The 11 best Doctors (Doctor Who)

I know it's the popular choice but if I was going by public opinion I wouldn't hate Matt Smith so much. I love the Tenth Doctor because David Tennant is one of the best actors I have ever seen on TV, he knows the part unlike no other, he loved the part like only a true fan can, and he brought a likability to the role that no other Doctor has been able to do. Along with Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant was able to bring the Russel T. Davis era to life. He was my second Doctor and the first one who had to prove to me that he as much the Doctor as the one before him, and he did it with aplomb. Doctors may come and go but David Tennant will always rank as one of the best.

Acting: 10 Understanding: 10 Love of the role: 10 Companions: 10 Writing: 9

Best Story: The Girl in the Fireplace Best Companion: Rose Tyler

Paul McGann has had roughly 95 minutes of Screen time in the role, but to me, he's as much the Doctor as any of the others. He came onto the screen in the crap TV movie, and he became the best part about that film. He continued to have amazing adventures in the Big Finish audios, and I love listening to every one of them. Then he comes back in the Night of the Doctor and does more for me as the Doctor than many others have done in their entire run. McGann is perfect for the role, has a captivating interpretation of the Doctor, and is a great actor. I am convinced that had he been able to prove himself on TV more, he would rank as number one.

Acting: 10 Understanding: 10 Love of the role: 8 Companions: 8 Writing: 7 Big Finish writing: 10

Best story: The Chimes of Midnight Best companion: Lucie Miller

I started Doctor Who with the revived series on Netflix, so Christopher Eccleston is the man who first came on screen and declared himself the Doctor. It's fascinating to me how unlike the others he is in look and manner while still claiming the many core qualities that make a Doctor. The ninth Doctor very much acts like a war veteran. He's dark, angry, and is far more willing to resort to violence than other Doctors. But he has a massive heart underneath his rough exterior and its impossible not to love him. Its fascinating to watch his journey from a lonely traveller into the full-blown hero we know him as. Along with David Tennant he is one of the best actors I have ever seen on TV. Christopher Eccleston may have only stayed a season, but the Ninth Doctor will always have a special place in my heart.

Acting: 10 Understanding: 8 Love for the role: 8 Companions: 10 Writing: 10

Best story: The Empty Child/ The Doctor Dances Best Companion: Rose Tyler

There's a reason that Tom Baker has been one of the most popular Doctors for the past 39 years. He is so well cast and plays the part so naturally that its impossible not to see him as the Doctor. He is funny, intelligent, and charming. In addition he had stellar chemistry with his companions. This is helped by the fact that his tenure saw some of the greatest stories ever to grace Doctor Who.

Acting: 8 Understanding: 10 Love of the Role: 10 Companions: 10 Writing: 8 (serious decline after the Phillip Hinchcliffe era, otherwise it would be a 10)

Best story: The Brain of Morbius Best Companion: Sarah Jane Smith

Patrick Troughton is the reason I am writing about this show 47 years after William Hartnell left. During Hartnell Doctor Who was a charming little Sci-fi show; Troughton made it something truly special. Troughton did two things that were very important: he played the character different from his predecessor while still sharing crucial qualities, and he left after three years. Troughton did every episode what Matt Smith has been trying to do for three years. He plays the very lovable clown but you can see his fierce intelligence and power beneath this exterior. The Second Doctor was a joy to watch and every Whovian owes him a great debt.

Acting: 9 Understanding: 10 Love of the Role: 10 Companions: 7 Writing: 7

Best Story: The War Games (if Power of the Daleks wasn't lost I would probably put it here)

Best Companion: Jamie McCrimmon

This may sound weird, but I think Sylvester McCoy may be the weakest actor to play the Doctor. Ultimately he is far more of a performer than he is an actor. He's not very charismatic and many of his angry scenes seem forced. However, he is naturally charming and has a unique take on the Doctor that is very intelligent and interesting to watch. This is one of the few Doctors whom I can say can scare me. You can't trust him, and the workings of his mind are far more terrifying than many of his enemies. In addition, he has incredible chemistry with Sophie Aldred's Ace, probably the best companion of the classic series. Despite his many flaws, his strengths are big enough that I put him sixth on my list.

Acting: 3 Understanding: 8 Love of the role: 6 Companions: 10 writing: 6 Big Finish writing: 8

Best Story: The Curse of Fenric AND Remembrance of the Daleks Best Companion: Ace

Peter Davision is a good actor and could be a great Doctor. However half the time the writers had no idea how to write his character. For every Kinda, Earthshock, and Resurrection of the Daleks, there was another that could not play to his strengths. Perhaps, along with the sixth, the fifth doctor is the hardest doctor to write, as he is definitely the subtlest. Also, he had far to many companions, to the point where none of them were fleshed out or had a sufficient impact. However, when he is at his best he can be one of the most likable Doctors there is. Like many Doctors, he is much better served in the Big Finish audios.

Acting: 8 Understanding: 6 Love of the role: 7 Companions: 2 writing: 5 Big finish writing: 9

Best Story: Kinda Best Companion: Peri

The bad writing in the 5th Doctor era only got worse during the era of the sixth doctor. Colin Baker had everything to be great Doctor: he was a good actor, had a good understanding of the character, and a love for the role. However, he seemed to be surrounded by people who had no business working on Doctor Who. I understand the idea of a darker Doctor, and Colin Baker could pull him off, but the writers turned him into such an *beep* The only episodes of his era I actually like were The Mark of Rani, The Two Doctors, and the Mysterious Planet. And yes, the costume is THAT bad and the Twin Dilema is THAT horrible. He is remarkably better in the Big Finish audios, and has one of the best companions ever, Evelyn Smythe. Ultimately I think it's tragic how this potentially great Doctor was so ill-treated. If you are going to watch his tv episodes, listen to the Big finish audios first, which will give you a better perspective on what they were trying, and failing, to do.

Acting: 9 Understanding: 8 (I think this is very debatable) Love of the role: 10 Companions: 5 Writing: 2 Big Finish writing: 10

Best Companion: Evelyne Smythe Best Story: The Holy Terror

I can't stand the 11th Doctor. Matt Smith was my third Doctor after 9 and 10, and at first I didn't like him because he didn't measure up to Tennant or Eccleston. He wasn't as good an actor, the writing wasn't as good, he had no chemistry with his companions, and he was too young for the role. As I went and watched the classic series he just got worse and worse compared to the other actors. Each Doctor needs to be unique but you also need to have that connection to the others to still register as the Doctor. The more I watch Smith the less of the Doctor I see in him. He has the energy and the eccentricity, but none of the intelligence or maturity. Matt Smith isn't a bad actor, but he's no where near good enough for the role he's playing. He's too young, and frankly, miscast. He's been trying to play a more youthful version of Troughton's Doctor but Troughton did this act spades better than he ever did. And frankly, I am fully aware of how superficial this is, but he just looks wrong. For his first two seasons his clothes look like they don't fit him. He always looked more like a twenty-somethig cosplaying as the Doctor rather than the Doctor himself. Peter Davison was a younger Actor but he was good enough that he actually pulled off the role from time to time. People say he's done wonders for the show but I think he and Moffat have brought it down in maturity and drama. Also he has the worst companions of any Doctor ever.

I know I placed him above Hartnell and Pertwee, but I actually Smith's Doctor a little more infuriating. Hartnell and Pertwee knew what kind of character they were playing, and they succeeded in playing it, regardless of whether or not I agree with their interpretation. Matt Smith, on the other hand, tries and fails to adequately portray his interpretation of the Doctor.

Acting: 4 Understanding: 5 Love of the role: 3 Companions: 1 Writing: 5

Best Companion: ugh Best Story: The Day of the Doctor

While I find William Hartnell's Doctor a very interesting character, sometimes its hard to justify his actions as the Doctor. When I watch the serials I have to remember that he is a very young Doctor just starting out in the universe, but the interpretation is just unimpressive. Good character, bad Doctor, if that makes sense. Also, his serials are as boring as Doctor Who ever gets. That editor needed to be fired.

I will not do the rankings for the first or third doctors as I have not seen enough of their stories to do so. As I watch more I will add them and may even change their position on the map.

Best story: The Aztecs Best companion: Barbara

I think Jon Pertwee is a fine actor and seems like a very nice guy based off his interviews. However, I find his Doctor so uninteresting compared to the others. He plays it far to straight-forward. I just can't look at the man and see the alien from Gallifrey I see in the others. Also, I find it disturbing to see the Doctor being as physical as he is. This is just a guy I've never been able to see as an alien, much less the Doctor. Everytime I watch his episodes he just does nothing for me. If you can enjoy this guy, and see him as the Doctor, all the power to you. I just am unable to be entertained by this guy.

Best Story: The Green Death Best Companion: Liz Shaw