Television Heroes (#1 in an occasional series): Harriet Jones
Harriet Jones, Prime Minister and MP for Flydale North. Who stood up to the Daleks and the Slitheen and the Sycorax and the Doctor and said “Not today, not here.” Who, when faced with a worldwide crisis or two, puts her best efforts into dispensing soothing hot beverages. Who would have given her life many times over, and eventually did, to to protect her country and her planet. Who was modest and faithful and selfless and so so brave, even at the end.
30DoSBDW: Day 10: Yes, we know who you are.
Day 10: Who is your favorite guest actor to appear in an episode of Doctor Who?
Penelope Wilton, as Harriet Jones, MP for Flydale North (and Prime Minister, and Former PM…)
Oh, gosh, Harriet Jones MP, how fantastic you were! I loved this character from the first moment she appeared, holding up her badge with total confidence. She was going to get the job done, thank you very much. And when the job changed to saving the world, instead of representing Flydale North, well, she was going to get that job done too.
She was smart, but not sly or clever, just refreshingly intelligent. She was resourceful, practical, and down to earth (so to speak), even when she knew more about what was beyond earth than almost anyone else on it. She wasn’t afraid to stand up to the Doctor, either, when her principles and people conflicted with what he believed in; and although it made a good story, she didn’t deserve the Doctor’s harsh treatment of her after that; she’s a better woman than he made her out to be, in his anger.
And after that, when her job was taken away from her by six little words from the newly regenerated Doctor, she still came back to stand by him and be part of his unlikely warriors at the end of the world. Because she is better than that.
“There’s an act of parliament banning my autobiography.”
Oh Harriet Jones, MP, a dignified death by dalek is not good enough for you. You were truly fantastic.
Reblogging for awesome commentary. I’m having so many feelings about Harriet recently, having rewatched her introduction episodes a week or so ago. I love Penelope Wilton and it’s a testament to her performance that she’s not just a one-note joke character. Harriet was wonderful and intelligent and brave and she didn’t deserve Ten’s treatment or judgement of her, which makes me so angry and feel her death scene is so sad.
Diogo’s Top 5 Female Characters from Doctor Who
#3 - Harriet Jonesharriet jones was fucking brilliant. just saying.
