BWW Recap: Clara Has to 'Face the Raven' on DOCTOR WHO

WARNING MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD

Well, I knew it was coming, I thought I was prepared, but then it happened, and I realized I wasn't prepared. At. All. Clara is no longer The Doctor's companion. I'm still in shock. I knew it was happening, but I guess I blindly hoped that we'd have her for the full 12 episodes.

Clara quickly became my favorite companion these past two seasons. I still remember being angry with her during the 50th Anniversary Special, because she believed Eleven was better than Ten (which I have very strong feelnigs about), but since then, she has grown to be so much more than the companion who rode out the end of Matt Smith's run of The Doctor. With Twelve, Clara thrived and became a stand-out companion. She was the voice of reason for The Doctor, keeping him on the right path. Clara also wasn't afraid to take charge, she was one of the bravest companions I've seen. From taking on Daleks, Zygons, The Master/Missy, Clara has been key to helping The Doctor find success in stopping his foes. However, the hardest thing Clara had to face was the loss of the love of her life, Danny Pink. When Danny died, Clara didn't give up, she kept going and stayed with The Doctor to help keep the world safe--and have adventures.

However, Clara became too confident in her and The Doctor's ability to come back from any situation, no matter how futile they may have seemed. She survived run-ins with Daleks, so why wouldn't she assume she'd survive anything? Her lack of fear became her downfall. That coupled with her cleverness led her to making a decision in "Face the Raven" that led to her death. Ashildr put a quantum shade on Rigsy, the graffiti artist from "Flatline," which meant at the end of the countdown, he would die. This was all to lure The Doctor to her, so that she could send him away in exchange for her town's safety. Who she made the deal with is still unknown, and The Doctor did not learn about this deal until it was too late. Clara, being clever and trying to buy more time for Rigsy, learns that the quantum shade can be transferred to someone else if they willingly take it, so she decides she will take it from Rigsy, since she's confident she will get it removed by Ashildr when everything is settled. Unfortunately, and surprisingly, Ashildr finds out what Clara has done and becomes distressed, because when Clara transferred the quantum shade to herself, she effectively cut Ashildr out of the deal, making it impossible for her to take it off.

Distraught, The Doctor begins to threaten Ashildr. He tells her that if he doesn't save Clara he will make her life hell for all of eternity. Clara tells The Doctor not to sully her memory, and to promise her that he won't take revenge or cause any harm in her name. After a very emotional goodbye, Clara goes outside to face the raven, and her death.

This was the worst goodbye of them all. Rose and Ten end up together, Martha leaves on her own accord, Donna loses her memory--but keeps her life and is with her loved ones, Amy and Rory may be sent back in time, but they are together, however Clara dies. I didn't want her to go this way, but I had a sinking suspicion that she would. After all she'd been through and how much she's done for The Doctor, watching her die was brutal. Knowing she'll never be back makes it all the more difficult. Clara didn't deserve to die.

Clara was a companion who could give The Doctor a run for his money--sometimes she even pretended to be The Doctor to a very believable level. She was caring, smart, loving, and too clever for her own good. She found The Doctor when he was in a vulnerable place, having just lost Amy and Rory, and they both grew and changed together. Clara became The Doctor's equal, and not just a companion. After a rocky first season, Clara's character really hit her stride, and became a strong and important part of The Doctor's life.

I worry what will happen to The Doctor now that she's gone. He hasn't suffered a loss like this in a long time. Clara is gone forever, and he's going to have an incredibly hard time coping with that. Not only is he alone, he has to deal with the feeling of failing Clara. That won't be a good combination when he has to face whoever worked with Ashildr. Clara made him promise not to take revenge or get angry, not for her sake, but for Ashildr's, because as he said, the universe is a small place when he's upset with someone. Twelve has yet to really release his rage, "Water on Mars" style, and I have a feeling he will let it out in the two-part finale, I just hope it doesn't led to bad consequences.

As I write this I am sad, and I'm reminded of Doctor Who's ability to rip my heart out. This show is so singular in it's ability to constantly change and take away people who you've grown to love and rely on. It's going to take me a long time to not miss "the impossible girl," and I only hope that the next companion is half as good as Clara Oswald. Jenna Coleman grew to be a key figure in the Doctor Who world, and she won my heart and became my favorite companion. I may be emotional as I write this, and it could be much more eloquent and deep, but at the heart of this article is an ode to a television character who has solidifed herself as one of the most important characters to date. Clara grew into a person that could match The Doctor, while also helping The Doctor immensely, and I don't know what will happen without her.

Clara Oswald, we miss you already.

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Post your feelings below, or tweet me at @kaitmilligan. Check back next week as I recap another episode of DOCTOR WHO.

Photo Credit: © BBC WORLDWIDE LIMITED

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