I saw the Aztecs for the first time last year and it blew me away. Didn't shy away from the horror of the time, gave all the leads bar Susan something to get their teeth into, had a palpable sense of threat throughout, had that conversation between the Doctor and Barbara about changing history, and gave the female lead a particularlty strong story, she wasn't just some damsel to be rescued in this (and whilst I haven't seen a whole lot of Hartnell this doesn't seem to be a one off)
The Romans is another of the great "Hartnell historicals." All the characters have something to do, whether it's outsmarting Nero, surviving among the gladiators, coping with slavery, browsing the open-air markets... it's one of the best Doctor Who stories, period. I loved The Aztecs as well, and I think it's safe to say Susan did have her own part in that - being "re-educated" in how proper Aztec maidens are supposed to behave and memorizing all those rules!
I love the Hartnell era and this episode firmly cements Ian as a bad ass. When my old roomie and I did a watch through, we would often comment in the post Ian era that "Ian would've kicked this guys ass by now!" when they got into trouble. Guy was one bad ass school teacher.
Yea, The Romans is pretty good too, though, I appreciate it for it's humorousness more than anything else
He would be if he was is more episodes, but even McGann can't come out number 1 with only a (great) 60 minute movie and (great) 7 minute minisode. Plus I grew up with Tennant so there's personal reasons there. Maybe if they make a great McGann prequel series or something one day then he'll replace Tennant in my top spot. NEVAH!!!!!!!! I found it unbearable. If you like Shakespearian plays then you were born to love this, but I loathe them so I obviously wouldn't be very keen on this. The acting was mediocre, that douche with that eye make-up was annoying and the whole story was boring. It's the only full historical I've seen apart from Black Orchid and I wasn't so keen on that. I don't mind serials set in the past but I like a certain sci-fi element to them that's more than just the doctor and his TARDIS.
You've made this comparison twice now and I have to ask, how is The Aztecs anything like a Shakespearean play? I don't see the connection at all. I have to agree with what others have said here, I love The Aztecs, its one of my favorite Hartnell stories. I really wish the show would do more pure historicals once in a while. History can be exciting enough on its own, no need for aliens all over the place
Jon Pertwee, although Tom Baker was my first. Second would be Matt Smith or Tom Baker, I suppose. That's my answer today, at any rate.
He's not just my Doctor. Far as I'm concerned, he IS The Doctor. Period. Those before him were just warmups. Those after him are just pretenders. And I am unanimous in this.
Matt Smith edges out Ecclestone by a hair. If the Ninth Doctor had more good scripts to work with or stayed another year, I don't think there'd be a contest. As it is, Matt Smith was consistently brilliant for his entire run. More than Tennant, he convinced me that the Doctor was old, old and world-weary.
How can I say this? There were loads of "oohs" and "arhs" and stuff along with hammy acting that felt like they were just doing a play. I suppose I can't really make you understand without doing a sarcastic impression but seeing this is the internet, I can't. Meh, never liked history much. Much prefer the sci-fi.
I admit, the Historicals, in general, I do have a bit of an aversion to, but, as I said, I do love The Aztecs (And do like The Romans quite well). I did notice, that the Special Edition of The Aztecs, actually does feel quite a bit like a play (Due to the Remasstering?), but, I don't really see how that is a negative for it
It's much easier to decide by doing it your way. With that in mind... Classic Doctor: Jon Pertwee New Favorite: Matt Smith Those are the two incarnations with whom I would most want to accompany through time and space.
I just got this mental image of Mrs Slocombe and the rest of the staff from Grace Brothers in the TARDIS: "Don't worry if your ears are too long; they'll ride up with wear!" There's nothing "just" about doing a play. That's what people had for entertainment before radio and TV, y'know.
Ah, Mollie Sugden. So nice in person. Really lovely. :-) Anyway... I really wish we could do one of these polls with a 'Name top three' approach... Hartnell and many others might come surprisingly high if we did - no chance of winning, but in the top five maybe. In which spirit, if it was a vote-for-five, I'd go for Hartnell, Troughton, Tom, Hurt and Eccleston (instead of just Troughton). With Matt Smith getting Hurt's place if he 'Didn't count' (and McGann next in waiting after that).
I will admit that I have not yet heard all of the BF stuff for the 4-8 Doctors yet, however I can safely say that from what I heard, and its a lot (basically Eighth's entire Main Range run, and most of his Adventures series), all of them get an improved appreciation. OK, Four was good on TV too, but I did feel like 5-7 were not very well-served on TV for the most part, especially the Sixth, whose on-screen persona alone is a definite step-down in characterization for the Doctor. That said, BF did hugely improve upon him, and I can't wait to hear more of him. Honestly, I love them all. They're all the same character for me, albeit with a different, say, outlook in life. However, Eccleston was my Doctor, and Tennant is a close second. And for the old Docs, Baker all the way, very closely followed Troughton - simply because, before I ever saw a single second of Doctor Who, the Fourth Doctor simply embodied the role. Whenever DW was mentioned, the big scarf, curly hair and long-ish coat came to mind. An indelible image. Anyway, here's the ranking: 12. John Hurt's War Doctor 11. William Hartnell's First 10. Colin Baker's Sixth 09. Sylvester McCoy's Seventh 08. Jon Pertwee's Third 07. Matt Smith's Eleventh 06. Peter Davison's Fifth 05. Paul McGann's Eighth 04. Patrick Troughton's Second 03. Tom Baker's Fourth 02. David Tennant's Tenth (by extension, the Meta-Crisis, although maybe not) 01. Christopher Eccleston's Ninth
Why do you think that about Peter Davison's Doctor? Most of his stories were pretty good, and had some interesting story arcs - especially Turlough/Black Guardian, which was a continuation from the Key to Time arc back with the Fourth Doctor and Romana I.
Well if you detest theatre like myself, then that's a pretty big negative. Some people like theatre and that's alright, but I can't stand it, I loathe plays. Overall, the Aztecs for me was easily the worst classic serial ever and possibly the worst story of all time too. Certainly in the bottom three.