The recent finale of Doctor Who‘s latest season was seemingly the straw that broke the fandom’s back, as millions erupted in frustration at the lack of cohesion in the season’s ending and the shocking departure of Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor, as well as that strange and backwards reveal of his replacement. However, the finale wasn’t without its merit, even if the discourse understandably was focused on the negatives.
Perhaps the best choice in the finale was to bring back Jodie Whittaker, a former incarnation of the Doctor, who helped Gatwa’s Fifteenth come to terms with his regeneration during a new era of the show in which the idea of self-support has been crucial. Now, Whittaker and her former companion Yaz (Mandip Gill), with whom a romantic sub-plot developed, are returning yet again to the timey-wimey series via the audio adventures of Big Finish productions. This begs the question: How have The Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz changed since we last saw them?
In a recent interview, both Whittaker and Gill were asked this very question, with Whittaker responding, “What’s great about this episode is the exploration of Yaz being a bit more combative against the Doctor.” She continued, “Very often we’re quite in sync, but for the Doctor particularly, getting challenged and having to justify certain bits of her personality, it’s really good for her.” The more nuanced dynamic of the Doctor/companion relationship was rarely explored during Whittaker’s time on board the TARDIS, largely due to the overcrowding of having four and later three companions. Now, via audio stories, fans can finally experience more of this dynamic as certain narrative restraints are relieved.
The Doctor and Yaz’s Relationship Has “Developed”
Yaz and The Thirteenth Doctor, although far from a fan-favorite duo, certainly had the most chemistry during the Chris Chibnall-helmed era. Although the time was right for Chibnall and Whittaker to move on from the show, perhaps the best of the TARDIS duo was yet to come as their final few stories had the most gripping interpersonal dynamic in years. Speaking about how their relationship has developed in the same interview, Gill added:
“Throughout most of the TV series, Yaz was learning a lot from the Doctor and so had to listen, but in this series their friendship has developed to a point where she can argue back when she doesn’t agree, she can question some of the Doctor’s decisions and what she thinks the Doctor should be, and can take charge a bit – which might not always be helpful!”
Doctor Who‘s most recent season is available to watch now on Disney+. You can stay up to date with all the latest news on Collider.
- Release Date
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May 11, 2024
- Network
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BBC One
- Directors
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Alex Pillai, Peter Hoar, Ben Chessell, Julie Anne Robinson, Jamie Donoughue, Amanda Brotchie, Dylan Holmes Williams
- Writers
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Steven Moffat, Pete McTighe, Kate Herron, Inua Ellams, Juno Dawson
- Franchise(s)
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Doctor Who / Whoniverse
