The portrayal of Mickey Smith in Doctor Who during the Russell T Davies era has always been a point of contention for many fans. While the Doctor championed humanity, his treatment of Mickey, Rose Tyler’s long-suffering boyfriend, often felt jarringly at odds with this sentiment. It begs the question: why was Mickey, a genuinely good and capable person, consistently undermined, especially when compared to later companions like Rory Williams? This exploration delves into the contrasting narratives of Mickey and Rory, highlighting how Doctor Who’s approach to “normal” companions evolved, ultimately asking what this says about the show’s perception of its human characters.
Objectively, Mickey was far from a loser. He held down a stable job and offered unwavering love and support to Rose. As the series progressed, we witnessed his intelligence, bravery, and capacity for growth. He evolved from a seemingly ordinary guy into someone capable of participating in world-saving events. Even considering the relentless negativity from Rose’s mother, Jackie, Mickey demonstrated remarkable empathy and forgiveness, eventually forging a genuine friendship with her.
However, the Davies era often presented a skewed perspective. Anyone hesitant to abandon their life for chaotic adventures in time and space with a Time Lord in a temperamental time machine was implicitly judged. Characters who expressed concern or reluctance for the Doctor’s dangerous lifestyle were frequently depicted as flawed or lacking. Mickey was often positioned as the epitome of this perceived inadequacy. Introduced initially for comic relief, he was painted as cowardly and insignificant. The narrative even suggested his affection for Rose was less about genuine connection and more akin to a childish infatuation, diminishing his agency and emotional depth.
Mickey’s eventual decision to join the TARDIS crew felt less like a triumphant moment and more like an admission of defeat, a forced attempt to prove his worth in a world that seemed determined to minimize him.
Contrast this with Donna Noble. Donna’s arrival on the TARDIS marked a significant shift. She transitioned from a character initially presented as loud and self-absorbed to arguably “the most important woman in the universe.” Donna’s transformation highlighted a capacity for growth and importance that seemed consistently denied to Mickey.
Mickey, in stark contrast to Donna, was denied even the basic dignity of respect. From Rose’s dismissive plea to the Doctor not to bring him along, to the Doctor’s constant stream of misnomers and insults, and the general disregard from both the Doctor and Rose as if he were invisible, Mickey’s experience was one of consistent belittlement. It’s hardly surprising he sought refuge in another universe, a place where he could finally escape their dismissive shadows.
Then came Rory Williams. Rory, initially introduced as Amy Pond’s nurse boyfriend, seemed to inherit many of Mickey’s initial tropes – the “normal” guy overshadowed by the extraordinary Doctor. He was positioned in a role subservient to doctors, even comically dressing as the “Raggedy Doctor” to please Amy. He was the man Amy left on their wedding night, the fiancé constantly in the Doctor’s shadow. Superficially, Rory’s narrative echoed Mickey’s, threatening to become another story of a disregarded “normal” man.
However, Rory’s story took a dramatically different and ultimately empowering turn, dismantling the very tropes that had confined Mickey.
In “The Eleventh Hour,” it was Rory who provided the crucial insight, tenaciously clinging to his theory even when the Doctor, in his initial arrogance, attempted to dismiss him. Rory actively sought knowledge, studying science to understand the impossible events unfolding around him. He became the first companion to grasp the fundamental principles of TARDIS dimensional engineering almost instantly, and crucially, he didn’t back down when the Doctor displayed impatience at his lack of awe.
Rory demonstrated a deep understanding of Amy, recognizing the Doctor’s influence on her. In “The Vampires of Venice,” he confronted the Doctor directly, voicing his concerns about the Doctor’s impact on Amy with a reasoned and forceful logic. This wasn’t a jealous outburst or self-pitying whine, but a clear articulation of his perspective, delivered with a firmness that compelled the Doctor to listen and consider the consequences of his actions on others.
“Amy’s Choice” further solidified Rory’s depth. His dream of a normal life – a good job, a home, a family – while initially presented as mundane, was ultimately validated and defended by Amy herself. When the Doctor mocked this ordinary aspiration, Amy fiercely rebuked him, highlighting the inherent value in a life grounded in love and stability. This episode blurred the lines between whose dream it truly was, suggesting a deeper, shared yearning for normalcy even within Amy’s adventurous spirit.
The emotionally charged scene where Amy pleaded with the Doctor to “Save him, or what’s the use of you?” after Rory’s apparent death underscored a pivotal moment. Amy’s understated grief spoke volumes, revealing a profound love and commitment to Rory that transcended the allure of the Doctor’s world. She was explicitly choosing Rory and a life with him over the Doctor and his adventures.
In the Davies era, such a choice might have been portrayed as a mistake, a rejection of the extraordinary leading to some form of narrative punishment, as arguably seen with Martha Jones, who, after leaving the TARDIS, ended up fighting aliens alongside Mickey – a life that felt like a consolation prize rather than her true ambition.
But in Steven Moffat’s era, Amy’s choice was unequivocally validated. While Amy still had personal growth ahead, the narrative affirmed the strength and validity of her love for Rory. Even in the dream world of “Amy’s Choice,” Amy was still portrayed as strong-willed and occasionally manipulative, and Rory loved her for her entirety, flaws and all. He wasn’t seeking an idealized version of Amy, but accepting and loving the complex woman she was. His willingness to remain on the TARDIS was rooted in his love for her and a desire to support her happiness.
Crucially, Rory refused to be a doormat. He wouldn’t accept being treated as the “tin dog,” a label Mickey seemed to internalize. Rory consistently stood his ground, challenging the Doctor’s dismissive behavior. And the Doctor, in turn, began to respect Rory’s boundaries and recognize his value. Instead of fostering jealousy or division, the Doctor ultimately encouraged their relationship, offering them space to “bond,” acknowledging the strength and importance of their connection.
It was a long-overdue but vital message: “normal guy” does not equate to “total loser” in the Whoniverse. Rory’s journey became a powerful corrective to Mickey’s earlier narrative, demonstrating that strength, love, and heroism can be found in the ordinary, and that those who choose a different path from the Doctor’s are not inherently less worthy or interesting. The evolution from Mickey’s underappreciation to Rory’s celebrated heroism reflects a significant and positive shift in how Doctor Who values and portrays its human companions.
