Doctor Who - Eccleston vs Tennant

[Mikey]

Was just watching a few Season-1 Eccleston Doctor Who's last night and was overcome with a bit of nostagia.

When the first series premiered it was only on CBC in Canada ... No US channel picked it up.
Brian used to record them and then send them down to the States after a few episodes
This made watching Series-1 a real event at the time.

But, now that Tennant is all the rage I haven't seen Season-1 for a while.

After watching it last night I really started to miss the Series-1 style.
Eccleston was more "fun" ... and basically the show itself seemed more fun then the Tennant seasons.

Eccleston's Doctor had a lot of baggage and you really didn't wanna p'ss him off, but overall I think his time as the Doctor was more enjoyable then Tennants.

I know Tennant is a fan favorite and many people think his Doctor is Tom Baker reincarnated but I don't see that.
If anything I think Tennant is closer to Sly McCoy with a touch of Colin.

That doesn't mean I don't like Tennant ...
I just don't think his Doctor or his seasons are as "fun" as Eccleston's.

Who do you prefer ?

[EMCE Hammer]

I've never gotten over Eccleston leaving. I loved Baker when I was a kid, but (here comes blasphemy) I have a hard time watching a lot of his era now. It's not that I dislike Tennant, but I just prefer Eccleston's edge and attitude. I haven't watched Dr. Who in awhile; I'm working my way through Torchwood and I prefer it.

[wolfie]

You will notice that Ecclestone's doctor is tough and turning into a monster of his own. As the series goes along Rose changes him and makes him see himself for what he has become. The Tennant doctor is the result of this.

[Gorn Captain]

Honestly?
I was happy to see Eccleston leave.
To me, he had just two "moods": super happy, or super serious. It was the bipolar doctor. It was like watching a remote control robot with just two settings. His look was also so "ordinary", that even the outfit didn't make him stand out.
I know, the Doctor is a man of extremes, but Eccleston just didn't interest me.
I'll really miss Tennant, I can't help but like him. The only thing that sometimes spoiled it for me was not the actor, but some of the writing, especially RTD's latest stories. It just feels like "we can't come up with a good story, but we'll cover it up with loads of explosions, loud music and fast-paced action, that'll make it work". The Bruckheimer approach.
But as for Tennant: I'll miss him, and so far, the Matt Smith hasn't impressed me with his acting skills so far. That and the fact that the next Doctor will probably be played by a 12 year old.

So as to your question: Thank God Eccleston regenerated!

PS: how about making a retro-active regeneration and bring back an old Doctor (Sly McCoy, etc. )They deserve working with a real budget for a change...

[Mikey]

I'd love to see a The Seven Doctor's story.

As far as I know ALL of the Classic Doctors including Tom Baker is up for it.

It's a shame it's not happening -- especially while all the current living Classic Doctors are still alive.

I think the Davison-Tennant short Time-Crash was such a waste.

[Nostalgiabuff]

I'd live to see a 7 doctors story arc too...especially if Tom Baker would be a full participant.
I liked Eccleston better as well. I liked him right from the get. Tennant took a while for me to warm up to but I did enjoy his run overall....what I watched of it anyway.....after they wrote Rose out I stopped watching....could not stand that annoying woman they replaced her with

[Gorn Captain]

especially while all the current living Classic Doctors are still alive.

That's a statement I just have to agree with....

[Tothiro]

I loved Baker growing up, but Eccleston 100%. I loved his doctor. The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances two part was my favorite Dr Who episode of the run. I was so sad/annoyed to hear that the BBC fired the writer of that two-part episode because I thought it was the best work they'd done. BBC said they wanted to take it lighter though.

"Red Bicycle... you were twelve." and "Just this once, everybody lives..." was great stuff.

I can understand someone not warming up to the emotional extremes - but to me it was simply an indicator of the untold story. I saw that doctor as trying very hard to regain his center - the doctor that he used to be (maybe with a Baker smile?), in the face of what was basically PTSD from some series of horrors. I think parts of the show worked best when Eccleston's doctor would turn around and look at himself, realizing the monster he had become in reaction to, and needing Rose to help him bring himself back from the experience. Eccleston was just a Doctor recovering from something unrecoverable (IE the death of his family and everyone he knew and whatever else he witnessed in the Time War).

[clemso]

Eccleston for me all the way. I think if he had stayed on a couple more seasons, he would have been among the great Doctors. I've never been a fan of Tennant.

[Meule]

Honestly?
I was happy to see Eccleston leave.
To me, he had just two "moods": super happy, or super serious. It was the bipolar doctor. It was like watching a remote control robot with just two settings. His look was also so "ordinary", that even the outfit didn't make him stand out.
I know, the Doctor is a man of extremes, but Eccleston just didn't interest me.

Gotta agree with Rik here

[number 6]

I liked Eccleston a lot and was really disappointed that he only did it for one season, wish he had stayed on for at least one more.

I didn't mind the fact that his outfit was more "normal". After the 6th and 7th doctors clown costumes, this was a nice change.

Funny, Tennant had always struck me as the dipolar Doctor: either he's the wacky-zaney Doctor or he's the righteously indignant, on his soap box Doctor.

[Mikey]

At first I wasn't happy about Tennant's costume, but as the episodes went by I came to appreciate the plainness of it ...

I hated how many of the Classic Doctors had "uniforms"

That was mostly the work of JNT.

I loved how Jon Perwee STOLE his suit ...
He didn't go in the TARDIS wardrobe to pick something out ...
Pertwee's suit was stolen out of necessity -- he was bareass
As the show progressed (the Pertwee years) he changed clothes often ... Always the same style, but a little different.

Tom was ok too --- until JNT took over.

After JNT it was all about THE UNIFORM ...
The Doctor should NOT have a uniform.

and question marks are embarrassingly awful in any form.
No Doctor would wear question marks.

Would the Doctor actually think ........
Hmmmm, I never tell anyone my name -- and when they ask me my name I tell them "The Doctor" ..
I know behind my back they all say, Doctor who ?
So maybe i'll wear question marks --- this way people will think i'm even more mysterious - or a jackass

[saildog]

I've really only followed the show since the 2005 re-birth and this may sound like a non-answer, but as much as I loved Eccelston in the role, I bought the Tennant reincarnation with ease.

I give a lot of credit to everyone involved for a believable transition. With a long-running character like the Doctor, it's not unprecedented, in fact, it's as much a plot-device as the sonic screwdriver and when it works well, like I think it did here, it's believable.

Slight edge to Eccleston, in my opinion. Perhaps the buzz-cut and the black leather jacket made the Doctor seem "edgy"?

I do think Freema Agyeman was mighty purdy, if that helps any.

[Mikey]

I do think Freema Agyeman was mighty purdy, if that helps any.

The only problem I have with Freema is everytime she's on screen I can't take my eye's off her perfect behind ... Which is very distracting when you want to watch the story

[saildog]

The only problem I have with Freema is everytime she's on screen I can't take my eye's off her perfect behind ... Which is very distracting when you want to watch the story

Indeed.

I do like Martha Jones, though. Freema brought a lot to the role (fantastic posterior acknowledged, but other good points, as well). Liked the Torchwood crossovers and her bit part in Army of Ghosts as a separate, bit character.

What can I say, except I'm a Freema fan and I hope there is some "wiggle" room to bring her back. (pun intended)