There have been many relationships for the titular character on Doctor Who, but perhaps none more important than the one he had with Clara. Both of them had ties to each other since their childhoods — thanks to time travel — and their relationship blossomed as she was the companion of his eleventh and twelfth incarnations.
Soon enough, it became clear that Clara and the Doctor were most definitely in love with each other, despite not becoming lovers. There are only a few friendships on TV so appealing, especially since these two had a friendship and an “unromantic” romance — something only they could pull off. Here are 10 reasons and instances that prove why they were “#relationshipsgoals.”
Their First Meeting(s)
Technically, Clara and the Doctor had two first meetings. The original was where he met one of Clara’s doppelgangers in the Victorian Era, with the next “official first meeting” being with the actual Clara in present-day.
Both played out like a meet-cute from a romantic comedy movie as the Eleventh Doctor’s awkwardness, combined with Clara’s outspoken nature, made for hilarity. The Victorian Clara went so far as to stick her head upside down in the Doctor’s carriage to gain his attention. In the present-day, it was the Doctor who barged into her place and tried to convince an oblivious Clara that they knew each other. It was like watching two soulmates finally meet.
Every Time The Doctor Was Clueless About Her Appearance
Clara’s many wardrobe changes on the show are legendary, although the Doctor remained clueless about pretty much her entire appearance the whole time. Whenever she showed emotion, the Doctor would claim that she was “all eyes,” and to stop making her natural face, as if that was an option.
It was equally funny to see Clara attempt many times to get a compliment out of him, only for the clueless Doctor to inadvertently make fun of her. In their first interaction alone, the Twelfth Doctor confused Clara with the weird-looking alien Strax just because they were the same height. This constant banter ended up becoming one of the best running gags between the pair.
Clara Cheering Up Three Doctors
This involved not one, not two, but three of the Doctor’s incarnations. The War Doctor finally regained his spirit after realizing he hadn’t destroyed Gallifrey, and Clara was the last person he saw before he regenerated. The Tenth Doctor also had a last flirty interaction with Clara, which provided him with some comfort after he learned about his death in the future.
And yet, the most touching exchange was between Clara and the Eleventh Doctor, where she cheered his feelings of blue by reminding him that she would always be there for him even if he didn’t realize it. This brought the Doctor out of his doldrums, as he began looking forward to finding his home once again.
Their Final Meeting(s)
Their final meeting was in three parts, comprising Clara's death, her saying goodbye to the amnesiac Doctor, and the Doctor meeting a memory of Clara just before his regeneration. Each of these were tear-jerking moments that showed the level of closeness they shared.
During Clara’s death, the Doctor outright shed tears and kissed her hand, while also threatening to go dark side to bring her back. However, the final goodbye was the sweetest one, as the Doctor finally let out a big smile when he saw Clara after ages, with her being the reason he had the courage to undergo his regeneration. Goodbyes certainly couldn’t get any more poignant than what these two shared.
Their Reconciliation At Christmas
The Doctor and Clara tried to stay away from each other, but were brought back together once more for Christmas. Here they went on an adventure during a dreamlike state, following which the Doctor returned to take Clara back.
Their reconciliation was reminiscent of two star-crossed lovers getting back together, as the Doctor offered his hand to Clara, who happily took it, even kissing him on the cheek for good measure. It was also the first time their smiles reflected true happiness since their separation.
When Clara Became His "Carer"
These two made for a highly comedic duo, being somewhat of a sweet and salty mix for those around them. At one point, the Doctor “hired” Clara as his carer, which, in his opinion, meant that Clara was given the responsibility to care about people since he just couldn’t bother.
More humorously, Clara started preparing cue cards for him, something he employed in his adventures in order to learn how to be empathetic toward others. Although his execution of these cue cards was all wrong, at least both of them complemented each other's quirks well.
When The Doctor Instantly Forgave Her
This was a turning point in the relationship between the Twelfth Doctor and Clara, as it highlighted just how much she meant to him that he was willing to let time and space be threatened for her sake. In order to force the Doctor to change history by intervening in Danny Pink’s death, Clara blackmailed him by destroying the keys to the TARDIS unless he agreed to do what she said.
Eventually, the Doctor gained the upper hand and regained the TARDIS. While Clara expected the Doctor to cut her out of his life, he instead instantly forgave her, claiming she was too important to him that even her betrayal meant nothing.
Their Date For Christmas
It’s a shame that Clara and the Doctor didn’t become a real couple, as their fake date at Christmas was a laughably cute moment. In this episode, she convinced him to pose as her boyfriend to her family, which he was happy to do.
Unfortunately, the Doctor’s holographic clothes could only be seen by Clara, meaning her family thought he was standing undressed. Yet, the cheery attitude the two shared showed how even kooky moments involving these two were charming.
The Doctor's Phone Call To Clara
Relationships are always a work in progress, and sometimes it takes a reminder from the past to set people on the same page once again. In this instance, Clara’s affection for the Twelfth Doctor was appealed to her by the Eleventh Doctor.
After wondering if she really knew who he was anymore following his regeneration, Clara received a call from the past. Here, the Doctor reminded her that he needed her more than ever, and while she was scared, he would be even more fearful without her. And so, revitalized with the knowledge that he did care for her, Clara gave the new Doctor the first of many hugs he awkwardly took.
The Doctor Willingly Hugging Her
The Twelfth Doctor, by his own ission, was not a hugger, feeling that it was something he couldn’t trust. However, as part of his character development, he started warming up to the idea of Clara’s hugs, putting up less of a fight each time.
Eventually, when he thought that Clara had died, and in his relief that she didn’t, the Doctor ran straight to her, lifted Clara up, and very enthusiastically gave her a tight embrace. The Doctor wasn't embarrassed by it either, which went to show how Clara had managed to warm her way into both of his hearts.