The Enigma of Clara: Why the Doctor Loved the Impossible Girl
The Doctor’s relationships with his companions are the beating heart of Doctor Who. While many companions have touched his Time Lord heart, the connection with Clara Oswald stands out as particularly profound and complex. The reason for this is multifaceted, stemming from a combination of her inherent qualities, the extraordinary circumstances surrounding their meeting, and the challenges they faced together. Fundamentally, the Doctor loved Clara because she mirrored him in unexpected ways: her courage, her curiosity, her tendency toward recklessness, and her deep well of empathy all resonated with his own nature. She became not just a companion, but a mirror, a challenger, and, in a way, a reflection of the best and worst parts of himself. He saw in her someone who, despite being fundamentally human, was capable of remarkable things, echoing his own struggle to balance immense power with a moral compass. Their connection transcended simple affection, evolving into a bond of mutual respect, unwavering loyalty, and a shared understanding of the burdens and joys of time travel.
The Impossible Girl: A Mystery Unveiled
Clara’s introduction as the “Impossible Girl” immediately set her apart. The Doctor encountered multiple versions of her scattered throughout his timeline, sacrificing themselves to save him from the Great Intelligence. This unveiled a level of selflessness and dedication that few had demonstrated before. This mystery captivated the Doctor, drawing him into a quest to understand her true nature. Unraveling this mystery created an unbreakable bond of trust between them. He had been saved by her many times.
A Mirror to the Doctor’s Soul
Clara, despite her human limitations, possessed a similar adventurous spirit and a thirst for knowledge that resonated with the Doctor. She pushed him to be a better version of himself, often challenging his decisions and forcing him to confront the consequences of his actions. Her strong moral compass, even when flawed, served as a check on the Doctor’s potentially overwhelming power. This allowed the Doctor to develop a more trusting and intimate relationship with Clara.
A Bond Forged in Fire
Their travels together were far from easy. The Doctor and Clara faced countless dangers, and their relationship was tested by difficult choices and heartbreaking losses. The death of Danny Pink, Clara’s boyfriend, created a deep rift between them, exposing the inherent dangers of their lifestyle. Yet, even in the face of such adversity, their bond remained intact. This difficult experience allowed them to have more of a platonic understanding and a greater sense of trust.
The Price of Compassion
Ultimately, the Doctor’s love for Clara stemmed from her ability to see the best in him, even when he struggled to see it in himself. She accepted him, flaws and all, and her unwavering belief in him gave him strength and purpose. When Clara faced her own mortality, she displayed extraordinary courage, choosing to confront her fate head-on rather than succumbing to fear. The Doctor was deeply moved by this act of defiance and felt compelled to save her, even at the risk of altering time itself. This act highlights the ultimate act of compassion the Doctor felt for Clara.
More Than Just a Companion
Clara occupied a unique space in the Doctor’s life, acting as a confidante, a challenger, and a friend. Their relationship wasn’t defined by romance, but by something deeper – a profound connection of souls. The Doctor’s love for Clara transcended the conventional definition of love, becoming a testament to the power of companionship, the beauty of sacrifice, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. It was the strength of human spirit that allowed the doctor to see her as much more than a companion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Doctor and Clara
Why is Clara the “Impossible Girl”?
Clara gained this title because the Doctor encountered versions of her across his timeline, each existing to save him. These were splintered echoes of the original Clara, created when she entered the Doctor’s timestream to undo the damage caused by the Great Intelligence.
Did the Doctor and Clara ever become romantically involved?
While there was undoubtedly deep affection between them, their relationship remained largely platonic. The text highlights how the Doctor and Clara were most definitely in love with each other, despite not becoming lovers. Their connection was more akin to a profound friendship and mutual respect than a traditional romance.
Was the Doctor in love with Rose Tyler more than Clara Oswald?
This is a matter of personal interpretation. The relationship with Rose was more overtly romantic, while the bond with Clara was deeper. To some, companion Rose Tyler was the greatest love of the Doctor’s life, and he seemed to have a closer bond with her than almost anyone he’d traveled with before. Ultimately, “more” is subjective. Each relationship was unique and significant in its own way.
Did Clara love Danny Pink more than the Doctor?
Clara loved Danny in a romantic way. However, she also had a deep platonic love for the Doctor, and this is highlighted because everything had happened because of their platonic love for one another. These feelings were complicated, and she struggled to balance her life with Danny and her adventures with the Doctor.
Why did Missy push Clara and the Doctor together?
Missy, the female incarnation of the Master, manipulated events to bring the Doctor and Clara together. The article states that Missy did indeed intend for the Doctor and Clara to become the Hybrid of legend to both get revenge on Gallifrey for their treatment of her and drive the Doctor mad.
Is Clara River Song’s daughter?
This is a popular fan theory, but there is no concrete evidence to support it within the show’s canon. The article touches on this notion by stating that Clara is the future child of the Doctor and River who’s had her memory erased and that The two Time Lords must be up to something on their nights away from River’s prison cell, but this remains a hypothetical concept within the realm of fan speculation.
Why did the TARDIS dislike Clara?
It’s not that the TARDIS actively hated Clara. Rather, Steven Moffat suggested that the TARDIS’ dislike of the current companion may be due to her skeptical nature and how she did not seem suitably awed by the Doctor’s spaceship.
Did Clara and Danny have any children?
No, Clara and Danny never had children. Danny died unexpectedly, and the article touches on this notion as it reads that later in the series, Danny was killed, and he and Clara never had any children.
What did Clara whisper to the Doctor before her demise?
Clara’s last words to the Doctor were “Run you clever boy, and be a Doctor.” As it’s stated in the article, her final message to him even is “Run you clever boy, and be a Doctor”. This was a message of support and encouragement, urging him to continue his journey and learn from his mistakes.
Why did Clara wipe the Doctor’s memories of her?
After the events of “Hell Bent,” the Doctor was on a path of self-destruction, driven by his grief and guilt over Clara’s death. The article states that one of them needs to forget about the other, and it’s The Doctor whose memory is wiped by Clara, ensuring there will be no more reckless attempts to save her.
Did the Doctor ever remember Clara again after she wiped his memory?
Yes, the Doctor did eventually regain his memories of Clara. The article highlights that the fact that the Doctor, having lost his memories of her, got them back in the Christmas episode, I just felt was so brilliant.”
Were the Doctor and Clara the Hybrid?
The Time Lords prophesied the arrival of a Hybrid, a being that would stand in the ruins of Gallifrey and unravel the Web of Time. Ultimately, the article implies that the Doing so causes the Doctor and Clara themselves to become the Hybrid.
Did Captain Jack Harkness have romantic feelings for the Doctor?
The article suggests that Captain Jack does harbor romantic feelings toward the Doctor, but “would never take that beyond infatuation” and “would never let the Doctor know”. While there’s a clear attraction, Jack respects the Doctor too much to pursue it.
Did the Doctor think of Clara as his girlfriend?
According to the Eleventh Doctor, she was also his girlfriend. The Eleventh Doctor saw Clara as a mystery to be solved “wrapped in an enigma, squeezed into a skirt that’s just a little bit too … tight.”
What kind of lessons can we learn from the relationship between the Doctor and Clara?
The dynamic between the Doctor and Clara demonstrates valuable lessons about friendship, trust, moral responsibility, and how to encourage others to be their best selves. These are all traits discussed by researchers at the Games Learning Society, where they explore the links between games, learning, and human connection. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.