I thought Rory did become more awesome in later episodes. He got some great crowning moments of awesome, particularly in A Good Man Goes to War or whatever that episode was called. Still, he never quite became Amy's equal; he was always presented as being in some manner inferior to her. She was always in charge, giving orders. The Doctor even refered to him as Rory Pond, rather than Rory Williams - and legally speaking, Amy took Rory's surname, not the other way round, as per British tradition upon marriage (which I was surprised at, I expected her to keep her surname as is becoming more popular these days), though she did call her daughter Melody Pond, not Melody Williams, which is perhaps telling 9or was that sort of accidental? Hard to keep track.) Still, it never seemed like an equal relationship. Amy made the decisions, Rory, even when he was being badass, followed along behind.
As for regenerations, in one episode of the Sarah Jane Adventures, which as far as I know was broadcast on CBBC rather than proper BBC, and probably not broadcast abroad at all, the character Clyde at one point asks the Doctor how many regenerations he gets, and he gives a figure in the 500s or something. Not the standard 12. I think some have speculated therefore that the 12 regenerations limit was imposed by the Timelord government or whatever it was, rather than an absolute one. It seems, furthermore, to be tied to the TARDIS; he needs to be in the TARDIS or near it when he regenerates, and the TARDIS has undergone some odd changes of its own so the 12 regnerations might not still apply anyway. Mind you, does Tennant's regeneration when he got shot by a Dalek at the end of Martha's run count, because he did regenerate he just stayed the same.
Basically, I think the BBC have enough loopholes in place to get around giving up on the series once the guy after the next one decides he's had enough. It's a big show, and an important one to the BBC's income generating capabilities because it gets broadcast wordwide. I think we've got a ways to go yet.
As for regenerations, in one episode of the Sarah Jane Adventures, which as far as I know was broadcast on CBBC rather than proper BBC, and probably not broadcast abroad at all, the character Clyde at one point asks the Doctor how many regenerations he gets, and he gives a figure in the 500s or something. Not the standard 12. I think some have speculated therefore that the 12 regenerations limit was imposed by the Timelord government or whatever it was, rather than an absolute one. It seems, furthermore, to be tied to the TARDIS; he needs to be in the TARDIS or near it when he regenerates, and the TARDIS has undergone some odd changes of its own so the 12 regnerations might not still apply anyway. Mind you, does Tennant's regeneration when he got shot by a Dalek at the end of Martha's run count, because he did regenerate he just stayed the same.
Basically, I think the BBC have enough loopholes in place to get around giving up on the series once the guy after the next one decides he's had enough. It's a big show, and an important one to the BBC's income generating capabilities because it gets broadcast wordwide. I think we've got a ways to go yet.
Dreamer
Sage
