Graham O’Brien
Graham O’Brien is one of the older companions in the Doctor Who modern era, and he’s also one of the most generally delightful. He connects easily with others on their travels through time and space, has a charming chemistry with Thirteen, and does his best to build a real relationship with his step-grandson Ryan after the loss of his wife and Ryan’s grandomther, Grace. He’s kind of everyone’s dream grandpa, and has the sort of cuddly sweater affect that makes virtually everyone watching want to protect him at all costs.
Graham’s season 11 arc was a bit on the messier side– he ostensibly fled Earth on the TARDIS to try and process his grief over his wife’s death. But character was often used to provide comic relief, rather than explore darker topics that might feel more natural to where he is emotionally. The constant tonal shift regarding his character often feels jarring – almost as though Doctor Who has forgotten why he’s around in the first place – though to its credit the season does remember at the very end.
The season 11 finale gave Graham some much needed emotional closure, giving the opportunity to take revenge on his wife’s killer and showing us clearly why he couldn’t go through with it. Throughout his inaugural season, Graham provides a needed emotional weight opposite the younger companions, and his joy at exploring the universe (particularly when he talks about how much Grace would have liked what they’re seeing) is particularly lovely.
Best Episode: Season 11’s “It Takes You Away.” The creepy, noir-ish story set in modern-day Norway allowed Bradley Walsh to fire off some classic one-liners, but the heart of this story is Graham’s grief over his wife’s death and his struggle to let go of the things he has lost.
His quiet plea of “Don’t do this to me,” when he realizes the other “person” inhabiting the Solitract’s mirror universe is someone who looks an awful lot like his dead wife is the epitome of heartbreaking. Him ultimately choosing Ryan’s well-being above his own desires feels true to the character we’ve seen all season and completely earns the emotional payoff of his step-grandson’s decision to call him “Granddad” for the first time. Watch with Kleenex, is what I’m saying.