For me it is a welcomed change from the usual self assured, take to time travelling and mortal peril like a duck to water type of companion.

Don't get me wrong, I think all the companions have been great but Clara is certainly unique.

She isn't as self assured in the light of danger as the others and has an air of mystery about her.

I think people need to take a step back in judging her character and her chemistry with the Doctor.

We have seen some wonderful episodes with the two of them and in my opinion the best ones have been all 3 of their first meetings.

Now the Doctor is clearly worried and unsure of her which is making it hard for them to connect in the same way.

Although I have to say today was brilliant, and the scene with them two together in the TARDIS was great imo..

Thoughts?

I have to say I think there's a breath of fresh air to having a companion he's clearly suspicious of in some ways.

Moffat describes him as smitten and devoted to her (as she is to him but is far more reticent to admit it) but then it's also obvious that she worries him too. I think there's a sense that he's worried he's really going to get wounded again (as he did with the Ponds) if he allows himself to get too close to her. He seems to really like he in spite of and against his own common sense and seeing him juggling with that is interesting. He both really clicks with her and is trying to keep his distance.

From the trailers and teasers so far it seems we'll get some movement/resolution on that front next week so it'll be great to see how they progress from there!

Agree with this 100%, it's something different!

Much better than Martha's character who was a much better actress than the material she was given.

To limit her to being a rebound was sad.

If only the Hide forum on GB was this nice to Clara.

The what what?

Gallifreybase.

Some people think she's a cypher/has no personality.

Does get wearing to read.

Really?!

This surprises me, did they say the same things in Asylum of the Daleks and Snowman?

Huh. "Has no personality" is exactly what I thought about Amy. I sincerely can't say the same for Clara.

I like her. She's interesting.

At the moment, for me, she isn't up there with Rose or Donna, but she is her own character which is good. A MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT FROM AMY!!

I hope her identity is interesting, which should ultimately make HER more interesting too, as it did with River.

I know someone who absolutely hates Clara. I don't understand why.

Yeah she has a bit to go to reach the heights of Rose and Donna but then she has been in considerably less episodes.

She is above Martha though, she was wasted imo.

Could have been so much better.

It's a really interesting relationship, and it's great to see some movement in that tonight and by the looks of things in next weeks episode.

It's like there are hints of a great, close relationship between the two but there is something stopping that. To me he treats her as a thing, a mystery to solve which clouds his view of her as a normal girl, a human being from 21st Century Earth. It is this mystery that is frustrating him - thus likely becomes frustrated with her - possibly seeing her as a threat.

Initially I was a bit frustrated when I discovered that there was going to be a mystery behind her, but this has brought a different angle to the Doctor/Companion relationship which is quite exciting and intriguing. And I love Clara very much!

Pretty spot on tbh.

It is a nice new angle and certainly different!

Can't wait for next weeks episode, looks like he is finally going to confront her! :

Also it's always great to get to explore the TARDIS further!

See, I disagree when people talk about Martha. Although she wasn't your average bubbly, independent companion, she was unique, true to herself.

Personally, I think the series she was in (Series 3) was one of the best.

Then again, the only companion who is THE best is...

RIVER!

I'm not saying I didn't like Martha, far from it!

I just think she is a much better actress than her character allowed.

She is better than a love struck puppy who turns out to be a re bound.

I think her last 3/4 episodes of season 3 were much better tbf.

What, like when Amy had been replaced was/wasn't pregnant?


Not a problem we're going to have with Clara

He wasn't at all openly suspicious about Amy herself and certainly didn't distrust her (nor did the TARDIS dislike her). We're seeing more of that here because we know something's up with Clara - we didn't and weren't supposed to know Amy was 'wrong'. We basically had the whole 'is she pregnant' thing but no reason to doubt her.

I like her. For me she is the best of all the new companions (and for the record, I think B. Piper is the worst from new Who).

I'm looking forward to post-mystery Clara and hopefully without the 'blockbuster of the week' format in Series 8. Things can take their time a little more.

I must confess that going back to one companion again makes it feel fresh & novel after having a partnership & their romance.

What does intrigue me about Clara are the few occasions you expect her to behave like the Doc's companion & she responds more naturally and in a more human way. For example: staying in place on the Russian sub when Eleven tells her to or letting her nerves/fear show in the haunted house instead of being brave... She seems deliberately more grounded & natural, but accepts the changes to her world-view calmly in her stride.


P.S. BTW has Steven Moffat given the Tardis far more personality? it seems we've come a long way since Tegan's "rackety old Tardis"?