You Always Remember Your First Doctor

You Always Remember Your First Doctor

They say you always remember your first Doctor.

From his First incarnation, William Hartnell (1963-66), to the Eleventh, Matt Smith (2010-13) and everywhere in between, each actor has brought his own unique personality and quirks to the role, making Doctor Who one of the longest running and most diverse sci-fi series of all time. Withstanding the test of time thanks to the uncanny ability for the Doctor to regenerate and permit the recasting of the title character, the series focuses on the eccentric alien and his (historically) female companions as they battle injustice and explore time and space through the Doctor's time machine dubbed the TARDIS.

I was personally a late bloomer to the series, as my journey began with the Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, at the time Matt Smith was beginning his second series.* However, I was not an instant fan of the time lord by any means. Eccleston was cast in the lead role to bring a revival to the series after a nearly ten year hiatus back in 2005. Although the actor had the chops, the cheesy special effects and dry british humor were tough for me to swallow. The series was a global phenomenon and I just couldn’t see it. Regardless, I decided to hold my ground and stick with it … and it was worth every minute.

By the time I reached David Tennant’s exceptional first term, replacing Eccleston after only one series and embodying the Tenth Doctor, I was hooked. Daleks, Cybermen, Weeping Angels; I couldn’t get enough. This was Netflix binge watching gold (before it was cool). As time went on and Tennant’s tenure came to an end with Series 4, I once again found myself at a crossroads with the series. I was such a huge and loyal fan of the way Tennant carried out the role of the Doctor that I didn’t believe any other actor could do it justice. I didn’t even want to watch the Series 5 premiere, let alone welcome the then twenty-six year old newcomer, Matt Smith (who I’d never heard of) into the role, but once again I held my ground and stuck with it … and once again it was worth every minute.

Series 5 brought along with it not only Matt Smith in the title role as the Eleventh incarnation of the Doctor, but also Karen Gillen, who portrayed the Doctor’s new (and in my opinion, best) companion, Amy Pond. Smith’s tenure also served as a mini reboot to the series, exploring the character’s origins and providing a crash course in the rules of navigating space and time, which served as a great jumping on point for new viewers (my wife included). Last Christmas, Smith reached his regeneration phase after serving three years in the role, as 2.5 million Americans watched on.

This Saturday, August 23rd, history will be made once again as fifty-six year old Peter Capaldi steps into the iconic role as the Twelfth Doctor. Although most of the younger generation appears to be up-in-arms over the casting decision, I believe the show runners deserve props going with their gut and choosing an actor who they feel is right for the role. At this point, I’ve learned my lesson and stand ready to accept Capaldi with open arms. Twice I’ve questioned the ability for the series to exceed my expectations, and twice I’ve been proven wrong. Ironically, things have come full circle in my household as my wife now stands in the same shoes I once wore, refusing to watch the premiere due to her love of Doctor’s past. I for one can’t wait to watch her come around.  

The Doctor lands, August 23rd on BBC One at 7:50pm, and BBC America at 8/7C.  

Looking to get acquainted with Doctor Who? Check out “Blink” (Series 3, Episode 10), “The Girl In The Fireplace” (Series 2, Episode 4) and “The Eleventh Hour” (Series 5, Episode 1) to get a taste for what it’s all about.

*Note a British "Series" = a US "Season"

-ArchangelEZE