I didn't get it at first. I thought I did, but I really didn't. But I do now.
I never understood why The Doctor took on Donna. Really? I mean, she's great because she represents the non-stick figures that he has palled around with before, but... really? I also never understood the fandom insanely obsessed with Rose and Doctor. I refer to her as (please forgive me fanbase) "Horse Face Girl". I also found it hard to follow the show when I catch it here and there (hense the not understanding of the aforementioned companions).
I thought I would beging at the beginning. I mean, the VERY beginning. With William Hartnel. In preparation for the 12th Doctor, I watched the movie on how it all began. I became excited and intrigued. So I thought i should watch from the start. There are no DVD's that are going to have every single episode. It's not possible; a deal of them were lost during the "purge" in the 70's or 80's. I got bored. Some of them were fun to watch, but out of 75 episodes on Netflix, I watched just a few.
Then I decided to just skip to the new Doctor Who.
The first season was a little painful. I always thought that England was about a decade behind the U.S. The writing, the clothes, the dialogue was screaming 1990's! But somewhere near the last third of the season, I began to really take to the actors and the way they portrayed Rose and Doctor. Although, I never really did like Eccleson (but there were times where I could see Tennant or Smith in Eccleson's actions). But then Eccleson was out and Tennant came in.
I understand that the female fanbase is completely mad over Tennant, but I am still on the fence. HE IS THE DOCTOR. There is no dispute about that, but I am always fixated on his hair (not in a good way). I want to brush it and NOT GEL IT and just get it to a soft brown floppy naturalness that I know it is (SPOILERS: I loved how he wore it in Broadchurch.... PERFECT)!
Then Rose was gone, and, DARN IT, I found myself crying along with the characters for the same reason! And "that look" in the Doctor's eyes when you just know his mind has wandered to her, makes me feel for him. Tennant made her a better actor. I do believe that. And I fully believe that Doctor really is in love with Rose (don't tell anyone in the fandom that I said that!), and won't let anyone get close to him because 1) he doesn't want to lose them and get hurt again, and 2) he doesn't want to feel. You can't hurt if you don't feel (oooh! Why does Tennant's voice pop into my head when I think of those words?!).
I also understand why he took on Donna. She and Martha have been good for him. Donna, I like. I really really like. She's the snippy companion he's been needing for a long time. She's the one who's going to get him through his loss and heartache. She's also the one to show him individual compassion and mercy for others ("Not the whole village, just them!" - The Poison Sky). He's lost perspective over the years, and Donna brings him back around. I also love the fact that there is no chemistry between them other than "He's/She's with me." They are more like brother and sister. Good for him! He can focus on what's important and not what feelings she might be harboring.
I understand now. I get it. I really do.