The British sci-fi show Doctor Who is one of the most popular franchises of all time. Spanning hundreds of episodes in both the original and new series, the show continues to captivate its audience to this day. Doctor Who not only offers fascinating stories that are humorous, frightening, and touching, but also created plenty of characters that soon became fan-favorites.
From the various regenerations of the Doctor himself/herself to the companions and side characters who appeared only for a brief time but still left an impression - Doctor Who has a lot to offer. It's wise to note, though, that the show doesn't always treat its heroes fair and while some characters got their happily ever after, others deserved much better.
Got A Fitting Ending: Rose Tyler
Rose Tyler underwent a serious transformation in the show. When she first met the Doctor, she was only 19 years old and didn't like the direction in which her life was heading. Rose got to see the universe, met many unusual aliens, and in the end, she found a job that she liked much better than working in a shop. She reunited with her father, got a new baby brother, worked for the Torchwood institute on another Earth, and even got together with the human version of the Tenth Doctor, the man she loved.
Deserved Better: Donna Noble
Donna Noble hasn't had the easiest life. She had problems keeping a job and also struggled to build a meaningful relationship with men. The man she loved and wanted to marry turned out to be a traitor who hated her. Donna became more confident when she traveled with the Doctor as she had saved the world multiple times. However, all the knowledge about her time with the Doctor got erased, and if anybody deserved to all the fantastic things they did, it was Donna.
Got A Fitting Ending: Martha Jones
Some fans of Doctor Who didn't like Martha Jones since she was in love with the Doctor while he was still pining after Rose. Martha suffered because of her unrequited love for the Doctor. But she eventually found the strength to leave him in order to be with her family who needed her. She got married to Mickey Smith and became an independent and fierce person who doesn't need the Doctor in her life to be happy.
Deserved Better: Captain Jack Harkness
Another companion of the Doctor who deserved better was Captain Jack Harkness. Jack traveled with the Ninth Doctor and Rose for a while. They became good friends but when Jack died while fighting Daleks and Rose brought him back to life, the Doctor left him behind.
Jack transported to Earth and waited over a hundred years to meet the Doctor again - only for the Doctor to tell him that he was wrong and Jack's presence pained him. They reconciled in the end, but it's undeniable the Doctor wasn't always fair to Jack.
Got A Fitting Ending: Amy Pond
Amy and her boyfriend (and later husband) Rory both were people who had to wait - Amy for the Doctor and Rory for Amy - for a long time. So it felt like a good ending for both when they finally remained together as a couple in New York and adopted a son when they were stranded in the past because of a Weeping Angel. The only problem was they could never see their family and the Doctor again, but from what Amy wrote, it's clear they were happy together.
Deserved Better: River Song
River Song experienced a lot of amazing adventures and she certainly didn't lead a boring life - which is something many people could be envious of. But she also experienced a lot of pain - for example when she met the Doctor in the library and realized her husband didn't even know who she was. She also watched her parents die, and was more or less robbed of the chance to have a normal childhood.
Got A Fitting Ending: Jackie Tyler
Just like her daughter Rose, Jackie Tyler also got the deserved good ending in the end. Jackie wasn't always the most sympathetic character but she loved her daughter and wanted the best for her.
Jackie lost her husband when Rose was very little and remained single ever since. So it was satisfying to see when Jackie reunited with a version of Pete Tyler from another universe, they got together and even had a son.
Deserved Better: Madame De Pompadour
Played by David Tennant's former real-life girlfriend, Reinette Poisson (better known as Madame de Pompadour), was an almost-companion of the Tenth Doctor. Reinette was a courageous and intelligent young woman who fell for the Doctor when he saved her from monsters during her childhood. They reunited years later when Reinette was already an adult and a bond quickly formed between them. The Doctor promised Reinette she would travel with him but he returned to her too late and she had already died by then, waiting for him in vain.
Got A Fitting Ending: The Ninth Doctor
The Ninth Doctor had a strong sense of humor but also a hint of darkness hidden inside. It was the first regeneration after the Time War and when the Doctor met Rose, he was still angry and sad because of what had happened. But Rose brought a lot of joy into his life and when the Doctor had the chance to save her - even if it meant sacrificing his life and regenerating - he didn't hesitate. His death was a noble deed and one he did willingly, so it can also be considered a happy ending.
Deserved Better: The Good Guys Who Died
Doctor Who contains a lot of hilarious moments but it can also get pretty dark at times. And more than once, people died on the show who didn't deserve it. To name just three... Lynda was a smart and kind girl who helped the Doctor and Rose but was killed by the Daleks. Astrid who worked on the space ship Titanic also assisted the Doctor but didn't survive. And there was also Billy Shipton whom the Weeping Angels sent back in time and he had to wait many years just to a message - only to die shortly afterward.