Ranking Doctor Who’s modern day companions
By Lacy Baugher
Ryan Sinclair
The first of Thirteen’s companions to both believe in and really embrace all the weirdo alien stuff that comes along with traveling with the Doctor, Ryan uses his chance to travel in the TARDIS to expand his understanding of the world (and universe, to be honest), since he’s spent most of his life working in a variety of mundane jobs. Most of his season 11 arc is built around the loss of his grandmother Grace and his subsequent struggle to build a real relationship with his step-grandfather, Graham. Their connection took a refreshingly long time to truly come together, but it made the moment he said “I love you” and called Graham “Grandad” really land emotionally.
Ryan also suffers from dyspraxia, a neurological disorder that impacts his coordination. Yet, his condition doesn’t prevent Ryan from being a hero, and Doctor Who takes pains to show us moments of the character struggling to accomplish a goal or taking an extra moment to tackle a physical problem. Despite the risks and no matter how much harder his condition might make various actions – such as climbing to the top of a crane ladder or leaping onto a moving conveyor belt – Ryan doesn’t give up.
Best episode: Season 11’s “It Takes You Away.” Ryan getting stuck babysitting blind Norwegian girl Hanne while Thirteen, Yaz and Graham head off into a portal between worlds could have been played for laughs. Instead, their subplot touched on serious and heartfelt issues surrounding childhood abandonment, and the fact that sometimes even the fathers that children most want to believe in turn out to be jerks.
Ryan works overtime to protect Hanne from danger and respects her enough not to lie to her or pull emotional punches. Yes, the most affecting moments in the episode are connected to Ryan and Graham’s relationship – and the sudden reappearance of a creature that looks like but isn’t Grace – but if you didn’t at least go “Awww” when Hanne threw herself at Ryan for a hug, well. What are you doing watching this show?