By Matthew Battles
Clara, the girl who has died twice and met the Doctor thrice. The mystery “squeezed into an enigma wrapped in a skirt that’s just a little bit too... tight.” You’ve had Whovians up and down the nation, and across the Pond (too soon?) all asking the same question as our favorite Timelord; “What are you?”
With the finale of season 7 just a single sleep away, it won’t be long before the mystery is solved and we’ll finally know, but just what are the possibilities? With Steven Moffat at the helm they’re seemingly infinite but we’ve got some theories. From the perfectly plausible and most likely, to the outright outlandish, we’ve laid them out for your perusal.
Clara, the girl who has died twice and met the Doctor thrice. The mystery “squeezed into an enigma wrapped in a skirt that’s just a little bit too... tight.” You’ve had Whovians up and down the nation, and across the Pond (too soon?) all asking the same question as our favorite Timelord; “What are you?”
With the finale of season 7 just a single sleep away, it won’t be long before the mystery is solved and we’ll finally know, but just what are the possibilities? With Steven Moffat at the helm they’re seemingly infinite but we’ve got some theories. From the perfectly plausible and most likely, to the outright outlandish, we’ve laid them out for your perusal.
Clara is a Fixed/Recurring Point in Time and Space.
Similarly to Captain Jack Harkness, made immortal by the actions of Rose Tyler, Clara may have found herself embroiled in some future Bad Wolf-like crisis that caused her to somehow join with, or look into, the heart of the TARDIS and the trauma of the event caused her consciousness to scatter across time and space, leaving pieces of herself for the Doctor to find, become intrigued by and follow to the original source - the Clara we have come to have sitting in Sexy right now - and setting this whole chain of events into motion. We all know just how much Moffat loves his Paradoxes!
Similarly to Captain Jack Harkness, made immortal by the actions of Rose Tyler, Clara may have found herself embroiled in some future Bad Wolf-like crisis that caused her to somehow join with, or look into, the heart of the TARDIS and the trauma of the event caused her consciousness to scatter across time and space, leaving pieces of herself for the Doctor to find, become intrigued by and follow to the original source - the Clara we have come to have sitting in Sexy right now - and setting this whole chain of events into motion. We all know just how much Moffat loves his Paradoxes!
Clara is a manifestation of the Great Intelligence
It can’t just be a coincidence that Clara rocked up around about the same time the Great Intelligence reared its ugly metaphysical head again. Her entire premier episode, The Snowmen (let’s be honest the Asylum of the Daleks was more of a teaser than an introduction) was almost entirely about the Great Intelligence. Not to mention the Great Intelligence was behind all the goings on at the Shard too.
It can’t be that much of a leap to assume that at some point in the future the Great Intelligence finally found itself a way to manifest into physical form. If that were the case surely the Doctor would be involved somehow? The fields of Tranzalore perhaps? We already know that the Great Intelligence will also feature in the finale so it’s safe to assume it’s involvement in some capacity.
Now all that the Great Intelligence would have to do is lead the Doctor back to where everything began by leaving ‘sleeper Clara’s’ all over the universe to set everything in motion in a Moffet-esque Paradox.
Let’s not forget that Clara seems almost instantly adept at doing just about anything. She went from a technophobe who couldn’t access the Wifi to a hoverbike-riding superhero in a mere two episodes. If that wasn’t enough, doesn’t her sudden transformation into a battle-hardened Major last week prove that Clara has a Great Intelligence of her own somewhere in there?
It can’t just be a coincidence that Clara rocked up around about the same time the Great Intelligence reared its ugly metaphysical head again. Her entire premier episode, The Snowmen (let’s be honest the Asylum of the Daleks was more of a teaser than an introduction) was almost entirely about the Great Intelligence. Not to mention the Great Intelligence was behind all the goings on at the Shard too.
It can’t be that much of a leap to assume that at some point in the future the Great Intelligence finally found itself a way to manifest into physical form. If that were the case surely the Doctor would be involved somehow? The fields of Tranzalore perhaps? We already know that the Great Intelligence will also feature in the finale so it’s safe to assume it’s involvement in some capacity.
Now all that the Great Intelligence would have to do is lead the Doctor back to where everything began by leaving ‘sleeper Clara’s’ all over the universe to set everything in motion in a Moffet-esque Paradox.
Let’s not forget that Clara seems almost instantly adept at doing just about anything. She went from a technophobe who couldn’t access the Wifi to a hoverbike-riding superhero in a mere two episodes. If that wasn’t enough, doesn’t her sudden transformation into a battle-hardened Major last week prove that Clara has a Great Intelligence of her own somewhere in there?
Clara is a fragment of the exploding TARDIS
Don’t forget we haven’t finished unravelling the mystery of the exploding TARDIS yet. We know that’s going to happen somewhen but when exactly, who knows! Now, we’ve seen the Doctor himself pull a piece of Sexy out of the crack. What’s to say that other pieces of the TARDIS have fallen through of their own accord?
Perhaps in another timeline the TARDIS’ consciousness was poured, not into Idriss, but that universe’s version of Clara. Who, once on our side of the crack, retained some portion of her time and space traveling abilities but the trauma of such an event leaves the poor girl disorientated and unable to remember anything about who she really is or what she’s done.
Think of her first appearance, in Dalek form, as her final moments. How poetic would it be that the TARDIS, the Doctor’s longest serving companion and best, best friend is transformed into one of his archenemies only to use that transformation against them?
Clara being a piece of the TARDIS might explain two other niggles as well. first of all, it would explain why Sexy doesn’t like her; this TARDIS is fully-formed and hasn’t exploded yet. This TARDIS will recognize a foreign body that’s a piece of itself. Something that shouldn’t possibly exist. It would also explain why a preview photo shows Clara with something that looks suspiciously like the Sixth Doctor behind her. Fractured memories of her time as the TARDIS.
Don’t forget we haven’t finished unravelling the mystery of the exploding TARDIS yet. We know that’s going to happen somewhen but when exactly, who knows! Now, we’ve seen the Doctor himself pull a piece of Sexy out of the crack. What’s to say that other pieces of the TARDIS have fallen through of their own accord?
Perhaps in another timeline the TARDIS’ consciousness was poured, not into Idriss, but that universe’s version of Clara. Who, once on our side of the crack, retained some portion of her time and space traveling abilities but the trauma of such an event leaves the poor girl disorientated and unable to remember anything about who she really is or what she’s done.
Think of her first appearance, in Dalek form, as her final moments. How poetic would it be that the TARDIS, the Doctor’s longest serving companion and best, best friend is transformed into one of his archenemies only to use that transformation against them?
Clara being a piece of the TARDIS might explain two other niggles as well. first of all, it would explain why Sexy doesn’t like her; this TARDIS is fully-formed and hasn’t exploded yet. This TARDIS will recognize a foreign body that’s a piece of itself. Something that shouldn’t possibly exist. It would also explain why a preview photo shows Clara with something that looks suspiciously like the Sixth Doctor behind her. Fractured memories of her time as the TARDIS.
Clara is another Timelord
There are other Timelords out there, and some of them were much better at being Timelords than the Doctor. Sorry guys but he said it himself last week; “You should see the state of these neurons, he’s had some cowboys in here. Ten complete rejigs.”
You see, regeneration shouldn’t be as difficult or as altering as it for the Doctor. There should actually be a modicum of control over the proceedings. Some Timelords were so adept at regeneration they could not only do it at will on a whim, but also had some choice in the end result; take Romana for example, she went through several faces before sticking with one that she liked. The fact that the Doctor’s entire face, and personality, is completely altered by the process only serves to highlight his ineptitude.
What are the odds that Clara is a Timelord who is not only extremely good at regenerating that she’s able to maintain the same face throughout but can also allow her body to appear to shut down before the process begins? It’s not the most realistic of possibilities but a possibility nonetheless.
There are other Timelords out there, and some of them were much better at being Timelords than the Doctor. Sorry guys but he said it himself last week; “You should see the state of these neurons, he’s had some cowboys in here. Ten complete rejigs.”
You see, regeneration shouldn’t be as difficult or as altering as it for the Doctor. There should actually be a modicum of control over the proceedings. Some Timelords were so adept at regeneration they could not only do it at will on a whim, but also had some choice in the end result; take Romana for example, she went through several faces before sticking with one that she liked. The fact that the Doctor’s entire face, and personality, is completely altered by the process only serves to highlight his ineptitude.
What are the odds that Clara is a Timelord who is not only extremely good at regenerating that she’s able to maintain the same face throughout but can also allow her body to appear to shut down before the process begins? It’s not the most realistic of possibilities but a possibility nonetheless.
Clara is The Doctor and River’s daughter
Not my favorite theory but I suppose there’s a hint of credence to it. For a start she’s very similar to the Doctor in a lot of ways. She also has signs of River’s psychopathic ferocity (anyone else remember just how comfortable was waving that big-ass gun around last week?). It would also serve to explain why she’s such a clever clogs. She’d have a Timelord brain for sure!
Let’s not forget that she is, to all intents and purposes, human. This would be explained through River’s genetics. Despite having a third helix as a result of being conceived in the TARDIS, River is human. With human DNA which means some of that would have, along with some ability to regenerate (maybe with a single fixed form perhaps?), been passed along to Clara.
I also feel there was something significant in the throwaway lines from previous episodes; The Rings of Akhaten; “I came here once with my Granddaughter,” Hide; “blood calling to blood, out of time. Not everything ends, not always.” Could it be that he’s now whizzing around the universe with his best mates’ Granddaughter?
Not my favorite theory but I suppose there’s a hint of credence to it. For a start she’s very similar to the Doctor in a lot of ways. She also has signs of River’s psychopathic ferocity (anyone else remember just how comfortable was waving that big-ass gun around last week?). It would also serve to explain why she’s such a clever clogs. She’d have a Timelord brain for sure!
Let’s not forget that she is, to all intents and purposes, human. This would be explained through River’s genetics. Despite having a third helix as a result of being conceived in the TARDIS, River is human. With human DNA which means some of that would have, along with some ability to regenerate (maybe with a single fixed form perhaps?), been passed along to Clara.
I also feel there was something significant in the throwaway lines from previous episodes; The Rings of Akhaten; “I came here once with my Granddaughter,” Hide; “blood calling to blood, out of time. Not everything ends, not always.” Could it be that he’s now whizzing around the universe with his best mates’ Granddaughter?
Clara is C.A.L
Last and least likely, Clara is C.A.L. Anyone confused? Remember the little girl in the command node at the library? Yeah that one. A lot of people are saying that Jenna-Louise Coleman bears a strong resemblance to Eve Newton who played C.A.L herself. A lot of people are wondering if she and River have found a way to bust out of the library and are preparing a dramatic way of letting the Doctor in on the secret?
Don’t forget the words she said to River when she first found herself in library-ville; “I’ve brought along a few friends. Who’s a CLEVER girl?” Which is a word that frequently arises with Clara; “Run you CLEVER boy, and remember.” Remember what? The little girl who needed help all those centuries ago perhaps?
Personally, I’m not buying it, but I thought it was worth a mention.
Whatever the truth is, we don’t have long to wait. My money’s on it being one of the first three. Who knows, some people think she might even be a future regeneration of the Doctor. What’re your thoughts on the identity of Clara? Agree with me? Got your own theory? Lets us know below!
Last and least likely, Clara is C.A.L. Anyone confused? Remember the little girl in the command node at the library? Yeah that one. A lot of people are saying that Jenna-Louise Coleman bears a strong resemblance to Eve Newton who played C.A.L herself. A lot of people are wondering if she and River have found a way to bust out of the library and are preparing a dramatic way of letting the Doctor in on the secret?
Don’t forget the words she said to River when she first found herself in library-ville; “I’ve brought along a few friends. Who’s a CLEVER girl?” Which is a word that frequently arises with Clara; “Run you CLEVER boy, and remember.” Remember what? The little girl who needed help all those centuries ago perhaps?
Personally, I’m not buying it, but I thought it was worth a mention.
Whatever the truth is, we don’t have long to wait. My money’s on it being one of the first three. Who knows, some people think she might even be a future regeneration of the Doctor. What’re your thoughts on the identity of Clara? Agree with me? Got your own theory? Lets us know below!
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