2. Patrick Troughton

Troughton Worth Watching

• 4.6: The Moonbase
• 5.1: The Tomb of the Cybermen *
• 5.3: The Ice Warriors
• 5.4: The Enemy of the World *
• 5.5: The Web of Fear
• 6.1: The Dominators
• 6.2: The Mind Robber *
• 6.3: The Invasion *
• 6.5: The Seeds of Death
• 6.6: The War Games *

* means Must See.

What's interesting about this Doctor?

I have a terrible admission to make. Patrick Troughton is not my favorite Doctor. Not even close.

Many fans and seemingly most actors who have played the role have pointed to Troughton as their North Star, the perfect actor who perfectly embodied The Doctor. Alas, for me it’s just not so.

Except for his last story, the incredible The War Games, Troughton never once felt like the true Doctor to me, the Doctor embodied by William Hartnell and Tom Baker in the classic series, and David Tennant in the modern series. He simply seemed like a likable actor reading his lines and waving his arms a lot. It was not until he was faced with the ultimate threat in The War Games where he was forced to indulge in the last resort, calling in his people, the Time Lords, did I sense the true Doctor in his work.

Nonetheless, I’m very grateful that the last few years have provided us substantially more Troughton than we had in the past, giving a sense of the arc and importance of his portrayal of The Doctor. And I must admit that of the Troughton stories that survive, I do rate an awfully high percentage as Worth Watching.

What are others saying?

• The Tin Dog podcast #2
• Radio Free Skaro podcast #19

1. William Hartnell

Hartnell Worth Watching

• 1.0: An Unearthly Child *
• 1.6: The Aztecs *
• 1.7: The Sensorites *
• 1.8: The Reign of Terror
• 2.2: The Dalek Invasion of Earth *
• 2.3: The Rescue
• 2.4: The Romans *
• 2.7: The Space Museum
• 2.8: The Chase *
• 2.9: The Time Meddler *
• 3.6: The Ark
• 3.8: The Gunfighters
• 3.10: The War Machines *
• 4.2: The Tenth Planet

* indicates a Must See story.

What's interesting about this Doctor?

The first Doctor created the character and presumably set the template for the rest, yet was noticeably different from those who followed. Hartnell's doctor was crusty and anti-social, quick with the criticisms especially when it came to pesky humans. He warmed to his companions over time, yet could turn on them in an instant. At times he was really the villain of the story.

The Doctor's demeanor was infused with the weariness of an unknowably old man, and fellow actors regularly describe actor Hartnell as old. Yet this was related to something other than actual age, as he was only 55 when he started the role, and 58 when he left it. But he was old, and frail, and the evidence of it increased as the show went on, and he died only nine years after leaving the show.

While I doubt I'd have much liked Hartnell the person -- he was vain, arrogant, racist, and seemingly not very self-aware -- his creation, which inevitably was informed by who he was, is a fascinating character and it's hard to imagine that the series would have ignited with anyone else starting the role.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about such a crusty, old-school conservative "legitimate actor" is that he took a chance on a series for children, having no way to know it would become his legacy and the start of something that would be ongoing 40 years after his death. For his courage in making such a choice we will always have him to thank. 

What are others saying?

• The Tin Dog podcast #1
• Radio Free Skaro podcast #18
• 42 to Doomsday podcast