The Probulator

What I suspected has now been offically released by the BBC.  David Tennant is leaving Doctor Who at the end of the 2009 Specials.  I’m guessing that this news is the reason that the Doctor Who Forum is experiencing major difficulties in delivering its content.   I thought David made an excellent Doctor.  His incredible level of energy and sense of fun made the show more entertaining than at time in its long history.  His three years with the show allowed him to develop and evolve the 10th Doctor’s personality.  Christopher Eccleston’s 9th Doctor didn’t quite get that chance.  (Yes, I know it was Eccleston’s choice to leave the role.)  Although, too much of the whole “immortal with eternal survivor’s guilt” thing would probably have gotten old very quickly. I find it interesting that the “serious” 9th Doctor had less serious stories than the “fun” 10th Doctor.  Russell T. Davies may not be the greatest of writers, but I think this shows an understated genius in his running the show.

I imagine the news will disappoint a good number of fans who expected their favorite Doctor to have a run of Tom Baker endurance.  While I certainly enjoyed Tennant’s run immensely, I find myself welcoming this news. Ever since William Hartnell was forced out bowed out of the role, it’s been designed to be handed down from actor to actor, allowing the show to evolve in a way that no other show can.  When the original series was canceled in 1989, Sylvester McCoy was determined to hand the role over to his successor at some point.  He had that opportunity to do so in the 1996 TV movie.  Yes, the movie was sub-par, but at least he was able to do so.  Now we’ll get to see it passed on again right at the time a new team takes over the production.  I think we’ll see a fresh start and some great originality.  (Hopefully part of that includes giving the Daleks a rest.  They need to bow out for a few years at least.)  A new Doctor is always a fun ride.  My only hope is Stephen Moffett allows the show to keep its gay sensibility.

I will stay out of any speculation on who should/will inherit the role.  It’s a British Institution and I’m not British.  There will be plenty of others posting their ideas all over the internet until the successor is announced.  Until then, there will be five more specials for us to appeciate Doctor Number 10.

Tags: British, Doctor Who, Drama, Entertainment, Science Fiction, Television, gay //