Since I've started reviewing the latest series of Doctor Who, I've gotten myself a little flak for my eagerness when it comes to the end of Rory and Amy's run as regular companions of the Eleventh Doctor. I thought this would be a good time to clarify that I don't hate either one of them. I don't hate any of the modern companions save for Adam Mitchell. Then again, you're supposed to hate him so it barely counts.

Still, for me Rory, and especially Amy, rank pretty far down the list as modern companions go. Amy suffers from being pretty crazed and, I would argue, is the weakest of the main female companions. Rory, by contrast, is a much stronger character that borders on being more badass than the Doctor himself on occasion, but his writing is very inconsistent. Frankly, it's more than time for them, and this whole Drop-Dead-Fred-growing-out-of-your-imaginary-friend theme, to end.

Still, let's see how they compare with the others the Doctor has traveled with since 2005.

10. John Riddell: Of the latest series, the stand-out one-shot appearance has been big game hunter John Riddell, who the Doctor recruited to aid him in taking on dinosaurs on a spaceship. Though he's a barely disguised caricature of Jurassic Park's Robert Muldoon, he still gives the episode some of the best moments with his swagger, drinking and gunmanship. Hopefully he'll be the Eleventh Doctor's Captain Jack, on hand for when military skill is needed then fading back to his own adventures.

9. Rory Williams: I said he ranked low, not off the list. Watching him calmly stride into the Cybermen Twelfth Legion wielding nothing but a gladius and the sonic screwdriver is a tough act to follow, and the Doctor only barely manages it. It makes up for a lot of second-rate appearances such as Amy's Choice and The Time of Angels.