The clock is ticking down on Jenna Coleman’s time as companion Clara Oswald on Doctor Who.
In the tonight's episode, 'Face The Raven', the Doctor (Peter Capaldi), Clara and their old friend Rigsy (Joivan Wade) find themselves in a secret alien world, folded away among the streets of London.
One of the three intruders must face the raven, but not all of them will get out alive. Will Clara be killed off?
Jenna Coleman in Doctor Who (Ian West/PA)
One companion death instantly springs to mind – the first.
Katarina (Adrienne Hill) propelled both herself and her captor into space in a 1965 episode.
The Time Lord’s brave and resourceful Clara made her first appearance opposite Matt Smith’s Doctor in 2012 episode 'Asylum Of The Daleks'.
The Doctor and his companion, Clara (David Venni/BBC)
Jenna replaced Karen Gillan, who’d made her name as sidekick Amy Pond, and went on to star alongside Peter Capaldi’s Doctor. She bows out after three years as the longest-serving companion since the series was rebooted in 2005.
It remains to be seen whether the ultimate end awaits Clara but, in the meantime, we look back at some of her best moments.
1. Asylum Of The Daleks
Where else to start than at the beginning?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epc-Z974eiQ&feature=oembed
As Oswin, and trapped inside a Dalek, Clara helped the Doctor and companions Amy and Rory Pond (Arthur Darvill) escape a planet for insane Daleks.
However, it was at the cost of her own life. “Run, you clever boy! And remember me,” she told the Time Lord.
2. The Name Of The Doctor
When an enemy jumped into the Doctor’s timestream to destroy him, Clara followed suit in this 2013 instalment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDxPGQQyD4g&feature=oembed
She risked her life to save the Time Lord, resulting in a million versions of her living and dying all over time and space.
“There’s only one thing I remember: I have to save the Doctor,” she said in the opening of the episode.
3. Flatline
If you want to watch Clara act as the Doctor, this 2014 episode is the one to seek out.
Clara finds herself outside a shrunken Tardis, while the Time Lord is locked inside.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BjB5XduL58&feature=oembed
It is up to her to save the day. “I just hope I can keep them all alive,” she sighed.
“Welcome to my world,” said the Doctor.
4. Deep Breath
The Doctor has regenerated and Clara has to get used to this familiar and unfamiliar person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7f1RQidiNM&feature=oembed
The bickering between the two protagonists made this 2014 episode particularly enjoyable, but Clara also demonstrated just how clever she is by extracting the information needed from the main Cyborg.
5. The Magician’s Apprentice
Superb visuals in the opener to this current ninth series. A terrified child is trapped with no escape route. The Doctor appears, but the boy’s name is Davros – the creator of the Daleks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXUvTldIL6A&feature=oembed
Meanwhile, the Doctor’s nemesis Missy (Michelle Gomez) teamed up with Clara for a common goal. The electrifying dynamic between the two ladies was an absolute delight. Two stars at the very top of their game.
Doctor Who continues on BBC1 tonight at 8.10pm.
