So. I finally bucked up the courage to watch one of the Matt Smith episodes...

[frameofmind6]

First impressions: It's really not the same show. Like, at all. I mean, at least not any more than the whole 2005 reboot in general was the same show as the old version. Which, come to that, probably changed dramatically multiple times within its own three or so decades.

Ultimately I think it's probably a good thing that it's really not the same show (different sonic screwdriver, different inside of the TARDIS, different musical leitmotifs, different opening credits, different visual look/feel, different cast of companions -- and of course, new-new-new Doctor... ;). Throughout most of the episode I found myself periodically snapping at Matt Smith to change out of my Doctor's clothes and get his own damn sonic screwdriver (though a little part of me did mourn when Doc's lovely blue and silver one finally melted to oblivion) -- and as much as I desperately miss my Doc, I sort of tested myself throughout it by asking every so often, "Would this be better if he were here right now?" And generally I found the answer was no. Not because I don't like him better (which I absolutely do, sorry Matty... ;), but because everything else was just so different and strange that he would have felt out of place, and that would have been worse than not having him at all. In short, while I would kill to have more David Tennant episodes in the abstract, I think that if things were going to change, it's best that they made a clean break and changed everything all at once.

(On a side note, re Matt Smith wearing Doc Ten's clothes -- how is it possible that David Tennant's clothes are TOO LOOSE on anybody? What is this guy, made of toothpicks???)

As for Matt Smith himself and his interpretation of the character, well, I suppose it's hard to say just yet. I seriously doubt that he (or anyone) will ever come close to topping David Tennant in my personal estimation, but that's hardly a fair measure given that I'm in love with him (and frankly, am really more of a David Tennant fan than I am a Doctor Who fan, much as I do enjoy the show). All that said, he's interesting and quirky, and he did make me laugh a few times, which is good -- a step in the right direction. On the other hand, he also strikes me as being a bit green as an actor. He has a little bit of that fresh-out-of-drama-school, "look ma, I'm acting!" quality to him. I don't quite completely believe him -- I can see him working. Which is really to be expected -- he's only 26, for heaven's sake. David Tennant had the same thing when he was in his early twenties (see "Takin' Over the Asylum" for evidence -- he's great in it, but definitely a bit on the green side...) -- it's just something you have to grow out of. And I'm 85% sure that this is a genuine observed opinion, not just the result of my deep-seated desire to find fault with him for the sin of not being David Tennant... ;)

I'm also curious to see where they're going to take the character from here developmentally. I mean, DT's Doc had a wonderful sort of depth and humanity and vulnerability to him that developed over time, with each new companion he gained and lost, and each new victory that came at a price. In some ways, if I'm honest, I know that by the time he left, it was also sort of the right time in the narrative for that character to get a reboot, because the little scars were piling up on him a bit, and he was getting weighed down by it. There was a lot of pain and darkness under the surface of the last couple of seasons, especially the specials -- and that was good, but it couldn't just keep going in that direction forever. It would have gotten to be too much. So, sort of as I was saying earlier, there's a selfish side of me that just wanted him to keep doing it forever and have everything not ever change -- but there's a more practical and creatively pragmatic side of me that realizes everything pretty much worked out exactly as it needed to. Anyway, I just have to keep reminding myself that my Doc is still around -- he's off living happily ever after with Rose in the alternate universe. Duh! ;)

So, yeah, a little sidetracked -- but anyway, what I was saying is that I'm curious how they'll develop this new-new-new Doctor character, if they'll be able to give him the kind of dimension they found in the last one. That's all.

Oh -- and on a side note, what a weird, random surprise to see Olivia Coleman from Peep Show and That Mitchell and Webb Look show up as a Doc Who baddie with six-inch fangs. Sophie's had her bitchy moments, but I've never seen her do that before...lol...

Aaaand now I need to go and watch a Doc Ten episode. Because, of course.

(We're easing in...slowly but surely... ;)

Comments

[knittingknots.livejournal.com]

Ah, the joys of getting used to a new Doctor...

Had to do it multiple times.

They all (well, most) have each their own certain charms...each different.

[frameofmind6.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was worried about this even before I started watching the show -- characters changing actors is a pet peeve of mine. I know they have an explanation and all, but still...I get attached... ;)

I did manage the Eccleston to Tennant transition -- but that was made easier by the fact that the whole point of my watching the show in the first place was because I was curious about DT. Although I was surprised to find how attached I had gotten to Eccleston by the time I got to the end of that first series. When I saw him actually turn into DT, I was a little wary. That didn't last long though. And I have seen a few Tom Baker episodes too, which is a whole different thing -- but there's something very different about watching people who played the character before the person you're attached to, and watching the person who took over afterwards...

Ah well. I'm sure I'll muddle through somehow... ;)

[replicantangel.livejournal.com]

Hehe. Good to know that you aren't pitching a fit or anything. ;P

I was very on the fence about Eleven until about the 4th episode (although I suppose I was warming up throughout the previous 3). He didn't grab me immediately like Tennant - and really, so few can do that, lol - but now, I really rather like him. He *is* different, and the show definitely takes on a whole new tone with Moffat at the helm, but it settles in very well.

How did you like Pond btw?

[frameofmind6.livejournal.com]

Oh, when they had that bit at the end where they flicked through the images of all the previous Doctors I felt like sobbing -- but no, other than that (and the occasional "Take off my Doc's clothes you impostor!!!"), I'm not pitching too much of a fit... ;)

I'll get used to him. I am actually relieved that it's as different as it is (if it had been too similar it would have been really hard to come to terms with DT not being in it), but it also sort of feels like I'm starting at square one with a whole new show. It'll take some time for me to come to care about it and the people in it. I also think I'll miss RTD's influence. Moffat is good (though he seems to have a weird obsession with creepified child imagery...), and I know RTD takes a lot of flak from the fandom in general, but his style is right up my alley. Character development and relationships are real strengths/interests of his, and I like that.

I like Amy Pond so far, I think -- I don't know, I sort of feel like I'm meeting her in a vacuum. I can't really compare her to any of the others, because so much depends on the rapport between the assistant and the Doctor, and I don't really know this Doctor yet. But she seems interesting, and not obnoxious, which is always a plus. I also really like Rory -- he didn't get a whole lot of face time in that first episode, but the few lines he got in were some of my favorites.

[replicantangel.livejournal.com]

I think kids might scare Moffat - he has a couple, after all. :P Although he was kind of hit or miss with me in the midst of the RTD's seasons, and I think that partially comes from his totally different style. But now that it's *all* his style, that definitely helps.

Rory is pretty awesome and gets better. He's such a doofus.

[frameofmind6.livejournal.com]

I find I appreciate Moffat's episodes (in the RTD series, I mean) objectively, but there's nearly always something that bugs me about them personally. Like Mme. de Pompadour in "Girl in the Fireplace," and River Song in those episodes about the library. It's sort of like he was always writing his own show, and just putting up with the characters and structures that RTD had created in the meantime. Without that clash, maybe I won't have a problem with him at all -- that would be nice. I do think his episodes in general were very well constructed.

[replicantangel.livejournal.com]

just putting up with the characters and structures that RTD had created in the meantime

This. Totally this. He's very good and even TGITF has some bits that still make me giggle my face off, but they're very jarring to watch, because they don't follow the canon of the character development that RTD established.

Ah well. He does a lot better when it's his ship. Maybe it was sort of a "too many cooks in the kitchen" deal. :P