Twelve Thoughts on the Twelfth Doctor

In case you want to remain unspoiled until the Christmas episode, do not read this post!  Don’t hit the jump!

Okay, so it was just revealed that Peter Capaldi will be the new Twelfth Doctor.  Here are twelve thoughts on this.

1) Innnteresting!  And in a good way!

2) They went older, which I think is fantastic.  There’s nothing that says a regeneration has to make the Doctor younger.  I was hoping for an older, sterner Doctor.  Peter’s at least older, so I’m hoping he’ll be more serious.

3) I’m surprised that they went with someone who appeared in “Doctor Who” already.  As Caecilius in “The Fires of Pompei”, he played the role of the protective father who ultimately was saved by The Doctor.

4) Not only that, but his role in “Torchwood: Children of Earth” was a fantastic portrayal of the bureaucrat who suddenly learned that his government played a role in a horrible cover-up years ago, a cover-up that he himself might have to repeat.

5) “Torchwood: Children of Earth” was one of the best television stories I’ve ever seen, so we know he’s got acting chops.

6) For those complaining we got yet another white male — you’re right.  This could have been a fantastic opportunity to break the Doctor casting mold.  I would’ve been okay with someone other than a white guy.

7) Going with an established actor is also an interesting choice.  Sometimes it’s hard to see an actor in an iconic role if he has been seen in a lot of other things.  A relatively unknown person can come to the screen without viewers’ bias playing against him.

8) A lot of people have complained that New Who is more about the sexy young people — physicality, and good looking people, and romantic involvements.  If Peter’s Doctor is still physical and there’s still romance involved, that will certainly turn those criticisms on their ears, won’t they?

9) I do hope, though, that they don’t do a romance between Clara and The Doctor.  I didn’t want that with the Eleventh Doctor and Clara, and I still don’t want that.  We had that with Amy early on, and we don’t need to rehash that.  I loved Donna’s “I just want a mate!” way of travelling with the Doctor — they’re best friends, and they’re on the adventure of a lifetime.  Let’s see that.

10) Peter’s role in “The Hour” as the stern but fair producer was fantastic, and the second layer of a man who gave up a child for adoption was extremely moving.

11) If “The Hour” hadn’t been unfairly cancelled, we’d not have him as The Doctor.  So, good news out of bad.

12) I thought Matt Smith was an odd choice, and he turned out fantastic.  I have faith in the casting choice of Steven Moffitt and the rest of the Doctor Who team.