now I've read it....bloody brilliant. Well put crazzyaz *claps*

Agree with everything you said. And its made me look at Martha in a new light too.

Post of the Year goes to.....crazzyaz7....great summary of all my feelings.

Oh yes, me too...actually bought a lump to my throat reading that.

I have never seen this difference some say they do between Series 1 Rose and Series 2 Rose. She never seemed smug to me, though I'll acknowledge she could be selfish, particularly in the way she treated Mickey. But that was over both series.

While I do agree that Rose in series two began to get a bit annoying, I don't think it was strictly Rose as a character's fault. I think both she AND the Doctor came across a bit too smug and giggly and infuriating at times. I understand that, to an extent, this was the point; thinking they were invincible only to get a big fat reality check slapped across their faces by the end of the series, but it wasn't always fun to watch and I can see how it might have polarized opinion - those people who loved that side of their relationship, and those who were left with an unpleasant, nauseated feeling, lol.

Rose was definitely a strong character, but ultimately I think she became too big a part of the show for her own good. I never thought Rose allowed much room for anyone else, she was too much of a Daddy's favourite with the Doctor and nobody else could have really got a look in. Yes, she did mingle about on her best behaviour recently, but only after she had her own storyline going on for the bulk of an episode and a stretch of time with just her and the Doctor.

Martha's not a universally well liked character, but there was so much they did with her I just don't think they could have done with other companions. The Human Nature two parter wouldn't have worked with Rose I think, there needed to be that bit of distance between the companion and the Doctor that was never there emotionally with Rose. Also, the series three finale really worked for me because Martha's motivations seemed a lot more ... I don't know, I think if that'd have been Rose, it would have been so much more focused on her winning back her Doctor as opposed to the mission in general.... if that makes sense.

While I think Martha was wasted in series four for the most part, it showed a nice attitude. She can easily take a step back out of the spotlight and works well in that capacity. She's now in a position where can she can bid a tearless but emotional farewell to the Doctor without huge spectacle.

Donna is probably my favourite of all three however, because there's something about her relationship with the Doctor that brings out new shades to his personality. I don't know how much there's left to tell of her story, but the prospect certainly thrills me more than say.....another Rose return.

Horses for courses...

I think Rose was great with 9. No problem with the 'romance' at all. I don't think it should have carried over into 10's era.

I'd rate Donna and Rose as equal if they'd done that.

Martha comes in a creditable 4th behind Capn. Jack!

Hi crazzy, that's one epic reply. You're not gonna make this easy for me, are you? I would have answered sooner but my PC's been playing up and I've got another debate going on DW Online.

Just a preliminary reaction: you wrote,


No no no. Demonstrably untrue. She had no idea what the vortex would do to her, but she couldn't not have been aware that, for a human, attempting to pilot the TARDIS back to Satellite 5 was a dangerous maneouvre, and that's probably an understatement. She knew it might result in her death. (MICKEY: Rose, if you go back you're gonna die. ROSE: That's a risk I've got to take.) Whereas Donna acquired superhuman abilities in blind desperation, Rose got hers in a calculated risk to save the earth.

I'm sure I'll have more to say after I've read through your post. By the way, this isn't about who "rocks" and who doesn't. They all do. I suppose, for me, it's ultimately about who is most archetypal.

I think Martha is a lovely character, and grossly underrated. Martha was never quite the Doctor's "mate" like Donna was, and certainly wasn't a love interest like Rose. The unreciprocated love she held for the Doctor didn't stop her from being a caring and loyal companion; and she was also an intelligent, practical and capable girl. Both in Blink and in Human Nature/Family of Blood, she had to unselfishly look after the Doctor in the most unglamarous of ways.

Having said all that, Donna is great, and all things considered, probably is the best of the 'New Who' companions. Rose doesn't really compare. As several others have already stated, she worked really well with nine, but with ten, seemed to have become a rather silly selfish little girl, far too posessive of the Doctor and increasingly smug. The tragic ending of season two was, I think, a relief to many people. I spent the whole of season two wishing Chris Eccleston was still the Doctor, but once Rose left the show, the burden seemed to lift from Tennant, and over the past two years he has become a towering doctor. The best companions bring out the best in their doctor - Rose didn't do that; Martha and Donna did.

Nope....but that is mainly cos I aint got nothing better to do

As for the whole comment that Rose makes....I agree she does say that it is a risk she will have to take.....but compare that Maybe type risk to Donna standing on the pavement ready to jump in front of the lorry in Turn Left.....an even bigger evidence of the likelihood of death....and this is a Donna that hasn't really even met the Doctor.....Rose goes to save the Doctor....she has seen what the vortex does to Margaret Slitheen, so she knows that there is a chance that it can give her what she wants (and the risk of death is an unknown possibilty than a definite possibility)....but with Donna in Turn Left....not JE, gives her life, knowing that it is the only way to save the Doctor and save the world (lol that reminds me of something else)....

So yes Donna, in JE may have got her skills by so called accident, but yet, she was the one who got them, because Caan chose her, because she is Donna Noble....again Turn Left proves that it couldn't have been just anyone, it had to be Donna.....

Don't get me wrong....maybe my post made it sound as if I hate Rose, I don't.....but your earlier post seem to suggest that the things Donna and Martha did were not as heroic as Rose, but yet they are, equally if not more....You dismissed Matha's actions of walking across the world as just following instructions, but like I said, a soldier follows instructions too....but is a very much a hero (and probably more so) as those who give the instructions....

On the New Doctor Who thread, we also talked about seeing for example Rose or Donna in Human Nature....and we mainly came to the conclusion that the stories are written for them so are hard to see anyone else in that story......

Lot of interesting reading so far. Must say, as far as the New Who goes, Best companions:- [IMO]
1: DONNA NOBLE (She was his mate!! She was funny, sad and caring...and a believable character)
2: ROSE TYLER (Lovely person to get involved with our Doctor from the start. Some nice side-wise comments with him, and obviously the love was there by the end. I loved her Mother more though!!)
3: MARTHA JONES (What a hero she turned out to be! AND conquered her feelings for David...sorry..Doctor. At least she found her own guy and is still friends with the Dr!)
4: CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS (surely he is classed as a companion? He was in at least 9/10 episodes throughout the first four series (minus series 2). And captured many peoples attention).
5: SARAH JANE SMITH (Not last for any other reason that she wasn't a companion really was she this time around - but I have to mention her, because she is allowing Mr Tennant to appear in HER series very soon!!)

just read your post crazzyaz7, with series 4 song 'a dazzling end' coincedentally playing in the background, and got goosebumps! such a great way of putting the comparisons between the companions!

My take on it is as follows.

The Doctor is how shall we put it an eccentric character. I don't think i'd have bought into the romantic angle on the character if I never saw the TV Movie which for me is the first doctor Who story i'd ever seen.

But over the years I kept hearing people who didn't like the whole idea of the Doctor having a love interest which I bought into. After all, he would probably be the first confess that he was "rubbish" at his own wedding.

Then you consider the fact that what we have here is romance between Human and Time Lord. What kind of a life could they ever expect. The Doctor doesn't exactly make his biology known. He only told Rose about his regenerations when he absorbed the Time Vortex and his body cells died. Similarly with Donna, only Rose filled Donna in about that aspect of Time Lord biology.

The thing is though in spite of this, The Doctor became intertwined in the lives of a family on a cheap estate in London. The Tyler's and their friend Mickey the idiot. He chose Rose as companion because he thought she was "brilliant". The attraction between the two was obvious and unbreakable. The kind of life that Mickey couldn't offer her. It was as if the Tyler's replaced his own Time Lord family. He lost Gallifrey, he lost his own people. Then there was the Earth... there were the Human Race. Then there were the Tylers.

He gets closer to them all even to Mickey. He even shares Christmas Dinner with them.

Then one day, Doomsday happens. The price of sending the Daleks and the Cybermen to "hell", pulling them into the void was losing Rose and his "human family". This wouldn't be the first time he has experienced loss but he was obviously hurt. Not that he had much time to dwell on his new found loneliness. Donna Noble appeared in the TARDIS for the first time. I think she was probably the only Companion the Doctor had who wasn't interested in him romantically. This could have been why he was moved to ask her to join her in the TARDIS.

Then we have Martha Jones. Another companion who was smitten by the Doctor. He offered her one trip in the TARDIS. That's what it was supposed to be anyway. Bhyt we know that the Doctor was lonely so he kept finding reasons to hang on to her. One trip to Elizabethan England, which lead to a Trip To New Earth. This then lead to a brush with the Daleks in Manhattan. We thought he'd left her behind for good until they caught sight of the Lazarus youth experiment. It wasn't until then that he accepted Martha as a companion, but he never truly got over Rose, and he never has.

Not even after she came back when we were all lead to believe that it was impossible. Now she's gone again, apparently never to return again, to look after the Doctors genocidal double.

Rose was good for the Doctor. It always comes back to Rose because for me she has had the biggest impact on the doctor than any companion he has ever had.

The giant robot was a bad idea. Torchwood didn't exist yet, and even if they did, too many witnesses to give the retcon pills. So why wasn't it in the history books? Tsk! Also, the way the CyberKing piloted it, made me think of Power Rangers, specifically their Zords.

Donna Noble - Best companion EVER!!!!

well if we are talking about a companion risking their life to save the world then I'll give a special mention to K-9 in 'School Reunion'.
Can't get more loyal than the tin dog!

Good boy!