Doctor Who: The Least Favorite Characters from Each Series

In the long and rich history of the television series Doctor Who, many companions and antagonists have captured the hearts and minds of fans. However, several characters from different series of the show have often been met with criticism and disappointment, missing the mark in terms of development or impact. Let’s explore some of the least favorite characters from each series and discuss why they fell short of expectations.

Series 1: Adam Mitchell - a Missed Opportunity

The first series of the John Houghmann (RTD) era saw the introduction of Adam Mitchell, first as Martha's boyfriend and later her companion. While the character aimed to explore themes of trust and jealousy in a relationship, the consequences of this storyline were never fully developed. The character appeared briefly before leading up to Mickey Smith, who had already established a set of strong dynamics that would later resonate with viewers. Despite the intention to delve into a deeper exploration of companion relationships, the character of Adam Mitchell seemed underdeveloped and eventually dropped off the radar.

Series 2: The Sycorax Leader - A Cop-out Plot Device

The Sycorax leader in the second series appears as a generic antagonist, lacking the depth and historical context that would make him a memorable and integral part of the narrative. The character, who borrows heavily from the Faction Paradox elements, feels out of place and redundant. This decision to repurpose another fandom's lore for a quick enemy serves as a missed opportunity to create something more original and meaningful. Instead of adding to the rich tapestry that Doctor Who is known for, the storyline feels like an afterthought that could have been replaced by a more substantial and fitting antagonist.

Series 3: Marvin’s Brother - A Backstory Gone Wrong

In the third series, the introduction of Leo, Martha’s brother, proved to be a historically imbalanced storyline. The attempt to corrupt the family dynamic with Saxon didn’t add much value to the overall narrative construct. Characters like Martha’s mother, father, and sister, Tish, had already provided enough depth and drama. The backstory and character development of Leo were expansive but ultimately wasted screen time. Notably, Leo’s whereabouts during the Saxon takeover and his subsequent disappearance after the Year That Never Was’ resolution highlight the lack of subsequent engagement with his character.

Series 4 (Specials): Christina de Souza - A Character Out of Place

The first special series with Christina de Souza, a cat burglar companion, didn’t quite hit the mark. While the episode focused on the suave and sexy plotline of a cat burglar storyline, the character wasn’t well-integrated into the broader narrative. Had it been crafted more like the Moffat specialty, it could have been a successful addition. Instead, the character was extracted for a generic story that could have fit any companion. This storyline felt like a misguided attempt to fulfill the unfulfilled dream of the character Raine Creevy from the FanFiction Universe (FFU) and wasn’t as well-executed as the Big Finish production, which simply resurrected the scripts for a more natural and fitting presentation.

Series 5: Alaya - An Inept Evil Villain

Alaya from the fifth series represents an underwhelming and incoherent evil villain in the midst of a good-really-bad Silurians story. The storyline included problems such as giving Alaya a more evil sister but without substantial purpose or motivation. The character’s sadistic behavior, not rooted in racism or any specific ideology, is an ineffective narrative device. This problem plagues many storylines in television and authorship but could have been addressed with better character development and a clearer motivation for Alaya’s actions.

Series 6: Madame Kovarian - A One-Dimensional Villain

Madame Kovarian stands as an intriguing yet underdeveloped character. While she is a compelling villain in her own right, her pure evil persona falls flat when her later revelation is revealed as twisted by zealotry. The earlier sadistic actions don’t align with the later narrative, which leaves the viewer questioning her motivations. This issue in the storyline, while not specific to Doctor Who, is a common flaw in serial storytelling. If it had been addressed, it might have enhanced the narrative complexity and engagement.

Series 7: Captain Latimer - Yet Another Stereotype

Captain Latimer, Clara’s early 19th-century boss, is a well-written parody of a Victorian gentleman. However, the character fails to stand out and add depth to the narrative. A character from a bygone era could have been dynamic and immersive, but in the context of the rest of the Victorian ambiance portrayed in the episode, his character didn’t contribute enough to make him memorable.

Series 8: Mr. Armitage - An Overlooked Character

Mr. Armitage, headteacher in the eighth series, is an underutilized character with vast potential. His backstory as an old friend of Ian Chesterton and his significant role in Clara and Danny’s Earth story should have made him a more interesting character. Instead, the character is sidelined, and his presence is underwhelming, lacking the depth and intrigue to capture the viewer's interest.

Series 9: Rassilon: The Least Interest

Compared to previous incarnations, particularly the Rassilon portrayed by Don Warrington, the Rassilon in the ninth series (played by James Bond) and the Big Floating Head version, this portrayal is the least interesting. While necessary for the climactic event in Hell Bent, the impact of Rassilon’s character is masked. Had a different character been introduced, it could have provided a more engaging and memorable climax to the storyline.

Series 10: Moira Bill’s Foster Mother - A Plot Device

Moira Bill’s foster mother is a purely plot-driven character. Although necessary for illustrating the complexities of parenting and caretaking, her character is underdeveloped and utilized solely as a plot device. The character needs to be fleshed out more to provide the depth required by her screen time, which is a missed opportunity to create a more compelling narrative.

Series 11: Tzim-Sha - A Campy Villain Who Falls Flat?

Tzim-Sha appears as a generic enemy with a pointless season arc, which makes his storyline feel underwhelming. The character would have been more compelling as an antagonist in a two-part storyline but as the central villain of the season, his presence and role don’t spark excitement. Another example of a campy yet ineffective villain, Tzim-Sha’s storyline could have been more engaging with better character development and a more compelling narrative arc.

Series 12: Ryan - A Disappointing Companion

Ryan, the companion in the twelfth series, remains a disappointing character despite efforts to flesh out his story. The series shows that Ryan, along with Graham and Yaz, still isn’t as interesting as the other characters. Had Chris Chibnall opted for a classic TARDIS team setup, including characters like Susan, Jamie, or Nyssa, the dynamic would have been more engaging. In retrospect, Ryan’s presence drags on Graham’s character and pushes Yaz into the background, both of whom are better off portrayed independently from Ryan.

Series 13 (Specials): Diane - A Generic Connection

Diane, Dan’s connection to the real world, appears as a generic and unoriginal character. While her connection to Dan adds a semblance of relatability, the storyline feels generic and fails to establish her as a more interesting or complex character. The introduction of Diane can be seen as another missed opportunity to enrich the narrative with a well-developed and compelling storyline.

Conclusion

Each series of Doctor Who has its set of characters that fall short of expectation, providing valuable insights into the narrative and character development. These characters often emerge as placeholders or underdeveloped personalities, leading to disappointments in the storyline. Understanding these shortcomings can help in appreciating the show's arc and the evolution of its characters. Whether through the missed opportunity to flesh out a character or the underutilization of a backstory, these elements can offer lessons for future storytelling in the series.

These critical assessments of Doctor Who characters highlight the importance of well-rounded character development and the impact it can have on the narrative. Fans and creators alike can benefit from these insights to enhance future storytelling in the beloved series.