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The Doctor's Incarnations

First Doctor: The First Doctor was a sometimes cantankerous, sometimes benevolent, sometimes doddering grandfather figure. He was very much an enigma as well: in the early years of Doctor Who, practically nothing was known about the Doctor's past, and in true anti-heroic form, his actions often were selfishly motivated. Unlike his successors, the First Doctor was as reliant upon his companions as they were upon him -- usually it was Ian or Steven who saved the day. Nonetheless, the First Doctor possessed an aura of power and intelligence which was impossible to ignore.

Second Doctor: The Second Doctor was a complete change of pace from his predecessor. Whimsical, buffoonish, witty -- all of these were characteristics of the Doctor as portrayed by Patrick Troughton. The Doctor was no longer a grandfather figure, but rather more of a favourite uncle. Indeed, the slow transition of Hartnell's Doctor from a reluctant travelling companion to a more kindly compatriot was completed here, as the Second Doctor very much enjoyed embroiling himself in adventures with his assistants. Despite this Doctor's almost childlike recklessness, it was always clear to his allies that a keen, deliberate intellect lurked behind every action. Although the Second Doctor frequently gave the impression that he never knew what he was doing, this was simply an affectation: an act put on to fool those who would underestimate him.

Third Doctor: Whereas the first two Doctors generally insinuated themselves into events discreetly, the Third Doctor was a man of action, aggressively joining the fray whenever he could. This was a Doctor was unafraid to pitch in with his physical skills, often bringing his mastery of Venusian aikido into play when the situation called for it. But much like his predecessors, his keen mind was still his primary asset, and this was a Doctor who particularly loved to create and play with gadgets of all sorts. This passion displayed itself both in terms of the Third Doctor's scientific bent and in his love of vehicles, such as his yellow roadster Bessie and his ultramodern hovercraft, the so-called Whomobile. Staunchly moral to the point of being preachy, the Third Doctor was every bit the gentleman, a hero of the Victorian mould.

Fourth Doctor: There was a clear desire in the characterisation of the Fourth Doctor that this incarnation of the Time Lord should emphasise his alienness, the fact that -- despite all outward appearances -- he is most definitely not human. In stark contrast to the elegant, refined figure of his third incarnation, the Fourth Doctor was an unkempt, awkward-looking figure, dressed in battered clothing and an impossibly long multi-coloured scarf. This Doctor delighted in keeping both friends and foes alike off guard with oddball humour and curious pranks; like the Second Doctor, he often played the fool to lull his opponents into underestimating him. But he was also a very intense, brooding individual, at times displaying a seriousness and fury belying his usually whimsical attitude.

Fifth Doctor: The Fifth Doctor was far more human in his demeanour than any of his previous regenerations. This was not a Doctor who was prone to peculiar mannerisms -- instead, he often behaved just like a regular man, even in his less paternal, more turbulent and argumentative relationship with his companions. Enthusiastic and spritely, this Doctor demonstrated a notably more fallible outlook than in the past: he could make mistakes, and sometimes the cost of these errors was very high indeed. The years were beginning to tell upon the Fifth Doctor, as they had during the latter days of his fourth incarnation; he was being who had seen and endured much, both good and bad. Despite his boyish appearance, there could be little doubt that, at his core, the Fifth Doctor was a very old man.

Sixth Doctor: The Sixth Doctor was unpredictable in every sense of the word. Arrogant and self-absorbed, stubborn and childish, argumentative and tasteless, he could often be seen as unlikeable or even loathesome. This was a Doctor who did not suffer fools gladly; he sometimes seemed to endure his companion's presence far more than he actually appreciated it, and held himself as superior to almost anyone he encountered. But the new incarnation's brash exterior hid the fact that this was a Doctor more determined than ever to defeat the evil he encountered. He was possessed of a tenacity and a thirst to do what was right that was far more visible than ever before. Despite his often unstable demeanour, he was always quick to act when the situation called for it, and very little -- even his companions -- could hope to get in his way.

Seventh Doctor: No incarnation of the Doctor has seen his personality develop so much, so quickly as the Seventh Doctor. Originally, the new Doctor was portrayed as something of a clown -- tripping over himself, spouting tangled cliches, and apparently saving the day more by accident than by design. He was a congenial figure almost reminiscent of the prototypical village idiot in behaviour, although his vast intelligence was still manifest. As time went on, the Seventh Doctor darkened considerably as hints were unveiled that there was far more to his past -- and to himself -- than had previously been made known. The Seventh Doctor began meeting his foes on his own terms, manipulating them like pieces on a chess board. He became more of an aggressor than any of his previous incarnations, and even his companions were not safe from the tangles of the webs he wove. The results were often more devastating and more decisive than ever before.

Eighth Doctor: The Eighth Doctor behaved in a more human manner than his predecessors, perhaps tying in to the revelation that he was half-human; this was most clearly seen in his willingness to entertain romantic notions with Grace Holloway, albeit in an innocent, almost childlike manner. Like the Fifth Doctor, he exhibited an endearing vulnerability, but this wass contrasted by a sense of urgency and decisiveness. He also demonstrated a flippant sense of humour reminiscent of, though not identical to, the Second and Fourth Doctors.

Ninth Doctor: The Ninth Doctor was a study in contrasts. On the one hand, this Doctor shared many characteristics with his predecessors. One moment he was full of manic energy and a sharp, offbeat wit; the next he was removed and reserved, keenly aware of the divide between himself and the humans he encountered. But the Time War of which the Ninth Doctor was the sole survivor clearly affected him deeply indeed. This was a sadder and angrier Doctor, the weight of his having seemingly destroyed both the Time Lords and the Daleks preying upon him greatly. But consequently, this was also a Doctor who harboured a new appreciation for the wonders of the universe -- and who, more keenly than ever, burned with a desire to keep the universe safe from harm.

Tenth Doctor: Out of the ashes of his wounded ninth incarnation rose the Tenth Doctor like a phoenix. Here was a Doctor no longer weighed down by the scars of Time War; instead, here was a Doctor who wanted to revel in his freedom to wander time and space. He was wide-eyed, charismatic and slightly manic, possessing a disarming sense of humour borne of his seemingly boundless energy. He was also staunchly heroic, leaping into the fray like a slightly demented Errol Flynn. But this is not to say that there was not a dangerous side to the Tenth Doctor. He was not a man to be crossed heedlessly; when driven to anger, he would act without hesitation to strike down those who opposed him. His ruthlessness, bordering on arrogance, could be almost eerie to behold. Best friend and vengeful deity: the Tenth Doctor was both of these, and many things in-between.

Eleventh Doctor: If the Tenth Doctor could be said to be, in many ways, the synthesis of all the Doctors who came before him, the Eleventh Doctor very much marches to the beat of his own drummer. From the outset, he is a man with his own unique vision of the world, one that is undeterred by contrary opinions. Whether it's thinking that bowties are cool, or that fish and custard make an appetising melange, the Eleventh Doctor does things his way. His thought processes, similarly, are quite unlike anything seen before: he is a Doctor prone to unexpected reactions and conclusions, who misses the obvious because he's focussed on the imperceptible. The result is a charming awkwardness, but also a confident and reassuring authority that makes the defiant buckle and the wicked quake.