Discussion: What makes Rory such a Good Companion?

[betawho]

Is it that he was an Auton Roman Centurion for 2,000 years? Or is it just because, despite everything, he's an ordinary guy?

I like Rory. He's brave. He's loyal. He's practical. He's honorable. He's determined. And he's always wearing that puffy jacket.

But why is it, that with all these other strong, amazing characters around him, the Doctor, Amy,

Comments

[philstar22]

Maybe because he isn't all about the Doctor? He's in it for something else, and that is a nice change. Also, he's very real. He's brave in a way that is different from other Companions. And he's not all about adventure and seeing the stars. He enjoys it, certainly, but he's just as happy to be home.

And his love for Amy is very attractive. The way he puts her first, always. And personally, I love that he's okay with her taking the lead, that he doesn't feel the need to hold her back, that he's willing to be sometimes the background to her. And that he's totally Mr. Pond rather than her being Mrs. Williams. And he's totally okay with that, for the most part. Very refreshing.

[viomisehunt]

I think of Rory as a hero-- period, with the only nagging lack is that he doesn't get the opportunity, besides the tears when he gives baby Melody to River, to be a Father.

[lyricwrites]

Agree with all your points, especially the verisimilitude provided by someone whose attitude towards monsters is-well, sane, in sharp contrast to the Doctor. There's also the fact that his deep sensibleness has been invaluable more than once. I mean, he sees coma patients haunting the village green, he knows they can't possibly be there, so what does he do? Methodically collects scientific evidence. Which the Doctor then uses to save Earth. That doesn't match any standard definition of badass, but it's sure cool.

I think one of the things I enjoy, though, is that he's not quite comfortable with the Doctor. Deep down, I think Rory's slightly scared of him; witness his reaction when he thought the (not-actually-)ganger Doctor had turned on them. But he pushes past that-both for Amy's sake, and because he respects the Doctor in his own right. I adore that dynamic. I would love to see a primary companion work past that sort of jittery not-quite-ease, and settle slowly into friendship and trust with the Doctor. It'd be a tough

[connielane]

Ditto to your second paragraph. It reminds me a bit of early Donna, especially when she first meets the Doctor on her wedding day, and she tells him he needs someone to every once in a while tell him he should stop. That's not *precisely* what Rory does, but it's pretty close. I've loved Rory being there to point out the normal human point of view and hold a mirror up to the Doctor's system of ethics and what he allows his companions to get into (most notably in "Vampires in Venice" and "The Girl Who Waited

[malicehaughton]

I love how he's the real one. He's the one that doesn't run mad off into danger. He thinks and tries to see what is really going on. He likes people and doing the right thing, not because he thinks he should, but because he wants to and was doing so way before he met the Doctor. It's a literal part of who he is to be compassionate and help others. He's also smart and generally sees the bigger picture others miss.

I also love how he is the submissive one in his marriage, who happens to also be a nurse, two things most people seem to think are female roles, and yet he is comfortable enough in both roles that it doesn't threaten his masculinity. He's also a warrior, a fighter who protects and heals anyone who needs it, not just those people personally important to him.

Rory is the love in the TARDIS. The Doctor is the brains and the means, Amy is the adventure, and Rory is the love.

[oonaseckar]

Rory is the love in the TARDIS

That's so beautiful.

Sometimes I wish Rory could be the Doctor. His awareness is so keen and his experience so deep, he would be fearsome. He'd kick every other Doctor's arse. Then make Amy and Melody's tea.

[malicehaughton]

Thanks :)

It's something I have been saying practically since he wandered the hospital hall for the first time in Eleventh Hour. He didn't stand around and do nothing, he went out and got actual proof the impossible was happening. He didn't understand it and it got him in trouble, but he knew something was up and tried to do something about it.

I think he is definitely very Doctor like. How often has he died now? I stopped counting :P Think of each death as a regeneration.

[ladymercury_10]

Rory is the love in the TARDIS.

Seconded! Er...thirded? I like how very grounded his love is, too. He's not just mad about Amy, he's committed to her and willing to do whatever needs to be done. While he can be jealous or scared or cranky, he still manages to do the right thing and the compassionate thing, and I think the balance between his genuine desire to do good and his very human failings makes him a really admirable character.

[rainbow]

i love that he balances out the insanity, that's he practical, a nurse, steadfast, strong, and so comfortable wtih himself that he follows when that's best and leads when that's best. he's okay with being mr. pond. he recognises the dr's brilliance, but doesn't idolise him.

i really, really ♥ rory a lot *g*