Ranking Doctor Who’s modern day companions
By Lacy Baugher
Craig Owens
Technically, Craig Owens was the Doctor’s roommate on Earth, not someone who ever really lived aboard his famous blue box. But, I figure, if you share a roof with someone that makes them a companion, no matter where or when that roof happens to be located.
Even though his flat was actually infested with a dangerous alien presence, Craig and the Doctor end up forming a real, genuine friendship. Their relationship is hilarious, because Craig is pretty much everyone’s lovable idiot friend who likes everybody — even the Doctor, who in this particular incarnation is even more awkward and weird than usual. The bromance between these two is extremely weird, and also extremely adorable. Maybe it’s because the Doctor so frequently travels around with women, but it’s nice to see him forced to do traditionally bro-y things like play soccer.
Though Craig only appeared in two episodes (“The Lodger” and “Closing Time”), he went through quite a lot of personal growth, not only becoming good friends with an alien but getting up the nerve to tell his friend Sophie he fancied her and eventually moving in and having a baby together. (And, you know, resisting the Cyberman upgrade process and saving the Earth. No biggie!)
Best episode: Season 5’s “The Lodger.” To be fair, both of Craig’s episodes are pretty great, and it’s tempting to pick season 6’s “Closing Time” just for the stuff with Craig’s son, Alfie, otherwise known as Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All. But, taken as a whole, “The Lodger” is probably the funnier of the two, and it’s always great when the Doctor has to do anything meant to make himself appear normal to others.