For our second episode, we’re digging into the feminist and queer politics of Doctor Who by exploring the companions: the best, the worst, the blandest, the weirdest. We discuss misogyny in Doctor Who through the lens of the portrayals of the (usually female) companions, gender dynamics in the TARDIS, and the exploration of body manipulation and transness through Cassandra, masculinities through Micky, and queerness through Captain Jack.

• We delve straight in and discuss our favourite companions. Justice for Martha.


• Before Billie Piper played Rose, she was a popstar, Florence was a fan as a child. We decide that Because We Want To with its alien themes was Billie Piper’s unofficial Doctor Who audition tape.


• Captain Jack as a foil and morally ambiguous contrast to the Doctor.


• River Song was a fascinating (and hot) companion. Moffat as a single-episode writer compared to him as a show-runner.


• Gender dynamics: why is the TARDIS a woman?


• Steven Moffat’s bananas series story arcs


• Before the episode started, Soof and Flo found out which Doctor Who companion they are but unfortunately the quiz was written by an ardent fan of Matt Smith / Karen Gillan and despite their different answers they both got Amy Pond and are mad about it, and are going to pen an open letter


• Soof would be Martha, Florence would be Captain Jack. Which companion would you be? Ignore what Buzzfeed tells you! Let us know.


• Steven Moffat cannot write women, and female companions often turn into cardboard cutout plot devices. There are plenty of articles on the internet about this. But we agree that Bill Potts is an excellent character and excellent gay representation.


• Cassandra: issues of surgery and misogyny and transphobia. Moral issues around body manipulation explored through Cassandra, Adam and Trinny and Susannah. Exploration of concept of ‘purity’.


• The character development of Micky and exploration of masculinities, and what kind of masculinity is necessary and gains respect from the Doctor. Micky represents domesticity and mundanity and grief of those left behind, but we only see him in a celebratory light when he hardens up and suffers trauma. Care, and its role in the Doctor Who universe, and who exhibits it.


• They were considering a spin-off show for a companion other than Sarah-Jane and Captain Jack, but it wasn’t Rodrick, who only wanted his winnings from the Weakest Link


• Be the companion and the protagonist of your own life.


• If you could have dinner with any character, which would it be?


• Would you travel backwards or forwards on your first day in the TARDIS?


• Theme music was Blur and Coalesce by Podington Bear, from Free Music Archive.