The relationship between the Doctor and his companions is always complex, but the dynamic between the Twelfth Doctor, portrayed by Peter Capaldi, and Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, stands out. For many fans of Doctor Who, their bond transcended mere friendship, hinting at a deeper, romantic connection. Let’s delve into the evidence and explore the nuances of their relationship.
Initially, the Twelfth Doctor arrived with a starkly different persona than his predecessor. Fresh from regeneration, he appeared colder and more detached. This shift can be attributed to the Doctor’s long life and accumulated experiences, particularly the trauma of being stranded in one place for centuries, witnessing the fleeting lives of humans around him. As the original Reddit post that sparked this discussion pointed out, this Doctor seemed to understand the pain of close human relationships, knowing they are ultimately finite. This understanding likely fueled his initial jerk-like behavior in Series 8, his inability to easily offer praise, and his feigned forgetfulness – defense mechanisms to keep emotional distance.
Peter Capaldi's 12th Doctor looking thoughtfully, showcasing his initial detached persona
Contrast this with Clara’s established dynamic with the Eleventh Doctor. It was subtly hinted, even canonically suggested, that Clara harbored romantic feelings for Matt Smith’s Doctor. The Eleventh Doctor, in turn, often acted in a more overtly affectionate, almost boyfriend-like manner towards her. However, the Twelfth Doctor immediately set a different tone. His blunt declaration, “Clara, I’m not your boyfriend,” in their early interactions, seemed to draw a firm line, signaling a departure from the previous dynamic.
Clara, seemingly accepting this new dynamic, moved on and entered a relationship with Danny Pink. Yet, this relationship was fraught with challenges. Danny’s past and emotional baggage created complexities, leading to a relationship that felt almost incomplete. Interestingly, amidst the Danny and Clara narrative, subtle hints began to emerge, suggesting a different kind of intimacy blossoming between Clara and the Twelfth Doctor. It’s as if, even while Clara navigated her relationship with Danny, she was also engaged in an emotional affair with the Doctor, not in a physical sense, but in a deeper, more profound way.
The episode “Listen” provides early glimpses of this evolving dynamic. The Doctor’s repeated questioning about the seriousness of Clara’s date reveals a subtle possessiveness. During the telepathic circuit scene, the unnecessary physical contact – the Doctor placing his hands on Clara’s – speaks volumes. There’s no logical reason for this gesture beyond creating a moment of intense, personal connection.
Close-up of the 12th Doctor's hand gently holding Clara's hand during the telepathic circuit scene in 'Listen'
The intense gazes exchanged between them throughout “Listen” further fuel the idea of a burgeoning romantic connection.
Intense eye contact between the 12th Doctor and Clara in a scene from 'Listen', highlighting the emotional depth between them
In “Time Heist,” the Doctor’s remark, “Robbing a whole bank. Beat THAT for a date!” is particularly telling. He’s clearly framing their dangerous adventure as a date, humorously competing with a conventional romantic outing.
Animated image of the 12th Doctor saying "Robbing a whole bank. Beat THAT for a date!" in 'Time Heist'
His subsequent mimicking of Clara’s pose is another subtle cue. Mirroring body language is often a subconscious sign of attraction or interest, suggesting a deeper level of connection.
Side-by-side image showing Clara and then the 12th Doctor in similar poses in 'Time Heist', illustrating subconscious mirroring
Image of the 12th Doctor looking thoughtful, possibly contemplating his feelings for Clara, from 'Time Heist'
The intense exchange in “The Caretaker,” where the Doctor is visibly affected by Clara’s declaration of love for Danny, further strengthens the romantic subtext. His wounded response, “Why would you say that?”, isn’t the reaction of a purely platonic friend. The secret glances they exchange afterward speak volumes, hinting at unspoken feelings.
Image capturing a secret, longing gaze exchanged between the 12th Doctor and Clara in 'The Caretaker'
Another image of the 12th Doctor and Clara looking at each other in 'The Caretaker', emphasizing the unspoken emotions
“Mummy on the Orient Express” presents perhaps the most overt piece of evidence: Clara’s accidental “I love you” to the Doctor while on the phone with Danny. Actress Jenna Coleman herself confirmed that this line was indeed directed at the Doctor, further solidifying the romantic interpretation.
Adding to the layered narrative, Clara’s conversation with Maisie in the same episode touches upon the complexities of love and attraction, suggesting that sometimes feelings develop for unexpected people.
Image from 'Mummy on the Orient Express' featuring Clara talking to Maisie, highlighting the theme of unexpected love
Danny’s astute observation, “you can’t dump him because he’s not your boyfriend,” coupled with Clara’s reaction, underscores the undefined yet intensely close nature of her relationship with the Doctor. The lingering gazes exchanged between Clara and the Doctor are certainly not typical of a purely paternal or fraternal bond.
Image of Clara and Danny in 'Mummy on the Orient Express', focusing on Danny's insightful comment about Clara's relationship with the Doctor
Image of Clara gazing at the 12th Doctor with affection, defying a purely platonic interpretation of their bond
Another image of Clara looking at the 12th Doctor, reinforcing the idea of deep emotional connection beyond friendship
In “Dark Water,” Clara’s post-it note confession of love to Danny, meant to solidify their future, is tragically juxtaposed with Danny’s death. This loss profoundly impacts Clara, and the Doctor’s willingness to go to extreme lengths to help her underscores the depth of his care. Moffat’s own words, “‘Do you think I care for you so little, that betraying me would make a difference?’ That’s about as close to ‘I love you’ as the Doctor can get,” perfectly encapsulates the Doctor’s restrained yet undeniable affection for Clara.
Animated image of Clara's post-it notes in 'Dark Water', highlighting her attempt to commit to Danny before tragedy strikes
“Last Christmas” takes the romantic tension to another level. The dream sequences are filled with longing gazes and intimate moments. The heart-shaped nebula behind them during a particularly poignant scene is hardly a subtle visual metaphor. The extended eye contact and unspoken communication between the Doctor and Clara during this episode are palpable.
Image of the 12th Doctor looking intensely at Clara in 'Last Christmas', highlighting the romantic atmosphere
Image of Clara reciprocating the 12th Doctor's gaze in 'Last Christmas', emphasizing the mutual attraction
Image showcasing the heart-shaped nebula in the background of a scene between the 12th Doctor and Clara in 'Last Christmas', a clear romantic symbol
Image of the 12th Doctor and Clara in a close, intimate moment in 'Last Christmas', further suggesting a romantic connection
Another image from 'Last Christmas' showing the deep connection between the 12th Doctor and Clara through their expressions
Image of the 12th Doctor and Clara in a scene of intense emotion in 'Last Christmas'
Image capturing a tender moment between the 12th Doctor and Clara in 'Last Christmas'
Image of Clara and the 12th Doctor in a dream-like sequence from 'Last Christmas', highlighting the romantic undertones
The episodes “Under the Lake” and “Before the Flood” offer further evidence. The Doctor’s line about humans being “bananas about relationships” and his subsequent actions – writing a song called “Clara,” going to war for her, and getting a chronolock tattoo – all ironically mirror the very relationship obsessions he mocks. Crucially, in sign language, he signs “I love you” and “you’re beautiful” to Clara, actions seemingly driven by subconscious feelings.
Image of the 12th Doctor signing "I love you" in sign language to Clara in 'Under the Lake'
Image of the 12th Doctor signing "you're beautiful" in sign language to Clara in 'Under the Lake'
The poignant quote, “Tell her that you’re in love with her and that you always have been. Tell her there is no point wasting time because things happen and then it’s too late,” delivered with the camera focusing on both the Doctor and Clara, resonates deeply within the context of their relationship.
Image of the camera focusing on the 12th Doctor as the quote about confessing love is spoken in 'Under the Lake'
Image of the camera focusing on Clara as the quote about confessing love is spoken in 'Under the Lake'
In “Face the Raven,” Clara’s impending death brings the unspoken feelings to the surface. The Doctor’s choked “Clara…” before being interrupted, strongly suggests he was on the verge of confessing his love. Clara’s understanding reply, “Everything you’re about to say, I already know. Don’t do it now, we’ve already had enough bad timing,” is a heartbreaking acknowledgment of their mutual, yet unarticulated, feelings.
Image of the 12th Doctor looking distressed and about to speak in 'Face the Raven', hinting at a confession
Clara’s realization of the Doctor’s extraordinary efforts in “Hell Bent,” fighting for 4.5 billion years to save her, breaks down any remaining barriers. Her tearful confession, “I love you,” in the Cloisters, and the subsequent suggestion that these words become her theme song, solidify the romantic interpretation.
Animated image of Clara tearfully confessing "I love you" to the Doctor in the Cloisters in 'Hell Bent'
In Conclusion:
While the 12th Doctor and Clara’s relationship might not have featured explicit romantic declarations or kisses, the evidence points towards a deep, undeniable love that transcended platonic boundaries. Through subtle gestures, intense gazes, poignant dialogue, and even the creators’ own confirmations, Doctor Who subtly crafted a love story for the ages. It proves that love, in its many forms, can be powerfully portrayed without always being explicitly stated.
As Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman themselves stated, their relationship was indeed romantic. You can see their discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7i62ERas2s
What do you think? Was the 12th Doctor in love with Clara? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
