The Twelfth
Doctor was often described as grumpy during his first season. He could appear very harsh on a surface level
with attack eyebrows to round out the picture.
Physical affection was not within his comfort zone, and yet, the
affection between the Doctor and his companion, Clara, was clear to see. Scattered throughout the season were moments
that highlighted the closeness of their relationship, and the episode ‘Listen’
contains such a moment.
Listen is written
by showrunner Steven Moffat, and it’s a very interesting and unique episode. It
is entirely about the Doctor in search of a dream. Or nightmare. The villain or monster of the episode isn’t
an alien or a human. The villain of this
episode is fear. What’s hiding underneath your bed? That’s the question the
Doctor is trying to answer. The end of
the episode finds Clara staring at the Doctor with a little bit more
understanding due to the events of the episode. She slowly approaches him and
gives him a hug. Since physical intimacy
is not in his comfort zone, the Doctor does not reciprocate the hug. He bunches up and says:
“Not the
hugging. No. No. I’m against the hugging. Please.”
However,
what is wonderful about this interaction is Clara’s response to the Doctor’s
protestations. She holds on tight while
smiling and laughing as he tries to back away. It’s such a great moment because
it is a glimpse into their friendship and relationship. I believe you act this way with your best
friend. You act the way Clara does when
you are very comfortable with the other person.
This moment shows there is affection and a bond between them even though
the Doctor is uncomfortable with physical affection. An unspoken love that can’t be denied. This is
why this scene is a golden moment for me.
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