Big Chief Studios - 1/6 Doctor Who - #10 David Tennant

[DGTWoodward]

I think that you are slightly off on this Cap:B. When I was a young boy (yes, it did happen folks!) the time would have been the Pertwee/Baker regeneration period. These actor in the part were hardly fluffy-faced youths but mature men. Not old men, I hasten to add but mature. As a boy, it was just taken as read that any new Doctor would be a mature man, even Peter D was almost 30 when he got the part.

The phenomenon of a 'younger' Doctor is only an ultra recent event. It has worked well, but let's not forget that at it's rebirth the new Doctor was Christopher Ecclestone and he was a mature man and was brilliant in the role. To say that 'the kids' - I hate that phrase - would not accept an older man as the character in a huge generalising stroke and underplays their general intelligence and acceptance levels.

So, I like the new choice and I only hope he is given much better things to do than poor Matt has been lumped with. I love what Matt did with his character interpretation but let's face it, recently he has been hijacked from his own show, with very little of merit to challenge or stretch him. I am not surprised that he wants to leave, the writing for him has been woeful.

 

[pixletwin]

At least there'll be no problems with sculpting 12... old guys are generally the easiest subjects to sculpt.

I'm really, really depressed about the casting news, btw. Doctor Who should belong to kids rather than fans, and I think kids will struggle to identify with someone Capaldi's age. It's the sort of casting that will appeal to middle aged fans rather than the mass audience. It's very telling that only one actor tested for the role.

I have written a reply to this several times but they keep coming out as making me feel like a jerk for writing them (and it's not at all my intention) so I will just leave it at this: you are dead wrong.

 

[Captain Britain]

I have written a reply to this several times but they keep coming out as making me feel like a jerk for writing them (and it's not at all my intention) so I will just leave it at this: you are dead wrong.

I certainly hope I'm wrong, I just don't think I am. But we'll see. Thanks for all the other comments.

 

[Star Puffs]

I'm really, really depressed about the casting news, btw. Doctor Who should belong to kids rather than fans,...

"belong to kids" == The Sarah Jane Adventures

Is that really what you want?

It's the sort of casting that will appeal to middle aged fans rather than the mass audience.

This shallow brand of thinking would have never given us Captain Picard and that says it all.

 

[Captain Britain]

"belong to kids" == The Sarah Jane Adventures

Is that really what you want?


This shallow brand of thinking would have never given us Captain Picard and that says it all.

Hell, yeah. Doctor Who first and foremost should belong to children, not adults. I don't really see what's shallow about that. Writing well for children is the one of the most difficult things to do.

 

[ProgMatinee]

I think we'll have nothing to worry about. Kids loved the early Who with older actors, they'll continue to love it here.

Lots and lots of mature characters are appreciated by kids as I said Gandalf, Dumbledore, Obi-Wan, etc.

Its all in how the character is written. The key is to write him like someone 20-30 year olds want to grow into and 10 year olds want as their grandpa.

 

[pixletwin]

Hell, yeah. Doctor Who first and foremost should belong to children, not adults. I don't really see what's shallow about that. Writing well for children is the one of the most difficult things to do.

Interesting. I remember a certain Doctor who believed that too. His name was William Hartnell, aged 54. Could you please explain why you believe children in 1963 were apparently able to embrace this children's show with a man as old as Hartnell in the lead role.

 

[Niceman]

Funny that Batman is more popular than Robin...... Hmm....

 

[Lumos]

His companions will be who a lot of the youth will relate to, there are a ton of folks who instantly fell in love with Clara and who are glad she is making it past Eleven's stand and that will continue to be a pivotal point of Capaldi's tenure but I have no doubts that if he isn't hitting for some reason then the BBC won't hesitate to regenerate him quickly and move on to the "last" regeneration.

Really? I hardly ever see anything positive about Clara, unless it's a guy talking about how cute she is. Seems like most people I run into can't stand her character. She's so poorly written, as many of Moffat's females are. She's pretty much a standard Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Makes me think of a squirrel on crack, come to think of it.

It's not that I don't like the actress. It's that her characterization stinks to the high heavens, and that's Moffat's fault.

God I wish Moffat would just go away.

 

[Niceman]

Moffat showed so much promise when he wrote under Davies. But the writing is often so poor these days. Yes, I too wish he would leave the show and concentrate on Sherlock Holmes (which he does so much better.)

 

[ProgMatinee]

Huh I thought this past season with Clara and the end of Amy's run have been terrific. I liked Clara and hope her character gets more play. I must be the only one who thought this last season was easily the best in a while.

 

[Niceman]

Huh I thought this past season with Clara and the end of Amy's run have been terrific. I liked Clara and hope her character gets more play.

I like Clara, but I have a lot of issues with the writing of the show generally these days.

 

[JonWes]

I like Clara, but I have a lot of issues with the writing of the show generally these days.

I'm in the same boat. I haven't NOT enjoyed it overall... but it's felt very disjointed. Which is a shame as Matt is such a great Doctor. And this is the 50th year. I am really hoping the special and Christmas special deliver.

 

[Lumos]

Huh I thought this past season with Clara and the end of Amy's run have been terrific. I liked Clara and hope her character gets more play. I must be the only one who thought this last season was easily the best in a while.

I thought it was the worst season of New/Modern Doctor Who ever, to be honest.

Also, Moffat destroyed the character of Irene Adler in Sherlock. I just want him to go away, period. Every time he opens his mouth he says something idiotic, too. Makes for great Tumblr fodder.

 

[kl241]

At least there'll be no problems with sculpting 12... old guys are generally the easiest subjects to sculpt.

I'm really, really depressed about the casting news, btw. Doctor Who should belong to kids rather than fans, and I think kids will struggle to identify with someone Capaldi's age. It's the sort of casting that will appeal to middle aged fans rather than the mass audience. It's very telling that only one actor tested for the role.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight...

So when the BBC commssioned Doctor Who in 1963 it was to be a "childrens' programme" involving history and it featured a curmudgeonly old man called "Grandfather" who delighted and entertained a generation of children who became "fans" and grew up watching the show and introduced it to their children and now we have a new generation of "children" who have only grown up with Eccleston/Tennant/Smith therefore the expectation is that children will not identify with "old people?" Guess you never had a relationship with your Grandfather.

 

[Niceman]

I thought it was the worst season of New/Modern Doctor Who ever, to be honest.

Absolutely. I enjoyed a few, but the worst episodes since in the last 20 years were Season "7." Matt deserved better and he is leaving at the right time.

 

[kl241]

I absolutely loved this last season. Some of the best New Who yet.

 

[Lumos]

So are you guys in general happy with the new Doctor? I'm very much on the fence myself. Not as enthusiastic as I wanted to be. I just feel like it's a very....safe choice. Nothing fresh or exciting about it, to be honest. Especially since he's already appeared in the Doctor Who/Torchwood universe. I'm reserving judgement until we actually see his performance, but right now I'm pretty "Meh. Sure."

 

[kl241]

I am perfectly fine with the casting of an "older" Doctor. I was hoping they would get back to an older incarnation. If they had casted some Harry Potter kid I would have been "Aw hell no!"

As for Capaldi, I have no idea what to expect and will reserve judgment. To be fair, I had no idea what to expect from Matt Smith and he surprised the hell out of me and turned out to be the best since Tom Baker.

 

[Lumos]

I am perfectly fine with the casting of an "older" Doctor. I was hoping they would get back to an older incarnation. If they had casted some Harry Potter kid I would have been "Aw hell no!"

As for Capaldi, I have no idea what to expect and will reserve judgment. To be fair, I had no idea what to expect from Matt Smith and he surprised the hell out of me and turned out to be the best since Tom Baker.

I thought that whole Rupert Grint thing was a silly rumor. I highly doubt they'll ever cast a Doctor under 25 years old.

I wonder if the franchise will lose some of its merchandising power with an older Doctor. 10 and 11 helped sell a lot of products, and their likenesses were plastered on tons of goodies.