With
Christmas fast approaching, we’ll soon be getting our first substantial glimpse
of the Twelfth Doctor (or Thirteenth, or Fourteenth, or whatever Moffat’s done
to mess with the Whovians’ Doctor-numbering system.) In anticipation of that glimpse, I’ll be
taking a few days off from my Capaldi Winter reviews to post all manner of
eager-Whovian scribblings.
First,
let’s look over some of the PC roles I’ve reviewed so far and mine them for
Doctory potential. I think PC stands to
be a fantastic Doctor, and the proof is in the filmography pudding. Off we go!
Danny Oldsen, Local Hero
No
place to start like the beginning.
Though PC was still developing his actor chops at this time, there’s a
quirky zest to Danny that’s terribly watchable.
The Doctor is an ancient Time Lord, he’s frequently the smartest in the
room, and he can stare down a Dalek with the best of them, but he can also be
loveably, winningly awkward. Eleven’s
attempts to pass as human in “The Lodger” spring to mind, and Danny’s unique brand
of oddity fits that aspect of the Doctor.
The British Ambassador, Rosie the Great
One of my favorite things about Doctor Who is its joy. It delights in the universe’s infinite supply of beauty and adventure, and the Doctor frequently embodies that unbridled happiness. Don’t get me wrong – the Doctor has more than his share of darkness, and we’ll be addressing that later, but the joy should never be discounted. I think of Four’s delight at the wonderfully violent butler in “City of Death,” Eight dancing around in his borrowed shoes in the TV movie, and any instance of Nine uttering the word “fantastic.”
In
other words, there’s a reason an actor’s smile is one of the things Whovians
discuss whenever a new Doctor is announced.
That exuberance, that lust for life, is paramount. From One’s knowing smirk to Eleven’s warm grin,
we need a Doctor to deliver on the sense of fun.
The
British Ambassador isn’t PC’s only happy role, but he’s the one that best embodies
that side of the Doctor. His buoyant
optimism is irrepressible, no matter what happens to him. He could easily fit in with Ten’s giddiness
at the thought of being hunted by a werewolf.
Islingnton, Neverwhere
Islinton
is an excellent show of two important Doctorish qualities: age and alien-ness. I don’t know if anyone can truly rival Matt
Smith’s phenomenal portrayal of a 1,000+-year-old alien in a 20-something’s
body, but PC’s performance in Neverwhere
ably demonstrates his abilities. When
Islington remembers Atlantis, when he talks of how long he’s been on earth, you
believe it entirely. His are old eyes
that have seen fathoms, when he looks at other characters, he makes them seem
so new and young.
Of
course, Islington is an angel rather than an alien. Still, the fact remains that he’s not human,
and PC never lets you forget it. From
the first shot of Islington, it’s clear that he’s otherworldly, and even in a
strange, fantastical place like London Below, there’s no one out there like
him.
Rory McHoan, The Crow Road
Doctor Who is a family show, and children have
played a number of important roles in Moffat’s Who especially. Eleven’s
interactions with them, from Amelia to Kazran to Stormageddon, are
important. And beyond Eleven, Moffat’s
episodes during the RTD reign include a gaggle of London street rats in series
1, young Reinette in series 2, and Cal in series 4. For as long as Moffat is in charge of Who, kids will definitely be a fixture.
PC has worked well with children several times, but he’s at his best here. Rory’s flashback conversation with young Prentice in the last episode is everything a Doctor-child dynamic should be. Rory is both a protector and a playmate, and he discusses complicated matters without talking down to Prentice – perfect.
To be completed tomorrow – so much PC, so little time…
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