Does the Doctor forget Clara forever?

Does the Doctor Forget Clara Forever?

In the Doctor Who series, Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, is a time-traveling companion of the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors. Her character has been a significant part of the show, and her relationship with the Doctor is one of the most interesting and complex aspects of the series. One of the most debated topics regarding Clara’s character is whether the Doctor forgets her forever.

The Beginning

Clara’s first encounter with the Doctor takes place in the episode "Asylum of the Daleks," where she appears to the Doctor as "Oh, for crying out loud, I’m just an assistant" and quickly gets transported to the asylum on the Dalek ship. The Doctor is unable to recognize her and dismisses her as a ordinary person. However, he does mention that she has the "right to know," suggesting that he might not completely forget her.

The Twist

In the series 8 finale, "Death in Heaven," it is revealed that the Doctor is unable to remember Clara after their last adventure together, due to the regeneration. The Doctor is not aware that Clara has returned to her own life after their adventure together, nor does he remember the fact that she has sacrificed her life to save his. This twist is crucial in understanding the situation of the Doctor’s forgetfulness.

The Problem with Time Travel

The complexities of time travel, especially when it comes to memories, create a difficult scenario for the Doctor to grapple with. In an interview, showrunner Steven Moffat explained the dilemma:

"When the Doctor dies, he regenerates, and his memory gets wiped. That means all his memories of his companion are wiped, as well. That’s not unique to Clara, it happens to every companion, in fact, it’s why they have to introduce the new companion, to prevent the audience from knowing how many years have passed and how many companions they’ve had."

Immortality and Reincarnation

As we delve deeper into Clara’s character, it becomes clear that she has experienced something unique. Clara has become immortal after being shot by an Dalek and transferred into the Ood Sphere. This is reinforced in the episode "Dark Water," where it is revealed that Clara is actually an Ood, trapped inside the Ood’s brain.

The Journey Begins

In the episode "Last Christmas," Clara finally discovers that she is not alive, but rather stuck inside the Ood Sphere, reliving the same events over and over again. The Doctor, aware of this situation, works to find a way to get Clara back to life.

The Doctor’s Remembrance

In "Face the Raven," it becomes clear that the Doctor does not forget Clara, despite his inability to recall her. He realizes how far he went to protect her and ultimately makes a choice to send her away to protect her own life. The Doctor does not forget Clara forever; instead, he simply moves on to the next companion.

Confronting the Truth

As we analyze the series, it becomes apparent that Clara’s immortality serves a greater purpose. The fact that she is not fully alive but still stuck in the Ood Sphere suggests that her memory lives on within the Doctor’s subconscious. Her immortal soul remains tied to the Doctor’s, even when his memories are wiped clean.

Conclusion

The complexity of Clara’s character raises many questions about the Doctor’s ability to remember and forget. While it appears that the Doctor forgets Clara, it becomes clear that her memory never truly fades from his consciousness. The truth remains that Clara’s legacy and memories live on, as an integral part of the Doctor’s journey and psyche.

Key Takeaways:

• Clara is immortal after being shot by a Dalek and transferred into the Ood Sphere.
• The Doctor is unable to remember Clara due to his regeneration and regeneration process.
• Despite forgetting Clara, the Doctor is still affected by his relationship with her and chooses to send her away for her own protection.
• Clara’s immortal soul remains tied to the Doctor’s subconscious, suggesting that her memory lives on within him.