I think a big part of the tension in DW fandom comes from the hostility towards shipping (and fanfic and related activities) on [info]doctorwho back when the new series started.

Word. On both sides, I reckon. A bit of me will forever be scarred by proclamations that the Doctor loves companions like humans love hamsters, other than Rose who is his true equal (implication being that they must all have been defective in some way to not be).