About the Doctor

The Doctor is a Time Lord, and one of the peculiarities of his race is that they "regenerate" when their bodies wear out, taking on a different physical form and personality. A Time Lord's natural lifespan is twelve regenerations (thirteen incarnations).

In the classic televison series (1963 - 1989), the Doctor went through his first seven incarnations - regenerating a total of six times (this does not include the version of the Doctor played by Peter Cushing in two movies, which do not fit into canon).

The modern era began in 1996 with a movie by Fox Studios which introduced an eighth incarnation. And in 2005 a ninth Doctor returned to regular television viewing, as the BBC began production of a modernized continuation of the original television series. The tenth incarnation of the doctor (ninth regeneration) was introduced in the 2005 Christmas special.

The following is a very brief overview of these incarnations.

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The Classic Series:

The First Doctor - played by William Hartnell

A stately, elderly man who could be just a little tetchy at times, he was crafty and sly, with very little tolerance for playing around or fools. He started out traveling with his granddaughter Susan, and regenerated in the episode "The Tenth Planet." The First Doctor was also played by Richard Hurndall in the anniversary special, "The Five Doctors".


The Second Doctor - played by Patrick Troughton

Quirky and almost resembling a hobo, this Doctor enjoyed playing the recorder and was the first Doctor to utilize the Sonic Screwdriver. He also made first contact with UNIT and the companion of all companions, Brigadier Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. His was the last era filmed in black and white. In the episode "The War Games" the Doctor was brought to trial for his meddling and adventures, his companions were returned to their proper places and times and their memories of him were erased, save for their first adventures. He was then forced to regenerate and was exiled to Earth without the ability to time travel.


The Third Doctor - played by Jon Pertwee

Exiled to Earth, the dashing Doctor had many adventures with UNIT and the Brigadier. Without the ability to time travel in the TARDIS, the Doctor used the roadster Bessie to get around Earth. The first multi-doctor meeting took place during this era, "The Three Doctors," which saw the first three regenerations brought together to help the Time Lords against Omega, and which also saw the Doctor's punishment lifted. This era came to an end with the Doctor's regeneration in "Planet of the Spiders".


The Fourth Doctor - played by Tom Baker

The longest-running and arguably most popular Doctor, he was known for his long scarf and affinity for Jelly Babies. He also used the Sonic Screwdriver fairly frequently. The popular robot dog K9 also appeared during his era. A notable companion during this time was Romana, a fellow Time Lord. This Doctor regenerated after being fatally injured on Earth in the episode "Logopolis".


The Fifth Doctor - played by Peter Davison

A youthful cricketeer by appearance, this Doctor was often moody, pensive, and emotionally vulnerable. The sonic screwdriver was destroyed during this era, and the most poignant companion death, that of Adric, also occured. This era was also notable for bringing together the first five regenerations (Richard Hurndall standing in as the First Doctor) in the anniversary special, "The Five Doctors." The doctor regenerated in the episode "The Caves of Androzani".


The Sixth Doctor - played by Colin Baker

This regeneration was eccentric and difficult at times, and is arguably the most unpopular regeneration. Noted most for his multi-colored frock and his difficulties under pressure, this era also saw the return of the Second Doctor and his companion Jamie for the reunion special "The Two Doctors," and also featured the 'Trial of a Time Lord' series. The doctor regenerated in "The Ultimate Foe".


The Seventh Doctor - played by Sylvester McCoy

Mysterious, manipulative, and with a bit of a dark edge, this regeneration was also crafty and quick-thinking. Known for his distinctive umbrella, this was the last Doctor in the original BBC series. The last episode of the series was "Survival," but the Seventh Doctor did not regenerate until a brief cameo in the 1996 movie "Doctor Who: the Movie".


The Movie:

The Eighth Doctor - played by Paul McGann

Known as "The American Pretender" by me and countless other die-hard fans who grew up watching the show, I suppose a list of the doctors must include him. After all many American fans were introduced to the Doctor in the 1996 movie when he made his only onscreen appearance. There have been countless novelizations of this incarnation in subsequent years which (at least in my opinion) haven't really improved his character. After all, what kind of 900 year old Time Lord would make out with an annoying 30 something blond? And what was with the bizzare Star Trek-ish twist where they made the Doctor part human? HE IS ALL GALLIFREYAN!!!


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The New Series:

The Ninth Doctor - played by Christopher Eccleston

Suddenly the last of the Time Lords after Gallifrey is destroyed (a rather questionable writing decision in my opinion as it brings up SO MANY problems with the whole concept of Time Lord power), the ninth incarnation of the Doctor is even more reluctant to talk about his past. Often bad tempered and stubborn, he is also known for his quick-witted jokes and infectious smile. This Doctor regenerated in the episode "The Parting Of Ways".


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The Tenth Doctor - played by David Tennant

The newest incarnation of the Doctor, David Tennant began filming the Christmas special in July 2005. He will also appear in season two of the new BBC series. Though little is yet known of the personality of his doctor, he described his style as, "...something distinctive that's both timeless and modern, with a bit of geek chic and of course, a dash of Time Lord!" As I do not get the BBC or Sci-Fi channels I have never actually seen any episodes with this incarnation. Please feel free to send me a description of the tenth doctor so that I can update this section.