The Doctor has the age and the power and the Tardis and in some ways no boyfriend or companion can “win” in a serious fight with him. But only a character strong enough to rebel and disent works to bring out character and narrative, and the Mickey-Captain Jack-Rory run, and all the many girl companions all dewy-eyed over him made it rough going to explore the character much. Really, Donna Noble was the one companion, male or female, who really could and did stand down the Doctor.

Now Clara and Danny both can, and do, and do it well, and with dignity, and plausible humanity. Good work on the part of writer, director, and definitely actors.