| The one moment in the series where Nyssa just tugs at my heartstrings is the gentle kiss on the cheek she gives Peter Davison's Doctor during her goodbye scene in "Terminus". The Doctor, realizing Nyssa's desire to stay, says goodbye to her in the way he says it to all of his companions, wishing them luck and shaking their hand. Nyssa gently takes the Doctor's hand, moves closer to him, and without a word gives him the sweetest, most gentle, kiss on the cheek anyone could get. The Doctor's reaction is one of surprise and melancholy as he suddenly realizes just how much of an effect he had on Nyssa's life, and how much he will miss her. The moment is so well acted by both Davison and Sutton, and neither had a single line of dialogue. Mekel Rogers |  |
 |
My favorite Nyssa moment comes from episode one of "Black Orchid". This is the scene where Nyssa is helping Tegan get ready for the ball - the affection the two characters have for each other shines through magnificiently - they're obviously good friends by this point - Tegan bursting with life and good humour, Nyssa reserved and a little formal, but finding Tegan's enthusiasm infectious. Janet Fielding does her party piece and all Nyssa can ask in innocent bewilderment is 'Is that dancing?'. The way Tegan's face falls and she mutters 'well, it's not bad' when she'd been trying to impress Nyssa is wonderfully put across. I can't think of such a good portrayal of friendship as this anywhere else in the series and the development of the two characters' friendship from 'Castrovalva' to 'Terminus' was a rare joy in a series in which 'character development' usually means having an argument for no readily understandable reason. Ian Cawood |
| My favorite Nyssa moment is when she goes all Rambo and starts shooting all the Gallifreyan guards in "Arc of Infinity". The juxtaposition of prim madam and gun wielding maniac is obviously played for laughs, especially when the Doctor looks down at the stunned guard, looks at Nyssa in surprise as if to say "I can't believe you just did that!" Simon Ferns |  |
 |
"Black Orchid" is full of great little moments which feature fun interactions between the three companions (Nyssa, Adric, and Tegan). My favorite being the fancy dress party scene in which Nyssa has to ORDER Adric to dance with her, to which he replies "I'd much rather eat." (Was he out of his mind?!?) Later on in the scene, Nyssa, seeing Adric eating seconds at the buffet, calls him a pig, to which he replies "YOU could only be Nyssa." Tegan promptly walks up, looks at Adric's plate, and says "Sure you've got enough there?" Mekel Rogers |
| A really good moment is when Nyssa tells the Doctor she could have got down by herself when scaling the cliff in "Snakedance". I loved the way she was offended by what he did. I think she said "thank you, but it wasn't necessary," but, as usual, the look on her face told most of the story. The glance exchanged by Peter Davison and Ambril after Nyssa walks away is also excellent. Bryan T |  |
 |
In "Terminus," the Doctor finally finds Nyssa hiding under some stairs. She's all bent over, crouching down, and hiding her face. She looked so cute hiding there, and Davison's reaction upon finding her (when he says, simply, "NYSS-a!") was adorable. I can't remember if they hugged, or what, but watching her hide all alone like that.....hard to forget. Bryan T |
| This was more of a Davison AND Sutton moment, but the Doctor and Nyssa were on Earth during "Arc of Infinity" when the Doctor tries to use a pay phone and asks Nyssa for some money. The way Sarah Sutton looks up at him is just priceless! She doesn't say anything, but her eyes say: "You are asking ME for money?" Very funny girl, and very smart, was Sarah, in how she conveyed feelings without needing to say much. This was just a little example of that whole subtle thing. Bryan T |  |
| I've only JUST noticed this one. I've seen "Arc of Infinity" about a million times but I have never noticed the little lip quiver Nyssa does at the cliffhanger of episode two. The Doctor is being executed by the Time Lords and Nyssa attempts to hold the High Council hostage to rescue him. The Doctor, in a wonderful scene, covinces Nyssa to surrender and allow the execution to take place. Compassionately, he asks the President to forgive Nyssa. As the Doctor is supposedly executed, the final camera shot is Nyssa's look of dismay. Just before the credits roll you can see Nyssa's bottom lip quiver as if she's about to break down in tears. It's so subtle, it's brilliant. Mekel Rogers |  |
