[Image: The very first glimpse of David Tennant as The Doc, right after Christopher Eccleston had departed, still wearing his clothes and all, as he famously exclaimed: "Barcelona!", and I wasn't too happy...actually, I was downright furious. But I soon had to reconsider my dismissal; which you may read all about, below.]
It is (about) time for a summary and some listings; some nods and credits, recollections, some general recalling of sad, funny, charming, tear-inducing moments, over the past three years. In appropriate honour of this great, great man and his Doctor; the character he's made his very own; which he in name as well as childhood memories seemed almost destined to play. Born into a universe of fandom, where he immediately fell head over heels in love with the sheer concept of "Doctor Who", and established a tight bond of fanboyism to former Doctors Tom Baker and Peter Davison; his self-proclaimed favourites to date; the latter with whom he would later star in charity episode "Time Crash" and whose daughter he's, allegedely, been having an affair with recently. According to teachers and friends, young David wrote essays at school about wanting to be on his favourite show, and he's been collecting memorablia and DVDs for ages. For his drama class, he also changed his birth name (McDonald) to Tennant - and, albeit originally inspired by the Pet Shop Boys, this now seems a striking, almost uncanny co-incidence of word plays, in that the first syllable of his new name would later become his number, on the list of Doctors. Speaking of strange symbolism, though, one should note that his predecessor Christopher Eccleston holds an equally conspicuous connection with Number Nine, since his last name spells out with nine letters. Mysteriousness indeed. The casting of Tennant as The Doctor, however, was much less of a mystery, similar to that of Eccleston, since they were both friends and former collaborators of Russel T. Davies'; Chris has worked with him on multiple occasions, including the awesome "Second Coming", whereas David made his acquaintance whilst doing "Casanova". (Which is one of the most gorgeous BBC productions ever made, in my honest opinion.) Their talents were undeniable, their resumés impressive, and in retrospect they both seem perfectly fit the role of The Doctor - despite their obvious differences. Chris was the serious, dark and gloomy Time Lord, marked by the Time War and suffering in its aftermath, and for an entire series of appropriately dark episodes, he fought own ghosts as well as personal circumstances (apparently, he held an intense dislike for the previous portrayals of the character and wanted to do his "own thing" throughout), becoming the least typical and at the same time, the most complex and - arguably - most exciting Doctor to date. Not the most likeable, or easily understood, or most hilarious, but brilliantly enacted nonetheless. Definately so. Much to the fan community's displease, however, Chris found himself in the need to quit; never stating why, and never explaining to anyone whether he actually liked working on the show, or approved of what he'd accomplished there. He didn't even accept his ever so well-earnt NTA award in person; RTD had to come up and get it for him. Strange man. Then, to take his place, in came David Tennant - a complete and absolute opposite, in every respect. Charismatic, energetic, confusing, a bit odd, but handsome, he seemed the epitome of everything Chris hadn't even tried to be. Instantly in love with life as a Time Traveller, he seemed determined to enjoy every last bit of it. Joking and dancing and bouncing about; eating cookies, playing games, making jokes, chasing after his beloved companion Rose; doing a lot more than just maintaining earth defence and saving the innocent from alien threats. Whilst Nine, on his hand, had been more of a recluse; merely trying to survive, whilst protecting the planet and claiming justice, where it otherwise couldn't have been found. Said Rose being the only one he'd let come near him, taking their relationship much more seriously; in the sense of (its) being sombre, inexpressible; and making it a lot more complicated than Ten would ever do. Because, with the new incarnation, Rose could finally express all her emotions; all her worries; all that had been lurking and swallowed and hidden, whilst in company with the ninth one. Creating, therenext, one of the greatest conflicts ever to have existed in DW fandom: the loving it or hating it of the TEN/ROSE-fling. Nine and Rose were, as commonly considered, platonic friends - one young, restless, and extremely fascinated, the other old, experienced, troubled, and much in need of her care. In need of her love too; to make him whole again, and to comfort his aching heart. And they were probably in love, to some extent, but it was on a very subtle, inexplicit level. Very different from what she'd have with his successor. Nine challenged Rose, in most respects, and she him. They didn't understand each other completely, but were drawn to each other and complemented each other - as opposities. Whereas Ten and Rose immediately became partners and buddies and equals and something that, due to David Tennant and Billie Piper's continuously growing closer, resembled a genuine love affair. They communicated in mutually understanding, soul mate-ish ways, and to many fangirls - myself included - they've come to represent the ultimate of couplings. They just get along perfectly. Behaving in the exact manner you'd want to, with your best mate and lover, and they have the most incredible natural chemistry. That being said, Rose had quite a bit of chemistry with Nine as well; at times it was electric, and when they finally locked lips, the whole screen - literally - took to sizzle. However, and probably down to Christopher's interpretation, you'd constantly find yourself insecure as to what the guy actually meant, and how Rose would interpret his behaviour. Even that kiss. Those big, blue eyes said so much and held so many secrets at the same time. Impossible to get, impossible to grasp. Whilst David's big brown puppy dog eyes revealed everything at once, and made us all cry our hearts out - instead of feeling our hearts breaking, quietly, as was the case with Chris. In other words, the change from Nine to Ten was of a most substantial sort, and for me it just became a bit too much to bear. I could no longer see him as the same man, although I knew that's what he was, or was supposed to be. Bit like Rose herself, only worse. I initally came to loathe David Tennant because he differed so much from the old one, my favourite, the man who'd made me want to watch the programme, and whose characteristics had intrigued me into one severe infatuation. Whose still grip haven't left hold of me. However, the intense hatred against Davey T. - most astonishingly - soon came to fade. I reconsidered. I changed my mind. Mostly because of that same TEN/ROSE-fling; for along with their relationship growing increasingly fonder, I grew fond of Ten. Eventually, what really did it for me, was one of the last scenes in "The Christmas Invasion"; David's first proper, long-running episode; when The Doctor appears onscreen in his new-found costume, the brown suit and cloak, which he's been collecting from the basement wardrobe of the TARDIS. He stands in the doorway of the Tyler kitchen, waiting for Rose to take in and survey his new looks. She does so - she gazes at him, she reconsiders - then she smiles. Broadly. Next minute, he's returning the grin, even broader, and they start to giggle; after which we recognize, instantly, how everything's alright. And that's when I fell in love with David Tennant. As well as "Doctor Who", quite properly. It's one of those moments when you forget television is television and just join in with the dream. No more fiction; no longer fictious in nature; that was so real, I could feel the hearts beating. The three of them. And it was perfect. It was love renewed at first sight, it was beautiful, it was tender, and it was Christmas - no less. It was a scene the show has yet to top, in my opinion, and it's my favourite David Tennant scene; no doubt. Truly, it saved the day. And from that moment on, it just got better; one brilliant episode after the other, numerous fantastic adventures, leading up to the miraculously powerful culminating point of Series 2; those unforgettable farewell scenes at Bad Wolf Bay; therenext - the rollercoaster journey and turmoil of Series 3, with great sorrows and great happiness combined, including the return of Captain Jack, the duel with John Simm's Master, Tinkerbell Jesus and more, and a while after, the incredible Series 4; triumphant all the way through, and much better than the third instalment, with a Catherine Tate that surpassed even Tennant in popularity. Haven't had the chance to rewatch it yet, but I look forward to doing so a lot and it'll be a superb opportunity to acknowledge, and applaud, the proven talent of Tennant and Tate, together, and to witness once more the sheer statement of their genius. Which reminds me, personal favourites in Series 1, 2 and 3 aside, "The Stolen Earth" might just be the best episode of Television ever created. Other top-notch moments I'll remember, other particular scenes to adore, in no particular order; the Lion King-sequence and the pyjama sword fight in "Christmas Invasion" the flashbacks during Rose's voice-over at the beginning of "Army of Ghosts"; an introductory collage which was beautifully made, by the way, especially the scene from the alien planet and the whole...forever-thing. Nothing comes anywhere near being as tragic as this shit, good grief. The Master's death march wasn't bad, either. "Human Nature" was spectacular, "The Shakespeare Code" a bliss. And then there's all those magic moments in Series Four, with Donna, and I haven't really talked that much about Donna, so far, or the entire Series with her in it, but I have to admit - it was deliberate - because, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to stay focused. The previous two seasons were a tour de force for Ten, indeed, and filled with stellar performances from his side, but in Series 4, he was a bit outstaged by a certain redhead female. Not his fault, though, he was as good as ever. He never disappoints. And, as I've mentioned before, here on the Blog, due to my developing an intense liking for Mr. Tennant over the past few years, he will be sorely missed as The Doc, not only because he's David Tennant, but because of all he managed to bring to the character. All his contributions to the series in general. So much to notice, such a long list to make, but I'll try to be brief about my summaries. First of all, I'll miss his general appearance; his straightforward, upright, genuinely happy dispostion. His suits, his smile, his freckles, that rrrreally grrreat hair. Not to mention his general sexiness. Personalitywise, I'll miss his in-jokes, his gimmicks, his adorkable weirdness, and those really awkward, strange ideas he'd come up with, like partying with a tie on his head and singing "I could've danced all night" in "Girl in the Fireplace", and the whole (and now-classic) timey-wimey stuff-scene in "Blink". All the speedy run-throughs of important information that none of us were able to perceive, and all the sauciness; his total disrespect when faced with brutal authority. His tendency to babble and doodle and just...drift off. The swooshing of his cape, sorry cloak, and his very casual manner of strolling about. His extreme ability of sympathy and emotionality, towards his friends as well as people he hardly knew. No wonder, his most famous line will always be "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry". And, lest to forget, his love for Rose. Can't help it, that'll always be the most important aspect to me. As much as I like Sarah Jane and Captain Jack (I won't mention Martha, really), or even Donna; nothing compares to Rose and Ten, out on the prowl. With hugs, laughter, silliness, and no whatsoever. What else; more than just fangirl enthusiasm, the depiction of their relationship generated a great majority of Ten's übermoments; so, with regard to a top-five list of Tennant's reign, the magic of most situations would rely on this bond. In short, he was at his best with a hand to hold, and at his worst when moping over the hand he'd have to let go. Still, looking back, I reckon I'll miss his emo-rounds as well. And the dark turns, when he was all "Nine-wannabe" and looking mad. I'll miss the softness and strength and the overexpose of feelings, temper, glee. Most of all, I'll miss him - just, being him. Any future Doctor-candidate should bear in mind what immensity he'll have to live up to - or, what huge Chuck Taylors he'll have to fill, as one LiveJournal poster put it. I'm sure it's a manageable task, I'm sure I'll learn to like the new guy as well, but I know it won't ever be the same again. And that makes me very melancholy, very frustrated, although it makes me appreciate David Tennant's efforts even more. Special memories we behold, forevermore, and for which we'll remain eternally grateful. Thanks, David. Thank you so much.
And for the record: I know the 2009 Specials haven't aired yet. I know his reign isn't quite finished. But bearing in mind that the last chapters in his saga may turn out really really bad; having learnt our lesson by now, from "That Damned Voyage", etc; I wanted to write this beforehand, to express my actual admiration for David, RTD and company, whilst I still behold it. And, mind you, I love them to bits; no matter how much they (might) f**k up the Christmas Specials yet to come. Do remind me of that when diaster strikes and I am furious again, now, will you?
***
Also, a slight bonus! Quite a bit of bonus material, actually. Some pictures from deleted scenes, i.e. the things we never got to see in the actual episodes, but know that happened - nonetheless. First of all, what's commonly considered the most adorable deleted scene in history, namely the walk to rememeber from "Army of Ghosts" where Rose and The Doctor promenade down the street to the Powell Estate, chatting about their latest adventures and giggling madly. Just adorable, and a perfect illustration of their relationship. Second, a behind-the-scenes clip from "Fear Her", of Billie, David and actress Nina Sosanoya (PM's assistant from "Love Actually", anyone?), dancing on set. Mind the foot work! And certainly, explicit proof of how much fun they're having even whilst we're not watching. Haha. Finally, the full extent of the snogging sequence from "Journey's End", as filmed by the DW Confidential crew, and we're all very grateful that they caught this on film. Too damn hot for the family show, obviously, but that's what I call a kiss! Enjoy the (good) looking, and in honour of everyone involved: you truly are the best.
1) Billie & David stroll.
the clip on youtube
2) Billie & David dance.
the clip on youtube
3) Billie & David snog.
the clip on youtube
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