Past Companions in 2009?

[Crewman47]

What companions from the Doctors past would still be alive in 2009/2010 and what do you suppose there thoughts and reactions would be to the events on Earth over the last 5 years?

Major incidents like the Cybermen invasion, Sycorax, The year that never was, and the Daleks abduction of Earth would obviously have had some of them assume that the Doctor could be involved somehow and be thinking about him.

 

[The]

Ian might still be kicking. Tegan Jovanka, Liz Shaw, Jo Grant, Mike Yates, John Benton, and Grace Holloway are the only ones I'd guess are alive and on present-day Earth. Possibly Ace, since we don't know her end. Mel could be on Earth, but I prefer to think of her off somewhere with Glitz.

Am I forgetting anyone (beside Sarah and the Brig)?

 

[Peacemaker]

Yes...assuming that you go with the idea that the characters are still living even if the actors who portrayed them are not:

Barbara, Ben,Polly, Dodo, Harry

 

[The]

Yeah, but I don't. Barbara died when the actress died. Same with Ben and Harry. I didn't remember what timeframe Dodo and Polly left in, so yeah, they could still be alive if in the sixties(since both actresses are still alive). However, I'd like to think Dodo had a nervous breakdown and doesn't remember The Doctor. Polly is cool, so I could see her being a very wealthy, retired socialite...

 

[DWF]

Victoria was also seen in the 20th century so she should still be around too.

 

[The]

...I don't remember that. Is that where she was dropped off?

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Yes, Victoria left in Fury from the Deep, set in 20th century England.

Here's a complete list of those who could still be alive during the "recent" events:

Ian Chesterton
Barbara Wright
Dodo Chaplet
Polly
Ben Jackson
Victoria Waterfield
Liz Shaw
Jo Grant
Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart
Sarah Jane Smith
John Benton
Mike Yates
Harry Sullivan
Tegan Jovanka
Grace Holloway

We don't know what happened to Ace, but I'm inclined to believe no matter what did happen, she didn't return to Earth. Too boring.

Of those listed, I'm the most interested in seeing Ian and The Brig (yes, I know he was on SJA, but I still want him on Doctor Who!) again and how they feel about recent events.

 

[Davros]

Of those listed, I'm the most interested in seeing Ian

I am with you 100% on this one. It would be fun to see the reaction of an old Ian to such a youthful Doctor.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Indeed. It's a pity William Russell was unavailable for Mawdryn Undead. I honestly don't expect to see Ian (or anyone else on that list except The Brig) to ever return to the show, but it would still be smashing.

 

[Stevil2001]

Big Finish has done some stuff with some of these companions in the "present"; the fifth Doctor runs into Tegan in 2006, for example, and Mike Yates's Companion Chronicle has him complaining about the new UNIT that doesn't even have the proper name anymore.

 

[23skidoo]

Yes...assuming that you go with the idea that the characters are still living even if the actors who portrayed them are not:

Barbara, Ben,Polly, Dodo, Harry

Anneke Wills, who played Polly and Jackie Lane, who played Dodo, are both still very much alive. In fact Wills just published an autobiography not long ago.

As for Harry (played by the late Ian Marter), although one of the novels established him as still around in the early 21st century, the reference to made to him in the first episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures was done in such a way as to suggest he was no longer alive. But that's just one interpretation.

On the other hand, one of the Big Finish audios established modern-day Tegan Jovanka as having a terminal illness.

The novel Who Killed Kennedy also killed off Dodo circa 1970s.

Alex

 

[WillsBabe]

On the other hand, one of the Big Finish audios established modern-day Tegan Jovanka as having a terminal illness.

Oh, that's awful. What happened to her in the end? Put it in spoilers if you want so those who don't want to be spoiled aren't.

 

[The]

On the other hand, one of the Big Finish audios established modern-day Tegan Jovanka as having a terminal illness.

Oh, that's awful. What happened to her in the end? Put it in spoilers if you want so those who don't want to be spoiled aren't.

Spoiler: Tegan

It was said that she had gained a brain tumor from all the crazy science radiation and energy and telepathic attacks she'd been exposed to during her time with The Doctor. At the end, the 5th Doctor (whom she had reunion with in this story) pleaded with her that he could find a cure or do something for her. She decided that she wanted to die like a human and just let it happen. She was alive and still capable when he said good-bye, so it's possible they could easily write her out of that since we didn't actually see her die.

It's a good story, either way. If nothing else, it's the "anti-Rose" story, where the companion was NOT made better by her adventures with The Doctor. But, in fact, suffered from it. She returned to Earth, and never became anything special. Just runs her father's feed business as a desk clerk. Also, when the hint was made that she might have been in love with The Doctor, her laughter was more than enough to clarify that was never the actual case.

It's a good story, and worth checking out if you ever get the chance.

 

[Rarewolf]

On the other hand, one of the Big Finish audios established modern-day Tegan Jovanka as having a terminal illness.

Oh, that's awful. What happened to her in the end?.

It was Janet's idea, or she at least had script approval. After years of declining to take part she finally agreed to do just one audio so they'd stop asking. However she is doing three next year with Mark and Sarah.

 

[WillsBabe]

Thanks for the info, The and Rarewolf. That sounds like a very excellent story. I think I'm going to check it out. In my younger days it sounds like the kind of angst that I was really rather keen on. These days I'm embarrassed to say that I rather favour happy endings, so Tegan's fate has me quite saddened. I loved her when I was younger.

 

[Stevil2001]

The Gathering has its problems, but the fate of Tegan's not one of them. That part works rather well (and it's always a joy to hear Janet Fielding).

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I'm really looking forward to the upcoming audios with Janet reuniting with Sarah and Mark. I haven't gotten to The Gathering yet (but no worries, I've long ago knew how it all went) but it sounds like it's very good.

 

[Stevil2001]

^ Yeah, I'm not big on the new mini-season approach (I think it shoots variety in the foot, which has always been BF's strong point), but I'm planning on snatching up that one. Now, we just need to get the Season 19 TARDIS team back together!