I thought it was way too late in the game to reveal Rory was a Weasley. It almost felt contrived.

You're obviously not a real fan

Nice productive post you have there. *slowclap*

I put all that effort in just for you. I'm so pleased it's appreciated.

Aaargh! I wish I'd thought of that for the "my opinion is very important" thread.

Indeed.

I do like Clara though- and I think that Jenna is doing a great job I loved her in the Asylum episode as souffle girl. I suppose I'm just a bit as to why all of the recent companions have to be extra special, like being human ain't quite enough somehow.

In regards to other characters I have loved some that others seem to have disliked and conversely disliked those who are loved. Anyway, perhaps we should have an 'unpopular opinions' thread where we could say how Tennant is ugly (he isn't) and Love and Monsters is wonderful (it isn't) if we want . Bad examples perhaps, but I have a couple of unpopular opinions But I fully accept that it's just me, and my opinion and I'd see no reason to argue about them here because why should I necessarily be right?

Where as traveling around Space and time in a small box that's bigger on the inside is an every day thing.

You wouldn't be considered necessarily right or wrong. The whole point of forums is to have an discussion. It could be positive or negative. People will also defend their opinions.

I made this thread because I couldn't find an controversy topic of Clara. I actually gave my points and some people declared it 'annoying', 'funny' and basically just had a dig. There's a thread about not liking Rose. Well, I adored Rose but I'm not gonna bash anyone who like/dislike the same characters as me. It's beyond childish.

I know Doctor Who is an unrealsitic show and should be considered as such. The thing is I just don't think the companion is realistic enough in the Dr Who universe if you catch my meaning. Even Amy Pond wasn't this off putting for me.

The name Clara is probably a tribute to Elizabeth Sladen. I like that it means ''clear/bright/light' though, knew that already but not the 'famous'.

No, I agree with you, I wasn't saying that we couldn't or shouldn't have alternate or conflicting opinions on characters. I suppose what I was (clumsily) saying is that sometimes you just like someone and sometimes you just don't take to them. I didn't like Donna (I think it was mostly the voice) but I'll fully admit that my opinion is probably slightly irrational and she was a good companion (heh!).

I like Clara but I understand why some find her a bit too sassy and knowledgeable to be enjoyable to watch because that's my issue with River. My biggest grumble with Clara why she has to be special, like mere humans are not good enough any more, but anyway it's a bit early to say with her.

Because of Moffat's love of complex plots I'd guess. I think he'd find it boring if the companion was 'just a girl'.

I think the difference will be that Amy was sort of accidentally special because she just happened to be living where a crack was and that was then used by his enemies, whereas I think Clara is a deliberate and unwitting ploy who has been put in place to STOP the Doctor from giving away the secrets he's never supposed to and causing devastation.

Moffat did sort of do the 'normal' companion with Rory but he turned into a rather grim NiceGuyTM trope in the end and frankly I'd rather see extra special people than that ever again.

This

But do we really want the same old "bigger on the inside" reveals and explanations every time there's a new companion? It's better to mix it up rather than be samey. There's enough samey stuff as it is.

Well she has already died twice and seems to be splinted through time. I don't think a realistic, normal companion is what Moffat is going for.

Amy spent her life in awe of the Doctor. She giggled like a schoolgirl when the Doctor showed her something new and incredible.

Clara's defining characteristic is that she's not in awe of anyone or anything. And yes, that means that in some respects she's like the Doctor. Maybe he needs someone to challenge him.

I think that is part of the problem - she probably is interested and amazed at what she's seeing, but isn't really showing it. Personally I can't connect with a character who seems pretty un-emotive about what's happening.

Amy, Rory and those before them were quite wide-eyed and surprised and amazed at what they were seeing. To me, Clara's coming across as "it's ok, nothing more..." I'm just going to find it hard to like her if she's going to be like all the time. The Doctor just feels like a tour guide at the minute to her and she's a pretty unimpressed tourist by some of her reactions...

I quite like Clara so what she didn't "react" in the way you wanted but I did notice in the market scene when the thing (forgotten the name) started barking at her she did look a bit of what's going on her (Does the TARDIS not translate anymore)

She reminds me of a seasoned traveller - wanting to see everything and experience it all, but not phased by different local customs and sights. Which is interesting given so much of her life has been driven by that very desire, to be an experienced traveller.

I'm not quite sold on Clara as a character yet, she doesn't have the contrasts and edges and, well, crunchiness, that Amy had, but I can see what they're trying to do with her, and there's definitely promise there.

Not being funny but every episode that has featured Clara so far has had plenty of moments where she's had an emotional reaction to things - becoming a Dalek, dying at the hands of the Ice Lady, her differing reactions to the TARDIS, remembering stuff from her childhood, that whole leaf speech she gave as well, her wariness with the Doctor.

This whole defence about her not having an emotional response to things is incredibly hollow when you actually look at the way she has reacted to things.

I have to admit that i would have thought even the most seasoned traveller would have asked "Why am I not choking to death/freezing/boiling/exploding?" at least twice in that episode (standing on an asteroid and flying on a moped).

Do companions usually say that?

It's a feature of the scriptwriting that they have to make the companions a little blase about a whole bunch of things, otherwise the script for any show featuring someone new entering and travelling in the TARDIS would have to be exactly the same every time.

On the furthest level you would think there would be a companion who went into hysterical fits or catatonic shock when they were exposed to some of these things, but they don't because that wouldn't advance the plot. I think with every companion other than Rose, they have made them very strong, very early on, possibly to resist feminist critiques of weak female companions, possibly because they know it's pretty boring for the viewer if the Dr solves every problem, every time, possibly because it helps the actress settle in to the role, or essential character characteristics to be revealed, if they have them act in a strong way, possibly because cult sci-fi now demands a strong female character in the post Buffy era.

I think this role is a bit of a poison chalice in that she isn't playing just Clara the person, but also Clara the mystery, and so is receiving a double focus as character AND plot point, so there are two grounds for disappointment for everyone watching. I think she was great as the souffle character so am rooting for her to win through, even though I miss the lovely, and allowed to use her Scottish accent, Amy.

In Saturday's episode I did find Clara a bit odd. Verging on the over acting. I hope there is a reason when it all pans out.