Matt Smith Regenerating in Next Series

[DWF]

Even the actors who have played it a bit more seriously like Pertwee, Hartnell, and Davison did their share of comedy.

I haven't yet seen anything of the Davison era, and Hartnell certainly had a more serious approach to the role, but Pertwee's Doctor wasn't really seriously played. He always has time for banter even in the most dire circumstances. His costume already doesn't exactly emanate seriousness. Also, Pertwee was mostly a comic actor and I'm pretty sure the producers of the series had that in mind when they hired him. He played the role a lot less openly comic like Troughton before him, that's true, but he's certainly not on the same level of seriousness as William Hartnell.

No, he was playing the role seriously in fact.

http://drwhointerviews.wordpress.com/category/3rd-doctor/

Q: I mean up to the time that you played Dr. Who, the characters you played were loud, were humerous. Was ‘Who’ the first time you played straight?

JP: It was, really, because I remember Shaun Sutton, who was the head of programmes at the time and a dear friend of mine, he asked me to do it, I said ‘Well let’s have a bite of lunch’, we had lunch, and at the end of lunch he said ‘Well will you play it?’, I said ‘Let me think about it’, he rang me up the next week and said ‘Do you want to do it?’, I said ‘How about another lunch?’, we had another lunch and he said ‘So, do you want to do it?’, I said ‘How about dinner next week?’. After about three meetings I said ‘Well I’ll play it, but how do you want me to play it?’. He said ‘As Jon Pertwee’, and I said ‘Well who the hell’s that?’, because I didn’t know who Jon Pertwee was, I’d never played myself, I’d hidden under a green umbrella all my life, like Peter Sellers, my friend Peter Sellers used to do…

 

[FalTorPan]

Pertwee's Doctor was arguably the most straight and serious of all the Doctors.

 

[Count Zero]

He was supposed to play himself but I think it's safe to say that Pertwee was a very humourous man. They joked so much on the set (apparently, Nicholas Courtney and Roger Delgado were also quite funny) that the producer told Pertwee once that he wished he'd take his work more seriously. (see "Return to Devil's End" for more)

Considering the dialogues full of witty and joking remarks, the costume deliberately chosen because it looked the most absurd and the weird car, I can't really comprehend people saying that Pertwee's Doctor was played in a serious and straight fashion, or even calling him the most serious and straight Doctor. Surely, Eccleston was a lot more serious as a character? But whatever, this is a subjective question and people will come to different conclusions. However, I would urge you to rewatch the show sometime.

 

[wamdue]

No, the fact that he has regenerations takes away from the times he's given his life to save someone else. But no one seems to mind so what the heck.

not really because he is still giving up 1 of a limited number of lives.

I give up. Suffice it to say that as long as Doctor Who is popular or even unpopular we won't see The Doctor's final regeneration because at the end of the day there are worlds out there where the sky is burning, and the sea's asleep, and the rivers dream; people made of smoke and cities made of song. Somewhere there's danger, somewhere there's injustice, somewhere else the tea's getting cold. Come on, wamdue. We've got work to do.

obviously im not saying it wont happen, but im also saying is that they dont need to just pretend the regeneration limited never exisited in the first place.

Thread title scared me! I'm very happy with Matt Smith-- and even happier with Karen Gillan. I hope they both stick around for a long while.

Who the fuck is Romana?

Seriously?

Even I know who Romana is.

same

 

[Starkers]

That'd be fine by me as long as those fans realise the arbitrary nature of the thirteen regeneration limit and the that the show had quite happily ran for thirteen years before anyone mentioned any kind of limit to The Doctor's regenerative abilities. At the end of the day, as Moffat said when asked about how they'd get around the limit they'll "make something up".

Besides doesnt the idea that the Doctor doesnt have limited regenerations, take away from the times, he has given his life to save someone else?

No, the fact that he has regenerations takes away from the times he's given his life to save someone else. But no one seems to mind so what the heck.

One of the reasons I'd like to see the Doctor reach the end of his regen limit is to finally see a man who didn't have the crutch to fall back on, who could genuinly be brave in the face of danger without thinking "Ah well, if this goes wrong maybe I'll be ginger next time."

 

[Count Zero]

I don't think the Doctor's thinking like that. It's still death to his current incarnation, and over the course of the series the Doctor was shown to be afraid of dying numerous times. Even if you discount the Second Doctor because the writers sometimes seemed to forget that he was an alien with wierd abilities, The End of Time really drove the point home.

 

[bigdaddy]

Someone should look up what he said on the USA show, The Late Late Show, he hinted that he will not be staying along for years and years. I'd say he's going to stay 3-4 years, people dreaming of him staying until 2015 are in dreamland.

 

[Pseudo]

Besides doesnt the idea that the Doctor doesnt have limited regenerations, take away from the times, he has given his life to save someone else?

No, the fact that he has regenerations takes away from the times he's given his life to save someone else. But no one seems to mind so what the heck.

One of the reasons I'd like to see the Doctor reach the end of his regen limit is to finally see a man who didn't have the crutch to fall back on, who could genuinly be brave in the face of danger without thinking "Ah well, if this goes wrong maybe I'll be ginger next time."

But that risk already exists. The Doctor can die, regeneration only happens if he's badly injured. Shoot him in the head and he's dead.

Having said that I've always had a hankering to see a Doctor on his final regeneration, but on thinking about it do we really want to see The Doctor desperately trying to cling on to his life, in The Parting of the Ways the Emperor Dalek asked The Doctor if he was a coward or a killer and The Doctor said he was a "Coward. Any day." We all know that The Doctor isn't a coward, he's the least cowardly person in the universe. He stands up against impossible odds and says "No." I'm not sure I want to see a Doctor trying to cling on to his final regeneration, because that might really make him a coward, and as interesting as that would be for a few episodes that's not what attracts me to the character and I think I'd find it a little disappointing.

 

[DWF]

He was supposed to play himself but I think it's safe to say that Pertwee was a very humourous man. They joked so much on the set (apparently, Nicholas Courtney and Roger Delgado were also quite funny) that the producer told Pertwee once that he wished he'd take his work more seriously. (see "Return to Devil's End" for more)

Considering the dialogues full of witty and joking remarks, the costume deliberately chosen because it looked the most absurd and the weird car, I can't really comprehend people saying that Pertwee's Doctor was played in a serious and straight fashion, or even calling him the most serious and straight Doctor. Surely, Eccleston was a lot more serious as a character? But whatever, this is a subjective question and people will come to different conclusions. However, I would urge you to rewatch the show sometime.

Pertwee himself said he played his Doctor straight.

http://drwhointerviews.wordpress.com/category/3rd-doctor/

You were well known for comedy before Doctor Who, why did you decide to play him so straight?
Well, the reason for that is that I had just come from comedy and I wanted to prove to myself and others that I could do things other than comedy. I had done eccentric comics in theatres and pictures, I did the hideous Carry On series. I did quite a few of those. I wanted to prove that I could be a successful actor by playing straight. I played it straight. Right down the middle for five years.

I didn't think his outfit was all that far nor was Bessie.

 

[Captaindemotion]

Does anyone else want the 11th Doctor to regenerate in the next series. If they do I hope they replace him with a more serious Doctor like Eccleston. I don't hate Matt but I think he was copying Tennant to much.

Absolutely not. I think he's the best actor to ever play the Doctor. And no, he's not copying Tennant, no way, else I wouldn't love him so much. I hope he sticks around for many more series.

My sentiments exactly.

 

[Andrew_Kearley]

Well, it's obvious that Pertwee and Letts/Dicks took it in a very different direction from what Bryant and Sherwin had originally intended. I'd agree with comments that the third is probably the most straight and serious portrayal of the Doctor, but as with all the interpretations, there's a lot of underlying humour - with Pertwee, it's an interesting dichotomy provided by his pricking the pomposity of various authority figures (such as the Brigadier and lots of ministry officials) whilst being pompous and arrogant himself, so that juxtaposition provides a lot of fun right there. Certainly, he's also driven initially by his resentment of being exiled.

The thing about Hartnell is that he exudes authority, perhaps more than any other Doctor. But he does this whilst also being a dotty old uncle character. Yes, he can be grumpy, but that's also played as part of the lovable duffer persona. Look how often he descends into fits of giggles. He's no stern Victorian authority figure. He's the favourite uncle who's just a bit round the bend, who kids love because he's more like one of the kids than he is an adult.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Pertwee himself said he played his Doctor straight.

Was he sober when he said it?

 

[Starkers]

No, the fact that he has regenerations takes away from the times he's given his life to save someone else. But no one seems to mind so what the heck.

One of the reasons I'd like to see the Doctor reach the end of his regen limit is to finally see a man who didn't have the crutch to fall back on, who could genuinly be brave in the face of danger without thinking "Ah well, if this goes wrong maybe I'll be ginger next time."

But that risk already exists. The Doctor can die, regeneration only happens if he's badly injured. Shoot him in the head and he's dead.

Having said that I've always had a hankering to see a Doctor on his final regeneration, but on thinking about it do we really want to see The Doctor desperately trying to cling on to his life, in The Parting of the Ways the Emperor Dalek asked The Doctor if he was a coward or a killer and The Doctor said he was a "Coward. Any day." We all know that The Doctor isn't a coward, he's the least cowardly person in the universe. He stands up against impossible odds and says "No." I'm not sure I want to see a Doctor trying to cling on to his final regeneration, because that might really make him a coward, and as interesting as that would be for a few episodes that's not what attracts me to the character and I think I'd find it a little disappointing.

Nine's actions in Parting of the Ways were really brave. I don't think it'd make him a coward if it was his last regeneration, but it would make his sacrifice the most meaningful of all. Whist he theoretically could be killed, lets be honest the ability to regenerate gives him more than a chance than the average Joe.

 

[The Wormhole]

For Eleven's regeneration Katherine Jenkins should sing his goodbye song.

Vale Undecim?

 

[Classic Fan]

Dont want to see Smith go, not yet anyway.

I like him as The Doctor. I hade my pre-conceptions like any other when the trailer was aired, but he has done a brilliant job of being a mad man with a box, and he does it really well.

As for the Eccleston being a serious doctor, nah, he had his serious streaks like any other but none the less, was just as mad and nuts a doctor as tennant and smith etc.

 

[Count Zero]

The thing about Hartnell is that he exudes authority, perhaps more than any other Doctor. But he does this whilst also being a dotty old uncle character. Yes, he can be grumpy, but that's also played as part of the lovable duffer persona. Look how often he descends into fits of giggles. He's no stern Victorian authority figure. He's the favourite uncle who's just a bit round the bend, who kids love because he's more like one of the kids than he is an adult.

I certainly agree with that characterisation but I still think Troughton played a more comical character. And for the record, I like them both.

 

[hadd001]

Absolutely not! Matt Smith has the potential to be the best doctor for years to come. I love his portrayal of the character. He has taken the best parts of several past incarnations, including my previous favorite, Tom Baker ... and made them all his own. His almost manic energy level is a marvel to watch. Don't go messing with something that is not broken.

 

[Capt_Pickirk]

Well, when Smith does (EVENTUALLY) decide to leave the series and regenerate, I would like his character to embrace his regeneration (not necessarily happy about it but accepting it) instead of acting all pissy and 'not wanting to go wah wah' stuff that Tennant's Doctor went through.

 

[23skidoo]

(Puts away rubber hose after realizing thread is not either a) a huge unlabelled spoiler nor b) actual speculation. )

The team of Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill is the best team Doctor Who has seen in years. Loved Rose and Martha and Donna, and Sarah Jane and Leela ... the current grouping ranks right up there. I'm in no hurry for any of them to go.

When I read comments like "the Doctor has become the least interesting part of the show" I really have to ask what show they're watching, because I get the feeling maybe they sat on the remote and changed channel without realizing it. Matt Smith has done what I thought was impossible, and that's almost instantly attain the popularity level Tennant had. I had every confidence he would, but maybe after a year or so. Watch the rock-star treatment he gets at the Prom and at the Cardiff lighting ceremony. It's the same as Tennant got. And Karen Gillan is a treasure; I don't expect her to stay long because she's going to be following Carey Mulligan to movie stardom very soon. Arthur Darvill, meanwhile, went from being a character I initially rolled my eyes at as being Mickey 2.0 (at least the Mickey of "Rose", not the later "Children of Time" Mickey) to becoming Harry Sullivan 2.0 and that's not a bad thing at all.

Doctor Who is about change. So the fact we actually have a companion team staying for more than one season for the first time since Rose is unusual. I don't expect to see either Karen or Arthur follow in Frazer Hines or Lis Sladen's footsteps and stay for 3-4 years. I'm just enjoying them while we have them. Ditto Matt Smith, though I won't complain if he successfully challenges Tom Baker's longevity record.

Alex

 

[DWF]

I don't think Matt Smith has attained anywhere Tennant's popularity and if anything IMO he's pretty bland. He was in The Ruby In The Smoke and I didn't even remember him.