Top Ten Eleventh Doctor Moments

              Only a few months from now the new series of Doctor Who will premiere, featuring the Twelth (technically the 13th/new1st) Doctor - the always amazing Peter Capaldi. I am very excited about this and eager to see what Capaldi will bring to this iconic role. But before I get too ancy about what is to come, let us take a look back to where we've been with the Top Ten Greatest Moments of the 11th Doctor. Matt Smith really brought childish energy and ancient wisdom to the role of The Doctor. His interpretation was that of a goofy teenager, an uncoordinated house cat tripping over his own feet and cracking jokes left and right because to stay still for a moment was to remember. And remembering hurts.



10: Interacting With Ada - The Crimson Horror

           Ada was dealt a crummy hand by life. Her father was apparently a drunk, her mother abused her and scarred her for life with cruel experiments, she spent her days alone in the dark, and in the end she discovered that no one really had cared for her at all. So it is so sweet and so touching when The Doctor ('her monster'...the kindred spirit she had latched onto and taken care of) gently kissed her on the cheek and told her how special she was. She had treated him with such tenderness before, smuggling him away from her mother and doing her best to bring him food and comfort, that it is wonderful to see him paying her back the best way he knows how. The Doctor understands how it feels to be an outsider...despised and different from those around you...and he is so loving to Ada because he sees the intelligent woman trapped behind those empty, scarred eyes and he wants her to know that she is worth something. He can never take away the years of pain and abuse...but he can give her hope for the future and that loving, non-judgemental understanding was just what Ada needed the most.

9: "I will always remember when The Doctor was me."

           Do I even have to say what episode this one is from? I'm sure that it is all very fresh and emotional in your minds. Whatever bones I have to pick with Mr. Steven Moffat concerning his writing of late (particularly the latter half of Series 7) I have to admit that I think he handled the regeneration of the Eleventh Doctor just about perfectly. It wasn't melodramatic, angsty, or bitter. After The Doctor received the new set of regenerations from Gallifrey, he dashes back to the TARDIS where Clara finds him enjoying one last meal of fish fingers and custard. I guess he figured he had to do it then before his taste buds regenerated, but it is also a nice bit of symmetry...something The Time of The Doctor did extraordinarily well. Moffat, I forgive you for The Bells of Saint John and Asylum of the Daleks! The Eleventh Doctor goes into his change with quiet acceptance and the joy of living. He looks back over this life and says that it has been good...but he also looks forward with anticipation and contentment. He isn't sulky, and he isn't desperately clinging to the past. He just promises to remember this time forever and leaves it at that. It reminds me of the Fourth regeneration...or the Ninth. It's just a great character moment and one that makes me sniffle a bit to this day...

8: The Pandorica - The Pandorica Opens 

         I LOVE this episode! I think that Series 5 of Doctor Who may just be the best story arc since the revived series. Everything about it just fit together and tied up so well in a finale that managed to perfectly achieve the balance between epic and personal that so many others have strived for and failed. It is just perfection. I also like how this is the first time they really expand on the idea that The Doctor is viewed as a dangerous force of destruction...and that he causes as many problems as he fixes (like a certain Batman episode explored). We've seen this concept before. It was touched on with the whole Torchwood Estate story arc of Series 2, but the impact was never really shown on a large scale. Here, though, you have an alliance of every enemy The Doctor has ever faced...every thing that's ever hated him...coming to The Pandorica to seal him inside the unbreakable prison for evermore. It's a dark episode, a touching episode, and one that really makes a person think. But it is the desperate cries of The Doctor as the walls of The Pandorica close around him that really sticks in a person's mind long after the story has been resolved and the day saved.

7: "Because I can't see it anymore." - Meanwhile In The TARDIS

          Some of you may not have seen this minisode before. It is available on the DVD sets as a bonus feature and takes place between Flesh & Stone and The Vampires of Venice. It is a scene that was very much needed because it deals with why Amy kissed The Doctor in that baffling end scene to the Weeping Angel two-parter. Basically Amy feels that she's been getting mixed signals from The Doctor. First it was like he was sweeping her off her feet, then he was treating her like a child, then he was flirting with River but also saving Amy, and then she just didn't know what to think. She kissed him because she was confused...and of course that only made the poor Doctor confused too. The minisode is quite funny with The Doctor comparing himself to both Gandalf and Yoda in the same sentence and Amy discovering (with a bit of cheeky help from the TARDIS) The Doctor's rather long and colorful entourage of female companions. But the moment that really stands out to me is whenever Amy rather peevishly demands that The Doctor explain why he even took her with him if he isn't interested in her and he replies wearily that the reason he takes companions with him on his travels is because he just 'can't see it any more'. 'It' being the wonder and beauty of time and space. He says that there is a problem with making the universe your backyard because, after a few hundred years, that's all you have: a backyard. He needs his companions to keep him grounded. He needs them to see the good in what they're discovering...because when they see it, he sees it instead of all of the problems that he needs to start compromising his morals to fix.

6: Fish Fingers & Custard - The Eleventh Hour - The Power of Three

            Yes I know that this theme continues right up until the regeneration story The Time of The Doctor...but for this entry I'm going to focus on its significance in the relationship between The Doctor and The Ponds. I think that for every Doctor there was a specific companion or set of companions that he just clicked with. Yes all of the companions on the show are great characters with distinct personalities...but for each Doctor there were a specific few that shared a special kind of chemistry and relationship with him. For the Fourth Doctor it was Sarah-Jane Smith, for the Seventh it was Ace, for the Tenth it was Donna Noble, and for the Eleventh it was definitely the Pond-Williams family. 

           I have yet to actually drum up the courage to try this iconic dish...but it becomes a sort of arc idea for the Pond Era and it is a memory that the characters reference back to time and time again. It starts with young Amy Pond in The Eleventh Hour and concludes with Amy, Rory, and The Doctor in The Power of Three. Not only does this rather strange tradition tie their stories together, but it also hints at past history and inside jokes which is something that a real relationship like theirs would build up over the years. That makes it feel like real people sharing real love and memories for each other and that is what is required to build up three-dimensional characters and character relationships.

5: "Because you are a Dalek" - Asylum of the Daleks

            The Daleks are a very frustrating villain for me. Maybe it's just because I'm older and therefore more cynical than a lot of fans were whenever they describe diving behind the sofa cushions because of the murderous pepperpots...but I never even felt a twinge of fear for the Daleks. And no it's not because I've just watched the New Series. I have seen Classic Stories as well and I have to say that, while the daleks from Remembrance of the Daleks are certainly more awe-inspiring than the ones from Victory of the Daleks, I was never particularly afraid of them either. How could I be? They just don't look all that scary. I've said it before and I'm going to say it again...but any terror that the Daleks could hold for the audience has to come from their actions and The Doctor's reaction. If The Doctor isn't afraid of the Daleks, why should I be? If their actions don't disgust him beyond all sense, why should I care? If they're not killing everything in sight just because they can, why should I feel any sense of tension? That has been a problem all throughout the revived series (with the exception of Dalek and most of The Parting of the Ways) because the Daleks just aren't intimidating. They spend too much time croaking out monologues interspersed with empty extermination threats and not enough time killing. They're far too easily outsmarted and their evil schemes range from painfully stupid to completely out-of-character. It's been a real problem and one that fans have complained about. Steven Moffat promised, with the airing of Series 7, to make the Daleks scary again. So we got Asylum of the Daleks...an episode heavy on the atmosphere and loose on the logic. Did it succeed? Well, sort of. It definitely gave us some dark imagery and ideas, but in the end failed to really fulfill expectations. That is with the exception of Oswin Oswald, the junior entertainment officer aboard the starship Alaska who is captured and converted into a Dalek herself. The transformation/revelation sequence is exceedingly disturbing and definitely got my stomach churning, but by far the worst thing is The Doctor's reaction; the disgust and horror that falls over his face at the realization of the truth and the pity that he feels through his hatred. It just goes to show that it takes The Doctor to fully make the Daleks work and Matt Smith totally sells the performance here.

4: "Still got legs!" - The End of Time Part 2

              After the regeneration of Doctor Ten, in popped this goofy haired haired upstart with a hilarious chin and jumpy personality. It was like a breath of fresh air in a stale hospital room as this new Doctor examined himself and joyously proclaimed that he still had legs. This is an important scene because it not only shows us what to expect from the new Doctor, but it also gives the actor a chance to show off their skills. When Nine regenerated into Ten he only got one line and a grimace before the ending credits rolled. But for this episode, because Davies was ceremonially handing the reigns over to Moffat, Smith got an entire five minutes or so written directly for him. This is a scene where he has to keep the audience entertained by force of his personality alone, because there aren't any companions to interact with and even the TARDIS is blowing up. And he does it. In fact, I could watch this post-regeneration scene all day. It never fails to make me laugh and it reminds me of why I love the Eleventh Doctor so very much. 

3: Meeting the Vampires - The Vampires of Venice

              One thing I have always loved about The Doctor, in any regeneration, is the love and excitement he shows about life. Yes he may have told Amy that he needs his companions to help him stay grounded and focused...but when it all comes down to it, The Doctor is a kid exploring the universe to find new things. He seeks out new life and new civilization just because he can. He could just park the TARDIS outside of McDonald's and eat chicken nuggets and hot sauce for the rest of his life, but he doesn't. Instead he goes on adventures and meets new people. I love the way he is so excited about discovering new species. Look at his reaction in Tooth & Claw when he saw the werewolf. Yes he knew he should be afraid and yes he concentrated on getting everyone to safety - but when you look at him you can see the joy in his eyes and appreciation for this beautiful, dangerous creature. Here it is no different. While I sometimes got annoyed with the never-ending 'humans are magnificent' blabber, I can honestly recognize that it comes from The Doctor's love of people. That is what we see demonstrated here. The Doctor, rather hilariously checking his teeth in a mirror, suddenly finds himself surrounded by pale, creepy girls in nightdresses that speak in sibilant unison. But instead of screaming and running for dear life (which is what I would probably do) he turns around in delight and demands to know how they are cancelling out their reflections in the mirror. Even as he flees from their fanged advances he is still half-laughing...so excited to have discovered something new. 

2: Talking with Amelia - The Big Bang

               I consider this episode to be the pinnacle of the revived series - the measurement to which all other series finales past and present should be held up against - as it perfectly tied up the themes of the series and characters while setting down foreshadowing for the next one. Every time I'm feeling peeved with Steven Moffat, I go back to watch this and remind myself that the man can indeed write. The story is just amazing and it pushes all of the characters and actors to their very best...particularly Matt Smith as The Doctor. And he rises to the challenge and makes it look easy. I am still struck by the bedside conversation he has with little Amelia. It is so meaningful and so heartstring-plucking that to this day I can't watch it without being affected emotionally. He is going to sacrifice himself for all of reality...but more importantly he is going to give Amy her parents and her life back. He recognizes that she probably won't need her imaginary friend any more and he is accepting of his fate. Yes he plants the memories of the TARDIS in her mind and yes he hopes that she will bring him back...but there is always the chance that it won't work and he knows that. Remember that where he is going, through the Crack, leads to the Void...also known as Hell. And he is accepting of that fate. I am in awe of Matt Smith...I've never seen an actor so young be able to convey the weight of hundreds of years so poignantly as he does with that one look as he glances over his shoulder and sees the Crack waiting for him. That is incredible, folks. He has my salute!

1: "Hello, Doctor." - The Doctor's Wife

            *sniff!* Hang on...lemme just wipe my eyes so I can see the keys. Yes I am crying. This episode NEVER FAILS to move me to tears if I watch it the whole way through without utilizing pause to regain my composure. Though I was initially skeptical of it, I have to say that this story of The Doctor and The TARDIS finally meeting face-to-face after all of these years is my favorite Doctor Who episode of all time. She really is his wife in the sense that she has been his most faithful companion for over a thousand years. The TARDIS and The Doctor...you cannot have one without the other. They are bound together by love and respect and a mutual longing for adventure. She is there for him whenever his other companions leave or are taken and she will be there for him forever, but this was when they talked and neither wanted it to end.