After watching David Tennant wrap his seasons Stateside it occurred to me I'd seen ALL the Doctors at work and play over decades. Herewith my thumbnail review of their portrayals...
Doctor One: William Hartnell. See him in any other movie and you see his Doctor. A nearly imperceptible comedic touch. And given the present state of FX it's an occasionally surprising treat to view some of his serials. My first and still-favorite involves not the Daleks but the Aztecs.
Doctor Two: Patrick Troughton. If you don't think a dramatic actor can handle comedy, he will prove you wrong whilst giving 110 per cent. More's the pity that his work is the least preserved...
Doctor Three: Jon Pertwee. If you don't think a music-hall performer and all-around cut-up can handle drama, HE will prove you wrong. If you want to know where his heart lies seek and find on-line Worzel Gummidge...
Doctor Four: Tom Baker. There's an awful lot going on behind those eyes and for his longevity he has more than his share of Companions, which is very likely why we wind up with...
Doctor Five: Peter Davison, novel in his youthfulness as he gets the job done but rightfully better known for his other television roles.
Doctor Six: Colin Baker, a solicitor-turned-actor and veritable splash of color of whom I would say the same as Davison if I wasn't persistently distracted by a Companion...
Doctor Seven: Sylvester McCoy. Doubtless talent but there's unquestionably someplace he'd rather be, and with truly rare exceptions the scripts don't help.
Doctor Eight: Paul McGann. Didn't see enough of him to truly judge though the made-for-television attempt by Fox was at the least a sincere effort. By rights Peter Cushing should count as well...
Doctor Nine: Christopher Eccleston. A Manc with a mad on but the heart of the franchise's revival. I'd like to see more of his work.
Doctor Ten: David Tennant. A superbly talented Scot whose departure I can well understand. He's surrounded by the best supporting ensemble that get plenty to chew on.
Doctor...say, I thought there were supposed to be ten. And they're getting younger. Matt Smith has both a legacy to uphold and big shoes to fill. He frankly appears the young actor who wishes to direct NOW and doubtless can. I wish him well.
Don't avoid watching and comparing the past Doctors at work and play. You also get that opportunity with the three multi-Doctor specials, "The Two" in my view the best. But they're not the only ones who need regenerate. This long-running series is arguably the best example of change that isn't always successful but always leaves you wanting more...or sometimes less. It's a soap opera with changing leads and all of Time and Space on the palette, but its ultimate irony is having begun essentially as children's entertainment. If you haven't noticed, kids of all ages have grown...
Along these lines: Kirk or Picard? James T is by far the better character while Jean-Luc is Roald Amundsen. William Shatner is as good as what he's handed (find The Andersonville Trial) but Sir Patrick Stewart need only read a book aloud to get my attention.
Doctor One: William Hartnell. See him in any other movie and you see his Doctor. A nearly imperceptible comedic touch. And given the present state of FX it's an occasionally surprising treat to view some of his serials. My first and still-favorite involves not the Daleks but the Aztecs.
Doctor Two: Patrick Troughton. If you don't think a dramatic actor can handle comedy, he will prove you wrong whilst giving 110 per cent. More's the pity that his work is the least preserved...
Doctor Three: Jon Pertwee. If you don't think a music-hall performer and all-around cut-up can handle drama, HE will prove you wrong. If you want to know where his heart lies seek and find on-line Worzel Gummidge...
Doctor Four: Tom Baker. There's an awful lot going on behind those eyes and for his longevity he has more than his share of Companions, which is very likely why we wind up with...
Doctor Five: Peter Davison, novel in his youthfulness as he gets the job done but rightfully better known for his other television roles.
Doctor Six: Colin Baker, a solicitor-turned-actor and veritable splash of color of whom I would say the same as Davison if I wasn't persistently distracted by a Companion...
Doctor Seven: Sylvester McCoy. Doubtless talent but there's unquestionably someplace he'd rather be, and with truly rare exceptions the scripts don't help.
Doctor Eight: Paul McGann. Didn't see enough of him to truly judge though the made-for-television attempt by Fox was at the least a sincere effort. By rights Peter Cushing should count as well...
Doctor Nine: Christopher Eccleston. A Manc with a mad on but the heart of the franchise's revival. I'd like to see more of his work.
Doctor Ten: David Tennant. A superbly talented Scot whose departure I can well understand. He's surrounded by the best supporting ensemble that get plenty to chew on.
Doctor...say, I thought there were supposed to be ten. And they're getting younger. Matt Smith has both a legacy to uphold and big shoes to fill. He frankly appears the young actor who wishes to direct NOW and doubtless can. I wish him well.
Don't avoid watching and comparing the past Doctors at work and play. You also get that opportunity with the three multi-Doctor specials, "The Two" in my view the best. But they're not the only ones who need regenerate. This long-running series is arguably the best example of change that isn't always successful but always leaves you wanting more...or sometimes less. It's a soap opera with changing leads and all of Time and Space on the palette, but its ultimate irony is having begun essentially as children's entertainment. If you haven't noticed, kids of all ages have grown...
Along these lines: Kirk or Picard? James T is by far the better character while Jean-Luc is Roald Amundsen. William Shatner is as good as what he's handed (find The Andersonville Trial) but Sir Patrick Stewart need only read a book aloud to get my attention.