NOTE: This list was made prior to the Christmas Special and thus my choices may change after it.
With so much speculation surrounding Clara's ultimate fate, I began to wonder what is it about this bossy little control freak that makes her so different and special. I think it's because of her bizarre relationship with the Doctor and the influence she has had on his life. She is the only companion to have seen all of his incarnations and she is the only companion to have countless echoes of herself scattered throughout Doctor's timeline. Also she has the privilege of being the 50th anniversary companion. But whatever the reason may be, one thing that can't be denied is that she is a one of a kind companion. I can't see any other companion topping Clara's long list of achievements, at least not in the near future. The Doctor knows all this, he understands her importance. To him she is not just a companion. No, she is the girl who sacrificed herself for him, who probably died countless times saving him. She's his pal, his closest friend, the only one he can count on. While to Clara, the Doctor is a best friend, a hobby and might I say, an addiction. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't stop herself from going back to him. All in all it has been a joy seeing them go on this journey together. So here are my top ten moments of their wibbly-wobbly relationship.
With so much speculation surrounding Clara's ultimate fate, I began to wonder what is it about this bossy little control freak that makes her so different and special. I think it's because of her bizarre relationship with the Doctor and the influence she has had on his life. She is the only companion to have seen all of his incarnations and she is the only companion to have countless echoes of herself scattered throughout Doctor's timeline. Also she has the privilege of being the 50th anniversary companion. But whatever the reason may be, one thing that can't be denied is that she is a one of a kind companion. I can't see any other companion topping Clara's long list of achievements, at least not in the near future. The Doctor knows all this, he understands her importance. To him she is not just a companion. No, she is the girl who sacrificed herself for him, who probably died countless times saving him. She's his pal, his closest friend, the only one he can count on. While to Clara, the Doctor is a best friend, a hobby and might I say, an addiction. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't stop herself from going back to him. All in all it has been a joy seeing them go on this journey together. So here are my top ten moments of their wibbly-wobbly relationship.
The Doctor Calls-
CLARA: You shouldn't have been listening.
DOCTOR: I wasn't. I didn't need to. That was me talking. You can't see me, can you? You look at me, and you can't see me. Have you any idea what that's like? I'm not on the phone, I'm right here, standing in front of you. Please, just, just see me.
The pain in Twelve's voice, when he says those words is easily recognizable. He clearly doesn't want to lose her. He wants her to understand that he is still the Doctor, and that he will always care for her, that to him, she matters a lot. This scene from Deep Breath also shows us the place that the Doctor holds in Clara's heart. Throughout the episode she struggles to recognize him as the same man that she used to know, but when Eleven calls her from Trenzalore and asks for her help, she gives in. And I think it's in this moment that she realizes that the Doctor knows her better than she knows him. He knew that she would find it difficult and so he called. And then, she sees him (quite thoroughly too), thanks him for calling and hugs him and it's all absolutely heart-warming.
CLARA: You shouldn't have been listening.
DOCTOR: I wasn't. I didn't need to. That was me talking. You can't see me, can you? You look at me, and you can't see me. Have you any idea what that's like? I'm not on the phone, I'm right here, standing in front of you. Please, just, just see me.
The pain in Twelve's voice, when he says those words is easily recognizable. He clearly doesn't want to lose her. He wants her to understand that he is still the Doctor, and that he will always care for her, that to him, she matters a lot. This scene from Deep Breath also shows us the place that the Doctor holds in Clara's heart. Throughout the episode she struggles to recognize him as the same man that she used to know, but when Eleven calls her from Trenzalore and asks for her help, she gives in. And I think it's in this moment that she realizes that the Doctor knows her better than she knows him. He knew that she would find it difficult and so he called. And then, she sees him (quite thoroughly too), thanks him for calling and hugs him and it's all absolutely heart-warming.
The Doctor confronts Clara-
DOCTOR: What are you, eh? Are you a trick, a trap?
CLARA: I don't know what you're talking about!
This is I think one of the most defining moments of their relationship, and yes, it's from Journey to the Center of the Tardis. When the Doctor finally realizes that he won't be able to reach the engine room on time and both he and Clara are going to die, he confronts Clara about her identity. What follows is a brilliant scene which encourages both the characters to re-evaluate each other. The Doctor finally understands that Clara is not a mystery that needs to be solved, but a friend who completely trusts him. And Clara finally understands that there is much more to the Doctor than he lets out, but that she can trust him nonetheless. The pinching the cheeks and the hug really work their charms in this one. Sadly it's all forgotten by the end of the episode.
DOCTOR: What are you, eh? Are you a trick, a trap?
CLARA: I don't know what you're talking about!
This is I think one of the most defining moments of their relationship, and yes, it's from Journey to the Center of the Tardis. When the Doctor finally realizes that he won't be able to reach the engine room on time and both he and Clara are going to die, he confronts Clara about her identity. What follows is a brilliant scene which encourages both the characters to re-evaluate each other. The Doctor finally understands that Clara is not a mystery that needs to be solved, but a friend who completely trusts him. And Clara finally understands that there is much more to the Doctor than he lets out, but that she can trust him nonetheless. The pinching the cheeks and the hug really work their charms in this one. Sadly it's all forgotten by the end of the episode.
The Girl Who Saved Gallifrey-
CLARA: We've got enough warriors. Any old idiot can be a hero.
DOCTOR: Then what do I do?
CLARA: What you've always done. Be a doctor.
The moment when she realizes the burden he holds in his heart, the crime he is still paying for, the pain he constantly feels. No, the Doctor can't do it, her Doctor can't destroy Gallifrey. This is not what the Doctor does. He always finds a way, always. In this one moment Clara climbed the ladder from the girl who saved his life to the girl who saved Gallifrey. She reminded him of who he is and what he can do, and in that single moment took away the biggest guilt of his life. No wonder she is so close to his heart.
CLARA: We've got enough warriors. Any old idiot can be a hero.
DOCTOR: Then what do I do?
CLARA: What you've always done. Be a doctor.
The moment when she realizes the burden he holds in his heart, the crime he is still paying for, the pain he constantly feels. No, the Doctor can't do it, her Doctor can't destroy Gallifrey. This is not what the Doctor does. He always finds a way, always. In this one moment Clara climbed the ladder from the girl who saved his life to the girl who saved Gallifrey. She reminded him of who he is and what he can do, and in that single moment took away the biggest guilt of his life. No wonder she is so close to his heart.
The Farewell of Lies-
CLARA: Why don't you like hugging, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Never trust a hug. It's just a way to hide your face.
Death in Heaven ended on a very unsatisfactory and heavy note, when it comes to resolving the whole Doctor and Clara arc. This moment just doesn't feel right as their final goodbye but what it does show is the lengths each of them are willing to cover for each other. Lies have been a theme this Series and to think that this is what it all points to is absolutely gut-wrenching. In the Graveyard Scene with Danny, Clara describes herself as the Doctor's best friend anywhere in the universe and that she would never ever betray him or lie to him. While in the Mummy on the Orient Express, the Doctor tells Clara about bad choices and how sometimes we still have to choose. It is absolutely brilliant how these two things come together in this moment. Clara does lie to him after all, making the hard choice of leaving him, so that he can go back to Gallifrey. On the other hand the Doctor lies to her so that she can now settle down for good with Danny, out of harm's way.
CLARA: Why don't you like hugging, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Never trust a hug. It's just a way to hide your face.
Death in Heaven ended on a very unsatisfactory and heavy note, when it comes to resolving the whole Doctor and Clara arc. This moment just doesn't feel right as their final goodbye but what it does show is the lengths each of them are willing to cover for each other. Lies have been a theme this Series and to think that this is what it all points to is absolutely gut-wrenching. In the Graveyard Scene with Danny, Clara describes herself as the Doctor's best friend anywhere in the universe and that she would never ever betray him or lie to him. While in the Mummy on the Orient Express, the Doctor tells Clara about bad choices and how sometimes we still have to choose. It is absolutely brilliant how these two things come together in this moment. Clara does lie to him after all, making the hard choice of leaving him, so that he can go back to Gallifrey. On the other hand the Doctor lies to her so that she can now settle down for good with Danny, out of harm's way.
The Impossible Girl Montage-
CLARA: I just know I'm running. Sometimes it's like I've lived a thousand lives in a thousand places. I'm born, I live, I die. And always, there's the Doctor. Always I'm running to save the Doctor again and again and again. And he hardly ever hears me. But I've always been there.
The soufflé isn't the soufflé, the soufflé is the recipe. This is the moment which described Clara. The impossible girl, always there, always calling, always trying to save the Doctor. This was her destiny, to save the man who saves all. This moment changed everything we thought we knew about the Doctor. Clara jumps into the Doctor's time stream to stop the Great Intelligence and in the process she breaks into a million echoes, each with one sole purpose, to save the Doctor. And when Clara finally stops, she finds herself in the darkest place in the Doctor's timeline. She is confused about who or where she is, all she knows is the Doctor. The Doctor then saves her by reminding her who she is, what she has done for him and what she will always mean in his life.
CLARA: I just know I'm running. Sometimes it's like I've lived a thousand lives in a thousand places. I'm born, I live, I die. And always, there's the Doctor. Always I'm running to save the Doctor again and again and again. And he hardly ever hears me. But I've always been there.
The soufflé isn't the soufflé, the soufflé is the recipe. This is the moment which described Clara. The impossible girl, always there, always calling, always trying to save the Doctor. This was her destiny, to save the man who saves all. This moment changed everything we thought we knew about the Doctor. Clara jumps into the Doctor's time stream to stop the Great Intelligence and in the process she breaks into a million echoes, each with one sole purpose, to save the Doctor. And when Clara finally stops, she finds herself in the darkest place in the Doctor's timeline. She is confused about who or where she is, all she knows is the Doctor. The Doctor then saves her by reminding her who she is, what she has done for him and what she will always mean in his life.
The Leaf of Infinite Possibilities-
CLARA: Still hungry?
We don't walk away. The Doctor's first lesson and Clara's first test. And she performs with exceptional grace. The Doctor fails to stop the parasite sun but succeeds in inspiring Clara and she chooses to help him with her most precious belonging, her mum's leaf. This moment is game changer for both Clara and the Doctor. A moment of inspiration for Clara, as she sees the Doctor in his full glory, doing what he always does, saving people, telling his story, the majestic tale of a madman. And this is also a moment of admiration for Doctor, when he sees this young girl making a stand, to help him, to help everyone. And then they stand together, much closer than ever before, in the face of an alien sun.
CLARA: Still hungry?
We don't walk away. The Doctor's first lesson and Clara's first test. And she performs with exceptional grace. The Doctor fails to stop the parasite sun but succeeds in inspiring Clara and she chooses to help him with her most precious belonging, her mum's leaf. This moment is game changer for both Clara and the Doctor. A moment of inspiration for Clara, as she sees the Doctor in his full glory, doing what he always does, saving people, telling his story, the majestic tale of a madman. And this is also a moment of admiration for Doctor, when he sees this young girl making a stand, to help him, to help everyone. And then they stand together, much closer than ever before, in the face of an alien sun.
Clear Off!-
DOCTOR: I was helping.
CLARA: What, by clearing off?
DOCTOR: Yes.
CLARA: Yeah, well, clear off! Go on. You can clear off. Get back in your lonely, your lonely bloody Tardis and you don't come back.
Twelve knows that he can be difficult and so this was a gentle reminder for him to tone the bluntness down a notch. Sure a few harsh words were exchanged, but it makes this relationship all the more relatable. This brilliant moment from Kill the Moon was I think the turning point of their almost perfect relationship. Clara portrays her disappointment to a tee. Everything she says to the Doctor cuts him like a knife and the pain of it all is superbly portrayed by Capaldi. To be frank, the Doctor did behave like a condescending prat to Clara but I think it was all to make a very good point. He was extremely disappointed with Lundvik and with humanity, so he just vented out his anger at Clara. And if he can do it, then so can she. A very intense albeit natural response and I think Jenna's best dramatic performance on the show.
DOCTOR: I was helping.
CLARA: What, by clearing off?
DOCTOR: Yes.
CLARA: Yeah, well, clear off! Go on. You can clear off. Get back in your lonely, your lonely bloody Tardis and you don't come back.
Twelve knows that he can be difficult and so this was a gentle reminder for him to tone the bluntness down a notch. Sure a few harsh words were exchanged, but it makes this relationship all the more relatable. This brilliant moment from Kill the Moon was I think the turning point of their almost perfect relationship. Clara portrays her disappointment to a tee. Everything she says to the Doctor cuts him like a knife and the pain of it all is superbly portrayed by Capaldi. To be frank, the Doctor did behave like a condescending prat to Clara but I think it was all to make a very good point. He was extremely disappointed with Lundvik and with humanity, so he just vented out his anger at Clara. And if he can do it, then so can she. A very intense albeit natural response and I think Jenna's best dramatic performance on the show.
Listen, This Is Just a Dream...-
CLARA: You're always going to be afraid, even if you learn to hide it. Fear is like a companion. A constant companion, always there. But that's okay, because fear can bring us together.
I don't know what to really say about this moment. It's just one of those moments that makes you stop and wonder how much do we actually know about the Doctor. In this absolutely chilling moment, Clara finds herself with the Doctor, but no, it's not her Doctor, in fact he hasn't even started yet. He is just a kid who is afraid of the dark, of loneliness, of the future. She has to help him. What follows is I think the most intimate moment that a companion has ever shared with the Doctor. She comforts him, like an elder sister would. A very bold moment that I think cements her as one of the closest people that the Doctor has. And if that isn’t enough then there's the great hugging moment. Re-watch this one with caution. There is a high chance that you heart might simply melt away from the
CLARA: You're always going to be afraid, even if you learn to hide it. Fear is like a companion. A constant companion, always there. But that's okay, because fear can bring us together.
I don't know what to really say about this moment. It's just one of those moments that makes you stop and wonder how much do we actually know about the Doctor. In this absolutely chilling moment, Clara finds herself with the Doctor, but no, it's not her Doctor, in fact he hasn't even started yet. He is just a kid who is afraid of the dark, of loneliness, of the future. She has to help him. What follows is I think the most intimate moment that a companion has ever shared with the Doctor. She comforts him, like an elder sister would. A very bold moment that I think cements her as one of the closest people that the Doctor has. And if that isn’t enough then there's the great hugging moment. Re-watch this one with caution. There is a high chance that you heart might simply melt away from the
The Change of Heart-
CLARA: Oh, to hell with the last hurrah. Let's keep going.
DOCTOR: That's a big change of heart.
CLARA: Yeah, they happen.
Just like Listen, I think the last 5 minutes of Mummy on the Orient Express are an absolute delight to watch. What starts as a poignant conversation between the Doctor and Clara turns into something much more profound by the end. I don't know where to start with this one, there are so many themes all interwoven into this gem of a moment. It all starts with the implication that Clara herself is very conflicted about her decision to leave the Doctor, and hence the curiosity about the Doctor's choice of lifestyle. Then comes the call from Danny and for once it is clearly evident that the Doctor is jealous and also very sad at the same time. He clearly doesn't want to lose her. And then finally comes the change of heart. I think when Clara says "I love you" on the phone to Danny, it is meant for the Doctor because she is looking directly at him. Also her decision to stay cements the fact that she has become addicted to her life in the Tardis and can’t just stop it. Oh it's a roller coaster with these two.
CLARA: Oh, to hell with the last hurrah. Let's keep going.
DOCTOR: That's a big change of heart.
CLARA: Yeah, they happen.
Just like Listen, I think the last 5 minutes of Mummy on the Orient Express are an absolute delight to watch. What starts as a poignant conversation between the Doctor and Clara turns into something much more profound by the end. I don't know where to start with this one, there are so many themes all interwoven into this gem of a moment. It all starts with the implication that Clara herself is very conflicted about her decision to leave the Doctor, and hence the curiosity about the Doctor's choice of lifestyle. Then comes the call from Danny and for once it is clearly evident that the Doctor is jealous and also very sad at the same time. He clearly doesn't want to lose her. And then finally comes the change of heart. I think when Clara says "I love you" on the phone to Danny, it is meant for the Doctor because she is looking directly at him. Also her decision to stay cements the fact that she has become addicted to her life in the Tardis and can’t just stop it. Oh it's a roller coaster with these two.
The Blackest Hour-
DOCTOR: You betrayed me. Betrayed my trust, you betrayed our friendship, you betrayed everything that I've ever stood for. You let me down!
CLARA: Then why are you helping me?
DOCTOR: Why? Do you think I care for you so little that betraying me would make a difference?
I still remember the feels I got when I heard these lines for the first time. One line, that's all it took. In that moment Twelve definitively became the Doctor. I never felt as sure of the idea of him as the Doctor as I felt at the moment. In that moment he was what Clara needed the most, a true friend, never judging, never complaining and there to help her, whatever it takes. This moment really trumps all other moment because of the fact that it really pushes their relationship to the edge. It tests the strength of their bond. Peter Capaldi plays the Doctor with absolute perfection and Jenna's performance is absolutely chilling and breathtaking. The expressions are spot on and one could feel the pain that Clara must be feeling for both betraying the Doctor and losing Danny. This moment in my opinion is the zenith of their relationship.
So that’s it. Those are my top ten moments. Be sure to leave your top ten moments in the comments section below.
DOCTOR: You betrayed me. Betrayed my trust, you betrayed our friendship, you betrayed everything that I've ever stood for. You let me down!
CLARA: Then why are you helping me?
DOCTOR: Why? Do you think I care for you so little that betraying me would make a difference?
I still remember the feels I got when I heard these lines for the first time. One line, that's all it took. In that moment Twelve definitively became the Doctor. I never felt as sure of the idea of him as the Doctor as I felt at the moment. In that moment he was what Clara needed the most, a true friend, never judging, never complaining and there to help her, whatever it takes. This moment really trumps all other moment because of the fact that it really pushes their relationship to the edge. It tests the strength of their bond. Peter Capaldi plays the Doctor with absolute perfection and Jenna's performance is absolutely chilling and breathtaking. The expressions are spot on and one could feel the pain that Clara must be feeling for both betraying the Doctor and losing Danny. This moment in my opinion is the zenith of their relationship.
So that’s it. Those are my top ten moments. Be sure to leave your top ten moments in the comments section below.