Agree! It took me a while but I eventually loved her. She didn't put him on a pedestal, which was nice, and could easily keep up with his insanity. Also agree on the chemistry too. They had so much that the characters have their own ship name - Whouffle.
At least on this forum, you and I are in the minority for sure. And in the DW fandom at large, Clara probably splits the vote 60/35 in terms of like/dislike (with some ambivalent). But she's my favorite even in her capacity as "50th Anniversary Companion Deus Ex Machina Plot Device" simply because...
....I enjoyed the
hell out of her interaction with the Doctor from the moment she arrived as Oswin.
Prior to the 2nd part of series 7, I went through a rewatch of all of NuWho with a friend who was getting into it. Most of the episodes I hadn't seen since they originally aired. I enjoyed some old favorites, felt some of the old enthusiasm, but Clara was like a bolt out of the blue compared to the rest of the companions. Different.
She and Eleven were chocolate and peanut butter and it was damn fun to watch. I loved the Ponds as much as anyone, but Clara made me forget them in short order. And she was a better fit for the Doctor than River Song or Rose Tyler ever were (so yes, I shipped "Whouffle"). I looked forward to every single episode, and the rapport they built over just 11 episodes was just wonderful.
...which is why I lamented the death of it when Series 8 arrived and I want to see it resurface again in series 9...but with the rumors coming out I'm not sure it will.
Capaldi commented recently how he wants Jenna to stay longer, past series 9...which I'm sure will infuriate the Clara haters. I don't think it will happen, because every companion eventually has to leave, and I do think Jenna will exit after this series. But how will they top her almost-exit in Last Christmas? I always envisioned that the Doctor and Clara would find Gallifrey together, and she would say goodbye, zooming off in her own TARDIS. A fitting end to her character arc, I think, since she's not meant for an ordinary life.
I look forward to the next permanent companion, but for however long she's around, I will enjoy the presence of Miss Oswald. And it'll take some doing to dislodge her as my favorite.
