Worst Doctor?

[Interference]

I think the best doctors have been unpredictable. Hartnell actually lied to his companions to get to explore the Dalek city. He was prone to outbursts of temper (that I actually found more frightening than most of the monsters when I was a child) and even his self-sacrifice was like a bolt from the blue. Cushing played the same character as a lovable grandparent, which was quite different.

Tom Baker was so morally centred that he couldn't destroy the Daleks when he had the chance; he was pretty much a manic depressive and the originator of practically every mannered/quirky behavioural pattern since.

But both Eccleston and, to some extent, Tennant are a little too predictable in their unpredictability, in my view, though I bet Tennant would have had much more to bring to the character had he chosen to remain.

[muggie2]

Originally Posted by Interference

I think the best doctors have been unpredictable. Hartnell actually lied to his companions to get to explore the Dalek city. Tom Baker was so morally centred that he couldn't destroy the Daleks when he had the chance; he was pretty much a manic depressive and the originator of practically every mannered/quirky behavioural pattern since.

Unpredictability is a useful trait, and Tom Baker had it in spades. On the other paw, he did go way over the top, especially by the end. Peter didn't have a chance - he came across just too wet, and yet there were times when his darker side really came through. You could see that the surface niceness hid murlier depths.
I didn't like Colin Baker, not just as the Doctor, but when he played a guard on Gallifrey in one of the earlier episodes. The arrogance came through then, and it carried over when he was given the role as the doctor. Sylvester McCoy didn't have much chance to give the character a lot of, well, character, but on those occasions when there was a good story he didn't really seem to grab the opportunity to make it special. Ace did a better job at that, in my opinion, and she stands out as a companion as much because of her character as Sylvester's lack of character. On the other other paw (I'm running out of paws here) the stories were almost cartoonish in their lack of depth by this time.
Just my opinions - feel free to disagree.

Muggie

[Ice fyre]

Owrite Muggie pop up to the Lounge and remmber to introduce yourself in the introductions thread.

I felt that Peter Davidson had the problem that he was trying to act way over his depth. I remmeber watching his performance when Adric was killed and I felt it was, well naff.

The Doctor is such a big role it requires both good scripting good acting and a decent set of effects Peter Davidson had none of the above.

I am though prepared to say that Peter Davidson and Colin Baker are noted for their amazing Big Finish productions, I've heard Colin Baker in one called Davros. I will say I never rated him as a Doctor on TV but he really makes the grade in Audio.

[DesertOfZin]

I'm a great fan of all the Doctors.

Hartnell is my least favourite. However, I did like his brash and confrontational style.

Patrick Troughton was fantastic. Part hobo, part clown. Easily made indignant.

Jon Pertwee, or The Great Pertwee as I like to call him. Had a very easy style and a very relaxed and conversational feel to him.

Tom Baker is generally known as everyone's favourite. However, there were a couple of seasons in the middle of his run that were torture to watch. That ended around the time of the Key To Time.

Peter Davison. My Doctor. The one I grew up to. Had a problem with Companion Bloat, as he had three of them at one point. Worked well with The Ainley Master.

Colin Baker. Hmm, a weak one this. The first few stories were intolerable. But the Rani story and the Two Doctors ware well done. And I really liked the Trial of a Time Lord, although by the end I was begging for a release.

Sylvester McCoy was better in later seasons than in his first one. He had some great stuff towards the end.

Paul McGann had so much potential. The TV movie wasn't all that bad, apart from having enough story to fill a half hour episode. I would have liked to see more of him.

Christopher Eccleston was brilliant. A great return to the screen, he had a pace and energy that was infectious.

And that leaves us with David Tennant. I like Tennant, although his Doctor's insistent "isn't mankind wonderful" guff got really tired.

[Ragnar]

I wasn't a big fan of Davidson because he was so bloody wet. His slightly vacant feyness was endearing at first but he became dull very quickly. He did have some pretty big shoes to fill though and he wasn't half as annoying as McCoy - he just didn't feel like the Doctor at all.

[Marauder77]

Well as I grew up on Tom Baker and Peter Davidsons interpretations of the Doctor, I can't very well say them... I might go for Colin Baker, or Patrick Troughton... Havent seen a lot of either, but neither got the proper "time lord"-attitude across in my mind.

Incidentally, I'm a fan of House as well, and yes, I think Hugh Laurie would make an excellent doctor, and the character have some similarities. But if I could pick one actor from the top shelf to play the doctor,I'd say Laurie's old chum: Stephen Fry!!

[Perpetual Man]

After a bit of hard thinking (and it hurt) I would have to choose Sylvester McCoy, I do think he improved in the last season of the the old Doctor Who run, but otherwise... I do have to say though, that when it comes to the McGann TV movie, I hated it only after the regeneration - nothing to do with the Doctor, just the story and as far as the storyline went for the early part with McCoy including him, stole the show.

Although I grew up with Tom Baker - so he will always be my Doctor, I have grown in appreciation of Wiulliam Hartnell and he might just sneak the favourite spot!