"Exactly the problem I was having with the character as the season progressed. Started off as a strong independent character, but within just a couple episodes she's devolved into a straightforward Rose replacement in nearly every way."

Maybe there's something inherent in the show's makeup that almost necessitates a companion's 'devolving'. Even Sarah Jane Smith - independent, thinking woman - wound up trailing around like a girl (even to the point of wearing Andy Pandy overalls in her last story).

Rose may be an anomaly. Hope not. But, as they say, the show's called DOCTOR WHO, not DOCTOR WHO AND _______________.