Doctor Who actor David Tennant revealed recently that he was leaving the tv show and has hinted that his co-star Billie Piper would be a worthy replacement. The first time I heard this part of me cried, “God No!” (In actuality, QiRanger, on Twitter, exclaimed “No. That is just wrong.”) My objection is not because she is a woman because I actually think it would be wonderful to see a woman in the role. It is just that we have already seen Billie Piper on this show in another role. A role in which she seemed to have romantic feelings for the Doctor. Would she, post-regeneration, continue having feelings for him… or herself? But perhaps I protest too much…
Younger Doctor Who fans probably aren’t familiar with some of the sillier applications of Timelord Regeneration. Take for example Romana, the doctor’s one time traveling companion and fellow Timelord. In ‘The Armageddon Factor’ actress Lalla Ward plays Princess Astra. In the same episode Romana (Romana I for clarity’s sake) is played by the extraordinarily beautiful Mary Tamm. When Romana regenerates she is rather mysteriously recast to be played by Lalla Ward.
So clearly there is already a precedent for taking an existing actor and character and ‘regenerating’ them as casting requirements dictate. And, curiously, despite the success of the show it is not really a role that anyone seems to want to assume for any prolonged period.
I confess I am disillusioned with the newer series of the show. The show isn’t bad, but I find myself watching it occasionally and not feeling the way the ‘classic’ series made me feel. The classic series was filled with great mystery, the new series with great conspiracy. (Even gross reworkings of Doctor Who lore – such as the destruction of Galifrey – are barely explored.) The classic series had a variety of people as traveling companions who all related to the various incarnations of the Doctor differently. They all had unique motivations and personalities. From what I’ve seen of the newer series the Doctor no longer has traveling companions so much as sycophants; women falling over themselves vying for his attention. Where is the spunk of, say, Leela or Ace I wonder?
So I have two questions for you:
- Who was your favourite Doctor?
- Who was your favourite Companion?
Personally, like many of you, I have always had a special affection for Tom Baker as the fourth Doctor, characterised by his inexplicable affection for the human race while possessing some delightfully odd quirks.
As much as I enjoyed watching the exploits of so many companions (Leela, Romana I, Romana II, Nyssa, Ace) Adric was my favourite. I mean how can you NOT like a kid from a gang who comes complete with own his badge for mathematical excellence?!
I’d love to hear what your favourites are.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Tom Baker was brilliant as the Doctor. I think my favorite companion has to be K-9. Although Captain Jack is a close second.
And for the record, the Series Four finale was like crack for me.
YOU’RE WRONG! YOU’RE ALL WRONG!
(no, not really)
No, Billie Piper should not play the Doctor. If it’s going to be a woman, it needs to be a ‘thinking man’s crumpet’ elder stateswoman. Like Joanna Lumley.
After Tom Baker left either he or the producer at the time made the throwaway comment that the next Dr could be a woman. It’s a nice idea, but I don’t think it’s going to happen, at least not on a regular basis. I would like a Time Lady back around though. I was so excited for Doctordonna until her brain imploded (BINARY BINARY BINARY OMG).
Yes. Season 4 was like crack to me.
The only Doctor who I think successfuly escaped being ‘The Doctor’ was Peter Davison. Everyone else is now really just ‘The Doctor’ in the public psyche. David Tennant is young and talented and in demand enough to escape it too, and after what will be 4 years, I think that’s enough in any role really, especially one which as he says he could see himself doing forever. And really it is a role/show that requires a constant changeover of staff/actors/characters to keep it interesting, or at least new and changing.
My favourites? So hard to pick. I’m going to ignore the ‘new’ series.
Favourite Doctors: 1, 2 or 4. I’m always loathe to pick 4 because everyone picks 4. He really had the advantage of some really good stories. I’m going to go with 1. It was all new, it was vaguely educational, he was a narky old bastard with a heart of steel (but it was gold plated), and at that stage the Daleks weren’t just doing the same old thing all the time.
Favourite Companions: Ian and Barbara. Two real humans who weren’t afraid to call the Doctor on his crap. Much like Donna (also a fave, but I’m ignoring New Series). SJS, of course, for much the same reason. Liz Shaw, ditto (also she was as intelligent). And Ace for the same reason and also being so obviously a teenager of the time and not just a generic bit of fluff to wander around and twist her ankle all the time.
I could go on. But I won’t. Unless you want me to? Because I so could.
Wow Dan. Although, to be honest, from you, I expected nothing else…
I agree with so much of what you’ve written here. Although to me the first Doctor was only a miserable old bastard. (lol) Your remark about Peter Davison is also very true. I guess to play the Doctor is to make peace with a life of Sci-Fi convention attendance.
I find the thought of Dr Who becoming female a little disconcerting, because in the past his masculinity (as well as his white Anglicity) has been one of the few constants through his reincarnations.
I must say I like the thought of Anthony Stewart Head as the next Dr.
Here I will have to subtract some points from my geek rating & admit to not having watched any of the “old” series as an adult, bar a couple of Tom Baker stories on VHS about 5 years ago. But I did watch just about every episode when it was on ABC TV in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, which I think would have included a few repeats. And I do love the new series for tapping into those childhood memories and not letting them gather dust.
So… to answer your questions, taking a page from Dan & not including the new series… I think perhaps you should have reworded #1 as “Who was your favourite Doctor apart from Tom Baker?” In which case I’d have to go with both the third and fifth, just to be difficult. (To derail a little I think that Jon Pertwee did manage to find an acting career outside of Dr Who also, and he was in a number of children’s shows – e,g, the voice of Spotty in Super Ted)
Favourite companion is probably overwhelmed by my fondness for T Baker, but anyway definitely Leela. (Or K-9 – though he’s not as interesting to me now as an adult)
I remember disliking Adric as a child but I think that’s because I was jealous…
I can’t decide, my favourites are Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker and Peter Davison. I can’t stand Colin Baker(was that real hair or a wig) and Sylvester McCoy(he had the time traveling boom box, getting hip with the kids). Patrick Troughton the 2nd Doctor was a little creepy. Christopher Eccleston was kick ass.
For the Companion I’d have to go for Tegan, Nyssa and Captain Jack.
At least there’s Torchwood, which is a much better series. I thought time lords had a gender, but they could easily come up with a story to make the Doctor a woman, but what about race? There has never been an African or Asian Doctor, they’ve all been English.
I’m not a Doctor nerd, although I was dying to get back to Australia to watch them play every freakin episode (doctors 1 to 7) back to back on the ABC, now there’s some good tele.
Also John ‘Better The Doctor You Know?’ are you playing with the word of ‘Better The Devil You Know’ sung by Kylie who was also a Doctor companion?
Joanna Lumley is a great suggestion.
But if the next Doctor has to be male what about Chris Barrie, Lister or H in Red Dwarf? He carries the whole suspension of disbelief thing brilliantly.
Well John for my self personally l have soft spot for Tom Baker and Tegan oh l should not forget Sarah Jane she has managed to be recast deserve credit for that John l will turn off TV until next season of Dr Who get back to mastermind group Alister Cameron is leading