It should be considered illegal that you didn't count the Brigadier as a third Doctor companion considering how many serials they were in together. Plus the Brigadier did finally step into the TARDIS in "The Three Doctors" making him a bona fide companion.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider it, and it's definitely a grey area. But ultimately I view him more as a recurring character than companion - more part of the UNIT/contemporary Earth world than the Doctor's. Plus, if you open the door to recurring characters, where do you stop? (Do you then include Benton and Yates, and Professor Travers, and Glitz, and Madame Vastra, and Kate Stewart? Etc.)
@@StetsonDoctorI would count Adam as a one of companion to be fair I know he traveled with the doctor but I still don’t think 9 would have ever taken him on full time in my opinion
Adam could count as a companion, But personally I think he represents an anti companion. He is an example of why not everyone can be a companion to the doctor, Rose invites him along instead of the doctor picking him, And because of this he makes impulsive impulsive and brash decisions.
Since you included both Romanas, shouldn't you have included both K9s too? We had Mark I and Mark II, after all. One with Leela and one with Romana I and II.
I considered it. I think I’d have been more inclined to if we’d had expanded universe adventures with her and Fourteen (which I guess we will, eventually).
"Journey's End" really muddies this up, because it means you could count Jack and Sarah Jane as full-time companions for Ten based on that. You could also count Jack as full-time for Ten depending on how you define "separate" stories, because in my mind "Utopia" is the lead-in story to the two-parter "The Sound of Drums"/"Last of the Time-Lords," similar to "Face the Raven" with "Heaven Sent"/"Hell Bent" (separate writers and/or directors). Also, I would consider Adam a one-off companion with Nine, since he was more of a supporting character than a companion in "Dalek."
I thought it made most sense to count Sarah Jane and Jack as one-offs for Ten (even if they do appear in multiple stories). Others have said the same about Adam, it’s a fair point. I guess he was only really a companion in his second story, but he did nevertheless appear in two eps. It’s a weird one.
Great video overall! Really enjoyed it! Would Captain Jack not count as a one off for 9 (Empty Child and Doctor Dances) also would Craig Owens not count as a one off compainion for 11. He appears in two episodes where he essentially served as the 11th doctor’s companion
Thank you! Jack had three stories in Series 1 (Empty Child through to the finale), so by rights I thought he should be full time, even though he’s not there across the whole series. (He’s certainly more of a permanent companion in Series 1 than Series 3 or 4, I’d say.) You’re right, Craig probably should count, though he’s a bit of a funny one as he appeared in two stories, so not technically a one-off.
I CAME TO SAY EXACTLY THIS i was curious if they were gonna explore the extended companions (cause like yanno at least 8's companions should all count) so 7 seconds in and im pausing on all the faces AND THEN I SAW HER SNUCK IN THERE!!!!!!
You forgot Missy. Also, because we are told it is living, everyone seems to forget the longest running companion that the Doctor has had. The companion that has been in every show of Dr Who and that..... The TARDIS.
I considered Missy, but felt her cameos in Series 10 weren’t substantial enough. Yes she travels in the TARDIS, but not really on a full time basis. You make a great point re. the TARDIS!
My logic is that he's supporting character in Series 1, and only becomes a companion in Series 2 (in School Reunion). Bit of a grey area, I know, but I thought it made sense to go with the moment he's officially invited onboard.
Even with the exclusion of the Brigadier as a companion for the 3rd Doctor, the Brigadier did step squarely into the "one-off companion" role in both "Mawdryn Undead" and "The Five Doctors" (Borusa even called him a companion.) Kamelion is a one-off. He nominally joined the TARDIS crew at the end of "King's Demons", but he was more of a henchbeing-freed-from-the-Master (much like Yee Jee Tso's Chang Lee w/the 8th) then a companion in that serial. But moreover, he wasn't seen again until "Planet of Fire". He was in NO consecutive stories. River Song was a repeating one-off companion for the 11th Doctor. But if you admitted that, some of those appearances were consecutive, so by your rules... Also, she was a returning one-off for the 10th, even if it was her debut, and swan song. And speaking of the 11th's one-off companions: Canton Everett Delaware III.
Decided against including any of the UNIT folk (including the Brig) because they’re not technically companions. BUT I may well do a UNIT themed video in the future… Stay tuned! 👀
Me too, the fandom was so apprehensive with her at the start but she has slowly but surely started to become a fan favourite which is so good to see, she was always by far the most charismatic and capable companion
What about Jackie Tyler? She travelled in the tardis in Series 2, Army of Ghost & Doomsday two part final. Also Rory's dad (Brian Williams) travelled with them in a couple of episodes in Series 7A. They should be counted as off companions at the very least
Haven’t heard that one before, but I guess you could make a case for it! I think personally I see them more as supporting characters, but the lines are certainly a bit blurred in Flux, given how much everyone appears!
You could say so. I think I'd rationalise it as Amy/Rory being the main companions in that story, then those other characters fitting into another sub-category. It's a grey area, though, as they all had adventures with the Doctor off-screen! (Same goes for characters like Madame Vastra and Dorium.)
Like with the Brigadier, I see River as more of a supporting character. I included her as a one-off companion for Husbands, as there's literally no on else filling the role in that story. Everything else I view slightly differently, but it's open to interpretation!
I don't think Katarina should be considered a full time companion, she's like in the last minute of the Mythmakers and then in the first episode or two of the 12 part serial, the Dalek's Master Plan. Even Sara Kingdom travelled with the Doctor for more parts of that serial then Katarina yet you class her as a one timer despite her screen time. Also if you count Kazran, it would make sense to count Abigail too as they're both the Tardis team for that episode.
The 8th Doctor also had Chang Lee who could be counted as one off companions The 10th you could count Clyde, Rani and Luke as one off companions The 11th you could also count Clyde, Rani and Luke as well as Sanjay as one off companions
@@SuperverseProductions He did, but only at the very end of the episode. The scene of the three of them in the TARDIS comes near the end, but the final scene sees the Doctor depart alone.
I think it can be broken down more: Full-time companions: Main Companions - Series leads like Vicki, Jamie, Sarah Jane, Romana, Peri, Ace, Martha, Clara, Yaz, etc. Supporting Companions - Proper full-time companions but not the "main" companion. E.g. K9, Nardole, Mickey in S2, Captain Jack in S1, etc Part-time companions: Recurring Companions - On and off Companions to the Doctor . E.g. The Brigadier, River Song, Torchwood Captain Jack, etc Temporary / One-off Companions - Companions who joined the Doctor to solve one specific danger. Compare this to someone like Vicki who decided to join the *family* regardless of where they go to, and then compare with Sara Kingdom who only joined to defeat the Daleks. I don't think she would've continue to travel with the Doctor after the Daleks are defeated. I'm not counting the companions from the specials here because imo they belong to the bottom category. Allies: Almost companions -These are the people that almost became companions, the Doctor gave them an invitation and everything but for one reason or another, they didn't join. They're not technically companions because they never got to become one. E.g. Lynda (with a Y), Madame de Pompedour, Astrid (Titanic), Rita (Nurse from God Complex), Victorian Clara, Osgood (Death in Heaven), Osgood (Zygon Inversion), etc. Regular Allies - Just allies that are not really companions. They may work with the Doctor, but they don't really *join* the Doctor. Basically every one else you can think of such as Harriet Jones
@@StetsonDoctor yes, and 1st had Susan Ian and Barbara 2nd had ben polly and Jamie 5th had Tegan nyssa and ardic, then Turlough, the 5th doctors run was known as the era of the crowded TARDIS
I've got an old issue of Doctor Who Magazine that had an article called "Travelling Companions". This was in 1986, so back then it was the first Doctor who had had the most companions. It was said that William Hartnell himself found the frequent changing of companions "unsettling".
Interesting! Do you know this issue? Yes, it basically all went to pot when Verity left didn't it, with the rapid changeover of producers, script editors and companions. Can't have been nice for Hartnell!
K9 Mark I and Mark II are considered the same character but Romana I and II aren’t? They’re the same character but with different aspects of their personality rebalanced. K9 Mark I and Mark II are separate entities entirely and exist separately.
The thought had occurred, but ultimately I reasoned against as she only ever cameos prior to the finale. Yes she’s seen travelling in the TARDIS, but only on odd occasions.
The same argument could be made for countless characters through the show's history, hence why it's impossible to come up with a complete list of companions that will satisfy everyone. Whatever list you come up with, it's always going to either miss some people out, or be stuffed with characters who probably shouldn't be considered companions.
Interesting video but Im not sure i agree with some of the classifications (Doctor Who companions always create a little bit of debate after all). The main ones Im conflicted on are Adam and River, I think theres a solid argument to have them be one off companions to the 9th and 10th doctors respectfully. Adam only really went on one adventure before being dropped back off, and River arguably filled the one of companion role more than Donna did full time companion in the silence of the library. Additionally if you count the library as a one off companion story for river, theres a strong argument to made that shes a one off companion for 11 in those stories too which would bulk his companion list up significantl if they were counted individually, but at that point she might be a full time companion. Equally theres an argument to be made for Missy potentially either way, and i think the way you count the companions could be debatable. Im not really sure Mel could be counted for fourteen and fifteen. Plus there Rose Noble who we know has gone on adventures with fourteen even though we havent seen them, which could make her a companion since the same logic can be applied to the Fugitive doctors companions. Love a good companion debate lol.
One off companions per doctor opens up a whole lot of edge cases. I think it’s very hard to reconcile excluding the Brigadier as a one-off companion to 2 in The Five Doctors, whilst including Mel as a companion to both 14 and 15, for example. Certainly Mel is a ‘companion’ but is that the role she is filling in her most recent appearance; I suggest not. The Brigadier isn’t generally a companion, but fills that role for 2 during their time in the Death Zone; we could discount multi-Doctor stories but that doesn’t seem consistent with how we’ve handled Mel. Lt. Scott from Earthshock is another interesting case; he joins the Doctor for a story specifically and explicitly to assist him (and even travels aboard the Tardis, which some others on this list don’t). It’s difficult to draw a line that excludes Scott as a companion to 5, whilst including characters like K9 and Christina for 10 or handles for 11.
1st Doctor 8 Sarah Kington and Katerinia are not companions 2nd Doctor 5 3rd Doctor 6 yes the men from Unit are companions 4th Doctor 11 if you consider 2 episodes for the Brigadier Nyssa and Benton and 1 for Tegan 5th 5 Kamelion is not a companion 6th 2 7th 2 9th 1 10th 3 And River stroung And Captain Jack are not companions 11 3 12 3 13th 4
I wouldn’t class River Song as a one off companion, if Adam can be classed as a full time companion for the 9th Doctor, how can you not classify River as a full time companion for the 11th? She traveled with him very often
My logic is that she’s a supporting character in S4/5/6, the becomes a one-off companion in Husbands (as there’s no one else filling the role in that story).
I love these videos Since the brigadier was missing, it would be cool to see a video about. All unit appearances with each doctor , including egen regulars appeared.
Thank you! Oh yes, a UNIT video would be fun. Obviously Pertwee would come out on top, but it would be interesting to see which other era(s) they featured the most in.
We learn that Karvanista travelled with the Doctor in that era. (Admittedly their travels took place off screen, but I’d say it counts.) I wouldn’t class Karvanista as a Thirteenth Doctor companion, as he never travelled with her.
@@StetsonDoctor Doesn't once upon time clarify that Karvinista did travel with the Fugitive Doctor? I don't remember if he physically appeared, but wasn't Dan standing in for him with the axe
Are K-9s Marks I and II considered companions, if so, are they counted as one character? In the audios they interact. In fact in one of the Classic episodes, the Doctor mentions Mark I to Mark II, who is confused by this. K-9 Mark III and Mark IV (who is Mark III in a new body) is definitely not a companion as they never traveled with the Doctor in the TARDIS.
Since apparently Millie Gibson won't be in the 2024 Christmas Special I'm guessing Nicola Coughlan will serve as a one off companion to 15 for that story before Varada is introduced as a new full time companion in Series 15 next year! And interesting that you count Grant as a one off companion, i've never seen that before though I can see why!
I think you’re probably right. I’d never have thought of Grant either, but when I was going through I decided I needed to be consistent with the Christmas specials, and he’s the closest thing to a companion in Mysterio. (I even considered counting the First Doctor as a companion in Twice Upon A Time, but decided against it 😂)
You could, but I’d argue they’re more supporting characters/friends of the Doctor. Victorian Clara is a good shout, other people have made the case for including her.
I don’t necessarily disagree, but it’s a case of being consistent & where you draw the line. E.g. Mel only appeared in two Sixth Doctor stories (or one if you count Trial as one story), so is she just a one-off for him? Likewise for Peri and Davison.
@@StetsonDoctor I draw the line at whether an actor has gone through the highly-competitive selection process to be cast as the Doctor's Companion... as opposed to the less arduous selection process a supporting character (Jack or Adam, say) will have endured. My secondary criterion is that their character then goes on to play the Doctor's full-time sidekick in most of the episodes in any given season/series, or multiples thereof. This criterion allows for the likes of Jamie, Nyssa and Nardole, who I'm sure weren't conceived of as full-time Companions "up front", but were invited to stay on as fully-fledged members of the TARDIS team for several stories. Applying these rules, I find myself making far fewer exceptions, or cases of "special pleading", than I would if I applied looser, or more generous, criteria.
It felt a bit soon to class her as such, given how recent the specials were. But if fandom does come to view her as a companion in years to come (especially based on her future appearances, as you say), I might be tempted to reconsider.
@@StetsonDoctor Still should include plus fugitive shouldn't be in the list cause she's not a main/proper doctor it'll be like including the Shalka or Fatal Death doctors
Oh yes, there was that Big Finish story too wasn’t there! Adam’s time in the TARDIS was certainly very brief, but it is technically two stories (like Mel in the Sixth Doctor’s era or Peri in the Fifth), so I had to be consistent.
I’d class him as more of a supporting character/friend of the Doctor (a la Rigsy, Courtney Woods, Ashildr etc). I’d love for him to have been an actual companion though… just imagine!
@@novawolf_gamingIt’s a grey area. But I say there’s more of a case for Astrid, as there were no other companions in that story (and, as such, I believe she was marketed as a companion). And that Perkins is a supporting character who just so happened to spend a lot of time with the Doctor.
@StetsonDoctor I guess I always thought Clara wasn't intended for that story so she had not much to do, so it's definitely a grey area, loved the video either way obviously 👍
I think Rose Noble should be counted as a one-off companion for The Star Beast, and there's an argument to be made for Oswin and victorian Clara to be counted as separate one-off companions to Clara Prime
Yeah, there’s an argument to be made for Rose. Interesting… I certainly think you could class Victorian Clara separately, yeah. I’d say Oswin was more of a guest/supporting character (secondary to Amy and Rory).
OP makes a great point: especially since you did count two incarnations of Romana as separate. The various marks of K9 might also be considered separate.
Why River Song not a companion to the 11th Doctor and 10th Doctor? Also, what about Greig Owens he was in two episodes of the series he should be added to the 11th doctor.
By my logic, River is a supporting character in the Tennant/Smith eras (she’s always secondary to Donna/Amy/Rory), then goes on to fill the companion role in Husbands. Fair point re. Craig.
I’d love to have included them, but it’s then a case of where you then draw the line. A ‘Friends of the Doctor’ video would be fun, but I imagine it would be quite a big project!
You didn't consider Victorian Clara as a one off Companion for 11? I guess you still considered her the same as Modern Clara but most would argue that she is a completely different character and person even if she's a splinter of Clara herself.
Incorrect the 9th dr had the girl who joined him in the episode bad wolf and was a sort of decoy companion. Since she died in the episode. As a one of companion
Why was mel considered a full-time companion for the 6th doctor? Technically, the trial of a time lord is one story since the whole season is called that.
Eh, we know that Mel travelled with the Doctor after that (or indeed before, from her perspective), and she also appears with him (kind of) at the start of Time and the Rani. So even if you do count Trial as one story, she's hardly just a one-off.
Personally I would have handled 2 part episodes as 1 adventure so Adam wouldn’t have counted as a full time companion despite being in multiple episodes.
Dalek/The Long Game wasn't a two parter, though, it was two separate episodes? I agree that it doesn't make much sense to class Adam as a full time companion, but he is technically in two eps - as Mel was for the Sixth Doctor, or Peri for the Fifth, or Katarina for the First. It's more a consistency thing than anything else.
I guess you could say so, but then you have to add the Brigadier/Kate/UNIT for all their past appearances, plus families of other companions etc, and it gets a little crowded! Out of all those characters, Rose probably has the most claim to being a companion. I’ll be interested to see if she’s listed in official lists in the future.
I felt that one was a bit too early to call… but potentially, yeah. (I think there’d be more of a case for including her if she has more expanded universe adventures with 14 one day, which I’m sure she will!)
Good point. Though Thirteen did have a *lot* of temporary TARDIS travellers in her era. E.g. if you include Ada and Noor, do you then include Mitch and Lin, Tesla and Edison, the gang from Praxeus, Tibo, the human survivors in Ascension, the whole cast of Flux etc?
I know some people would count him, but he has so little screentime with the Doctor that personally I would not. He's more the Master's companion, surely?
Flux really muddies the waters. It’s open to interpretation - technically you could include all those characters, plus Vinder, Bel and Diane. Personally I thought it made more sense to class them as supporting characters, as Flux has full time companions throughout in the shape of Yaz and Dan. Also, those characters come and go, and most of them don’t get to travel in the TARDS until The Vanquishers.
@@lewis14997 I'd personally put them into a third category (Friends of the Doctor, or something). Similar to characters like Madame Vastra, Rigsy, Kate/The Brigadier, Professor Travers etc.
It should be considered illegal that you didn't count the Brigadier as a third Doctor companion considering how many serials they were in together. Plus the Brigadier did finally step into the TARDIS in "The Three Doctors" making him a bona fide companion.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider it, and it's definitely a grey area. But ultimately I view him more as a recurring character than companion - more part of the UNIT/contemporary Earth world than the Doctor's. Plus, if you open the door to recurring characters, where do you stop? (Do you then include Benton and Yates, and Professor Travers, and Glitz, and Madame Vastra, and Kate Stewart? Etc.)
@@StetsonDoctorI would count Adam as a one of companion to be fair I know he traveled with the doctor but I still don’t think 9 would have ever taken him on full time in my opinion
I don’t disagree, but he did appear in two stories - like Mel did in the Sixth Doctor’s era, or Peri in the Fifth.
@StetsonDoctor also Adam was unknowingly instrumental in what went down in the finale so I think counting him is just a nice gesture lmao
Adam could count as a companion, But personally I think he represents an anti companion. He is an example of why not everyone can be a companion to the doctor, Rose invites him along instead of the doctor picking him, And because of this he makes impulsive impulsive and brash decisions.
You forgot my favorite full time companion of the 12th Doctor’s.
The Attack Eyebrows. 😂
Brave of you to venture into the vipers nest of trying to define what a companion is 😆
I’ve taken cover… 😆😆
You missed the companion all doctors had! Fear!( Makes companions of us all)
Since you included both Romanas, shouldn't you have included both K9s too? We had Mark I and Mark II, after all. One with Leela and one with Romana I and II.
Fair point. If you include both K9s, Tom is on par with Hartnell in both cases (joint first for full time companions, and joint second overall).
Shouldn't you count Rose as a one off Fourteenth doctor companion? At the end of the giggle we're told they occasionally travel in his tardis together
I considered it. I think I’d have been more inclined to if we’d had expanded universe adventures with her and Fourteen (which I guess we will, eventually).
@@StetsonDoctor Fair enough
"Journey's End" really muddies this up, because it means you could count Jack and Sarah Jane as full-time companions for Ten based on that. You could also count Jack as full-time for Ten depending on how you define "separate" stories, because in my mind "Utopia" is the lead-in story to the two-parter "The Sound of Drums"/"Last of the Time-Lords," similar to "Face the Raven" with "Heaven Sent"/"Hell Bent" (separate writers and/or directors).
Also, I would consider Adam a one-off companion with Nine, since he was more of a supporting character than a companion in "Dalek."
I thought it made most sense to count Sarah Jane and Jack as one-offs for Ten (even if they do appear in multiple stories). Others have said the same about Adam, it’s a fair point. I guess he was only really a companion in his second story, but he did nevertheless appear in two eps. It’s a weird one.
@@StetsonDoctor Yea but Jack appeared in 3 in series 3 and then 2 in series 4 so he should be considered a full time with Adam as a one-off instead
Great video overall! Really enjoyed it! Would Captain Jack not count as a one off for 9 (Empty Child and Doctor Dances) also would Craig Owens not count as a one off compainion for 11. He appears in two episodes where he essentially served as the 11th doctor’s companion
Thank you! Jack had three stories in Series 1 (Empty Child through to the finale), so by rights I thought he should be full time, even though he’s not there across the whole series. (He’s certainly more of a permanent companion in Series 1 than Series 3 or 4, I’d say.) You’re right, Craig probably should count, though he’s a bit of a funny one as he appeared in two stories, so not technically a one-off.
Amid all the convo/rumors about our latest companion this video was perfectly timed (and actual facts/evidence) - love the way you serve the fandom ❤
I CAME TO SAY EXACTLY THIS i was curious if they were gonna explore the extended companions (cause like yanno at least 8's companions should all count) so 7 seconds in and im pausing on all the faces AND THEN I SAW HER SNUCK IN THERE!!!!!!
I’d planned to do companions next, but that was before the ‘news’ broke. Chuffed with how it’s worked out! Thank you! 💙💙
I’m so glad someone noticed 😂😂
8th in expanded media, 4th in term of show
ohhhhhhhh I got it wrong on twitter.
Not "Which appeared the most"
But hey, I knew this vid was coming!
Love it!
You forgot Missy. Also, because we are told it is living, everyone seems to forget the longest running companion that the Doctor has had. The companion that has been in every show of Dr Who and that..... The TARDIS.
I considered Missy, but felt her cameos in Series 10 weren’t substantial enough. Yes she travels in the TARDIS, but not really on a full time basis. You make a great point re. the TARDIS!
I would never count adam
you missed out the third doctor for 6th place
Well spotted, thank you!
I think it would of been more fun if you counted the the Big Finish and novels and Comic companions to but still good video mate
I'd have loved to, but it would have been a mammoth job! Maybe one day..
Does Mickey not apply as a one off companion for 9?
My logic is that he's supporting character in Series 1, and only becomes a companion in Series 2 (in School Reunion). Bit of a grey area, I know, but I thought it made sense to go with the moment he's officially invited onboard.
Even with the exclusion of the Brigadier as a companion for the 3rd Doctor, the Brigadier did step squarely into the "one-off companion" role in both "Mawdryn Undead" and "The Five Doctors" (Borusa even called him a companion.)
Kamelion is a one-off. He nominally joined the TARDIS crew at the end of "King's Demons", but he was more of a henchbeing-freed-from-the-Master (much like Yee Jee Tso's Chang Lee w/the 8th) then a companion in that serial. But moreover, he wasn't seen again until "Planet of Fire". He was in NO consecutive stories.
River Song was a repeating one-off companion for the 11th Doctor. But if you admitted that, some of those appearances were consecutive, so by your rules... Also, she was a returning one-off for the 10th, even if it was her debut, and swan song.
And speaking of the 11th's one-off companions: Canton Everett Delaware III.
I really wish you'd include Big Finish cos Justice For Eight.
What about Benton and Yates for the third doctor as well. Still a phenomenal job!!
Decided against including any of the UNIT folk (including the Brig) because they’re not technically companions. BUT I may well do a UNIT themed video in the future… Stay tuned! 👀
@@StetsonDoctor On what basis?
They were in multiple episodes
Clara has always been my favourite companion
Agreed! She definitely feels like the revived era’s Sarah Jane to me. Would love to see her come back with her own show, like Sladen did.
Me too, the fandom was so apprehensive with her at the start but she has slowly but surely started to become a fan favourite which is so good to see, she was always by far the most charismatic and capable companion
I'd count River as a companion
What about Jackie Tyler? She travelled in the tardis in Series 2, Army of Ghost & Doomsday two part final. Also Rory's dad (Brian Williams) travelled with them in a couple of episodes in Series 7A. They should be counted as off companions at the very least
Couldn’t Jericho and Claire count as one off companions for the 13th Doctor as well ?
Haven’t heard that one before, but I guess you could make a case for it! I think personally I see them more as supporting characters, but the lines are certainly a bit blurred in Flux, given how much everyone appears!
Shouldn't for The 11th Doctor also count Nefertiti, John Riddell, and Rory's father Brian?
You could say so. I think I'd rationalise it as Amy/Rory being the main companions in that story, then those other characters fitting into another sub-category. It's a grey area, though, as they all had adventures with the Doctor off-screen! (Same goes for characters like Madame Vastra and Dorium.)
@StetsonDoctor Understood, I was counting the three of them as one off, like Christina for 10th
Yeah, it’s open to interpretation. Would be fun to have included those type of characters as well!
as one off;s probably
5:28 you forgot Jon Pertwee
Good spot, thank you!
@@StetsonDoctor no problem, Id love to see a unit one of these
@@5SSS Stay tuned!
u should do this video but all monsters/villains
It would be a big undertaking, but I’d love to! Great idea.
Shouldn't River Song be considered a one off companion for 10 and a recurring companion for 11?
Like with the Brigadier, I see River as more of a supporting character. I included her as a one-off companion for Husbands, as there's literally no on else filling the role in that story. Everything else I view slightly differently, but it's open to interpretation!
i agree. as well as mickey counting as one off for 9 and 10?
My logic for Mickey is that he was a supporting character in Series 1 and a companion in Series 2.
I don't think Katarina should be considered a full time companion, she's like in the last minute of the Mythmakers and then in the first episode or two of the 12 part serial, the Dalek's Master Plan. Even Sara Kingdom travelled with the Doctor for more parts of that serial then Katarina yet you class her as a one timer despite her screen time.
Also if you count Kazran, it would make sense to count Abigail too as they're both the Tardis team for that episode.
The 8th Doctor also had Chang Lee who could be counted as one off companions
The 10th you could count Clyde, Rani and Luke as one off companions
The 11th you could also count Clyde, Rani and Luke as well as Sanjay as one off companions
I see Chang Lee as more of a companion to the Master than the Doctor tbh. Fair point about the SJA gang though!
@StetsonDoctor Maybe, but he did switch sides, and the end shot I believe was of him, the Doctor and Grace flying off together
@@SuperverseProductions He did, but only at the very end of the episode. The scene of the three of them in the TARDIS comes near the end, but the final scene sees the Doctor depart alone.
I think it can be broken down more:
Full-time companions:
Main Companions - Series leads like Vicki, Jamie, Sarah Jane, Romana, Peri, Ace, Martha, Clara, Yaz, etc.
Supporting Companions - Proper full-time companions but not the "main" companion. E.g. K9, Nardole, Mickey in S2, Captain Jack in S1, etc
Part-time companions:
Recurring Companions - On and off Companions to the Doctor . E.g. The Brigadier, River Song, Torchwood Captain Jack, etc
Temporary / One-off Companions - Companions who joined the Doctor to solve one specific danger. Compare this to someone like Vicki who decided to join the *family* regardless of where they go to, and then compare with Sara Kingdom who only joined to defeat the Daleks. I don't think she would've continue to travel with the Doctor after the Daleks are defeated. I'm not counting the companions from the specials here because imo they belong to the bottom category.
Allies:
Almost companions -These are the people that almost became companions, the Doctor gave them an invitation and everything but for one reason or another, they didn't join. They're not technically companions because they never got to become one. E.g. Lynda (with a Y), Madame de Pompedour, Astrid (Titanic), Rita (Nurse from God Complex), Victorian Clara, Osgood (Death in Heaven), Osgood (Zygon Inversion), etc.
Regular Allies - Just allies that are not really companions. They may work with the Doctor, but they don't really *join* the Doctor. Basically every one else you can think of such as Harriet Jones
What about most companions at the same time? Is that the 13th with 3 or was there a Doc in classic Who with more?
I *think* three companions at once is the limit
@@StetsonDoctor yes, and 1st had Susan Ian and Barbara 2nd had ben polly and Jamie 5th had Tegan nyssa and ardic, then Turlough, the 5th doctors run was known as the era of the crowded TARDIS
I've got an old issue of Doctor Who Magazine that had an article called "Travelling Companions". This was in 1986, so back then it was the first Doctor who had had the most companions. It was said that William Hartnell himself found the frequent changing of companions "unsettling".
Interesting! Do you know this issue? Yes, it basically all went to pot when Verity left didn't it, with the rapid changeover of producers, script editors and companions. Can't have been nice for Hartnell!
K9 Mark I and Mark II are considered the same character but Romana I and II aren’t?
They’re the same character but with different aspects of their personality rebalanced.
K9 Mark I and Mark II are separate entities entirely and exist separately.
Will there be one for which Doctor had the most two-part stories?
Great idea! Watch this space... 👀
Next, which Companion has the most Doctors?
Sarah Jane
@@frederickcubbins on screen Sarah Jane and the brig with 7 each, all media, the brig and river song, with 11 each
I enjoyed this video Richard. My favorite companions are Sarah Jane, Leela, Perri, Ace, Rose, Martha, Donna, Amy and Clara.
Thank you! Great choices.
What about Adam for the 9th Doctor As a one-off companion
Included him as full time, as he technically appears in two stories.
@@StetsonDoctor I'd say he was a secondary character in his first appearance like River Song...
river??? she was in so much of the 11th doctor
th-cam.com/video/DjA9w2umZ6Q/w-d-xo.html
Great video! 😃
Does Courtney Woods count as a one off companion? 🤔
Thank you! Yes, I guess you could count her. Open to interpretation!
Wouldn’t Missy count as a one off companion of 12?
The thought had occurred, but ultimately I reasoned against as she only ever cameos prior to the finale. Yes she’s seen travelling in the TARDIS, but only on odd occasions.
The same argument could be made for countless characters through the show's history, hence why it's impossible to come up with a complete list of companions that will satisfy everyone. Whatever list you come up with, it's always going to either miss some people out, or be stuffed with characters who probably shouldn't be considered companions.
Interesting video but Im not sure i agree with some of the classifications (Doctor Who companions always create a little bit of debate after all).
The main ones Im conflicted on are Adam and River, I think theres a solid argument to have them be one off companions to the 9th and 10th doctors respectfully. Adam only really went on one adventure before being dropped back off, and River arguably filled the one of companion role more than Donna did full time companion in the silence of the library. Additionally if you count the library as a one off companion story for river, theres a strong argument to made that shes a one off companion for 11 in those stories too which would bulk his companion list up significantl if they were counted individually, but at that point she might be a full time companion.
Equally theres an argument to be made for Missy potentially either way, and i think the way you count the companions could be debatable. Im not really sure Mel could be counted for fourteen and fifteen. Plus there Rose Noble who we know has gone on adventures with fourteen even though we havent seen them, which could make her a companion since the same logic can be applied to the Fugitive doctors companions.
Love a good companion debate lol.
One off companions per doctor opens up a whole lot of edge cases.
I think it’s very hard to reconcile excluding the Brigadier as a one-off companion to 2 in The Five Doctors, whilst including Mel as a companion to both 14 and 15, for example. Certainly Mel is a ‘companion’ but is that the role she is filling in her most recent appearance; I suggest not. The Brigadier isn’t generally a companion, but fills that role for 2 during their time in the Death Zone; we could discount multi-Doctor stories but that doesn’t seem consistent with how we’ve handled Mel.
Lt. Scott from Earthshock is another interesting case; he joins the Doctor for a story specifically and explicitly to assist him (and even travels aboard the Tardis, which some others on this list don’t). It’s difficult to draw a line that excludes Scott as a companion to 5, whilst including characters like K9 and Christina for 10 or handles for 11.
1st Doctor 8 Sarah Kington and Katerinia are not companions
2nd Doctor 5
3rd Doctor 6 yes the men from Unit are companions
4th Doctor 11 if you consider 2 episodes for the Brigadier Nyssa and Benton and 1 for Tegan
5th 5 Kamelion is not a companion
6th 2
7th 2
9th 1
10th 3 And River stroung And Captain Jack are not companions
11 3
12 3
13th 4
I wouldn’t class River Song as a one off companion, if Adam can be classed as a full time companion for the 9th Doctor, how can you not classify River as a full time companion for the 11th? She traveled with him very often
My logic is that she’s a supporting character in S4/5/6, the becomes a one-off companion in Husbands (as there’s no one else filling the role in that story).
Can you do a video on which Doctor incarnation lived the longest?
11th
Would certainly be an interesting one!
11th
I love these videos
Since the brigadier was missing, it would be cool to see a video about. All unit appearances with each doctor , including egen regulars appeared.
Thank you! Oh yes, a UNIT video would be fun. Obviously Pertwee would come out on top, but it would be interesting to see which other era(s) they featured the most in.
@@StetsonDoctor yeah it would be cool, there's loads of cameos in the modern series so it would be interesting to see
3:52 actually yes the 8th Doctor does because he has Cas and grace as companions
Grace is included as a one-off, as she only appeared in one story. And I think Cass would beg to differ there!
u do realise that the futurtive doctor isn't the doctor that encountered karbanista from series 13
He worked in the division with her so yes he is her companion
We learn that Karvanista travelled with the Doctor in that era. (Admittedly their travels took place off screen, but I’d say it counts.) I wouldn’t class Karvanista as a Thirteenth Doctor companion, as he never travelled with her.
@@StetsonDoctor Doesn't once upon time clarify that Karvinista did travel with the Fugitive Doctor? I don't remember if he physically appeared, but wasn't Dan standing in for him with the axe
@@PipsyWho Yup! We briefly see 'Dan' change into him.
Are K-9s Marks I and II considered companions, if so, are they counted as one character?
In the audios they interact. In fact in one of the Classic episodes, the Doctor mentions Mark I to Mark II, who is confused by this.
K-9 Mark III and Mark IV (who is Mark III in a new body) is definitely not a companion as they never traveled with the Doctor in the TARDIS.
Since apparently Millie Gibson won't be in the 2024 Christmas Special I'm guessing Nicola Coughlan will serve as a one off companion to 15 for that story before Varada is introduced as a new full time companion in Series 15 next year! And interesting that you count Grant as a one off companion, i've never seen that before though I can see why!
I think you’re probably right. I’d never have thought of Grant either, but when I was going through I decided I needed to be consistent with the Christmas specials, and he’s the closest thing to a companion in Mysterio. (I even considered counting the First Doctor as a companion in Twice Upon A Time, but decided against it 😂)
From what I’ve seen, the rumors are that Millie will be in the Christmas Special and part of series 15, but not all of it.
@thatunknownindividual4554 no, it's been said Millie isn't in the Christmas special but will be in Series 15 for a few episodes
If the released photos are anything to go by, Rose T-N may also potentially be a companion of 14, we won't know till we see the series
True! One to revisit in a year or two 👀
Technically, Handles could be considered the longest serving companion to the Doctor as he’s been with him for more than 400 years.
Very true!
Even with Romana having two regenerations, you can't count her twice when they were with the Fourth Doctor.
Couldn’t you technically count all the new characters in Dinosaurs on a Spaceship as one-off companions of the 11th (also Victorian Clara)?
You could, but I’d argue they’re more supporting characters/friends of the Doctor. Victorian Clara is a good shout, other people have made the case for including her.
Are you not counting Chang Lee as a companion for the 8th Doctor as well as Grace?
I know he’s counted in some lists, but I think I see him more as a companion to the Master (albeit one who comes good).
What about Lynda from the series one finale?
She’s a companion who never was.
I don't see that Jack was a full-time companion of the 9th Doctor, and certainly not Adam.
I don’t necessarily disagree, but it’s a case of being consistent & where you draw the line. E.g. Mel only appeared in two Sixth Doctor stories (or one if you count Trial as one story), so is she just a one-off for him? Likewise for Peri and Davison.
@@StetsonDoctor I draw the line at whether an actor has gone through the highly-competitive selection process to be cast as the Doctor's Companion... as opposed to the less arduous selection process a supporting character (Jack or Adam, say) will have endured.
My secondary criterion is that their character then goes on to play the Doctor's full-time sidekick in most of the episodes in any given season/series, or multiples thereof. This criterion allows for the likes of Jamie, Nyssa and Nardole, who I'm sure weren't conceived of as full-time Companions "up front", but were invited to stay on as fully-fledged members of the TARDIS team for several stories.
Applying these rules, I find myself making far fewer exceptions, or cases of "special pleading", than I would if I applied looser, or more generous, criteria.
Fair enough! That certainly makes things a lot more straightforward! 😅
@@StetsonDoctor and Tegan and 4th
Wait Karvanista was the Fugitive’s companion? I thought they didn’t specify which pre-1 incarnation it was
Yeah, in Once, Upon Time he’s part of her crack team.
Rose Noble is considered a 1 off companion. Plus it's inclined they've ventured to Mars together. Also seen in the trailer for Ncutis 1st season
It felt a bit soon to class her as such, given how recent the specials were. But if fandom does come to view her as a companion in years to come (especially based on her future appearances, as you say), I might be tempted to reconsider.
Wait, so you included Fugitive who isn't a main doctor, but you missed out war who is
Because she had TV companions and War didn't?
@@StetsonDoctor Still should include plus fugitive shouldn't be in the list cause she's not a main/proper doctor it'll be like including the Shalka or Fatal Death doctors
@@vortexalliance9938
It wouldn’t be like that at all, since The Fugitive Doctor is canon within the series.
Just on terms of longevity I was a bit surprised the Fourth Doctor didn't have most companions
Wouldn't Adam be a one off Companion? I guess if you count the Big Finish story he was in
Oh yes, there was that Big Finish story too wasn’t there! Adam’s time in the TARDIS was certainly very brief, but it is technically two stories (like Mel in the Sixth Doctor’s era or Peri in the Fifth), so I had to be consistent.
For the 12th doctor doesn't Perkins count from Mummy on the Orient Express?
I’d class him as more of a supporting character/friend of the Doctor (a la Rigsy, Courtney Woods, Ashildr etc). I’d love for him to have been an actual companion though… just imagine!
@@StetsonDoctor Then shouldn't Astrid fall under that too?
@@novawolf_gamingIt’s a grey area. But I say there’s more of a case for Astrid, as there were no other companions in that story (and, as such, I believe she was marketed as a companion). And that Perkins is a supporting character who just so happened to spend a lot of time with the Doctor.
@StetsonDoctor I guess
I always thought Clara wasn't intended for that story so she had not much to do, so it's definitely a grey area, loved the video either way obviously 👍
I think Rose Noble should be counted as a one-off companion for The Star Beast, and there's an argument to be made for Oswin and victorian Clara to be counted as separate one-off companions to Clara Prime
Yeah, there’s an argument to be made for Rose. Interesting… I certainly think you could class Victorian Clara separately, yeah. I’d say Oswin was more of a guest/supporting character (secondary to Amy and Rory).
OP makes a great point: especially since you did count two incarnations of Romana as separate. The various marks of K9 might also be considered separate.
Why River Song not a companion to the 11th Doctor and 10th Doctor? Also, what about Greig Owens he was in two episodes of the series he should be added to the 11th doctor.
By my logic, River is a supporting character in the Tennant/Smith eras (she’s always secondary to Donna/Amy/Rory), then goes on to fill the companion role in Husbands. Fair point re. Craig.
wouldn't the 2 people from dinosaurs on a spaceship count as one-off companions, what about Churchill, Vincent, Rory's dad, and Liz10
I’d love to have included them, but it’s then a case of where you then draw the line. A ‘Friends of the Doctor’ video would be fun, but I imagine it would be quite a big project!
@@StetsonDoctor in that case I would not have included any of the David Tennant specials characters as real companions
You didn't consider Victorian Clara as a one off Companion for 11? I guess you still considered her the same as Modern Clara but most would argue that she is a completely different character and person even if she's a splinter of Clara herself.
Fair
Incorrect the 9th dr had the girl who joined him in the episode bad wolf and was a sort of decoy companion. Since she died in the episode. As a one of companion
Lynda with a Y? I think most people would class her as a companion-who-never-was. Similar to Jabe, Lorna Bucket, Grace O’Brien etc.
@@StetsonDoctor ok thanks for clarifying she was awesome!
@@The_Awsome She certainly was!
If u count Jo for the Eleventh Dr, surely Rani, Clyde, and Jo's grandson should also count as they were in the episode as well
I guess you could make a case for it. Though the main reason I included Jo was to be consistent with other companion returns.
10th
Why was mel considered a full-time companion for the 6th doctor? Technically, the trial of a time lord is one story since the whole season is called that.
Eh, we know that Mel travelled with the Doctor after that (or indeed before, from her perspective), and she also appears with him (kind of) at the start of Time and the Rani. So even if you do count Trial as one story, she's hardly just a one-off.
Personally I would have handled 2 part episodes as 1 adventure so Adam wouldn’t have counted as a full time companion despite being in multiple episodes.
Dalek/The Long Game wasn't a two parter, though, it was two separate episodes? I agree that it doesn't make much sense to class Adam as a full time companion, but he is technically in two eps - as Mel was for the Sixth Doctor, or Peri for the Fifth, or Katarina for the First. It's more a consistency thing than anything else.
Why does Romana count as two separate companions?
because they are 2 different incarnations, it would be like 10 and 11 travelling together
@julieeverett7442 They are the same person though. Like how 10 and 11 are both the Doctor.
You left off the War Doctor who had no companions ar all.
For the Fourteenth Doctor, should Shirley, Kate, Rose Noble, Shaun Temple and Sylvia count as one off companions?
I guess you could say so, but then you have to add the Brigadier/Kate/UNIT for all their past appearances, plus families of other companions etc, and it gets a little crowded! Out of all those characters, Rose probably has the most claim to being a companion. I’ll be interested to see if she’s listed in official lists in the future.
Would Rose Noble count as a companion? We know 14 and Rose had offscreen adventures in the Tardis
I felt that one was a bit too early to call… but potentially, yeah. (I think there’d be more of a case for including her if she has more expanded universe adventures with 14 one day, which I’m sure she will!)
adam probably shouldn't be counted as he was in 2 episodes, mickey had more screentime than him.
I'm pretty sure the thirteenth doctor had one off companions in spyfall p2
Good point. Though Thirteen did have a *lot* of temporary TARDIS travellers in her era. E.g. if you include Ada and Noor, do you then include Mitch and Lin, Tesla and Edison, the gang from Praxeus, Tibo, the human survivors in Ascension, the whole cast of Flux etc?
8h doctor had Chang lee also so he has two companions
I know some people would count him, but he has so little screentime with the Doctor that personally I would not. He's more the Master's companion, surely?
Lack of craig representation is killing me
Craig's a weird one. Ultimately I thought there'd be more backlash if I *did* include him... 😂 But perhaps he should be on there.
Hmm karvanista could be a 13th doctor companion. And so should Claire and Jericho be counted as 13th doctor companions
Flux really muddies the waters. It’s open to interpretation - technically you could include all those characters, plus Vinder, Bel and Diane. Personally I thought it made more sense to class them as supporting characters, as Flux has full time companions throughout in the shape of Yaz and Dan. Also, those characters come and go, and most of them don’t get to travel in the TARDS until The Vanquishers.
@@StetsonDoctor you have a one off category, right? Vinder, Bel, Karvanista. They should all qualify
@@lewis14997 I'd personally put them into a third category (Friends of the Doctor, or something). Similar to characters like Madame Vastra, Rigsy, Kate/The Brigadier, Professor Travers etc.
The Brigadier ain't a companion. He is a bff
Right? 😏
Susan foreman Sarah Jane Smith theponds