Now I have to do it too

[torquill]

Now I understand why emmett_the_sane and others were posting ecstatically about the new Doctor Who.

I realize that some people haven't been completely pleased with a somewhat tougher Doctor... I've been reading in various places that it isn't really the same as it used to be, that he's more sarcastic and ruthless than he used to be. I can see that. Given the backstory, it's mostly understandable, though there are some glaring differences with the old Doctor that can be kind of troubling.

For my part, though, I find that it's immensely satisfying to finally hear him say some of the things that he must have been thinking for ages. Sure, he's less thoughtful and gentle, but for god's sake, he's got a temper again, without all the pomposity that made Colin Baker a prick. I cheered when I saw him actually grab one of his traveling companions by the scruff of the neck and dump him back at home. My jaw dropped when he lost his temper at Rose and fumed that he'd "picked up another stupid ape". How many times he must have rolled his eyes and thought that over the years...

This is the sort of person I'd expect him to be, rattling around the universe in exile for nine hundred years, always getting into and out of trouble; confident (perhaps a bit in excess), carelessly intelligent, impatient when others can't keep up. John Pertwee had some of that, even down to the slightly contemptuous snap. He's got a softer side, sure, and some wounds which are barely scabbed over; I keep getting surprised by the depth that Christopher Eccleston grants this one.

That's just the character. The writing is great, some of the best I've seen in a long time -- I hope it stays this fresh and exciting. The other actors are cast well. The sets are very good, and the special effects are adequate.

No rock quarries yet, but I'm not done with the first set yet... and a second set starts coming out on Christmas. Christopher Eccleston may not be around for more than a season, but I've already decided that I'm watching these over again almost immediately. Yowza.

Comments

[our-meg.livejournal.com]

I am also quite enamoured with Eccleston's performance. I'm just sorry he only did one season.

Actually, the first Doctor was of the same temper. Hartnell constantly berated his companions for their idiotic behavior.

[luna-torquill.livejournal.com]

Ah, but he wasn't nearly as likeable about it. :) For that matter, several Doctors have been at least borderline cranky -- the first two, and the sixth, and the seventh got kind of peevish a few times.

I still think that the ninth is closest in disposition to Jon Pertwee... though I never liked Pertwee nearly as well. He could be insufferably full of himself. At least when Eccleston is smug, he does it with that sort of careless glee.

Heh. The thought of what the third would think of being compared to the ninth... ruffled feathers, indeed. He's nothing like that uncouth ruffian. And that would just be the beginning of the tirade...

[foogod.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I'm personally of the opinion that kicking whatsisname out of the Tardis wasn't anything particular to the ninth Doctor. He wasn't just stupid, after all. He was stupid, dishonest, and had basically no regard for anybody but himself, and that is why he got kicked out, in my opinion. I have a strong suspicion that pretty much any of the Doctors would have done the same thing under those circumstances (though a couple of them might have simply opted to leave him in the future to fend for himself instead of being nice enough to take him back home).

What I do love, however, is that they actually explored the possibility that once in a while the Doctor might actually make a mistake and pick up a bad companion, and have to deal with the ramifications of that..