The Unforgettable Reaction of a Doctor Who Companion to a Groundbreaking Female Doctor

Doctor Who is famous for its regeneration of Doctors, so it's strange that one companion was surprised to see a female Doctor. In 2017, Jodie Whittaker made history as the Thirteenth Doctor, taking over from Peter Capaldi. Her first appearance was in the Christmas special "Twice Upon a Time," and she went on to star in three seasons and five specials of Doctor Who.

The era of the Thirteenth Doctor came to an unexpected end when she regenerated into the Fourteenth Doctor, who happened to resemble the beloved Tenth Doctor, David Tennant. This marked the beginning of the 60th Anniversary specials of Doctor Who, which also featured Tennant and Catherine Tate.

Prior to this revelation, Jodie Whittaker's final appearance as the Doctor brought back many old companions. After fighting alongside the Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz leaves the TARDIS and joins Graham and Dan at the Doctor Who companion support group. This is the first time the show has explored how the companions cope with no longer being part of the Doctor's life. The scene is both touching and exciting, as some companions who haven't been seen in decades attend the meeting, with much having transpired for the Doctor since their last encounters.

The First Doctor's Attitude To Women Makes A Female Doctor Amusing

Ian Chesterton, one of Doctor Who's earliest companions, attended the Doctor Who support group along with other companions. Played by William Russell, Ian's character was initially kidnapped by the Doctor, portrayed by William Hartnell, in the first episode of the series. Ian's strong influence as a human had a significant impact on the cold demeanor of the First Doctor. During the support group meeting, Ian is surprised to discover that the Doctor is now a young woman instead of an old, grumpy man. This brief appearance humorously showcases the evolution of Doctor Who while paying homage to its origins.

Not only was the First Doctor cold and grumpy, but he also had a demeaning attitude towards women. He held stereotypical sexist views, such as assuming that his companion Tegan's sole purpose was to fetch drinks for his future self. His subsequent regenerations often expressed embarrassment over his past actions. The fact that the Thirteenth Doctor is now portrayed as a woman adds an amusing twist; considering the First Doctor's dislike of the Twelfth Doctor when they first met, it can be inferred that he would have despised the Thirteenth Doctor as well. This development showcases how Doctor Who challenges and rejects the ideals of the First Doctor, while injecting humor by acknowledging his potential horror at who he eventually becomes.

How Much Does Ian Know About Regeneration In The First Place?

Ian’s astonishment at the Thirteenth Doctor is not solely because she is a woman. Throughout his time traveling with the First Doctor, other companions always referred to the Doctor as "he," so Ian had no inkling that the Doctor was capable of changing. Therefore, discovering that the Doctor is now referred to as a woman is Ian's first exposure to the concept of regeneration. Despite accompanying the Doctor from the very beginning of Doctor Who and remaining by his side for two seasons, Ian never witnessed any regenerations like subsequent companions did.

The fact that the Doctor is now identified as a woman is particularly startling to Ian because he was unaware of any changes that had occurred during the years since he parted ways with the Doctor. Regeneration was not initially part of the Doctor Who storyline, and it is believed that the First Doctor's regeneration came about due to William Hartnell's advancing age and his difficulty in portraying the Time Lord. Regeneration was not introduced until later in the show's continuation, so Ian had no knowledge of the Doctor's ability to transform into different appearances and personalities. This lack of awareness is the primary reason for Ian's shock upon discovering that the Doctor is now a woman.