Have you seen her first entrance yet (The Face of Evil)? That's so much fun!

And I completely agree. I'm so tired of the present-day companions, even if I do love, for example, Bill a lot. I think by this point the modern audience mostly knows what it's getting from Doctor Who, and doesn't need a companion as a entry viewpoint any more. And it's not as if a different POV would be that difficult. As you say, people managed just fine with Old Who!