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Companion (Doctor Who)
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<p>In the long-running <a href="/facts/BBC/qFateIz8">BBC</a> <a href="/facts/Television_science_fiction/sxtqpWqe">television science fiction</a> programme <i><a href="/facts/Doctor_Who/R7X9rdLc">Doctor Who</a></i> and related works, the term "companion" refers to a character who travels with, or shares adventures with, the <a href="/facts/The_Doctor_(Doctor_Who)/wjSkFCYc">Doctor</a>. A companion is generally the series' co-lead character alongside the Doctor for the duration of their tenure, and in most <i>Doctor Who</i> stories acts as an <a href="/facts/Audience_surrogate/AIXweqEU">audience surrogate</a> by providing the lens through which the viewer is introduced to the story, and often, the series itself. </p><p> The companion character often furthers the story by asking questions and getting into trouble; also by helping, rescuing, or challenging the Doctor. This designation is applied to a character by the show's producers and appears in the BBC's promotional material and off-screen fictional terminology. The Doctor also refers to the show's other leads as their "friends" or "assistants"; the British press have also used the latter term. </p>