Discussing the First Doctor

[John Darnacan]

I thought that since the First Doctor was so different from all his successors, he was worth a thread.

He obviously started out very differently. Any thoughts?

[Fitz Kreiner]

very interesting way to start the Doctor off as an anti-hero.

i do like the first Doctors portrayal, very much that of the old man Bill Hartnell was and although Hurdnall did a good job portraying him in Teh Five DOctors, he didnt capture the grumpiness that HArtnell showed. thats one of the good things that Hartnell brought to the character.

watching the beginning box set wehn it arrived really reminded me of how good Hartnell was.

[John Darnacan]

It's an interesting contrast. In those early episodes, the motives weren't to save the planet/galaxy/universe. Often their own survival was the prime motivator. And it was often Ian or Barabara that drove the morality.

[Fitz Kreiner]

yes, like it seemed as though the Doctor was going to bump off the cave man and try to get back to the TARDIS and escape, and he didnt seem to pleased about helping them either, as in the cavemen.

and he wasnt too pleasent to IAn and Barbara in Edge of Destruction, but he did go though a bit of a change of character in the Daleks when he was trying to persuade them not to wipe out the thals.

But i think Ian and Babs were instrumental in changing the Doctors character slightly, they must have meant a lot to him, IMO.

[John Darnacan]

beowulf said:

yes, like it seemed as though the Doctor was going to bump off the cave man and try to get back to the TARDIS and escape, and he didnt seem to pleased about helping them either, as in the cavemen.

and he wasnt too pleasent to IAn and Barbara in Edge of Destruction, but he did go though a bit of a change of character in the Daleks when he was trying to persuade them not to wipe out the thals.

But i think Ian and Babs were instrumental in changing the Doctors character slightly, they must have meant a lot to him, IMO.

Very good point. But I also think that if he stayed an anti-hero too long the audience would have started to dislike him.

I also think The Keys of Marius was also a turning point. For the first time, he shows some real cleverness (beyond his scientific smarts) when he switches in the fake key.

[Slagathor]

There definitely seemed to be more desperation in those episodes. The Doctor hadn't yet developed the confidence in his ability to solve any situation. He showed more fear about his personal safety.

He wasn't so arrogant, although he had plenty of bluster.

[John Darnacan]

I agree. He seemed to have more confidence in the futuristic stories, and less in the historicals.

[The Doc]

Perhaps he had more confidence in the futuristic stories because they were closer to his level, being that he is from a very futuristic society.

[Meddling Monkey]

I loved Hartnell. I was always dissappointed with his diminished role in "The Three Doctors". It was quite bittersweet.