Doctor Who's most recent episode "The Power of the Doctor" continues the show's tradition of change, with not just the Doctor changing, but with companion exits as well. Some eras have more companions than others, with some companions even staying on across new Doctors. "The Power of the Doctor," while Jodie Whittaker's final episode, also saw both John Bishop's Dan and Mandip Gill's Yaz leaving the Tardis fam.

Some exits have more impact than others. A lot are played to try and get an emotional reaction from the audience, while others are more understated and quieter for the characters. Below is a list of all full-time companion exits in the modern show (so the likes of Captain Jack and Mickey aren't part of this list), ranked worst to best.

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DanDoctor Who dan says he knows a bigger tardis

John Bishop is one of the shortest-lived companions in the show in terms of stories, only appearing in four stories (if you count Doctor Who "Flux" as one). His exit is the most abrupt out of any companion in the modern era of the show and is similar to some exits in the classic series where there isn't much build-up. The suddenness is heightened due to the fact it happens at the beginning of the episode. While the episode does justify it in terms of Dan as a character, it comes bottom as it comes across like the story just has to deal with it and move on as it's got more important things to get to.

Ryan & GrahamDoctor Who Ryan and Graham

Another exit that feels slightly out of nowhere, just not on the scale of Dan's, is Ryan and Graham. It also comes too late, as Ryan and Graham's arcs more or less wrapped up at the end of season 11, so they don't get much to do during Doctor Who season 12 which makes their exit less impactful. After time away from the Doctor (as in the episode she's been away for a year) Ryan realizes that he would rather stay on Earth, and Graham doesn't want to travel without Ryan, so he leaves as well. Not the most emotional companion exit, but the group hug before they leave is the punch the scene needed.

NardoleBill and Nardole

The most unlikely companion gets one of the most understated exits, and it works for him. No one would have guessed that after his first appearance in "The Husbands of River Song" Matt Lucas's Nardole would become a welcome addition to season 10. His ending in "The Doctor Falls" works as he's not the main companion so giving him a big exit like Bill's later in the same episode wouldn't have felt earned. Instead, he gets a surprisingly emotional, quiet goodbye to the Doctor and Bill that makes sense in the story. The only reason it isn't higher is that it isn't the main exit of the episode and is dealt with relatively quickly.

YazJodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill sitting together in The Power of the Doctor

Mandip Gill is the longest-serving companion from when her first episode aired to her last. She and Jodie Whittaker have great chemistry together which makes her exit just about work as the two sell it well. With the build-up of the two of them having feelings, it's a shame more wasn't done in the episode, but the subtext is there during their final scenes. The only reason this isn't higher is due to it not really making sense that the Doctor doesn't want Yaz still around. It could be read that their relationship would change with a new regeneration, and they're happy knowing each other as the people they were. But really it's just because a new era and the Doctor Who 60th anniversary is coming up, so she can't stay.Related: Doctor Who’s New Rose Follows A Secret Trend

BillDoctor Who Tardis Pearl Mackie Bill Potts

Pearl Mackie as Bill was a breath of fresh air after three years with Clara that revitalized the show. The two-part finale of Doctor Who season 10 "World Enough and Time" and "The Doctor Falls" is an epic episode that sees the exit of two companions, the first multi-master story, and was originally Peter Capaldi's regeneration story. There's a lot going on, but Bill still manages to remain the focus, and after being converted to a cyberman, is saved by her space girlfriend Heather. The only issue is Heather doesn't show up again after the opening episode "The Pilot" until the finale, so there isn't as much development on their relationship as there could have been.

Amy & RoryKaren Gillan; Arthur Darvill; Doctor Who; Angels Take Manhattan

What started out as just Amy and the Doctor turned into a trio on board the TARDIS. Amy and Rory left in season 7 and have one of the most emotional exits in the show's history, with Matt Smith and Karen Gillan giving standout performances. The Ponds season 7 arc looked set for them to just outgrow the Doctor and leave of their choice, but instead, it ends up being a shock exit for Rory without even saying goodbye. Then Amy gets a tearful scene with the Doctor and gets sent back in time by a Weeping Angel. The only reason this doesn't hold up as well as some others is the logic as to why the Doctor can't just go back in time to pick them up doesn't really work.

MarthaMartha Jones stands in the TARDIS in Doctor Who.

Not an emotional scene, but one of the best in terms of character development after just one season for Martha. After starting the season in love with the Doctor, Martha decides she doesn't need him and leaves happy. It's a great scene for Martha who early on wasn't helped by the Doctor constantly talking about Rose, but in the latter half of the season comes into her own. It's wonderfully played by David Tennant and Freema Agyeman. She stands her ground, tells the Doctor how she feels, and leaves with them both happy with the promise they'll see each other again.

ClaraDoctor Who HellBent Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald in the Diner TARDIS

Jenna Coleman's Clara had an interesting journey to her final exit from Doctor Who. Originally planned to leave at the end of season 8's "Death in Heaven" with an understated goodbye with the Doctor. She then returned for the next episode "Last Christmas" and was convinced to stay late on for season 9. By the end, Clara became immortal, and her actual exit is pretty similar to Bill's in a lot of ways; she dies, gets brought back, and lives on to travel the universe.

Related: Doctor Who's New Companion Continues RTD's Perfect Season 14 ChangeThe reason Clara's exit works is her relationship with the Twelfth Doctor. After dying trying to be the Doctor, she ends up basically living forever with her own TARDIS as well. The only thing stopping this from being one of the best is the show doesn't explain how long she has before needing to go back to her death, so she could just keep going. This undermines the events of "Face the Raven" and takes Clara's exit down slightly.

RoseRose Tyler and Tenth Doctor on different sides of the same wall in Doomsday episode

Billie Piper's Rose and David Tennant's Tenth Doctor are the most popular duo in Doctor Who, and Rose's exit is probably the most iconic. After fighting off Daleks and Cybermen, Rose gets trapped on a parallel Earth with her family. The two of them leaning against the wall is one of the saddest moments in the show, as is the famous scene of the two of them on the beach. Rose does get a happy ending after returning in season 4, which just makes her exit miss out on the top spot.

DonnaDonna in Doctor Who

If Rose's exit isn't the most devastating, then Donna's is. One of the best character developments in the show is Donna Noble and her journey with the Doctor. That's what makes Donna's exit so impactful and tragic, as the Doctor needs to wipe her memory of their travels in order to save her. It was crushing for the audience who had grown to love Donna across Doctor Who season 4. David Tennant and Catherine Tate give outstanding performances which makes Donna's companion exit the best so far.

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