The Six Companions

[The Mirrorball Man]

Of course, the Doctor's Companions are all different, with different backgrounds, different personalities, different quirks and habits. But really, when you look at the big picture, you realize that the Doctor has only had six different types of Companions, who fill six very distinctive - and some might say very restrictive - dramatic functions: the Ingenue, the Brainy Type, the Hot-Tempered Woman, the Klutz, the Man of Action and the Shady Character.

The Ingenue
Susan Foreman
Vicky
Katarina
Dodo Chaplet
Polly
Victoria Waterfield
Jo Grant
Peri Brown
Melanie Bush
Grace Holloway
Rose Tyler
Martha Jones

The Brainy Type
Barbara Wright
Zoe Heriot
Liz Shaw
K9
Romana I
Romana II
Nyssa

The Hot-Tempered Woman
Sara Kingdom
Sarah Jane Smith
Leela
Tegan Jovanka
Ace
Donna Noble
Amy Pond
River Song

The Klutz
Harry Sullivan
Adric
Mickey Smith
Rory Williams

The Man of Action
Ian Chesterton
Steven Taylor
Ben Jackson
Jamie McCrimmon
Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart/UNIT
Captain Jack Harkness/Torchwood

The Shady Character
Vislor Turlough
Kamelion
Adam Mitchell


Of course, some of them could be put in several categories. Sarah Jane is an Ingenue almost as much as she is a Hot-Tempered Woman, Harry sometimes is the Man of Action, and I guess Adam and Martha could be considered Brainy Types. Still, I think it's interesting, and I would like to hear your thoughts about it.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Susan should have been a Brainy Type, since she was ostensibly a timelord.

But maybe she was the "Gallifreyan-but-not-a-timelord" that has been speculated about.

 

[Guy Gardener]

His name is Rory Pond.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ Speaking of Ponds, where's Amy?

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

^ Speaking of Ponds, where's Amy?

Heh. Added. ^^;

 

[G2309]

I've never thought of Rory as a klutz. He has a habit of getting killed but it's normally protecting the Dr or Ay. I think he's a pretty competent companion should be in the man of action section.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Rory could go into more than one category. On one hand, he strongly believes in doing the right thing, even if it's very dangerous or is of a great sacrifice to himself. Then again, he can also be the comic relief, the type to say "I don't know about you, Doctor, but I really don't feel like being eaten by a big hairy monster today!"

 

[od0_ital]

Much as I disliked her, kind of surprised I'm the first to notice that Donna Noble didn't make the list.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Much as I disliked her, kind of surprised I'm the first to notice that Donna Noble didn't make the list.

You know, I really should have used some kind of reference instead of trying to remember all of them.

 

[Mitty]

^You forgot Donna? That almost deserves a ban from the forum

 

[The Wormhole]

I would have classified River as a "Brainy Type" moreso than "Hot Tempered Woman." Of course, if it weren't for the fact she isn't a man, "Man of Action" would have been the most suitable.

 

[G2309]

Rory could go into more than one category. On one hand, he strongly believes in doing the right thing, even if it's very dangerous or is of a great sacrifice to himself. Then again, he can also be the comic relief, the type to say "I don't know about you, Doctor, but I really don't feel like being eaten by a big hairy monster today!"

I see a bit of a verbal klutz perhaps.

 

[Captain Dago]

Nice analysis. Not sure I agree 100% but it's a good jumping off place for discussion.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I would have classified River as a "Brainy Type" moreso than "Hot Tempered Woman." Of course, if it weren't for the fact she isn't a man, "Man of Action" would have been the most suitable.

Rename the section "Being Of Action".

 

[G2309]

Or Action Hero

 

[Sindatur]

I'd put Peri in Klutz category, and Mickey doesn't belong in Klutz any more than Rory. Sure, he was a joke at first, but, quicly became a Man of Acton. And yea, River, definitely (Wo)Man of Action

 

[captcalhoun]

Ace should be in the action hero category. SHE SHOT A DALEK WITH AN RPG!!!!

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Ace should be in the action hero category. SHE SHOT A DALEK WITH AN RPG!!!!

And beat the everliving snot out of another with baseball bat!

Interesting analysis, but like others, I disagree with some placements (particularly Martha, River, Mickey, Rory, and Sarah-Jane).

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Well, I guess you could fuse the "Hot-Tempered Woman" and "Man of Action" category in a broader "Action Hero" category and the "Klutz" and "Shady Character" in the "Unreliable Companion" category, and you'd end up with just four Companion types.

I still think, however, that if you imagined this as a big Companion reunion party, and you looked at my categories, those are the people that would likely feel a connection and spend time together.

 

[23skidoo]

I'd put Mickey and Rory in Man of Action before Klutz. I've never seen anything to suggest either character was a Klutz. I'd actually put them in a 7th category "The Boyfriend" first. That or since "the Klutz" appears to be populated only by male companions, maybe come up with another name altogether. I'd also say change "Man of Action" to "Companion of Action" so we can get Sara Kingdom, Lady Christina and Adelaide Brooke in there, though Christina would qualify as "Shady Character", as would River.

Alex