New day, new series here on my blog. Sometimes you just get the bug to write about something and need a platform to do it, so here is my new series where I write about whatever I want, website topic be damned.
In this installment, I'm going to be ranking and talking about my favorite Doctor Who portrayals from the modern era. Fun fact, I haven't seen the old ones and am probably a heretic to true Whovians, but I don't care. Keep in mind that if you have not gone through the series yet that there will be some...
In this installment, I'm going to be ranking and talking about my favorite Doctor Who portrayals from the modern era. Fun fact, I haven't seen the old ones and am probably a heretic to true Whovians, but I don't care. Keep in mind that if you have not gone through the series yet that there will be some...
Now, as they say: Allons-y!
#5: Peter Capaldi - 12th Doctor
I was a little... apprehensive going into Capaldi's run as The Doctor and kind of had my mind made up going in. I'm glad to say that I was wrong and have actually enjoyed Capaldi's darker portrayal of our beloved Time-Lord. Some of my favorite moments in the series have come from when the joking Doctor suddenly turns serious, but Capaldi sucked a lot of fun out of the character and stayed in that serious mindset for more than half a season.
While I appreciate the gritty realism it brings to the show, it also fundamentally changed the mood and tone of both the show and the character. The Doctor had shared one trait throughout the modern era: sometimes silly but serious in the face of danger. Capaldi's doctor was brooding, sullen, but without reason. I can understand being conflicted in regards to Clara, but something just feels off. While I enjoy his run so far, he just doesn't have the same appeal as the others before him.
While I appreciate the gritty realism it brings to the show, it also fundamentally changed the mood and tone of both the show and the character. The Doctor had shared one trait throughout the modern era: sometimes silly but serious in the face of danger. Capaldi's doctor was brooding, sullen, but without reason. I can understand being conflicted in regards to Clara, but something just feels off. While I enjoy his run so far, he just doesn't have the same appeal as the others before him.
Favorite: Listen
(Season 8, Episode 4)
Least Favorite: Robots of Sherwood
(Season 8, Episode 3)
#4: John Hurt - The War Doctor
So I know I railed a bit on Capaldi for being a bit of a downer, but Hurt's Doctor warranted a serious portrayal. The War Doctor was a man, well time-lord, who had been through hell and back during the Time War. With Hurt, we got to see a gritty war veteran who was struggling with the most monumental choice ever shown in the modern reboot. So often we had heard of the horrors of the Time War and the acting of Hurt was everything I didn't know I wanted from a war-time Doctor.
Unfortunately we only got to see the War Doctor in one super episode, but his depiction of the Doctor was both haunting and refreshing. I understand that this iteration of The Doctor had to be confined to one episode, but the fact that this version was so impactful is a testament to Hurt's acting. He'd probably be higher on the list if he was in the series more, but then again, part of the charm is that he's not.
Unfortunately we only got to see the War Doctor in one super episode, but his depiction of the Doctor was both haunting and refreshing. I understand that this iteration of The Doctor had to be confined to one episode, but the fact that this version was so impactful is a testament to Hurt's acting. He'd probably be higher on the list if he was in the series more, but then again, part of the charm is that he's not.
Favorite/Least Favorite: The Day of the Doctor
#3: Christopher Eccleston - 9th Doctor
I don't read up a ton on the Dr Who fandom, that whole area of the internet is a madhouse; however, I know there are a lot of criticisms of Eccleston's portrayal as the newly rebooted Doctor. I'm glad I didn't get weighed down in those comments because I found the 9th Doctor to be the embodiment of what I consider The Doctor to be: silly, compassionate, bit of a temper, and most of all the "take charge" attitude that comes at a moment's notice.
I've often lumped the first season of Dr Who into the Once Upon a Time category; that is, the effects are bad, the acting is a bit cheesy, and some of the episodes are just kind of fluff. Despite those problems, Eccleston managed to hook me and give the series a chance despite what I saw as flaws. I really wish he had been given a second season to see what else he could have brought to the character and it saddens me that his connection to the show has been so rocky.
I've often lumped the first season of Dr Who into the Once Upon a Time category; that is, the effects are bad, the acting is a bit cheesy, and some of the episodes are just kind of fluff. Despite those problems, Eccleston managed to hook me and give the series a chance despite what I saw as flaws. I really wish he had been given a second season to see what else he could have brought to the character and it saddens me that his connection to the show has been so rocky.
Favorite: The Long Game
(Season 1, Episode 7)
Least Favorite: Rose
(Season 1, Episode 1)
#2: David Tennant - 10th Doctor
Allons-y! Let the hate train commence. I know how beloved David Tennant is in just about everything he does, and I think he does a wonderful job in Doctor Who.....just not the best. Let's talk about the positives. One of the best aspects of the 10th Doctor is just how quickly and fluidly he can shift from quirky, to cold and calculating, and into serious "take-charge" Doctor inside of one episode. Tennant's Doctor really brought the character to life and added some much needed levity to the character while still adding more emotion and a darker streak as well.
On top of this, the integration of 3 different (main) companions was seamless and intriguing. The last scenes with Rose were heartbreaking, but the series moved on to a compelling dynamic between The Doctor and Martha and The Doctor and Donna. It's a whole new list to rank the companions, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that the end scenes with Donna were as gut-wrenching as the last ones with Rose. Add in the "farewell tour" episodes and it's easy to see how Tennant worked well with everyone in almost any situation.
My biggest complaint is that Tennant didn't really know when to let go. His portrayal of The Doctor almost became too human, if that makes any sense. The line between Time-Lord and human began to get fuzzy, and it just took too long to get a new iteration of The Doctor. While it was refreshing to see him in The Day of the Doctor, the few bridging episodes of Tennant's "farewell tour" weren't necessary and just felt like excess. Still love him, still my second favorite Doctor, but there's only room for one at the top.
On top of this, the integration of 3 different (main) companions was seamless and intriguing. The last scenes with Rose were heartbreaking, but the series moved on to a compelling dynamic between The Doctor and Martha and The Doctor and Donna. It's a whole new list to rank the companions, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that the end scenes with Donna were as gut-wrenching as the last ones with Rose. Add in the "farewell tour" episodes and it's easy to see how Tennant worked well with everyone in almost any situation.
My biggest complaint is that Tennant didn't really know when to let go. His portrayal of The Doctor almost became too human, if that makes any sense. The line between Time-Lord and human began to get fuzzy, and it just took too long to get a new iteration of The Doctor. While it was refreshing to see him in The Day of the Doctor, the few bridging episodes of Tennant's "farewell tour" weren't necessary and just felt like excess. Still love him, still my second favorite Doctor, but there's only room for one at the top.
Favorite: The Stolen Earth/Journey's End
(Season 4, Episodes 12/13)
Least Favorite: Fear Her
(Season 2, Episode 11)
#1: Matt Smith - 11th Doctor
Every time The Doctor changes, I'm always concerned I will fall out of love with the show, and the switch from Tennant was terrifying. I had no idea who Matt Smith was, he looked like a big goof, and I was put off by the first couple episodes because I don't like change. Instead, I came to love the bow tie and fez wearing Doctor and he solidified my love for the show.
Take everything positive I said about Tennant and the same could be said for Matt Smith and more. The interactions between Smith and his companions is top notch and the story-lines certainly helped the cause. He was compelling in his relationships, in his defiance, and in every facet of the story. The range of emotions seen by Smith's Doctor are untouched. I don't know if I can even pick a favorite episode, I remember all of them fondly. His portrayal embodied everything I've come to love about the series and The Doctor. As much as I hate watching things out of order, I'd probably try to bring someone into the series with a Matt Smith episode because he is accessible and intriguing.
Whenever I think of Doctor Who, I'm always going to think of Matt Smith and everyone else. I hate historical series/pieces but I'm probably going to start watching The Crown just to get more Matt Smith in my life. Love him. Best Doctor. Come at me.
Take everything positive I said about Tennant and the same could be said for Matt Smith and more. The interactions between Smith and his companions is top notch and the story-lines certainly helped the cause. He was compelling in his relationships, in his defiance, and in every facet of the story. The range of emotions seen by Smith's Doctor are untouched. I don't know if I can even pick a favorite episode, I remember all of them fondly. His portrayal embodied everything I've come to love about the series and The Doctor. As much as I hate watching things out of order, I'd probably try to bring someone into the series with a Matt Smith episode because he is accessible and intriguing.
Whenever I think of Doctor Who, I'm always going to think of Matt Smith and everyone else. I hate historical series/pieces but I'm probably going to start watching The Crown just to get more Matt Smith in my life. Love him. Best Doctor. Come at me.