Danny Pink, Soldier and Math Teacher

Mr. Pink was a teacher at Clara’s school, soon became her boyfriend, and gave his life in one of the most tragic ways the Whoniverse has to offer.

Before going any further, know that this article will spoils things that happen in season 8. Fair enough? Let’s go.

We first meet Danny at the school he and Clara work at. The story of them flirting with each other is pretty standard. Good looking people pretending to be nervous around other good looking people.

Fast forward to when he meets The Doctor. There’s an immediate dislike between them, which lingers for most of their time together. This is Twelve we’re talking about, so a lot of people can relate to Danny Pink in this case.

Danny goes on a few missions and shows us something we’re not used to seeing in a companion’s plus one. Competency.

Sure. Rory and Ricky/Mickey had some shining moments, but a lot of the time they were bumbling around and tripped over a solution. Not Pink. He’s an ex-soldier. He gets it done. And when the Doctor tells him what to do, Pink only does what Pink thinks is right.

Unfortunately, Danny dies rather unceremoniously: hit by a car while walking and talking on a cell phone. His consciousness is intercepted by the cybermen and he’s tricked into becoming one of them.

But Danny Pink does not die a villain. He gains control of the entire Cyberman army just as they were one step away from taking over the Earth. Cyber-Pink orders his new army off of the planet, and saves the world.