Welcome to the shrine for Ashildr, the girl who died and lived to the end of time. Ashildr was played by Maisie Williams, while she was still involved in Game of Thrones.

ASHILDR

Ashildr was a Viking-age puppet maker and storyteller, living a peaceful Viking life. However, as the Doctor is about to appear, we can guess that Ahildr's life is about to take a more interesting turn. The village is invaded by an alien and militaristic race known as the Mire, who are techonologically advanced beyond the dreams of Vikings. The Doctor arrives and intervenes in his own inimitable way, by investing Ashildr with Mire technology. As a gifted storyteller, Ashildr uses a Mire helmet to create an illusion that causes the aliens to get as far away as they can from Earth. However, Ashildr's life force is used up, rather like a battery, and she dies of heart faliure. Clara Oswald persuades the Doctor to help their new friend. But this is not such a kind request as one would think. The Doctor implants Mire medical technology into Ashildr, which causes her to be resurrected, and endowed with immortal life. The Doctor fears that there will be consequences.

Of course there are consequences. The Doctor effectively let an immortal, lone girl loose on the universe. He surrounds himself with companions, he is never alone, and yet it did not occur to him that Ashildr would spend a very long and lonely life. (Spoilers) Ashildr turns up in several episodes in Season 9, watching the Doctor while he watches her. She lives many different lives, including being a highwayman; married twice; had three children, who all died of the plague; makes plans to travel the galaxy with an alien, and is the mayor of a trap street, ruling different species who have taken refuge on Earth. Eventually she meets Clara, and unintentionally kills her. Thanks to the Doctor, Clara lives between two heartbeats and so, until she goes back to Gallifrey, can potentially live forever. They take a Tardis, disguised as an American diner, and set off on their own adventures.

Why Do I Like Ashildr?

Ashildr is a fascinating character, becaue of all the people who accompany the Doctor, or who are drawn into his adventures, she is the only one who evoles by changing personas as she goes. The Doctor is also immortal, more or less; perhaps more long living; but Ashildr gives even the Doctor, a unique look at loss, grief, and death. Ironically, as she is immortal. Unlike him, she was born as a human, and goes on living amongst humans. She is married at least once and has children. But their fragility causes her so much grief that she does not repeat the experience. The Doctor copes with years of meetings and partings by physically changing, during regenerations. Ashildr cannot do that, so she keeps detailed journals, as her brain cannot cope with more than 800 years at a time. Remember, the Doctor did not ask Ashildr if she wanted to be immortal. He gave her the Mire repair kit to heal her because Clara asked him to. As her action caused Ashildr's immortality, it is appropriate that Ashildr inadvertently causes Clara's death. And of course, Ashildr is played by Maisie Williams!

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