The Faces of the Doctor
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Craig 7 years ago.
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1 March 2016 at 07:30 #51128
@puroandson
i think Colin Baker would have a few things to say if he saw Pertwee in his technicolour coat.
Showrunners these days I think probably have more say in what kind of doctor they want but every actor always somehow finds a different way of portraying this 50 year old character in fact I find it quite amazing how we are still getting different takes on the doctor today. It’s a wonder how the actors who have played the character keep it fresh and exciting.
8 March 2016 at 23:47 #51235Hello! I’m new, this is my third post. Anyway, these are my opinions on the Doctor. I haven’t watched much Classic Who, in the form of a couple serials of the Classic ones on the list (Except Seven. Seven was really good.)
NuWho
1. Eleven
2. Twelve
3. Ten
4. Nine
Classic
1. 7
2. 6 (He’s really fun to hate)
3. 4
4. 3
5. 1
6. 5
7. 2 and 8, who I haven’t actually seen any serials from, so he’s at the bottom by default. Yes, I know 8 was only in a TV movie and Big Finish, but I haven’t seen the TV movie either.
Together
1. 11 (I’m probably biased, he was the Doctor that introduced me to Who)
2. Toss-up between 12 and 7
3. 10
4. Toss-up between 9 and 6
5. 4
6. 3
7. 1
8. 5
9. 2 and 8 for the aforementioned reasons.
As for another companion I’d like to see on the show, it would be amazing if there could be another Ace-like companion, because Ace was awesome and I’m sad that . 🙂
Also, it might be interesting to see what would happen with a Temporary!Dalek Companion (Sort of like Jack. I saw this elsewhere and thought it was a good idea. Don’t remember where, though). I’m not saying that the Dalek has to be entirely willing to be on the TARDIS (it might be a prisoner or something) but it would be thought-provoking.
Sorry for the super long post!
9 March 2016 at 03:10 #51243Anonymous @
a very very good list. I actually agree/or am in support of that whole list!
I also love 11, 12 and then 10. We went thru a stage of adoring 10 and then not liking him and now, after our re-watch of ’42’ (we do retrospectives of episodes?) I like him again. 🙂
The last communal watch was an intro to Chris Chibnall the new showrunner after Moffi and so we commented on ’42’ which I was too young to remember the first time around and I really liked it. The characters weren’t so ‘hot’ (no pun intended) but the rest was terrific.
I saw ‘Ace’ once but I’m embarrassingly not familiar with Old Who like Puro is -although she’s not got the understanding that others have like @denvaldron who is a veritable dictionary of knowledge about all things Old and Nu Who as is @bluesqueakpip too
I think a companion that’s lost their memory like a Dalek -as you say -would be very good and rather scary/funny?
I think we should move away from the 20 something bright and chatty chicks (sorry fellas and I am one) in favour of an alien companion? That would be different enough.
As for your post! Huh: not super-long at all. Some posts verge on 3000 words. Mum does that -routinely (and she’s slappin’ me down now!) 🙂
Thank you
Son of Puro
9 March 2016 at 03:25 #51245@puroandson
Interestingly the other night at the meeting I was at, (which had nothing at all to do with Dr Who, it is purely coincidental that I am generally in the company of at least one or more Who fans.) people were also expressing the wish that the next companion be an alien. It has long been a wish of mine. I think we are rather done with “the girl next door” companion for now. I am hoping that Moffat has something quite different up his proverbial sleeve.
@dalektor The film is probably better not watched but the minisode when 8 regenerates into the War Doctor is well worth viewing and gives a sense of what a great doctor McGann might have been.
Cheers
Janette
9 March 2016 at 03:30 #51246@dalektor @puroandson I always have trouble picking my favourite Doctor because it changes now and then. The Doctor I’m watching is usually #1 so now it’s the 12th. I really enjoy the 11th Doctor and all his amazing companions and 10 and his flirty ways but the 9th Doctor will always be “my Doctor”. ChrisDoc is the first one I watched and I was hooked. Also a shout out to the War Doctor, he was great.
I don’t have enough experience with BG Who so I haven’t picked any faves yet. My son has been getting me dvds so I hope to watch a few more episodes.
9 March 2016 at 17:06 #51253@dalektor Hello I loved reading your list and was glad to see that the 7th doctor was high up on the list (weirdly not many people like him but I think he is one of the greats!). As I have probably mentioned before (just a few times!) I think the 2nd doctor is my favourite and for someone like you who likes the 7th doctor I reckon you would love the 2nd. I would recommend either The Mind Robber or The Seeds of Death if you wanted to have a taste of Patrick Troughton’s style (The Mind Robber is probably the best surviving example of Patrick at his best)
As for the new series I think Peter Capaldi is my favourite as he ticks all the right boxes of what a doctor should be in my opinion!
@winston Good point as I also find that the Doctor that I am watching usually goes up in my estimation!
While I’m here on this thread I’ll just let you all know that my Pertwee watch has just finished the Ambassadors of Death which I hadn’t previously seen, The first two Pertwee stories were really good and so is the next one I’m about to watch (Inferno) but Ambassadors was just too slow for me. I did like the first part but began to lose interest towards the end but never mind it’s still got somethings to enjoy about it! (I liked the warehouse fight scene!)
9 March 2016 at 23:56 #51256What? People don’t like Seven? Why? His seasons have a Doctor that’s funny but can also be clever (and isn’t an arrogant fashion-challenged person, a la 6) and they have Ace!
I’ll keep your advice in mind regarding serials for Two. 🙂
Do you like Matt Smith?
10 March 2016 at 07:22 #51274@dalektor I don’t really know why people seem to not like the seventh doctor but it might be something to do with the viewing figures and the show’s cancellation which makes people hold a grudge against him. The eleventh doctor Matt Smith is one of my favourites I just thought he was absolutely brilliant and he even said he took inspiration from The great Patrick Troughton. Matt Smith I thought was better than David Tennant I just thought he felt more doctorish (if that’s a word now!)
P.S I think Ace is a great companion as well!
23 March 2016 at 05:40 #51413Something lovely, from over on Reddit:
Hope it works!
23 March 2016 at 06:29 #51414Wbat a wonderful interview ichabod.
It was such an insight into the man, to see Christopher Eccleston begin to cry.
Lovely, lovely man.
Thank you so much for posting.Missy
24 March 2016 at 05:07 #51418@missy — so much nasty rumor flies around about everybody, thanks to chat rooms and cliques and weird politics etc. that I think it’s helpful to highlight this kind of off-stage inter-action to help keep our balance amid some of the crazy toxicity you run into sometimes. Eccleston sounds like a mensch to me; but I am simple and easily pleased . . . <grin>.
24 March 2016 at 05:49 #51420I had to look ‘mensch’ up, and you are absolutely right.
I have always liked CE and watch everything of his that comes on TV.
Perhaps I’m easily pleased too. *big grin*Cheers,
Missy
24 March 2016 at 16:28 #5142324 March 2016 at 16:49 #51426@winston – Ooh, yeah — except he *did* go, and I know I’m far from the only one who felt badly let down by his too-early departure. I’d quite taken to his tougher (on the outside) Doctor, and Tennant just didn’t click for me (I just can’t connect with this actor — didn’t like him in Broadchurch either, but yes, I did watch, because people raved about it and I wanted to see if I could cotton to him in a different set-up; no joy, though). I wanted Eccleston back so badly!
My Doc was Tom Baker — that man could do larger-than-life flare (and bombast) because he seemed to have a recklessness about him — do anything, try anything, roar right along — that swept me up. I wonder whether that’s a thing — that people whose Doc was Baker liked Eccleston too, because of that sense of risk: “Yeah, here’s me, come along if you like it, don’t if you don’t, any case I’m taking off”. But could just be the effects of memory distortion and hindsight . . .
25 March 2016 at 07:39 #51442Agreed, after years of DW starvation, CE brought mr back into the fold too.
Unlike youself ichabod, I did like DT, but my OH liked him even better, although CE met with his approval too.
MS. OH did not like, but I did – let’s face it, I liked all three Doctors.
Tom Baker is a legend “in his own lunchbox” my youngest would say, and I shall always remember him and all the others with affection, but it is Peter Capaldi, who has earned my allegiance, the man is a genius, but then he has genius writers.Cheers,
Missy
25 March 2016 at 20:20 #51447It’s hard to pick a favorite doctor, I really like them all for different reasons.
11th is a pleasure to watch, and can bring me out of a bad mood in seconds. Love how he almost dances through his time as the Doctor. His mix of charisma, whimsy and curiosity puts a smile on my face every single time I watch him. He has the wisdom of a sage and the enthusiasm of a child and that’s always a very endearing combination.
12th Doctor grew on me, but by the ninth series I was hooked, and I love how he seems worn out be at all, yet still is kind, still striving, still confident at the same time. He is like someone with Aspergers who is somehow concealing he is an Empath, or protecting that side, almost burying it. He is complex and lovable.
4th is like a combination of the 11th and 12th in many ways. He was my first Doctor, and made me an instant fan of the show.
25 March 2016 at 23:22 #51449@kharis He is like someone with Aspergers who is somehow concealing he is an Empath, or protecting that side, almost burying it. He is complex and lovable.
Yep, that puts it very well. I had a couple of teachers like this, in high school and college, strict and often really tired but caring, and they were the best. As for Asperger’s — well, maybe; or more like ADD? Coupled with (and maybe partly caused by) a brilliant mind, going so fast when it’s revved up that it’s like 5-D chess in there sometimes?
26 March 2016 at 23:52 #5145327 March 2016 at 02:17 #51454I am always surprised to hear people say they don’t like a new Doctor because he is too old , too young ,too flirty or too whatever. After the usual regeneration shock and sadness over losing the current Doc, I sort of think “Oh thats what he’s like now, lets see what this Doctor get up too.” I have favourite episodes from each series and admit to rewatching some series more than others but I would never stop watching because of a particular Doctor. My favourite is usually the one I’m watching at the time. Maybe I am fickle?
27 March 2016 at 02:34 #51455@arbutus Thanks! Yeah, Smith to me was Old but ignoring it (mostly) and very “boyish” and physical as part of that act. At times CapDoc remindsed me of Peter O’Toole, specially playing T.E. Lawrence — as a man who’s missing some invisible but protective layer of skin, so he tends to recoil from physical contact as a form of self-defense.
Which, in the case of CapDoc, makes the character’s growing physical ease with Clara — light touches, her steering him away from the Far Too Merry Men in RoS, etc. — a part of demonstrating the trust in her that he verbalizes as, “Do you think I care for you so little — “ Compare with how casually cuddly Capaldi and Coleman were off the set. Friendship vs. acting choices. When that kind of thing is done well, you barely notice since it just blends into the tone and pace of the story. So part of the enjoyment is chewing over those details later (“overthinking” to some).
Meantime, I’m watching stuff on Youtube — more “Midsomer Murders”, and last night a 3 ep ghost story with Michael Palin as a Yorkshire elder with a haunted past — “Remember Me”. Very dark and murky visuals, but worth the eyestrain, IMO. New set of “Vera” on Acorn — headed for that next. Finding these pockets of treasure makes it easy pass the time waiting for the return of the Doctor. So much fun stuff to be found!
Ichi
27 March 2016 at 02:38 #51456@winston Nothing wrong with fickle. Fixating like a looney on one actor’s version, like certain crazies on tumblr etc., to the exclusion of all others seems pretty self-defeating, not to mention a teeny bit — adolescent? Well, “youth audience”, so no surprise there, I guess . . .! My faves are Eccleston, Capaldi, and Tom Baker, though I think I was a bit infatuated with Pertwee’s Doc back in the day and I was well past adolescence at the time, so . . .
27 March 2016 at 05:51 #5145727 March 2016 at 10:34 #51461@winston I also don’t understand when a so called fan of the show stops watching it because the doctors too old or too young, I find it exciting getting a new doctor of course you feel sad when a doctor leaves but people have to learn to accept change!
@ichabod I too watched remember me and thought it was very good and I am watching the league of gentleman on YouTube to pass the time! There’s always something you can find to pass the time!
27 March 2016 at 11:03 #51464@winston There’s another side to it, too: I don’t think many actors with serious talent *want* to stay in a single role long enough to get stale, bored, or permanently typecast as only this sort of character. It must be great to have a steady paycheck (or as steady as that can be in the TV business), but still. I’m thinking of Bela Lugosi, who was famous in his homeland for his “Hamlet”, came to America to be Dracula on stage and then on film, and so far as I know never did much after that except monster flicks of declining quality. Of course he was handicapped by his persistent heavy Hungarian accent and a heroin habit . . . Well, maybe not an apt example after all . . .
28 March 2016 at 00:15 #51477@ichabod I agree that the role of the Doctor is one where it is easy to get typecast because of some intense fans, although that doesn’t seem to happen as much anymore. Maybe Smith etc. left before that could happen and that is a good thing.They have gone on to do wide and varied roles in movies and on TV and we get to meet new Doctors and new actors. It is always best to leave them wanting more so they say (no, I don’t know who ” they” are).
28 March 2016 at 07:09 #51485@winston I expect “they” are people in the entertainment biz, and I think they’re mostly right about that. I can remember feeling uncomfortable about Tom Baker’s Doctor toward the end of his run — the feeling that his performance had become hollow in some way, and a bit forced. Running on fumes, you could say, or “phoning it in”. A recent book about movies and actors (“Why Acting Matters”) has a section on why actors pursue work that might pan out as paying well and continuing for a long time (like a hit stage play, or or “Star Trek, TNG”), but can then become very restless stuck in the same character for ages, feeling increasingly stale and prevented from grabbing onto other, fresher opportunities that come along. I’m thinking of, say, Richard Kiley as the lead (forever, it seemed) in “Man of La Mancha”, a character repeated endlessly going over and over through his poses and crises and triumphs; or any of the Star Trek TNG foreground crew, who are specifically *forbidden* to be written as being noticeably changed by their experiences from their basic natures. Challenge, rich supporting structure, or paralyzing strait jacket? Sooner or later, the last one. Best to break outta there before that point, I think (you see it in long-running series of crime and mystery novels as well, only the eventual prisoner is the author, for example the final Dexter novel, “Dexter is Dead”, recently published and clearly gasping toward the relief of its conclusion).
28 March 2016 at 09:53 #51490Excellent points, but I still don’t want say goodbye – in a manner of speaking – to Peter Capaldi.
Cheers,,
Missy
28 March 2016 at 15:17 #51492I find it rather fortunate that Christopher Ecclestone left after only one season. Not because I think he was terrible. On the contrary I think he was marvellous. The perfect match for that role. I would of course welcome another season with him but it was such a good comback that the next season could spoil that impression. And I think that’s why so many people love 9 (I’m so happy that it wasn’t he who almost blew Gallifrey). Not to mention that Ecclestone is a superb actor. His spell was short but complete.
I can’t say that about 12. He’s the Doctor without essence. And the last two seasons seem to me a bit hollow. So I would welcome a change.
28 March 2016 at 17:44 #51493@arbutus Thanks! I think 12 may be favourite too, if I had to pick because like @winston I always like the current Doctor. @missy Hope Capaldi stays on for at least 5 more seasons. 🙂
Also, like @thedentistofdavros I can’t understand not watching because of a companion or Doctor. That’s what seems fickle to me. The show casts the best of the best and I’ve never been disappointed yet.
@ichabod I think you’re right, ADD is more fitting for the Doctor – more like ADHD with 11 and 2! 🙂
29 March 2016 at 00:08 #51498@ichabod
I can remember feeling uncomfortable about Tom Baker’s Doctor toward the end of his run — the feeling that his performance had become hollow in some way, and a bit forced. Running on fumes, you could say, or “phoning it in”.I tend to agree. He did seem to be getting rather tired out.
@ichabod
…a character repeated endlessly going over and over through his poses and crises and triumphs; or any of the Star Trek TNG foreground crew, who are specifically *forbidden* to be written as being noticeably changed by their experiences from their basic natures…I think they did change and develop over the course of the series, some quite lot, others maybe not so much. Some people have made their entire careers out of one role and done all right at it, others not. It probably takes a certain type of performer in a certain type of role to pull it off, but does not seem to work well for too many.
29 March 2016 at 01:26 #51500@stitchintime Some people have made their entire careers out of one role and done all right at it, others not. It probably takes a certain type of performer in a certain type of role to pull it off, but does not seem to work well for too many.
Yes, it’s an individual thing. How many years did Peter Falk play Columbo? Then there’s “Murder She Wrote”, with Angela Lansbury, still in re-runs and probably forever, John Nettles in “Midsomer Murders” for nearly ever, Raymond Burr’s Perry Mason, and many more — those are the frozen characters, the ones who never change, because no matter what happens in an episode, the character is automatically re-set to “normal” by the end of the show, or the next ep maybe. I think that’s a lifeline for actors with solid skills but lacking the charisma of the ones who get lured away to other (supposedly bigger and better) roles for better money, which can lead to a movie career instead of a tv soap opera or serial career. But it’s a risk. Some actors just come over better on a small screen than they do a bit one, though maybe that’s changed now that people have huge tv screens at home, and the big screen is commanded by huge action and SF pics starring special effects as much as actors . . . ?
Matt Smith got a role in a superhero film post Doc (as it were), but I don’t think it did very well, and not much has been heard of him since as far as I know . . . Eccleston’s doing a prominent role in “The Leftovers”, a sort of metaphysical SF series on tv that’s set to end after this upcoming season. It’s based on a novel (maybe two novels by now), though, so the main characters *are* supposed to be marked and changed by their experiences, not spring back from even the most extreme ones just as they were before and will be ever after . . .
29 March 2016 at 01:52 #51501Matt Smith got a role in a superhero film post Doc (as it were), but I don’t think it did very well, and not much has been heard of him since as far as I know
Terminator Genisys, which bombed – but the general opinion seemed to be that Matt Smith was well cast and played his role very well. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which may make its money back on the DVD/download sales. Also playing a young Prince Philip in a Netflix series called The Crown and he has the title role in Mapplethorpe, and is playing an as-yet-unnamed role in Patient Zero.
For an actor keen to move into films, he’s not doing too badly.
29 March 2016 at 02:01 #51502Lansbury? Frozen 🙂
I much prefer her tiny role in my favourite film of all time Manchurian Candidate and of course her nominated roles in Gaslight and ….a few others. She was pretty much all over the stage and screen but I understand your point. Perhaps her role in Murder She Wrote was down to her absolute brilliance?
29 March 2016 at 02:55 #51504@ichabod
Thinking back, your comments make me wonder how many Doctors have really done well post-Doctor. I can’t think of any that have made a big splash but I could be wrong. If so, feel free to enlighten me. 🙂As for, “Murder She Wrote,” you know, I loathed that show from the word go, but my Mother never missed it and it was quite successful. So much for my opinion! 😉
29 March 2016 at 06:42 #51506I disagree, to me PC is the complete opposite.
However, you are perfectly entitled to you point of view.
cheers,
Missy
29 March 2016 at 06:45 #51507Me too, but it won’t happen – *sigh*
I’ve just watched some clips from “Forty Something” with PC playing Ronny Pilfrey.
What a laugh! He is hilarious, thank goodness I’ve got the series.
Anyone else seen this?
Cheers,
Missy
29 March 2016 at 06:48 #51508@puroandson
Re: Angela Lansbury, good luck to her I say. The only time I could have shaken her, was when she was presenting something or other and her accent was pure American. She used to be very posh? It annoyed me.
Cheers,
Missy
29 March 2016 at 06:51 #51509@puroandson Lansbury did damn near everything and was part of the hit phenomenon musical “Sweeny Todd”, with Len Cariou. I think she took on MSW as a sure thing and long-term earner, and had the chance to do that because her face was so familiar and people really took to her. I disliked the show, mainly because like damn near *everything* ever made about writers, it romanticized the writing life and fostered the foolishness that fiction authors all get rich and famous, which we do *not*. I watched when they had guest actors I liked for specific stories, some of which were okay. I think it was strictly a bread and butter deal and income for old age, and why not? And I do remember her in the Manchurian Candidate — bonkers character, evil and wonderful!
@stitchintime Exactly — I need to be enlightened on that score too! BG I can’t recall seeing any of them except Davidson outside of DW (but I don’t live in the UK, so could easily have missed entire careers there). AG, it doesn’t look that fruitful for the Docs. Tennant already had a fair amount of work behind him for a young guy when he became the Doctor, didn’t he? Was he RADA trained? They showed his tv Hamlet not long ago, perfectly respectable; and Broadchurch both UK and US (not for me), and now he’s apparently doing an impressive job as a sociopathic creep on “Jessica Jones”, a rough-hewn cop thing with a female lead on — Netflix? Haven’t seen it. Didn’t he got special royal kudos last year? Anyway, he’s the only I’m aware of who’s gone from playing the Doctor to serious star standing since (Eccleston gets recognition for what he does, but I don’t think he’s that recognized outside of the UK because not that much gets seen of him — picks his roles carefully, I suspect).
So I don’t think DW’s been that great for the actors who’ve taken it on, but for those who’ve been longtime fans, just getting to do it seems to have been enough regardless of where it does or doesn’t lead for them. Probably nobody thinks of it as a long-term gig, like Lansbury in MSW, because the regeneration thing is so integral to the show and to keeping it fresh-feeling. Funny — “Midsomer Murders” pulled a DW, sort of, by replace John Nettles with a different guy playing Barnaby’s cousin who takes over his job! Neat. Seems to have worked just fine, as the series continues unabated . . .
29 March 2016 at 06:51 #51510@stitchintime
Not an enormous splash no, but they have certainly been working,
I looked them up – DT and MS- that is and they have done a lot of stage work, as well as Tv and film.I don’t think that DW is the ‘kiss of death’ that Bond is.
Cheers,
Missy
29 March 2016 at 11:41 #51513Lansbury moved to the US in the 1940s where she studied and made some great films: it would be expected for her to put on a “posh” accent as you suggest, I believe.
29 March 2016 at 12:25 #51514I have always disliked long running TV series where each episodes ends where it began. Nothing changes or develops. That is why I was hooked on B.5 The first episode I really watched turned the political situation on its head.
Since the reboot the Doctor has shown some degree of change and development as a character. The nature of the show demands that be limited which is why, (imho) the companion has become more central to the story because the companion can and does develop.
I think that DT and MS are doing quite well career wise. D.T. has done a lot of stage work, stage being his first love. Also he now has two children which might make quite a difference to his aspirations. Ie I doubt very much he has his sights set on Hollywood. M.S. is getting roles in Hollywood albeit not in blockbusters. Apparently his Mr Collins was one of the best things about P&P and Zombies. I might even watch it one day just for him.
In the past Patrick Troughton carried on post Doctor with a steady career in TV and Brit Flicks. Davidson has has a solid career, though nothing to compare to his fine portrayal of the Dish of the Day in Hitchhikers’ and McCoy was cast in the Hobbit movies because of his role in Dr Who, a bit of a long time coming kind of reward admittedly. Their careers may not have taken off due to Dr Who but I don’t think Who damaged their careers either.
Cheers
Janette
29 March 2016 at 17:16 #51515Hello everyone I was just about to post but then read @janetteb ‘s post about the actors other work and thought that basically answers that question!
The only actor I can think off who definitely was ruined by the role of the doctor was William hartnell as he basically killed himself under the tough schedule and didn’t go on to do much else afterwards (I’m not sure if this was directly because of Doctor Who though). Jon Pertwee did Worzel Gummidge which is well known though that’s about it that I know off (he probably did lots of other stuff!)
I believe that being typecast was actually Patrick Troughton’s greatest fear (or so he said!)
29 March 2016 at 18:56 #51523*cough* A Man Called Ironside *cough*
@missy @stitchintime
Most of the Doctors have done OK, mainly in TV (and mainly British TV) but with out outings into film: Troughton was in The Omen, f’rinstance; Davison had a very good TV career; Tom Baker did a lot (A LOT) of TV – and a LOAD of voiceover for adverts; Colin Baker has rarely been out of work, ditto Sylvester McCoy (incl the Hobbit, of course). Eccleston is Eccleston, Tennant has done TV, film and a lot of stage (he’s Royal Shakespeare Co after all); Smith has done OK – played Christopher Isherwood in a well regarded TVM, in addition to the stuff listed by @bluesqueakpip. If Who is the last thing Capaldi does he could still look back of a great career.
The assistants on the other hand…
29 March 2016 at 21:28 #51532@bluesqueakpip Glad to hear it — I wonder if Maplethorp will be a break-out role for Smith: the potographer’s name is pretty well known and touched with scandal and outrage, so I think the chances of lots of attention to the film are good.
@janetteb @dentistofdavros @pedant Thanks, all, for the acting career followups. Have the assistants/companions, by contrast, suffered career-wise, post-Doc? That would be sad . . . but not entirely unexpected.
@janetteb Well, people in general do seem to love the wash-rinse-repeat style of TV, where what’s already happened sort of melts away behind the lead so that he or she can go right on as before, into new situations of similar weightlessness. It’s comforting, I guess, that Columbo never changes his rumpled wardrobe, and Archie Bunker never alters his attitudes. *because of* something that happened last week — at least not for more than an ep or two after, where a little clean up might happen. I share your preference for more dramatic form (in my view) that comes with a closed-ended story, where the lead can end up changed as a person and that’s part of the satisfaction the whole story brings. It re-affirms the significance of the experiences we’ve had in our own lives.
I was watching the first ep of Series 6 of “Vera” last night (on acorn.uk), and was disappointed that the program has never picked up on the lead’s discovery, back in an earlier series, that she had a sister or half sister she’d never met, living in Newcastle. Hints of new or hitherto hidden aspects of a character’s story and nature always intrigue me. It’s not necessary that the character behave very differently at the end of a heavy-duty story line than they did at the beginning, but that some sense be communicated that the character still carries that experience with them, thinks about it, maybe *does* sometimes say x instead of y, or do x instead of y, because of what they’ve been through or witnessed etc. in episode 5.
S9 of Who can be seen as a case in point: the Doctor returns to “himself” in his Tardis at the end, so it’s *like* a re-set. But but then in “Husbands”, his talk with River about the limits on their time together seems informed by his having stopped fighting Clara’s ending (with him, at any rate) and accepting it. That’s a hell of a story, IMO.
30 March 2016 at 10:06 #51540As you say ichabod, “A hell of a story.”
Toby Whithouse is a good writer. “Under the Lake and “Before the Flood?”
What does everyone else think?
Cheers,
Missy
30 March 2016 at 10:24 #51542@missy you know I loved them (I loved them all though -the Zygons in particular)
🙂
6 April 2016 at 03:12 #51584Hello everyone. I’m a student philosopher and I’m writing a paper about the problem of identity and identification. I’d like to know how would you confirm the Doctor’s identity after a regenation, what can be used as a criteria for his identity. Certainly not the body, perhaps his personality, though it also changes a bit. What are your thoughts on this? How woud you define The Doctor?
Also, if you could recomend some episodes where that is discussed or, at least, adressed, I’d be more than grateful to you all.
6 April 2016 at 05:55 #51587@puroandson
That’s because you have such excellent tast. As do we all. *big grin*
Hello Joam, I will be interested in hearing all the replies to your request.
As for me, you simply know it’s the Doctor, ( which is no help at all) although River didn’t. *grin*Cheers,
Missy
6 April 2016 at 11:51 #51589That’s a surprisingly hard question! I suppose in a way you know he’s the doctor as he has to defeat some alien threat and that is generally what the doctor does. In other words he has to prove to everyone that he can be the doctor by defeating the monsters!
If you want to watch some episodes I recommend watching any of the doctors first episodes (Deep Breath, Eleventh Hour, The Power of the Daleks Ep1)
After the first ever regeneration from Hartnell to Troughton the show had to also convince the audience that this was the doctor so they put him up against his old enemies the Daleks who recognised him as the doctor so that’s how they dealt with it in 1966!
Hope that was useful and not just me spouting out rubbish! Good luck with the paper!
7 April 2016 at 05:56 #51592@puroandson Lansbury moved to the US in the 1940s where she studied and made some great films: it would be expected for her to put on a “posh” accent as you suggest, I believe.
That’s just it, she had a strong American accent whenever she was in the UK. Now I can see why.
However, she was never one of my favourites.Cheers,
Missy
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