That would have made her a really interesting character in my opinion, having to learn about herself each time, and the Doctor that bit more about discovering who she is.
That she was a companion in danger, someone the Doctor wasn't always able to save... and yet the person he keeps coming across, almost like a punishment. Considering the Who companions are completely out of their depth, they don't half do a good job of surviving! Clara could have been something different...
The ending just felt like every other time Doctor Who has solved things ridiculously easy with a wave of the Sonic Screwdriver or what have you.