Timey Wimey Entanglements: Critical Reception of Romance in the TARDIS from Tenrose to Thasmin
Throughout Doctor Who’s six-decade history it has gone through innumerable changes. The Doctor/Companion dynamic has always been at the heart of the show. Yet, as the characters shift so do their dynamics. This post explores the the relationships between the Tenth Doctor and Rose (Tenrose) and the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz (Thasmin). I pay distinct attention to why the Thasmin dynamic feels notable compared to other relationships due to race, gender, and sexuality. Furthermore, I touch on how the critical reception of the writing of Doctor Who in Jodie Whittaker’s era as a whole was affected by racism, sexism, and Covid-19. Finally, I investigate how the imbalance of power between the Doctor and their companion affects their relationships.