Personally, this can only be a good thing.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the Pond’s have been amazing. From fish custard to Demon’s Run, they’ve been amazing. I’ve loved every moment. But for me, part of the magic of Doctor Who is the dynamic between the Doctor and the companion(s). We’ve had two whole series of The Doctor and the Ponds, so now, it’s time for a change.
Personally, I think instead of the fairytale life of a Amelia Pond, it’s time for a companion from either the future or (preferably) the past. Someone who can really be astounded by the entirety of time and space. Someone who has no idea that things like this can even exist. Which is why I think someone from the past would be a perfect idea. There is so much potential there right away. Explaining technology advancements and changing fashion trends could be an interesting experience, especially with our fashionably-challenged Doctor.
I know the companion is supposed to be an audience surrogate, someone with whom the viewer can identify with, but now, we’ve got shows which feature big green alien beasts as the main character, shows entirely set in the past and shows which have a changing main character each week - so I don’t think the average viewer will have any problems when it comes to identifying with a character from the past.
But I don’t want to end this post without saying that I loved Amy and Rory, they’ve been the best companions in the TARDIS since Ace. I liked Ace. Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill have both done a fantastic job in creating memorable characters that will never be forgotten. They’ve cemented their place in Doctor Who history. So for that, Karen and Arthur, I’m sure I’m not alone in saying this.
Thank you. So much.
(I struggled to write an essay last week, and I just wrote this right off the bat. Impressive.)