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Opinions of Patrick Troughton from younger viewers.
LivingDestiny
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Now by younger viewers I don't necessarily mean children, I mean Doctor Who fans of ages past Troughtons era. As we all know the BBC archive clear out means that sadly most of Patrick Troughtons era has gone and yet we still hear some fans saying he is the best Doctor of all time.
So the HURT AND HEAL game is down to Tom and Patrick. It got me wondering, some younger fans are saying PT is the best Doctor, even though a lot of the older fans who remember stories such as Power of the Daleks, say that the missing stories were even better. So would Patrick Troughton be the clear "face of Doctor Who" like most people see Tom Baker now. I mean, PT is the longest serving Doctor in a way as his last appearance minus flashbacks was The Two Doctors in 1985, as well as two other anniversary episodes previously. He was truly dedicated to the show. To me this has to make him the greatest Doctor of all time already, even if we have lost some of his gems. And his incarnation was definitely one of the best with scripts aside but not my favourite.
I'm 18 and it does annoy me how people (mostly in the media) talk about Four/Tom Baker more than Two/Patrick Troughton... What are everyone elses thoughts?
So the HURT AND HEAL game is down to Tom and Patrick. It got me wondering, some younger fans are saying PT is the best Doctor, even though a lot of the older fans who remember stories such as Power of the Daleks, say that the missing stories were even better. So would Patrick Troughton be the clear "face of Doctor Who" like most people see Tom Baker now. I mean, PT is the longest serving Doctor in a way as his last appearance minus flashbacks was The Two Doctors in 1985, as well as two other anniversary episodes previously. He was truly dedicated to the show. To me this has to make him the greatest Doctor of all time already, even if we have lost some of his gems. And his incarnation was definitely one of the best with scripts aside but not my favourite.
I'm 18 and it does annoy me how people (mostly in the media) talk about Four/Tom Baker more than Two/Patrick Troughton... What are everyone elses thoughts?
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I really wish I were allowed to comment, but I watched the Hartnell era when it was broadcast.
Since then I've familiarised myself with much of Classic Who, and find my opinions differ from many in my age bracket. I thought Patrick Troughton was brilliant... as a replacement for Hartnell, he had the hard job of being the first regeneration Doctor.
However, I prefer William Hartnell's Doctor, and he stands up as arguably my favourite Classic Doctor. I really enjoy his greater hostility, and his "grumpy old important man" routine... it was quite different to anything that followed. Similarly I enjoyed Jon Pertwee's era as well, though I found that to be more because I was more interested in the stories at that point.
Tom Baker is brilliant, but I definitely think he's overrated... in the same way David Tennant is overrated today. It is a shame there isn't more of Patrick Troughton's stuff to enjoy today, as I still think he was a blinding Doctor. I just personally enjoyed the show more during Pertwee's time in the role, and preferred Hartnell as The Doctor.
You can comment! I'd be really interested to know anything about the missing episodes you can remember
I like all of the doctors and I have no favourite or least favourite doctor but if someone insisted that I should choose my favourite doctor I would say Patrick Troughton. He makes every story enjoyable in my opinion even if there are script issues. Without him there wouldn't be a show not only because of the successful regeneration but also he influenced every doctor after him with his take on the doctor and he arguably defined the doctor more than William Hartnell. As for younger viewers I have a 16 year old relative who really enjoys the second doctor. Very underrated Doctor in my opinion.
There are a number of us old people on here with memories of the "Old" days of Doctor Who. I loved Patrick's enthusiasm, and William's gruff yet loving grandfather attitude. Jon came over as more of an action hero type. Tom was my favorite for a long time. I never did really like Peter, but that didn't stop me from watching because I loved the show. Colin tried so hard to do the job, but had bad scripts and the beebs was in turmoil about the show. Sylvester was also caught in the same trap. Well portrayed, but the beebs had other plans. But then what do I know, I'm just an old guy living in the wilds of Canada;)
(Similarly I haven't seen much of Hartnell, but if I'd have been of the age when the show debuted, I probably wouldn't be a fan now as the guy just puts me off....)
At least PT made the character and the show as a whole seem fun and enjoyable.
Who'd want to have the magic and wonder of travelling through time and space ruined by your guide being snarky, grouchy and all around condescending to you.
I'd have said to him "you know what, Doctor, if you're that superior go and find someone on your level to travel with because otherwise you're just ruining this trip"
It'd be like travelling with Statler and Waldorf merged into one extra-moany, grumpy person.
Troughton though, he's funny when he needs to be and deadly serious when it matters, the best combination.
I just wish I had more opportunity to see his episodes. UK Gold have long since given up and BBC4's showings are far too infrequent *Sigh*
Well I think both Pertwee(Particularly in his first Season) and Eccleston were far worse, the latter being far more rude and patronising than anything Hartnell could muster. He may have been grumpy but he was also quite eccentric and doddery as well which made a nice combination which the sternness. I think he was a very good Doctor.
I do agree Troughton was a much more humourous and funny Doctor and as always proved a total contrast to his predecessor. Troughton is one of my favourite Doctors, I like his gentle quirkiness and humour and his banter with Jamie in some stories has only ever been equalled imo by the 4th Doctor and Sarah. I also like the fact that his Doctor could just turn serious in a heartbeat and defeat the enemy.
As I've said before, I like the fact his Doctor is like Columbo. In both cases their general, shabby appearance and easy going manner leads everyone to totally underestimate them both, which gives them the edge and helps them both win the day. I'd love to see this again in The Doctor, it's such a brilliant combination to have.
I genuinely love the Doctor and I don't care all that much which actor plays him as long he manages to bring the Doctor forward and so far, all actors have managed that. In my opinion.
So as to my opinion of him as the Doctor, I won't know until I start watching his stories
I do wish they could have enough money to animate some of the missing stories with more than two missing episodes.
I'd happily watch a totally animated reconstruction of any Troughton story.
As Matt Smith said about him, the Second Doctor is peculiar whilst never asking you to find him peculiar.
Me too! I've loved every Troughton episode I've seen, often just on the strength of his performances, 'The Mind Robber' being my favourite. He was marvellous, funny, humane and wickedly clever, and he's way up on my list of favourite Doctors.
Watched Tomb of the Cybermen which is my first 2nd Doc solo adventure after watching the 1st episodes with the great 'cranky' 1st doc
Troughton's performance was very enjoyable
Looking forward to seeing the Seeds of Death which is the next one I have lined up!
I had 4 big brothers; so was made well aware of the legacy I was hopping into and saw many of the old Who's while watching the new.
In many ways I saw them all in a jumbled up order which kinda worked; before going through what I could in order when older.
Patrick Troughton was - arguably - the most versatile actor to play the Doctor; and the least "scary" for me. I always knew he was Alien; and seeing Colin Bakers portrayal first; I always recognized the steel behind the character.
Troughton pulled it out when he needed to - notably in the enjoyable (if a little ropey) "The Two Doctors", and when facing Omega in the excellent "The Three Doctors".
I always enjoyed his madcap zaniness; but he played it perfectly; snapping into intellect and authority when facing real villians. Troughtons performance in "the Enemy of The World" as Salamander can be seen in the remaining episode; and hints that the lost 5 are a real loss.
Having to play a change of character without breaking from that character is a tough call; and we'll never know if any other actor could have pulled it off; yet Troughton defined the Doctors ability to be "the same man, just totally different".
Hie final serial "The War games" is another triumph of "how they used to do it" - and it's a shame modern Who never lets up the pace long enough to dwell on the characters like they used to.
His dynamism with his companions and his instant chemistry with many of the guest actors was totally believable; Hartnell and Pertwee sometimes were a little too aware of the Camera; and kids REALLY pick up on any breach of the bubble. Tom was also guilty of occasionally being aware of the fourth wall; while Davison, Colin and McCoy were sometimes guilty of being too busy acting to 'be there'. Troughton never let the bubble burst in my watchings.
Older now I reckon the best way I can describe it is that Troughton - more than any other - clearly actually loved the character and the role, even if it famously took him a few epsiodes to get there.
My brother and I recently had a discussion in which he said that he thinks the character is "Actor Proof" and that no matter who is cast, the layers laid by the previous actors, and the sheer possibility of the show will always make it watchable. Im not sure I agree - Peter Cushing (while not THE Doctor) clearly struggled - and he was amazing.
We've been fortunate that no Actor thus cast has dropped the ball, even when faced with impossible odds and dwindling support, and all have some truly wonderful science fiction stories, wonderful dramas and wonderful sentiments;
But The Second Incarnation of The Doctor was the most complete depiction of the character for me. showing the Intellectual, Emotional, Spiritual and physical depth that those who followed could draw on.
While Hartnell, Tom Baker, Davison, Tennant and - much to my heartwarming surprise - Smith have all made the part their own; and while Pertwee, Colin Baker, McCoy, Eccleston and McGann had some wonderful moments - I cant imagine any of them having done it without Troughton's input to the Character; and no other Doctor has - in my opinion - left more of himself in the character. It's often said that Tom Baker is "THE" Doctor; but for me "The Doctor" always conjures up an image of Troughton in my head - despite me not having seen as much of him as any of those who followed.
Side note - to the guy who says Hartnell puts him off; I highly recommend "The Rescue" and "The Romans" for giving him a try; especially the Rescue - as this short story would happily work well today length and pace wise. I find Hartnells Doctor in these stories pre-empts some of Tennant and Smith's finer performances. The scene where Hartnell confronts the villian in the hall of Judgment on the planet Dido is a classic scene - even pulling the rug out from you for thinking the 'monster' looks like a bad costume.
Cheers.
To say that this is despite needing to listen to reconstructions explains a lot how well he did the role.
The first Troughton episode I ever watched was like I watched him in it for years. He just had that natural doctor charm which made you warm to him.
The only PT episode I saw was from the BBC America episode that recounted the life of the second doctor (The Tomb of the Cybermen). Those shows that really get into the doctors, the companions that traveled with them have given me a snapshot about the history of the show that I missed.
Patrick is my favourite Doctor, it's just a shame that so many episodes are missing. I just find him hilarious and I loved his take on the character.