They count regardless of how long they stick around
5 Donna 4 Amy 3 Martha 2 Captain Jack 1 Rory
~spoilers~
Rory: I have a message and a question. A message from the Doctor and a question from me. Where is my wife? Oh don't give me those blank looks. The twelfth Cyber Legion monitors this entire quadrant. You hear everything. So you tell me what I need to know. You tell me now and I'll be on my way. Cyberman: What is the Doctor's message? *the fleet explodes behind Rory* Rory: Would you like me to repeat the question?
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http://myanimelist.net/profile/angryaria <Die the death>! <Sentence to death>! <Great equalizer is the death>!!
I've always liked Rose, even if she was from the weakest two seasons. Martha is also my least favorite of the main companions. She spent too much time pining over the Doctor for my taste, even if she did end up doing more for him than anyone else.
-- First is mnk'boy'907, who looks fab with her gray skin and grandma poncho/shawl thing~ http://img.imgcake.com/nio/boypngbu.png - Nio
that's the complaint I hear about Martha all the time, but I never really cared about it when I was watching. I liked Martha because she actually made herself useful - using her medical skills to help people (and aliens) across time.
And that's not to mention what she goes through in the finale, and what happens to her because of it... tragic and awesome.
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http://myanimelist.net/profile/angryaria <Die the death>! <Sentence to death>! <Great equalizer is the death>!!
Oh, well if River counts... eh screw it, I'm not conforming to your 5
Rory Jack River Wilf Donna Amy Rose Astrid Martha The girl from "Planet of the Dead" Mickey Jackie That guy the 9th Doctor picked up for a couple of episodes
I'd rank Sarah Jane and K-9, but I feel like not having watched Classic Who, I wouldn't do them justice.