I really like Clara. Jenna Coleman and Matt Smith just clicked really well. I like how Clara is not as outwardly impressed by The Doctor as others and is willing to deflate him (Clara: “It’s smaller on the outside.” Doctor: “OK, not the usual response.” and Clara calling him “chin-y”). It will be interesting to see how she interacts with Peter Capaldi and his Doctor.
Yep, yep, yep. Fandoms find reasons to complain about them all. Rose was too schmaltzy / in love with The Doctor / whatever other reason everyone hates her; Martha was too in love with The Doctor; Donna… actually, everyone seems to like Donna… I dunno why, but I’m sure I’ve seen Pond hate as well… and people didn’t like that Clara was a mystery, or something… but I thought that story arc was intriguing. But hey, it’s entertainment. We don’t all have to love every companion (or every Doctor, or every episode…) But I think Clara has been quite funny and just as interesting as the (almost) universally loved Ponds.