The Eleventh Doctor came at a time where Doctor Who was undergoing new changes. With Russell T. Davis departing the show after Tennant’s tenure, many fans were worried that Smith’s portrayal of the Time Lord wouldn’t live up to their expectations. After all, Tennant had been playing the infamous role for five years.
But The Eleventh Doctor did as they all do, he worked his way into viewers’ hearts. He was again someone unique yet recognizable to fans. However, like all Doctors, The Eleventh incarnation had a mixture of characteristics and many extremes that showed what a complex being he could be.
10 WORST: His Dependence
The Eleventh Doctor came to be reliant on his companions. Whether he was an exuberant puppy or a growling and fearsome entity, he needed them to ground him. He needed their admiration. His love and loyalty for them dictated his actions, and their need to impress him led to harmful consequences.
Eventually, he attempted to leave Amy and Rory so they would be safe without him but couldn’t leave their lives forever. He went away but their paths crossed once more. It was as if their timelines were entwined. He knew that the life he led could have grave consequences and yet, he still refused to keep away.
9 BEST: His Bowtie
A physical characteristic many fans adore in The Eleventh Doctor is his love for unconventional fashion. It is something many of the Doctors share. But one constant item, in particular, came to be associated with this incarnation – the bowtie. The phrase, “Bowties are cool,” was spoken throughout The Eleventh Doctor’s era.
He constantly adjusted his bowtie before or during a speech or thought. And when it was time to regenerate, he undid his bowtie and let it fall to the floor of the TARDIS. At this point, all the fans knew that everything was about to change.
8 WORST: A Grouch
The Eleventh Doctor could go from one extreme to another. He often became frustrated, cold, and manipulative if things didn’t go his way. The Eleventh Doctor was referred to by many as a childish incarnation as his reactions were based on his moods.
But he wasn’t childish, he was one of the most alien incarnations who was just out of sync with humanity and human expectations. He would often say cruel things during his grouchy moments and would sulk over the things he didn’t understand or foresee. He would also distance himself or become overly invested too, which could grate on his companions’ nerves.
7 BEST: His Quirky Personality
Fish fingers and custard. Jammie Dodgers. Bowties. Suspenders. Fezzes. Dancing with abandon at Amy and Rory’s wedding. These are just some of the fun and playful aspects of The Doctor’s personality. He is wondrous and in awe of the seemingly mundane.
In the words of Craig, “you’re weird and you can cook. It’s good enough for me.” He called himself “a madman with a box.” This Doctor was brimming with endearing and whimsical idiosyncrasies.
6 WORST: Smug
The Doctor boasts. He’s a legend who despises the burden yet continually uses it to reap the benefits whenever he sees fit. He glows in the glory of his triumphs, with his arrogance and smugness becoming quite apparent to all. He is not as untouchable as he likes to think he is. He wants to hide away in the shadows and erase his name, but his desire for recognition remains too strong.
5 BEST: His Kindness
The Eleventh Doctor is caring. He goes out of his way to make sure the people in his life are okay, that they’re happy. He helps Amy and Rory get through a difficult stage in their relationship. He puts River Song ahead of himself and does not blame her for the attempts on his life.
He helps Kazran and Abigail truly live with the time they have together. He showed Vincent van Gogh the impact he had years in the future. He protected a small town called Christmas from invasions and attacks for centuries. He knows that if a child is crying silently, he would do whatever he could to make sure they would stop.
4 WORST: His Self-Loathing
No one despises The Doctor more than he despises himself, at least, that is what he tells the Dream Lord. The Eleventh Doctor was his own harshest critic. He questioned his actions, especially when he was merciful towards others when they were merciless toward him and humanity.
He felt immense disgrace and guilt concerning his insecurities and choices. He blamed himself when things didn’t work out or when people died due to his mistakes. He had an awareness that he stifled, which haunted him in many ways.
3 BEST: His Enthusiasm
The Eleventh Doctor is one to bop around and wave his hands in frantic motion while speaking. He becomes excitable and delighted when the opportunity presents itself. He bounds into action. He kisses foreheads.
He beams so that his smile is written all over his face and he leaps around the TARDIS in one great act of small intricacies. His joy and energy are contagious.
2 WORST: His Rage
One of The Eleventh Doctor’s extremes was his rage. His gentle nature was clouded, as underneath the surface there bubbled a constant fury. He tried his best to hide it, but his smile couldn’t seal his seething over a tormented history and the injustice of it all.
He could suddenly snap in the intensity of the moment by acting reckless and showing just how fragile he was. He could easily forget to have hope, choosing instead the worst conclusion. Not only was he The Doctor who could make whole armies turn away at the sound of his name but he could also manipulate his loved ones into making impossible choices too.
1 BEST: His Curiosity
The Eleventh Doctor is filled with wonder. When The Doctor once again regenerated into The Eleventh Doctor, he was reborn. He had a new personality and a new face. Basically, a new lease on Time Lord’s existence.
He is both a combination of everything he has ever been while being an entirely unique individual. The Eleventh Doctor burst out of the TARDIS and immediately met his new companion. He tested his new taste buds with various foods. His curiosity also led him to investigate the “Impossible Girl,” and the crack in Amy’s bedroom. Fans of Eleven will forever be grateful for this trait as it led to some groundbreaking storytelling.
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