Tegan Jovanka/Nyssa of Traken
| Pairing | |
|---|---|
| Pairing: | Tegan Jovanka / Nyssa of Traken |
| Alternative name(s): | Tyssa |
| Gender category: | femslash |
| Fandom: | Doctor Who |
| Canonical?: | It's complicated... |
| Prevalence: | Small |
| Archives: | |
| Other: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Tegan Jovanka/Nyssa of Traken is a femslash pairing in Doctor Who fandom.
Fandom
This article or section needs expansion. |
Both women were companions of the Doctor at the same time. There has been much discussion about the fact that they shared a bedroom in the Tardis - a time machine and spacecraft that is believed to have an infinite number of rooms.
Nyssa is an alien from Traken, while Tegan is from Earth. Many fanworks focus on the cultural differences between the two characters as they embark on a romantic or sexual relationship. These are often humorous misunderstandings. Been a scientist Nyssa often approaches their new relationship from a scientific perspective. Sex pollen is sometimes a feature of these works.
There are also works where Tegan stays with Nyssa on Terminus.
At least one fan refers to the pairing with the shipname Heathrow Scientific.[1]
Ship Appeal
I feel attracted to the supportive friendship these two young women from very different backgrounds have, and it's very easy to see them as being something more, especially since they share a bedroom when there's so much space on the TARDIS. Ahem. And I find them both very attractive so that doesn't hurt either. Nyssa being a human-looking alien from another planet while Tegan is an Earth woman from the 20th century gives lots of opportunities for cultural differences and moments of learning, either hilarious or painful, that could prod a story onwards or just add cuteness. I love Nyssa for being such a sweet intelligent science princess with lovely fairy outfits, and Tegan for being headstrong and mouthy and daring, and I feel like they'd complement each other beautifully in a relationship.[2]
Canonicity Status
During 2020's Covid-19 lockdown, RTD penned an audio epilogue depicting the funeral of Sarah Jane Smith. Among the mourners are a “nice couple from Australia, Tegan and Nyssa”. Many fans took to social media to celebrate the canon confirmation of this classic ship. Other DW fans argued the audio was non-canonical.[3]
In Tales of the TARDIS, Tyssa was further implied when Tegan states she said goodnight to Nyssa whilst in bed.
[of-monsters-and-werewolves]
Tyssa Shippers: is Tyssa canon?
Classic Who: No.
Big Finish: No.
Other Tie-Ins: No.
RTD: Yes!
Chibnall Era: No-
RTD2, throwing up Tales of the TARDIS: -I said yes!!
Example Fanworks
Fanfiction
- look to the past (future) with a smile by navaan. Tegan meets Nyssa and loses her. But it’s not the end. (2015)
- Our Times by Ellimac. Tegan meets a mysterious stranger on a plane and accidentally falls in love. Turns out she’s an alien, but they can work around that. (2014)
Meta
- In which the Nyssa/Tegan shippers are incredibly nosy about TARDIS sleeping arrangements… by Tumblr user circular-time (2014)
Fanart
- Tegan and Nyssa by Deviant artist Mistress Ainley
Vids
- tyssa supremacy by corvid-ae
Archives & Fannish Links
- Tegan Jovanka/Nyssa of Traken tag on AO3
- Femslash fics featuring Nyssa and Tegan (during the 5th Doctors era) on A Teaspoon and an Open Mind
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ Dear Femslash Exchange Creatorby Aurora Cloud, 2019-09-25.
- ^ Tweet by @bullet_farmer, and reply by @D16Dude, 19th & 20th April 2020.