The epic journey....
September 28, 2013 11:25 PM   Subscribe

As part of this weekend's Guardian series: 50 years of Doctor Who, six of the actors who have played The Doctor's companions - Louise Jameson, Freema Agyeman, Katy Manning, Carole Ann Ford, Billie Piper and Karen Gillan discuss their experiences on the show in video interviews. (Links to print interviews within.) posted by zarq (26 comments total) 23 users marked this as a favorite
 
I found myself getting a bit annoyed that at the end of each interview in those last three links, they had a squib discussing who designed the clothes each woman wore in her picture. Seriously, why does that matter?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:34 AM on September 29, 2013 [3 favorites]


@EmpressCallipygos Because it's part of the piece and magazine though that's less clear from the online version. Usually celeb interviews in the Weekend magazine are set out like fashion pieces.
posted by feelinglistless at 12:55 AM on September 29, 2013 [3 favorites]


When I was watching the video yesterday I had a bit of a shock for a couple of seconds when Karren Gillan appeared before I remembered she shaved her head for a part, thought she'd got alopecia or something.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:03 AM on September 29, 2013


"Karen Gillan's hair by Gillette" (theme song: Nothing Compares 2 U)

lairy -- new to me.

but really we were just screamers: the whole point of us was to raise the stakes for the audience -- Fielding

Alas, something that has only changed in tone.

And, while recognizing this was part of a themed piece, I was disappointed they only focused on the women -- not a word from Darvill or Clarke, for instance.
Not to mention how missed Nicholas Courtney and Lis Sladen are. And Sladen provided one of the best early counterpoints to the eye candy approach.
posted by dhartung at 1:09 AM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]


Totally True Fact: my little sister is named after Dr. Who companion Tegan.
posted by Doleful Creature at 1:31 AM on September 29, 2013 [7 favorites]


"I think the footwear should always be functional when you're saving the world."

My quote for the day, that.
posted by Grangousier at 3:28 AM on September 29, 2013 [4 favorites]


Lord, zarq, that's a lot of tags.
posted by converge at 3:29 AM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]


"So many of my highs and lows in Doctor Who are encapsulated by John [Barrowman] pulling his pants down." is also a quality quote.
posted by jadepearl at 6:20 AM on September 29, 2013 [5 favorites]


What? No Frazer Hines in his sexy sexy gam-revealin' skirt? Shenanigans, I say.
posted by sonascope at 7:30 AM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]


And, while recognizing this was part of a themed piece, I was disappointed they only focused on the women -- not a word from Darvill or Clarke, for instance.

Or Matthew Waterhouse, or Mark Strickson, or (seconding sonascope) Frazer Hines. Heck, they interviewed Carol Ann Ford, so why not William Russell (Ian Chesterton)?

I think it does a serious disservice to the 50th anniversary celebrations to omit any mention of the various male companions.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 8:48 AM on September 29, 2013


As a stodgy Doctor Who fan who has no truck with this New Who business (Peter Davison BEST DOCTOR), this is awesome. When I was a kid I totally wanted to grow up to be an Australian airline stewardess.

Agree about the blokes, though.
posted by jess at 11:45 AM on September 29, 2013


I don't know the classic Doctor as well as the new ones (though I've tried to watch samples of past Doctors -- thanks Netflix streaming!). I have to say, I can't think of one male companion is who is as interesting as any of the female companions. I can only think of Rory and Mickey. Would anyone recommend a classic series to watch with an interesting male companion?

I love, love, love Donna Noble. I hate how they left her, and hope we can see her again, and sort of give her a more dignified ending to her story.

I love how Amy Pond explains that we got to see her entire life, which I hadn't considered.

Doesn't River Song count as a companion?

(P.S. I re-watched Silence in the Library, to see if "our" first meeting with River & the Doctor was consistent (can't think of a better word here, but you know what i mean). And . . . it was, sort of.
posted by MoxieProxy at 1:07 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]




Would anyone recommend a classic series to watch with an interesting male companion?

The very first Doctor had Ian and Barbara who were both great. The screamers came later (or that was Susan's job)
posted by Francis at 4:08 PM on September 29, 2013


Not much Jamie remains, but he's always fun.

I always wish poor old Mickey got more of a go at things.
posted by Artw at 4:34 PM on September 29, 2013


I think it does a serious disservice to the 50th anniversary celebrations to omit any mention of the various male companions.

The patriarchy even hurts the men in the TARDIS.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:43 PM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]


I have to say, I can't think of one male companion is who is as interesting as any of the female companions.

Turlough.
posted by immlass at 5:49 PM on September 29, 2013 [4 favorites]


Heh. I wonder if I'd be so instinctively revolted by him now - as a kid I really hated him the instant he showed up on screen.
posted by Artw at 6:07 PM on September 29, 2013


Huh. Rory to me is absolutely the most interesting companion, at least of the new series.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:05 PM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]


I like Mickey the Idiot, even if he did blow up Starfleet that one time.
posted by heathkit at 8:19 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]


So is River gone then? I hated what Moffat did with the character during the Smith years, but I have trouble believing that a scene between Alex Kingston and Peter Capaldi wouldn't include some truly great (if not family friendly) banter.
posted by peppermind at 8:29 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]


Would anyone recommend a classic series to watch with an interesting male companion?

Adric? Though I guess you said interesting... The 4th Doctor-Adric episodes are pretty good though.
posted by GuyZero at 9:20 PM on September 29, 2013


BLACK SCREEN / CREDITS WITHOUT MUSIC
posted by Artw at 10:46 PM on September 29, 2013


I have to say, I can't think of one male companion is who is as interesting as any of the female companions.

Lethbridge-Stewart. Benton. Yates.
posted by dhartung at 3:22 AM on September 30, 2013


...Captain Jack.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:17 AM on September 30, 2013 [2 favorites]


converge: "Lord, zarq, that's a lot of tags."

:)
posted by zarq at 10:37 AM on September 30, 2013


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