Summary
Clara Oswald may actually be the person behind all of The Doctor's companions, as she scattered herself across his timeline to protect and guide him.
If this theory is indeed true, it would give Clara's character arc a heightened significance and sense of resolution. It suggests that she had the capability to assume various identities and alter her appearance in order to evade detection. Consequently, this would elevate her to the status of the most significant individual The Doctor has ever encountered.
Clara Oswald is undoubtedly one of Doctor Who's most significant companions, and an intriguing theory posits that she may be responsible for all of The Doctor's companions. Clara first appeared as Oswin Oswald in the seventh season's "Asylum of the Daleks," where she was believed to have died. However, she resurfaced multiple times throughout the season, leading to a captivating and enigmatic storyline that culminated in her scattering herself throughout the Time Lord's life stream.
Doctor Who has showcased various incarnations of Clara, but a compelling fan theory has recently emerged, suggesting that her role in the show may be even more multifaceted. If proven true, this theory would reopen Clara's narrative and pave the way for her highly anticipated return in the future. Unlike many other companions, Clara managed to survive her time on the show in a unique sense, commandeering a TARDIS and embarking on intergalactic adventures with Ashildr, played by Maisie Williams.
Doctor Who Theory: Is Every Companion A Version Of Clara?
The popular theory suggests that Clara's scattered echoes throughout The Doctor's history were not limited to her known identities and appearances. Instead, it proposes that every companion The Doctor has traveled with could have been Clara in disguise, discreetly guiding him towards his destiny and protecting him from the Great Intelligence. This theory gains credibility due to the extensive presence of Clara's echoes throughout The Doctor's timeline. If Clara had the ability to alter her appearance or utilize a perception filter, it is plausible that any character could have been Clara in disguise.
Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary Trailer Supports The Clara Theory
Why Every "Clara" Might Not Look The Same In Doctor Who
A compelling piece of evidence that strengthens this audacious theory has existed since the show’s 50th Anniversary in 2015. In the trailer for the special episode 'The Day of the Doctor,' the image of Clara's face is cleverly superimposed onto footage of Sarah Jane Smith, The Doctor's previous companion. This artistic choice could have merely been for amusement, but it fueled speculation that Sarah Jane (and possibly others) was, in fact, an alternate manifestation of Clara's fragmented consciousness from the beginning.
The main obstacle facing this theory is the absence of anyone resembling Clara among The Doctor's past companions, with the exception of Oswin. In "The Name of the Doctor," a montage reveals Jenna Coleman portraying Clara in various moments throughout The Doctor's history, contradicting the idea that she assumed different physical appearances. While Clara digitally appears in multiple episodes of Doctor Who, she always retains Jenna Coleman's face. However, the few versions depicted in this montage are just a fraction of the countless possibilities. It is conceivable that only a small number of these echoes actually altered their appearances to better conceal their true identities.
Another possible explanation for this apparent loophole in the theory revolves around the TARDIS and its perception filter. Throughout her time aboard the ship, Clara's relationship with the TARDIS was always complex. It is possible that the two actually collaborated to activate the perception filter, concealing Clara's true identity from The Doctor until their timelines synchronized. This reasoning would also account for why viewers see Coleman's face in the flashbacks when The Doctor potentially did not – the TARDIS only masked her presence from him.
Doctor Who's Clara Theory Fixes A Big Plot Hole
Doctor Who fans are eager for this theory to be true, despite the potential controversy it may bring, as it addresses a major plot hole created by Clara's existence. The issue arose immediately after the stunning revelation in "The Name of the Doctor" - if The Doctor had encountered Clara on multiple occasions throughout his past, why did it take him 11 incarnations to finally recognize her? Although there were various versions of Clara with whom The Doctor interacted over the years, it was only with Oswin that he truly took notice.
If this theory holds true, there is a straightforward explanation for this query: Clara was always a constant presence in The Doctor's life, but she had been concealing her true identity. She was aware that revealing herself prior to "Asylum of the Daleks" would have resulted in a paradox, but her objective was to accompany The Doctor and shield him from the Great Intelligence. To remain undetected, she ingeniously fabricated numerous alternative personas. While this concept certainly has its shortcomings, it cannot be dismissed as a wholly implausible scenario.
Doctor Who's Companion Theory Makes Clara Even More Important
The theory that resonates with many Doctor Who fans is the one that elevates Clara’s character arc. Previously criticized for its messy and directionless nature, this theory suggests that Clara is the true identity of all The Doctor’s companions. By assigning her a clear purpose and role within the show's history, it transforms her from a one-off companion into the most significant individual The Doctor has ever encountered. Ultimately, this theory provides the closure that Clara's story lacked on the show.
Clara's Doctor Who journey is filled with sadness, but this theory unveils the most tragic aspect. While it may seem appealing to imagine The Doctor and Clara together throughout history, the truth is that Clara would have had to conceal her true identity from the person she loved dearly. She would have embarked on countless adventures by his side, yet he would remain oblivious to the fact that it was Clara who shared those cherished memories with him. Upon closer examination, this theory brings a somber twist to Clara's story, significantly altering its trajectory.