Post by rushy on Nov 6, 2023 0:53:16 GMT
*William Hartnell:
I like his confidence most of all. He's absolutely sure of himself, and he has the receipts to show why. I like that his age forces him to go for the intellectual approach, which I find generally more interesting than running around corridors and wrestling monsters. This era in particular can be prided on stories that really let you see each character's point of view very well.
I really struggle to think of something not to like about the First Doctor. Maybe the fact that he randomly disappears for episodes at a time. Of course I know why, but it's still frustrating as a viewer.
*Patrick Troughton:
The joy of life. He's the comfiest and most optimistic Doctor, but they don't dumb him down or force him through a tiresome "oh woe is life" arc. He just exists in his own cozy little world.
I'm not a big fan of his early performances though, especially in Power of the Daleks when he keeps tooting the recorder. I think he took a while to settle in.
*Jon Pertwee:
The great thing about Pertwee is how reliable he is. No frills. What you see is what you get. Pertwee always maintains a very commanding presence, which can be soothing in a way. He's always in charge and makes one feel like things are gonna work out fine.
He can be a little too cantankerous for my liking. Sometimes he's just plainly a dick towards the Brigadier, and I don't think it's necessary or endearing. Especially since they already established a comfortable rapport in the Troughton era. Yes, obviously there would be ideological clashes, but that's a different matter.
*Tom Baker:
Obviously, the charisma. You can't take your eyes off him when he's in the room. So it's a very entertaining screen presence. And when he feels like acting, there's no one that can match his gravitas.
I don't relate to his more outlandish performances at all. When it starts feeling like literally anything could happen, or he could act in any way depending on what Tom put in his tea that morning, there's no sense of stakes anymore. He needs someone he respects around to curtail his worst excesses. People like Barry Letts, Hinchcliffe or even Beatrix Lehmann (from Stones of Blood).
*Peter Davison:
I love the understated dry wit, the cynicism that creeps in and how sincere he always is. He's the kind of friend anyone would want to have.
Of all the classic Doctors, I think Davison has struggled the most with keeping things consistent. He lacked confidence in many earlier stories (in either himself or the scripts, or both). And whenever he reprises the part nowadays, he pushes things too far into the "sarcastic uncle" territory to the point where it doesn't even feel like the Fifth Doctor anymore.
*Colin Baker:
He's so incredibly exaggerated that it can be fun just basking his ham.
To me, Colin always seemed more suited to play Bayban the Butcher type characters. He's great as an electrifying villain, but that same psychotic energy doesn't quite work for the Doctor. It's like watching Paul Darrow play Captain Kirk.
*Sylvester McCoy
The mystery and intrigue of the character are at their peak in this period, and McCoy has such a lovely wistful attitude whilst also being one of the funniest Doctors. His comic timing is priceless.
Sylvester cannot do anger to save his life LOL.
I like his confidence most of all. He's absolutely sure of himself, and he has the receipts to show why. I like that his age forces him to go for the intellectual approach, which I find generally more interesting than running around corridors and wrestling monsters. This era in particular can be prided on stories that really let you see each character's point of view very well.
I really struggle to think of something not to like about the First Doctor. Maybe the fact that he randomly disappears for episodes at a time. Of course I know why, but it's still frustrating as a viewer.
*Patrick Troughton:
The joy of life. He's the comfiest and most optimistic Doctor, but they don't dumb him down or force him through a tiresome "oh woe is life" arc. He just exists in his own cozy little world.
I'm not a big fan of his early performances though, especially in Power of the Daleks when he keeps tooting the recorder. I think he took a while to settle in.
*Jon Pertwee:
The great thing about Pertwee is how reliable he is. No frills. What you see is what you get. Pertwee always maintains a very commanding presence, which can be soothing in a way. He's always in charge and makes one feel like things are gonna work out fine.
He can be a little too cantankerous for my liking. Sometimes he's just plainly a dick towards the Brigadier, and I don't think it's necessary or endearing. Especially since they already established a comfortable rapport in the Troughton era. Yes, obviously there would be ideological clashes, but that's a different matter.
*Tom Baker:
Obviously, the charisma. You can't take your eyes off him when he's in the room. So it's a very entertaining screen presence. And when he feels like acting, there's no one that can match his gravitas.
I don't relate to his more outlandish performances at all. When it starts feeling like literally anything could happen, or he could act in any way depending on what Tom put in his tea that morning, there's no sense of stakes anymore. He needs someone he respects around to curtail his worst excesses. People like Barry Letts, Hinchcliffe or even Beatrix Lehmann (from Stones of Blood).
*Peter Davison:
I love the understated dry wit, the cynicism that creeps in and how sincere he always is. He's the kind of friend anyone would want to have.
Of all the classic Doctors, I think Davison has struggled the most with keeping things consistent. He lacked confidence in many earlier stories (in either himself or the scripts, or both). And whenever he reprises the part nowadays, he pushes things too far into the "sarcastic uncle" territory to the point where it doesn't even feel like the Fifth Doctor anymore.
*Colin Baker:
He's so incredibly exaggerated that it can be fun just basking his ham.
To me, Colin always seemed more suited to play Bayban the Butcher type characters. He's great as an electrifying villain, but that same psychotic energy doesn't quite work for the Doctor. It's like watching Paul Darrow play Captain Kirk.
*Sylvester McCoy
The mystery and intrigue of the character are at their peak in this period, and McCoy has such a lovely wistful attitude whilst also being one of the funniest Doctors. His comic timing is priceless.
Sylvester cannot do anger to save his life LOL.
