The British television series "Doctor Who" focuses on a time-travelling wanderer and his stereotypical companion who's young, female, attractive, and not very smart. Heather McHale, PhD in literature from University of Maryland, addresses this stereotype in this We Are Takoma talk, and finds that it has almost never been accurate, and that the show has, with a few notable exceptions, depticted strong, varied companions. Focusing mostly on the revived series beginning in 2005, McHale discusses how the show has made progressive statements about LGBTQ issues, disability, race, and economic class.