Jacqueline Hill
This lady, Jacqueline Hill, is one who basically set the standard for companions on Doctor Who. Before I read what I found I didn’t know she is the first companion and is the first one to speak on the series.(1) This is a shock. I feel rather bad because after watching An Unearthly Child I did not notice that. I usually pay more attention to detail than that.
Personally I enjoy watching her on Doctor Who. I believe from watching the show is not married, but from watching it I can see a motherly attitude. She seems like a lady who would be a great mother. The reason I say this is because of the way she nurtures Susan. Jacqueline Hill really does a great job as Barbara and basically acts like a mother to Susan even though she is not Susan’s mom. As a result, she remains in my mind as like a foster mother to Susan.
On Doctor Who, she begins the show as Susan’s history teacher.(2) She is the one who forces her way into the TARDIS and basically befriends Susan. Then for the next two years our time does a great job as a friend and foster mother in protecting and caring for Susan.
Jacqueline will return to Doctor Who in 1980 in the serial Meglos, as the Tigellan priestess Lexa.(3) I really don’t remember this serial very well so, I cannot comment on it.
Jacqueline Hill did very well for herself. When I think about the fact that she is an orphan as a toddler and then raised by her grandparents.(4) To me this is an awesome feat to lose your parents then become a star on a great show like Doctor Who. She does this even though she is not able to finish school. Her grandparents take her out of school when she is 14. I see this as rather strange, but apparently the grandparents are not able to have two grandchildren in school. More or less at the time the world is allot different than now and children did not always get the education they do at this time.(5)
As with many people then and now, someone saw something in her and encourages her to apply to a dramatic arts school. Well, I can say from what I see I will give her a chance. She would be apart of my school. Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts accepts her at the age of 16.(6) The training she receives helps her. I can see that it really helps her and does much for her.
Jacqueline will always be known by me as Barbara Wright. She does a great job and is really set in my mind as a great actress on a great show. I did not see her in any other role besides Barbara Wright and so I judge her from that role. She did have others but I have not seen them. I really hate she left us in 1993. My heart goes out to her family, who she left Doctor Who to raise. I have been touched by the same disease she dies from breast cancer.
The lose of your mother is big, but to lose her to such a dreadful disease is not great at all. My hurt felt thanks goes out to her and her family and I know they probably still morn over their lose all these years later.
