Can’t
muster a full Top Five today. Not
because she isn’t brave, but just because there isn’t enough time for her to build up much of a Big
Damn Hero moment repertoire (I imagine Sara Kingdom, the next classic Who companion on the Top Five docket,
may be in a similar boat.) Still, I
follow the school of thought that considers her a companion, so her moments
deserve to be celebrated too. Here’s
Katarina in the time we have with her (spoilers.)
Helping Steven to the TARDIS (Series 3, Episode
9 – “The Myth Makers: Horse of
Destruction”)
Her first
team-TARDIS-aligned act. Cassandra sends
Katarina to spy on Vicki and Steven, but Vicki pulls Katarina over to their
side. When Steven is injured in the
melee of the Greek attack on Troy, Vicki entrusts Katarina to get Steven to the
TARDIS while she tends to other business.
Katarina is cool under pressure, both with the fighting around them and
with the insanity of the TARDIS when she steps inside.
Treating Steven (Series 3, Episode 10 – “The
Daleks’ Master Plan: The Nightmare
Begins”)
Katarina’s
time as a companion may be short, but she definitely dives right into the deep
end. Keeping in mind that she’s from
ancient Troy, she travels through time and space in an alien ship and then is
basically left to fend for herself as the Doctor ventures off on his own and
Steven is still unconscious from his wounds.
When Bret shows up making claims to get himself a ticket home on the
TARDIS, she’s rightfully wary of him, but she does trust him just enough to
accept his help with Steven, taking the medicine Bret gives her to treat him.
Sacrificing Herself (Series 3, Episode 13 –
“The Daleks’ Master Plan: The Traitors”)
Any
consideration of Katarina always ends up here, one way or another. This is her big moment, and even though it’s
rooted in her being victimized, she brings it back to herself and makes it her
choice. Kirksen has kidnapped her and is
threatening her in order to force the Doctor and co. to do what he wants. But Katarina takes that bargaining chip away
from him, opening the air lock and letting both of them get sucked out. While Steven thinks it was a tragic accident
due to Katarina’s confusion at everything so far ahead in her future, the
Doctor realizes that it was a conscious decision on her part, going to her
death so Kirksen couldn’t use her.
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