Relationship Spotlight: Amy Pond, the Doctor & Rory Williams (Doctor Who)

I’ve been known to rag on some of the writing for the Ponds, from the annoying insistence on Rory’s jealousy of the Doctor to some of the holes in Amy’s characterization to the show’s tendency of dropping in major life-altering details into the characters’ story that then has little relevance to the ongoing plot. It’s all very “sigh,” and I’ll admit that I was ready for Amy and Rory to leave when they exited the show. However, it was because of those writing issues, not the characters themselves or their overall relationship with the Eleventh Doctor. Because I really do enjoy these three together (a few series 5-7 spoilers.)

It’s not unprecedented for companions to come on board the TARDIS already knowing each other (going back to the beginning, with Ian and Barbara as two of Susan’s teachers,) or for one to join the Doctor first and another to come later (Rose and Mickey, although his tenure was pretty short-lived.) However, the mix of relationships present onboard the TARDIS during this particular configuration make for some interesting dynamics. Amy and Rory are already engaged by the time she “runs away” with the Doctor on the eve of her wedding, counting on the time machine to get her back without incident – considering that her second meeting with the Doctor involves him returning after 12 years when he said he’d be gone 5 minutes, that goes to show how confident Amy is feeling about marriage in that moment. By the time Rory comes aboard, Amy’s been traveling with the Doctor for a while, and there’s an easy platonic intimacy between them that he can’t really crack (he keeps thinking of it in terms of romantic rivalry – silly, Rory.) And even though Amy is always the Doctor’s number-one Pond, he’s the one who first invites Rory onto the TARDIS, and as time goes on, it’s clear that he becomes very fond of the nurse from Leadworth. Not to mention, there’s the Doctor’s history as Amy’s childhood “imaginary friend” to add to the mix as well.

All that adds up to an entertaining plethora of interactive possibilities. Whether you’re looking at all three as a group, Amy and Rory, Amy and the Doctor, or the Doctor and Rory, these are relationships that count. Amy and Rory get a lot of the big moments, but I enjoy their little things too, like dressing up as a police officer and a centurion during their honeymoon (hee!) With Amy and the Doctor, there’s all this history and understanding; they click on a level that doesn’t always make sense looking at it from the outside in, and I love how the Doctor spends half the time acting like Amy’s playmate and half the time acting like her uncle. Rory and the Doctor get the least attention, but their interactions are interesting because Rory is always there for Amy first and the Doctor second, so his view of the Doctor can be a little more clear-eyed than some companions’.

This of course isn’t the first time the Doctor and their companions formed a funny little TARDIS family (Two, Jamie, and Zoe forever!), but this trio definitely hits those notes hard, and not just because of the convoluted implications of adding River to the whole thing. I love it when the Doctor beams over the Ponds like a proud papa or when they roll their eyes over his inability to understand that they might not want bunkbeds in their TARDIS bedroom. Whether they’re running from monsters, literally rolling back death, or just chilling in the TARDIS, these three are made for each other.

Relationship Spotlight: Rory Williams & The Doctor (Doctor Who)

I’m not going to promise to get to all of the assorted relationships we’ve seen between the Doctor and his companions of the years, but it is high time to talk about some of them more in-depth, and I’ll definitely hit my favorites and the more interesting ones.  The Doctor and Rory would fall into the latter category – although I do like them quite a bit, I wouldn’t rank them among the absolute best.  Still, theirs is a fairly unique relationship that brought something different to the show while it lasted (a few Doctor-Rory-related spoilers.)

The reason these two will never be one of my absolute favorites is down to the Amy of it all.  Not Amy herself, but how both characters tend to relate to each other where she’s concerned.  Rory’s initial insecurities around the Doctor are perfectly understandable.  After all, the Doctor is essentially Amy’s childhood imaginary friend come to life, and the very idea of him was a hugely formative influence on Amy’s life.  To discover that he’s in fact real is wild enough; to then find out that Amy “ran away” with him in his time machine on the night before her wedding to Rory can’t feel good, especially when he gets a closer look at his fiancee’s adoration for her raggedy Doctor.  Throw in the Doctor offhandedly putting him down at times and Amy’s occasional habit of flirting with the Doctor, and it all adds up to Rory being not too sure about this guy.

This is all understandable.  Doesn’t mean I like it, but I get it.  However, it wears on me more when this dynamic crops up at points after series 5, because I feel like the main issues are mostly resolved by the end of that season and it gets a little more tiresome to see them rearing their heads again.  Moments sprinkled here and there – Rory thinking Amy’s talking the Doctor rather than him when she’s taken by the Silence, the Doctor making complimentary remarks about Amy’s appearance and less-than-complimentary remarks about Rory’s, wisps of them both jockeying for Amy’s favor.  Even when you factor out the tired suggestion that Rory is jealous of the Doctor romantically (it’s plain that there’s no danger there on the Doctor’s end,) it feeds into the idea that there has to be a “winner” for her regard, that she can’t love both of them deeply in different ways.  It’s a boring way to arrange the dynamic between the three of them, and I’m not a fan of it.

Which is a shame, because when that stuff isn’t getting in the way, they have a pretty neat relationship.  Rory has a lot less hero worship for the Doctor than a number of new series companions, which can lead good moments where he gets real with the Doctor and shares his genuine concerns (the “you know what’s dangerous about you?” speech from “The Vampires of Venice” is a prime example, but there are others as well.)  His practicality can butt heads with the Doctor’s caprices, a necessary voice of reason at times.  And just generally, Rory relates to the Doctor more as a person than as The Doctor, which can be fun. 

And when the Doctor is in the mood to show it, it’s clear that he really loves Rory.  Whenever they’ve been separated for an extended period of time or been in great peril (or Rory has, for instance, come back from the dead,) the Doctor is always ecstatic to see him alive and well, hugging him with just as much abandon as he does Amy (to Rory’s slight discomfort.)  The Doctor can gripe about Rory now and again, but really, the Doctor finds him to be a sterling example of the brilliance of humanity.  One of my favorite moments between them is in “The Big Bang” when the Doctor realizes just how long Rory’s prepared to wait so he can keep Amy safe.  His admiration for Rory in that moment is gorgeous.

Also, in one instance of being cross with Rory, the Doctor calls him “Roranicus Pondicus” as if that’s his full name.  How could I not love that?

Thoughts on New Who Companion Introduction Episodes

I’ve already looked at how new Who has said both hello and goodbye to Doctors, so why not companions, too?  Intros today; we’ll save the extreme angst for another time.  Also, rather than look at the quality of the episodes as a whole, like I’ve done for the Doctors, I’m really just looking at the companions themselves and how they’re presented.  Because I have to make the cut-off somewhere, I’m only including Rose, Martha, Donna, Amy, Rory, and Clara – sorry, Mickey, Jack, River, and other short-term or recurring companions!  Spoilers for “Rose,” “Smith and Jones,” “Partners in Crime,” “The Eleventh Hour,” and “The Bells of Saint John.”

“Rose,” obviously, kicks things off with a whirlwind look into the life of Rose Tyler.  It starts a trend for new Who, increased emphasis on the companion’s home life.  RTD tends to focus more on family while Moffat seems to prefer romantic partners, but it’s the same general idea.  The important part, though, is what Rose does when she comes in contact with the Doctor.  I’d say she proves herself companion-material in a reasonable way.  Although she doesn’t do anything too jaw-dropping (she does do a bit of gymnastics to free the Doctor from some Autons, but that moment is more about her determination to help than her amazing moves,) she still demonstrates why the Doctor is interested in her beyond the Living Plastic in the department store where she works.  She gets in some Excellent Questions and makes good observations.  She takes the initiative to try and figure out who the Doctor is, researching online and then meeting with Clive.  And while she’s clearly overwhelmed to step inside the TARDIS for the first time, she handles the revolution that it and the Doctor are both alien very well.  I’m a fan of this intro; it shows off Rose’s brand of ordinary-person awesomeness potential.

For my money, Martha is the biggest boss of the group.  She’s terrific throughout “Smith and Jones.”  Her medical training to keep calm in a crisis serves her well, which allows her intuition (realizing there must be an air bubble around the hospital,) bravery (standing up to the Judoon,) and resourcefulness (thinking to grab the manual when she absolutely needs to able to operate the X-ray machine in a mad hurry) to shine through.  I also like that she doesn’t spend any time denying that what’s happening is alien, as well as the fact that she takes a moment to go outside with the Doctor and just enjoy standing on the moon.  Oh, and did I mention she saves the Doctor’s life, remembering to factor in his alien biology as she resuscitates him, all while dealing with extreme oxygen deprivation?  Martha Jones can get things done!

I realize that Donna’s real introduction comes in “The Runaway Bride,” but since she basically has two of these episodes, I’m gonna go with “Partners in Crime,” because how could I not?  It’s a different kind of companion intro, since she comes into it already knowing who the Doctor is and what he does (Moffat will do another take on that idea with Amy,) and that gives her something of an edge.  I don’t mind, though – she’s just too great here.  I like, beyond just investigating strange goings-on in the hopes of running into the Doctor, Donna does actual investigating into the strange goings-on themselves.  She’s quite the hustler, working at Health & Safety just long enough to get the badge she needs to infiltrate Adipose, snagging a customer list from a phone salesman, and pounding enough pavement to meet an Adipose client.  The parallels showing how her investigation aligns with the Doctor’s are pretty cool.  And once they do finally connect, it’s a lot of the awesome sci-fi hijinks I was hoping for – running around, making faces, and dangling outside windows – but Donna also proves how she can help.  I love that moment in the climax when the Doctor is freaking out about how he can’t stop the machine, and Donna gets through to him with that calm-but-stern, “Doctor, tell me what you need.”  The fact that she’s able to pull out that second capsule, critical to overriding the machine, is just gravy.

“The Eleventh Hour” is a bit unfortunate in that I feel like Amy comes off as better companion material as a kid than an adult.  Young Amelia takes the Doctor’s weirdness and alienness in stride and, with him beside her, takes on her fear of the Time Crack in her wall.  Adult Amy, meanwhile, doesn’t get a lot to do.  Probably her best move is passing herself off as a police officer when she finds the Doctor in her house, although that’s marred by no longer having the key to the handcuffs she uses and the camera’s sexualization of her in her cop costume.  When she pulls the trick again later, to get into the hospital, it’s only because the Doctor reminds her what she’s wearing.  Other than that, she holds up the Doctor to do an “explain now!!!!” when he’s insanely busy and on a massive time crunch, and she gets taken over by Prisoner Zero – though it’s not her fault, it’s an unfortunate position to put her in for her first episode.  I get that she’s not in her best state of mind, since being left by the Doctor as a kid really did a number on her and she can’t quite believe he’s actually back, but I wish we could see her doing more companion stuff.  As it is, if it weren’t for the Doctor’s memory of young Amelia, guilt at having come back so late, and suspicions about the Crack, I’m not sure if he would have invited Amy to come with him simply for her.

Strangely enough, it’s Rory who looks more like a pre-companion in that episode.  (I know, he doesn’t join the TARDIS crew till later, but “The Vampires of Venice” is his first trip, which doesn’t fit my pattern here – “The Eleventh Hour” is better.)  He’s the one who’s noticed something strange, Prisoner Zero disguised as the hospital’s coma patients, and he tries to tell his boss about it even though he knows how crazy it sounds.  But he’s come prepared for that, having taken pictures of Zero on his phone as proof.  Curious, determined, and smart; companion all over.  And yet, when he’s initially invited onto the TARDIS, it’s for Amy’s sake, not his.  It’s only after the events of “The Vampires of Venice” that both Amy and the Doctor suggest he stay on with them.  Tsk, tsk – the Doctor should’ve paid attention more.

For Clara, I’m going with “The Bells of Saint John,” since that’s when we actually meet Clara 1.0.  This is another one that comes in with some foreknowledge, but it’s on the Doctor’s side, not Clara’s.  He’s already met the “Impossible Girl” twice at this point and is totally weird and elated when he comes face to face with her.  Sadly, this is also one where the companion doesn’t come off great.  She’s taken out twice by the Spoonheads, and her only real contribution to the adventure – figuring out where the Great Intelligence’s base is located – is accomplished due to the temporary tech skills that the Great Intelligence gave her the first time it took her over.  It’s not knowledge she’s actually gained, and it’s not something she keeps going forward.  While she is brave and rolls with the shock of her first crazy journey in the TARDIS, she doesn’t get to do a lot that feels companionish.  Again, if it weren’t for the Impossible Girl mystery, I’m not sure if the Doctor would’ve asked her to come with him.

Top Five Big Damn Hero Moments: Rory Williams (Doctor Who)

Picking out Big Damn Hero moments can be tough with this era of the show, because I’m mainly concerned with our characters as they are, not “alternate” versions of the characters.  That means episodes like “The Pandorica Opens” / “The Big Bang,” “Amy’s Choice,” and “The Wedding River Song” are out of the running.  Let’s see what else there is (spoilers ahead.)

Recognizing the Mystery (“The Eleventh Hour” – Series 5, Episode 1)

Rory won’t become a companion until later in this season, but he still shows off his companion potential here.  He’s the only one to notice that the hospital’s coma patients are wandering about the village.  Plus, he not only sees the pattern, he keeps record of it (pictures) and tries to tell someone in authority, even though he knows it sounds crazy.  Really, he does more companion stuff in this episode than Amy, and she’s the one who gets a TARDIS invite at the end.

Standing Up to the Doctor (“The Vampires of Venice” – Series 5, Episode 6)

Rory’s first adventure puts him in an uncertain position.  He’s just found out his fiancée “ran off” with a time traveler on the night before their wedding, and when he, Amy, and the Doctor arrive in 16^th-century Venice, he struggles to keep up with the other two, who are far more accustomed to TARDIS life.  Still, when Amy is in trouble, he brings the Doctor to a halt and takes him task for the way the people are so eager to “impress” him that they put themselves in danger.

Rescuing Melody (“A Good Man Goes to War” – Series 6, Episode 7)

“A Good Man Goes to War” is an obvious Big Damn Hero episode for Rory, what with the sword/gun, centurion getup, and BAMF Cybermen ultimatum.  It’s sort of too obvious for me, more an action figure of Rory than the real thing.  So, if I’m gonna single out a moment, it’s one that feels like Rory:  coming for Amy after he’s recovered Melody, lamenting that he’d planned to “be cool” as he’s overcome and starts to tear up.  Badass, but very human – that’s my Rory.

Reaching Amy (“The Girl Who Waited” – Series 6, Episode 10)

The main Amy here is an alternate, but Rory’s himself (and wonderful,) so I gladly count it.  Sent in to get Amy out of Two Streams, with the Doctor on comms but stuck in the TARDIS, Rory is devastated to realize how long Amy has been alone.  However, he never lets her think he loves her any less for being older, his only regret being that they weren’t together.  When she refuses to help rescue younger Amy, he finds a way to get through to her, and after he’s reunited with younger Amy, he still looks out for the older one and doesn’t view her as any less “real.”

Creating the Paradox (“The Angels Take Manhattan” – Series 7, Episode 5)

Maybe dubious, since this brave action banks on rewriting time, but even if Rory’s “come back” from the dead before, he still can’t know for sure.  The gallows humor asking “who else” could die twice on the same night is so Rory, and I like that, even as he’s decided that jumping off the building is the only way to create the Angels-destroying paradox, he’s still terrified to do it.