Vastra possessed an uncanny understanding of the Doctor, perhaps more profound than most companions. After his regeneration on Trenzalore, she articulated to Clara a sentiment that resonated deeply with her own veiled identity: ‘I wear a veil as he wore a face. For the same reason… The oldest reason there is for anything: To be accepted.’ Her loyalty was evident in her sharp reaction to Clara’s initial difficulty accepting the Doctor’s aged appearance. ‘He looked like your dashing, young gentleman friend… But he is the Doctor. He has walked this universe for centuries untold! He has seen stars fall to dust!’ Her words were a powerful defense of the timeless being she knew so well.
Clara! Give him hell! He’ll always need it…
Vastra
The Doctor’s initial encounter with Vastra occurred in the depths of the London Underground. As Vastra herself described it, she was ‘attempting to avenge my sisters on perfectly innocent tunnel-diggers’. The Doctor intervened, imparting a crucial lesson: ‘anger is always the shortest distance to a mistake’. This wisdom, initially received in a moment of conflict, became a guiding principle that Vastra would later reflect back to him during the tense lead-up to the battle of Demons Run.
By Demons Run, their bond had evolved into a solid friendship. Vastra felt comfortable enough to tease the Doctor and offer gentle yet insightful challenges when she perceived his judgment clouded by emotion. She demonstrated a familiarity with Time Lord physiology, understanding regeneration and recognizing their cellular makeup. This knowledge base suggested a deep learning and observation of the man she affectionately called ‘old friend’, indicative of her sharp intellect and observant nature.
Back in Victorian London, her established partnership with Jenny and Strax became the celebrated Paternoster Gang. This trio, occasionally joined by the Doctor himself, tackled numerous mysteries and threats. Vastra stood firmly by the Doctor’s side during his confrontations with the Great Intelligence in 1892 and played a vital role in the subsequent defeat of Mrs Gillyflower and Mr Sweet the following year. Her strategic mind and bravery were invaluable assets in these perilous situations.
The Doctor’s profound trust in Vastra was unmistakable. When assembling a team for the critical mission to rescue Amy from Kovarian, he specifically sought out this remarkable Silurian. Vastra became an integral member of his elite group, operating at the very heart of this dangerous rescue operation. Later, during a period when the Doctor retreated into a self-imposed recluse on Earth, Vastra remained one of the select few he maintained contact with. Despite his feigned annoyance at her persistent efforts to draw him back into action, her concern and dedication were evident.
Perhaps it was not merely chance that when the Twelfth Doctor, newly regenerated and disoriented, required assistance, the TARDIS materialized within close proximity to Madame Vastra. Out of the vast expanse of time and space, the universe seemed to guide him to her doorstep. And Vastra’s reaction upon seeing the Doctor’s dramatically altered form? A characteristically nonchalant and accepting, ‘Well then… Here we go again!’ This understated yet profound acceptance encapsulates the depth of her understanding and unwavering support for the ever-changing, yet always constant, Doctor.
