Ian & Barbara are our first companions, our original audience surrogates, and such a large part of Doctor Who that it would have been difficult to see the production continuing without them. Their loss ushers in a new era and signals the end of Part I of Hartnell's time as the Doctor. The Doctor, and the show, is never quite the same. In a very real way, these two companions are never "replaced" in function--rather the Doctor absorbs their roles.

Let's take a moment to celebrate these two companions who perhaps taught the Doctor more than any of the others--compassion and courage that comes from empathy towards others and the moral wherewithal to feel obligated to help.  The Doctor as we know him would not be the Doctor without his first two human friends.

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NEXT TIME:
For Classic Who: The Time Meddler (Episodes: "The Watcher," "The Meddling Monk," "A Battle of Wits," "Checkmate")--Monday, January 31st


Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ 

Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: [email protected]

Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/

Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: [email protected]