[alienpanda]

I'm sure in the past they had to earn it. Martha had to wait til half way through her series before she got hers, and they made a big song and dance about it. Yet he's barely known Clara five minutes and, not even been on an adventure yet, and she's got hers....

[Paradise_Lost]

Originally Posted by alienpanda

I'm sure in the past they had to earn it. Martha had to wait til half way through her series before she got hers, and they made a big song and dance about it. Yet he's barely known Clara five minutes and, not even been on an adventure yet, and she's got hers....

Oh, she got hers alright.

Trust the Doctor. He knows who. The others didn't pass the one word test, so nyah!

There was also the small matter of saving his life back on the Starship Alaska. She doesn't waste time with her wiles or her favours.

[CD93]

I don't think we know how 11 operates when it comes to the TARDIS key. We didn't see Amy/Rory get one, did we?

[TRT1968]

Originally Posted by CD93

I don't think we know how 11 operates when it comes to the TARDIS key. We didn't see Amy/Rory get one, did we?

He gave one to Rory and he just kept dying. Then he gave one to Clara, and look at the sticky end she met...

[TheSilentFez]

I thought he gave her the TARDIS key because he worked out who she was, remembered how she was going to die and felt sorry for her as well as guilty so decided to let her see the stars.
Also, how else was she going to get from Victorian London to the Asylum? I think the Doctor saw it as something that had to happen.

[Jerrica09]

He didn't put two and two together until he was at her grave did he?

[Paradise_Lost]

Originally Posted by Jerrica09

He didn't put two and two together until he was at her grave did he?

His radar started beeping when she said she liked to make souffles. The gravestone confirmed what he had suspected.

[AdelaideGirl]

I tend to agree - the Doctor knew something was up with Clara after the soufflés comment an he really did give her th key way to quickly. In fact even before he made his "come travel with me" offer.

Also the kissing was way to early and enthusiastic - ok thanks to River he knows he likes it but still a whorl wind.

[tomwozhere]

Rose got one very quickly didn't she?

[Batmannequin]

I liked how quickly he handed it over - it shows how, for all his depression and talk of "retirement", really he was desperate for a friend to adventure with. Very sweet if you ask me.

Also, in storytelling terms, it made a lot of sense, too - it's just idiocy when a popular companion leaves to give in-story implications to an already potentially wary audience that the new companion isn't as good. Whereas RTD completely destroyed Martha's chances from the start by having The Doctor comparing her to Rose at every opportunity and not giving her a key for half a season - basically saying to the audience "she's no Rose, sorry" and making us think that the new companion wasn't as good - even if she didn't do anything wrong in her first episodes [quite the opposite, in fact] - here, by having The Doctor accept Clara so quickly Moff was basically saying "Yeah, the Ponds have gone, but look, Clara's here now and The Doctor's accepted her, so why not give her a chance?"

[saladfingers81]

Originally Posted by Batmannequin

I liked how quickly he handed it over - it shows how, for all his depression and talk of "retirement", really he was desperate for a friend to adventure with. Very sweet if you ask me.

Also, in storytelling terms, it made a lot of sense, too - it's just idiocy when a popular companion leaves to give in-story implications to an already potentially wary audience that the new companion isn't as good. Whereas RTD completely destroyed Martha's chances from the start by having The Doctor comparing her to Rose at every opportunity and not giving her a key for half a season - basically saying to the audience "she's no Rose, sorry" and making us think that the new companion wasn't as good - even if she didn't do anything wrong in her first episodes [quite the opposite, in fact] - here, by having The Doctor accept Clara so quickly Moff was basically saying "Yeah, the Ponds have gone, but look, Clara's here now and The Doctor's accepted her, so why not give her a chance?"

Totally agree. Though it perhaps had to be done the shadow Rose cast over the remainder of Tennants time was massively detrimental not only to Martha but also S4. It shouldn't be repeated and so much as I miss the Ponds I don't want to see it on screen all the time. It is all about Clara now and her debut has been so good that for me the Ponds are a fond memory. Onwards!

[AdelaideGirl]

Originally Posted by tomwozhere

Rose got one very quickly didn't she?

Not that quickly. I think it was during World War 3? The episode with the sithleen family. So it was during her third adventure.

[tomwozhere]

Originally Posted by AdelaideGirl

Not that quickly. I think it was during World War 3? The episode with the sithleen family. So it was during her third adventure.

Sorry, I remembered it being in London and I automatically thought of the opener

[johnnysaucepn]

It was a good symbol for what was happening - it wasn't just a key to the TARDIS he was giving her, it was a key to him, he was opening up after his long time away. And it's something that could be - again, symbolically - taken away again.

Also remember his reasons for travelling with Amy - he deliberately lied to her and concealed his interest in bringing her aboard the TARDIS. If he already had his suspicions that there was a mystery around Clara, he may have wanted to draw her in, so to speak.

[la_bambi]

Originally Posted by alienpanda

I'm sure in the past they had to earn it. Martha had to wait til half way through her series before she got hers, and they made a big song and dance about it. Yet he's barely known Clara five minutes and, not even been on an adventure yet, and she's got hers....

I feel for Martha. She had to wait 7 episodes to get a bleeding key. While others got it so quick. I wonder why...

[AdelaideGirl]

I think it was suposed to show how special Rose was. Also The Doctor wasn't initially taking her on as a companion it was one trip to the past and then one to the future and then he didn't really want to give her up because he didn't really want to be on his own.

Martha was in many ways a better companion than Rose but she always got short changed. Like the rebound girlfriend who's really very good for him but he's just never going to be that attracted to because its too soon after the last relationship.

[nebogipfel]

You mean before he'd run credit and CRB checks on her? You really need references before you let a lodger in. Maybe he's never seen Pacific Heights.

[alienpanda]

Originally Posted by Batmannequin

I liked how quickly he handed it over - it shows how, for all his depression and talk of "retirement", really he was desperate for a friend to adventure with. Very sweet if you ask me.

Also, in storytelling terms, it made a lot of sense, too - it's just idiocy when a popular companion leaves to give in-story implications to an already potentially wary audience that the new companion isn't as good. Whereas RTD completely destroyed Martha's chances from the start by having The Doctor comparing her to Rose at every opportunity and not giving her a key for half a season - basically saying to the audience "she's no Rose, sorry" and making us think that the new companion wasn't as good - even if she didn't do anything wrong in her first episodes [quite the opposite, in fact] - here, by having The Doctor accept Clara so quickly Moff was basically saying "Yeah, the Ponds have gone, but look, Clara's here now and The Doctor's accepted her, so why not give her a chance?"

^ THIS!!! 100% This!!!!

[Analysethis]

Originally Posted by Batmannequin

I liked how quickly he handed it over - it shows how, for all his depression and talk of "retirement", really he was desperate for a friend to adventure with. Very sweet if you ask me.

Also, in storytelling terms, it made a lot of sense, too - it's just idiocy when a popular companion leaves to give in-story implications to an already potentially wary audience that the new companion isn't as good. Whereas RTD completely destroyed Martha's chances from the start by having The Doctor comparing her to Rose at every opportunity and not giving her a key for half a season - basically saying to the audience "she's no Rose, sorry" and making us think that the new companion wasn't as good - even if she didn't do anything wrong in her first episodes [quite the opposite, in fact] - here, by having The Doctor accept Clara so quickly Moff was basically saying "Yeah, the Ponds have gone, but look, Clara's here now and The Doctor's accepted her, so why not give her a chance?"

I agree with this. 'Tis the best post I've seen all year!

[alienpanda]

Originally Posted by Analysethis

I agree with this. 'Tis the best post I've seen all year!

Id go as far as to say my fave Doctor Who post since 2005!! Well done Batmannequin

[Ethel_Fred]

I wonder if The Doctor wanted an "imprint" of COO and the key was the easiest way to do it.

[Shawn_Lunn]

Originally Posted by tomwozhere

Rose got one very quickly didn't she?

In her fourth episode.

Clara got hers quickest really.

[Whovian_Kacela]

He had just been through some really really tough times and needed some companionship or he would turn out just like that man from the episode a christmas carol that he had to change, saw some similarities in the way they acted.

[Elphie_Lives]

Originally Posted by Batmannequin

I liked how quickly he handed it over - it shows how, for all his depression and talk of "retirement", really he was desperate for a friend to adventure with. Very sweet if you ask me.

Also, in storytelling terms, it made a lot of sense, too - it's just idiocy when a popular companion leaves to give in-story implications to an already potentially wary audience that the new companion isn't as good. Whereas RTD completely destroyed Martha's chances from the start by having The Doctor comparing her to Rose at every opportunity and not giving her a key for half a season - basically saying to the audience "she's no Rose, sorry" and making us think that the new companion wasn't as good - even if she didn't do anything wrong in her first episodes [quite the opposite, in fact] - here, by having The Doctor accept Clara so quickly Moff was basically saying "Yeah, the Ponds have gone, but look, Clara's here now and The Doctor's accepted her, so why not give her a chance?"

I agree,with all your post but I especially like the BIB.

[Facepalmer]

The handing over of the key does seem to have great significance in NuWho and I think Martha was the most appreciative of the gesture.

Maybe there's another reason Clara was given a key. Maybe it contains a 'neural relay' similar to the one he used to save Rivers consciousness in the screwdriver. I wonder if 'new' Clara will have the key already, handed down from her ancestor. She could find the Tardis, try her 'lucky key' and regain the memories contained within, similar to a Timelord fob watch. Can't wait to find out!