Earlier tonight I watched "World War Three" from season 1 of New Who, and a few things stuck out to me (I think) because it's been years since I've re-watched Nine's episodes, and I've gotten used to Eleven and Moffat's writing reign.
1. Nine doesn't have fun in dangerous situations, the way Ten and Eleven sometimes do. When he's figuring out how to beat the Slitheen, he's stressed. When the missile is heading for the building, Nine looks like he accepted that they are going to die. It's Rose who suggests to go in the closet and huddle in a stronger part of the room.
2. Nine isn't proud of fighting aliens. He stopped the Slitheen from destroying the Earth because he didn't want six billion people to die, not because it was heroic or cool. He doesn't smile about it, doesn't brag, doesn't cheer. Think about how that contrasts to Eleven's "Boo-yah!" in series 5 or his "Who do you think?" in last week's "Asylum of the Daleks."
3. Nine trusts that his friends can take care of themselves (at least part of the time). When the Slitheen are chasing Rose and Harriet Jones through the building, Nine is on a different floor, running away from the police. He isn't looking for Rose or figuring out a way to save her—he's just running for his own safety. When he does meet up with Rose and Harriet, he confronts the Slitheen. And even then, he's not saving Rose and Harriet. They're teaming up.
Nine is as brilliant and compassionate as Ten and Eleven, but he doesn't have the same ego. It was refreshing to re-watch "World War Three" and see a low-key Doctor. The story was straightforward with strong character moments. Special effects and fancy camera shots were less of a priority. Those were better days for Doctor Who.
1. Nine doesn't have fun in dangerous situations, the way Ten and Eleven sometimes do. When he's figuring out how to beat the Slitheen, he's stressed. When the missile is heading for the building, Nine looks like he accepted that they are going to die. It's Rose who suggests to go in the closet and huddle in a stronger part of the room.
2. Nine isn't proud of fighting aliens. He stopped the Slitheen from destroying the Earth because he didn't want six billion people to die, not because it was heroic or cool. He doesn't smile about it, doesn't brag, doesn't cheer. Think about how that contrasts to Eleven's "Boo-yah!" in series 5 or his "Who do you think?" in last week's "Asylum of the Daleks."
3. Nine trusts that his friends can take care of themselves (at least part of the time). When the Slitheen are chasing Rose and Harriet Jones through the building, Nine is on a different floor, running away from the police. He isn't looking for Rose or figuring out a way to save her—he's just running for his own safety. When he does meet up with Rose and Harriet, he confronts the Slitheen. And even then, he's not saving Rose and Harriet. They're teaming up.
Nine is as brilliant and compassionate as Ten and Eleven, but he doesn't have the same ego. It was refreshing to re-watch "World War Three" and see a low-key Doctor. The story was straightforward with strong character moments. Special effects and fancy camera shots were less of a priority. Those were better days for Doctor Who.
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