The world of Doctor Who is vast and ever-changing, but one thing remains constant: the Doctor’s companions. After a brief detour into other television realms, we’re back in the TARDIS, diving deep into the era of the Tenth Doctor and his adventures. This time, our focus is on Martha Jones, a pivotal figure in the show’s modern era and the first Black primary companion. While Jodie Whittaker’s recent portrayal as the first female Doctor is groundbreaking and exciting, it’s also crucial to revisit and appreciate the earlier strides made in representation, like Martha’s introduction.
Martha Jones arrived in the TARDIS following the departure of the much-loved Rose Tyler. As we delve into her time alongside the Doctor, it’s impossible to ignore the shadow cast by her predecessor. Was Martha simply a rebound companion? Or did she carve out her own unique and significant space in the Doctor Who universe? This exploration will examine Martha through a feminist lens, celebrating her strengths while also acknowledging the narrative challenges she faced.
Before we jump in, a quick spoiler warning for those new to the Tenth Doctor era! Consider yourself alerted as we unpack the complexities of Martha Jones’ journey.
Martha Jones: The Strengths of an Independent Companion
Martha Jones is, in many respects, a remarkable character. Unlike many companions who find themselves swept up in the Doctor’s world while searching for direction, Martha is already grounded and accomplished when she meets him. As a medical resident, she’s competent, intelligent, and used to handling high-pressure situations. This pre-existing capability sets her apart from companions who often undergo significant personal growth primarily because of their travels with the Doctor.
Alt text: Confident Martha Jones, portrayed by Freema Agyeman, in her role as a Doctor Who companion.
Martha’s decision to join the Doctor in the TARDIS stems from her own desire for adventure and a break from her demanding life. This agency is evident from her very first episode. Even before the Doctor’s dramatic entrance, she’s actively investigating the strange occurrences at the hospital, demonstrating her inquisitive nature and proactive approach. It’s her sharp mind and level-headedness under pressure that initially attract the Doctor’s attention, establishing their relationship on Martha’s inherent qualities and choices. This foundation is inherently feminist, positioning Martha as a character driven by her own motivations rather than external forces.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Martha’s character is her profound independence. More than any other New Who companion, Martha doesn’t need the Doctor in a fundamental way. This isn’t to diminish their relationship or her feelings for him, but rather to highlight her self-sufficiency. Martha’s journey isn’t about finding herself through the Doctor; it’s about experiencing the universe while remaining firmly rooted in her own identity.
The series repeatedly showcases Martha’s resilience and resourcefulness when separated from the Doctor. In the chilling “Blink,” she and the Doctor are stranded in 1969, facing the Weeping Angels with limited resources, forcing Martha to rely on her wits to survive and assist the Doctor. The two-part story “Human Nature/The Family of Blood” throws Martha into an extraordinary situation where the Doctor is de-powered and human, leaving her solely responsible for protecting him, the TARDIS, and ultimately restoring him to his Time Lord self. “The Last of the Time Lords” sees Martha spending an entire year traversing a dystopian Earth controlled by the Master, becoming a symbol of hope and resistance, spreading the legend of the Doctor across the globe entirely on her own initiative. Even in episodes like “The Doctor’s Daughter” and “The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End,” Martha consistently demonstrates her ability to navigate perilous situations independently, often undertaking crucial missions alone to save the day. No other companion in New Who has consistently shouldered such significant burdens and achieved such remarkable success single-handedly. Martha’s strength isn’t just stated; it’s repeatedly and powerfully demonstrated throughout her tenure.
Alt text: Martha Jones confronts danger, showcasing her bravery and independent spirit in Doctor Who.
Adding to her feminist credentials, Martha remains the only New Who companion who actively chooses to leave the TARDIS. Her departure isn’t due to circumstance or tragedy, but a conscious decision based on her own well-being. In a powerful and mature farewell, Martha recognizes that the emotional cost of her unrequited feelings for the Doctor and the inherent dangers of their adventures outweigh the benefits. This self-aware and decisive exit is a testament to her strength and self-respect, solidifying her status as a truly independent and feminist character.
The Shadow of Rose: Martha’s Narrative Challenges
Despite Martha’s inherent strengths, her time in the TARDIS is not without its complexities. The primary issue, as hinted at in the title, lies in how Martha is positioned in relation to the Doctor and, most significantly, to Rose Tyler.
Martha develops a crush on the Doctor, a plot point that feels somewhat forced and awkwardly handled. Perhaps in an attempt to replicate the popular Rose/Ten romantic dynamic, the writers introduced unrequited affection into Martha’s storyline. However, this decision unfortunately leads to several problematic outcomes. Firstly, it reinforces the trope that female companions are destined to fall for the Doctor, limiting the potential for platonic or purely adventurous relationships. (Though, with David Tennant’s portrayal, it’s arguably understandable!)
More damagingly, this unrequited crush framing often results in the Doctor being dismissive and even cruel to Martha. Still deeply affected by Rose’s departure, the Doctor frequently appears emotionally unavailable and preoccupied, failing to fully appreciate the capable and intelligent companion standing right beside him. His grief for Rose sometimes manifests as belittling behavior towards Martha, undermining her confidence and contributions. The Doctor’s seeming indifference to Martha’s departure, quickly moving on and even flirting with another potential companion, further exacerbates this sense of devaluation.
This brings us to the ever-present specter of Rose Tyler. It’s clear that Rose holds a special place in the heart of Russell T. Davies, the showrunner during this era. This favoritism, while understandable given Rose’s foundational role in the revived series, often overshadows other characters, particularly Martha. Even though Rose is no longer the primary companion during Martha’s tenure, her presence looms large. The Doctor’s constant mourning for Rose, his tendency to revisit places he shared with her, his initial reluctance to fully accept Martha as a companion, and his frequent, often unnecessary, comparisons between Martha and Rose all contribute to a narrative that consistently positions Martha as second-best. The Doctor’s (and by extension, the narrative’s) repeated assertions that Rose would have solved problems quicker or better feel particularly contrived and serve to diminish Martha’s competence.
Alt text: David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor, portraying a sad and reflective mood, hinting at his lingering feelings for Rose Tyler.
This constant comparison and implicit devaluation are deeply unfair to Martha and frustrating for viewers who recognize her inherent worth. Instead of celebrating Martha’s unique strengths and contributions, the narrative often seems preoccupied with reminding the audience (and Martha herself) that she is not Rose Tyler. This undermines the potential of Martha’s character and feels like a disservice to such a well-developed and capable companion. Rather than appreciating the strong feminist character they had created, the narrative, through the Doctor’s actions and dialogue, sometimes appears to be stuck in the past, hindering Martha’s full potential.
The Baffling Mickey and Martha Marriage
Finally, we arrive at a plot point so unexpected and peculiar that it deserves its own category: Martha’s marriage to Mickey Smith. Revealed in “The End of Time Part 2,” this development is jarring and seemingly comes out of nowhere. Mickey and Martha have shared virtually no screen time prior to this revelation, leaving viewers scratching their heads and wondering about the origins of this relationship.
The most plausible, albeit somewhat cynical, explanation is that their shared experiences of being “left behind” by the Doctor form the basis of their connection. Did Martha and Mickey bond over their mutual experiences of unrequited love and feelings of being second best? While Torchwood might offer further context or development of this relationship, for viewers solely focused on Doctor Who, the marriage feels abrupt and unearned. Unless Torchwood provides a compelling and well-developed backstory, this plot point remains firmly in the “weird” category, a bizarre and somewhat unsatisfying conclusion to Martha’s romantic arc.
Final Thoughts: Martha Jones Deserves More
Martha Jones is undeniably a feminist icon within Doctor Who. Her independence, competence, and self-assuredness set her apart from many companions. She consistently demonstrates agency, resourcefulness, and strength, often without relying on the Doctor’s direct assistance. It’s truly a shame that the narrative, particularly through the Doctor’s characterization, seemed so preoccupied with the aftermath of Rose’s departure that it often failed to fully appreciate and celebrate the remarkable character that Martha Jones truly was. Despite the narrative challenges and the shadow of Rose, Martha remains a standout companion, deserving of recognition for her unique contributions to the Doctor Who universe.
What are your thoughts on Martha Jones? Let us know in the comments below! And remember, stay safe, and keep exploring the ever-expanding universe of Doctor Who.
