This

Why not just write the companion normally. Mind you, she has to be a better companion then Clara Oswald

From the clip she seems to be a typical Moffat companion and I wouldn't expect anything different. I know without even reading the comments that that very fact is going to intensely irritate some people but it's the way things will continue to be. There isn't going to be a quiet, subordinate, 'secretary' like companion again for the reason that this isn't the 1960s.

I also know some won't like her because she is black (although they will try to disguise the reasoning), seemingly working class (but they will say 'chavvy' instead, again to disguise the prejudice), and not a typical 'looker'. Well, there you go. They will be minorities although they'll shout loudly and shrilly. I thought the clip was entertaining and I have confidence in their casting. There hasn't been a companion who hasn't worked yet.

If there's one element I don't like so far it's the name 'Bill'. Cynically, it seems to be an attempt to sub-consciously evoke Billie Piper in people's minds maybe? IT certainly does for me.

If Moffat wanted to continue the trend of naming companions after former companion actresses (Clara was Elisabeth Sladen's middle name) he could have called her Paul which is Billie Piper's middle name.


Far more likely though is the character is called Belinda or Wilhelmina both of which can be shortened to Bill.

It just watched the clip again, and it's not so bad!

The clip was so so, personally I prefer the character reveal to be more natural. By all means have the publicity launch for the ACTOR, but the character should emerge organically from the drama. Having Daleks is a bit of a cliche, and the dialogue seemeda bit like something Moff would knock out in his sleep for Comic Relief or CiN.

From the tiny clip, her personality is a bit different than Clara's when she first appeared. While Clara would occasionally tease 11, when it came to monsters she showed genuine fear and ALWAYS listened to the Doctor. Bill to me seems more naive.

My reaction (based on this) was positive. She reminds me slightly of Martha, who was my favourite regular companion of recent years.

She came across as down-to-earth, easy-going, and having a sense of humour, yet seemed to know her place, being respectful of the Doctor (who deserves to be respected by everyone, especially humans who have been graciously chosen to help him). There has not been much in the way of femininity on Doctor Who lately, but from what I can tell this lady seems like just a normal, feminine woman. (Apart from the horrific name "Bill"!)

The reason I disliked Clara and Amy was that they were unpleasant, bossy, cocky, angry, stuck-up, whiny, insolent, aggressive, dominant females who regularly mouthed-off at the Doctor, and to make them seem even worse they were paired up with quiet, submissive boyfriends (ie Danny and Rory).

Whether or not "Bill" is finally the companion I've been waiting for, I would like to hope that the Doctor will one day find some pleasant, respectful, loyal, obedient people to travel with, so the stories can be more about him and not about the outbursts of his know-it-all companions.

I must admit I don't really watch Doctor Who much any more and I generally tend to watch more old TV shows these days because something truly horrible has happened to all the women in modern TV shows in the last 20 years or so. They have all become like men: tough, independent and strong-willed. It is very sad. I would love to see a new female companion who was soft, quiet, dependent and submissive. I doubt I will though. We'll probably only see male characters like that.

I Loooveed Martha her and Donna were the best, but she gave me no Martha vibes

I voted ‘None’. I shall be reserving my judgement until after Pearl’s first DW episode in 2017.

Besides, you can hardly give your opinion if you’ve only seen the person for less than ten minutes, can you?

Trust me, the fickle will and have already.

Lets be honest, it dosen't work that way for most people me included. I have a negative opinion of her so far.

The clue is in the phrase 'first impressions' which are formed within a minute or so.

I'm not sure the 'clip' was the best way to introduce a new companion...well, the clip we were presented with at least that is. It wasn't very good imo. One too many questions/wise cracks asked considering the peril of the situation made the character a little gobby for a one off introduction clip (It might be part of something bigger I dont know, she might not be able to grasp situations, she might be a bleedin robot for all we know)

I had to watch it a few times but have no complaints with the actress. Good luck to her.

You made a perfectly valid point, and then were cross examined as though you in the dock in some big murder trial. Such is DS.

I'd just rise above it and ignore it, if I were you. Or just lurk on the boards, which is what I largely do these days.

I agree. This character had lines written that just came across as very thick and stupid something no other companion did.

I don't think the Doctor looks at things that way. He doesn't like to be saluted. I think he has always liked a bit of friction from his companions. There have been numerous companions that he's told his 'rules' to, who have then blithely ignored them, and in doing so proved their worth. Sometimes he does it deliberately.


And never lost their femininity for a moment. Femininity is defined by women, not by men's opinion of what women should be. And Danny submissive? The biggest criticism that he drew was that he was a controlling bully. (Which I also think is wrong.)


Got news for you - women have always been tough, independent and strong-willed.


The companion is never going to be quiet and submissive. Because nothing in the episode would ever happen and there would be no point in them even existing.

The most important thing, for me, is that she isn't Clara. Frankly, they could handcuff the Doctor to a dining table and have him drag it around with him for a whole season and I would still find it less tiresome than Clara.

From the clip we saw, Bill seemed a little Sarah Jane Adventures or perhaps even Big Finish companion. But she did seem fun at least.

I just hope Moffat doesn't cock it up as usual with the whole story-arc-instead-of-character approach. But I guess we'll see.

What? What? WHAT? Have I been watching the same show as you for the last 5 years?

I'm trying to think of a female companion who fits your criteria from the shows long history, even though I don't share your desire to see someone like that in the show, particularly "submissive." Victoria, maybe? Tbh, your criteria sounds like it would make a pretty wet character, which I think, sorry Deborah, Victoria could be. Susan veered in that direction a bit too, I suppose. But the terrific Barbara Wright set the template way back. Intelligent, resourceful and no walkover. Love her.

She sure did. Wonderful character. And she could really rock a cardy!

If it'd been a valid point it wouldn't have been contradictory.

Some/many Who fans don't want to say anything critical of the show, ever and that's manifesting itself again here over this. It's my impression they're slightly annoyed that others are not hamstrung by an obsessive fealty to the programme no matter how wretched it becomes and can comment on it without fear or favour.

Oh dear, where are you getting this from? Am I not allowed to say I liked how Pearl Mackie came across without it turning into a meaningless slate at how obsessed some of us are with the show? Would you have been happier if I decided I despise the women and will never watch the show again?

I'm not sure I agree with your point but, I must say, you do write beautifully.

Sorry, but I think that's complete ballcocks, especially when it comes to DS! Your perception so fair enough...just don't recognise this forum from your description at all. Certainly a general absence of best. Episode. EVAH. Syndrome in these parts with the comments,Ed. Well, from my perception, anyway. If you don't like the show, any sort of praise might rankle, maybe? You see things through your own prism of 'reality'?

Mr Dalliard! I've started speaking pretentious guff!

(Aimed at myself there, btw!)

If Saturday's teaser trailer was titled 'A Friend from the Future', does that mean Pearl Mackie's Bill is from the future?

There's no right or wrong opinion when it comes to subjective matters (like whether a TV show is good or bad, for example). There is only your own personal opinion and whether others agree with it or not.

If others disagree, that's perfectly OK and a subject for interesting discussion.

If others like what you dislike it doesn't necessarily mean that they're biased or are uncritical. And posting a differing opinion isn't necessarily "shouting down" the opinions of others.