Who was the best Doctor Who?

SPC Chad Kolod — Wed, 27 May 2015 08:00:50 -0400

So I just watched my first episode of Doctor Who. I just never caught on to watching it until now, and in the first episode I see he regenerates into a different Doctor, or maybe just a different actor. Can anyone explain this too me? Why does this happen? Is it just a way to bring in new actors? Finally, who was your favorite actor to play the doctor?
1. William Hartnell
2. Patrick Troughton
3. Jon Pertwee
4. Tom Baker
5. Peter Davison
6. Colin Baker
7. Sylvester McCoy
8. Paul McGann
9. Christopher Eccleston
10. David Tennant
11. Matt Smith
12. Peter Capaldi

Did I miss any? Are there any episodes that I definitely need to watch right away? Special order I should go in? Thanks everyone!

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made May 27 at 2015 8:01 AM

SPC Chad Kolod — Wed, 27 May 2015 08:01:32 -0400

So far I like David Tennant. But he is also only the second doctor I have seen.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made May 27 at 2015 8:06 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Wed, 27 May 2015 08:06:01 -0400

I've always appreciated Tom Baker's portrayal, but David Tennant, Matt Smith, and Peter Capaldi are entertaining with their spin on The Doctor.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 9:12 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:12:06 -0400

Tom Baker, But David T and Matt S were great too.

Response by CPT Bob Moore made May 27 at 2015 9:46 AM

CPT Bob Moore — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:46:13 -0400

I'll try to explain some of the questions you have:

he regenerates into a different Doctor, or maybe just a different actor. Can anyone explain this too me? Why does this happen? The doctor has a limited number of regenerations. Rather than dying, he regenerates and has a new body, personality, etc. However, they still generally retain the memories of previous incarnations. There are some instances when memories aren't retained, but explaining that would be too much of a spoiler.

Is it just a way to bring in new actors? Originally, I think that was the case. Hartnell was getting older and those running the show wanted a way to bring in a new actor.

Finally, who was your favorite actor to play the doctor? I think each of them brings something I like. Eccleston was the first doctor I really watched, so I like him a lot. I like capaldi quite a bit too. You didn't mention him, but John Hurt was also a favorite and I would have love to see some specials from the period when the "War Doctor" was around.

Response by PFC Chris Hemingway made May 27 at 2015 10:10 AM

PFC Chris Hemingway — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:10:06 -0400

You forgot the war doctor played by John hurt though he only did 2 episodes he was awesome

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 10:11 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:11:35 -0400

I like the only one you forgot to list: the War Doctor, John Hurt.

I mean, this is a guy who had an Alien pop out of his chest, *twice*. That has to count for something.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made May 27 at 2015 10:20 AM

SA Harold Hansmann — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:20:45 -0400

Top right one

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 10:24 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:24:29 -0400

I like Tennant best so far, but I have not seen Capaldi deliver anything but one line yet. Damn you Netflix...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 11:24 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 11:24:36 -0400

Kinda late to the discussion, but having grown up in the 80s on Classic Who, and being excited to see Nu Who (which dropped off in recent years), I'm very torn as to who's the best. Sylvester McCoy was the Doctor when I came around to it, so he holds a special place (even though, admittedly, he's not the most popular). Jon Pertwee's athletic portrayal I always enjoyed, while I enjoyed Tennant's and Smith's ability to play him as the old man of time that he is.

That said, as a history teacher, I enjoyed the history aspects of William Hartnell (when the show was started, it was to teach British children about science and history, thus the Doctor exploring space and time with his young granddaughter and her science and history teachers!)

Regrettably, I've not seen many Tom Baker episodes (heresy, I know).

In elementary school, we used to get wish lists of what we wanted for Christmas to give to the Santa Claus that came to our school for pictures. A TARDIS was nearly ALWAYS on mine!