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9) The Shoes
He wore lo-top Converse shoes. This may not sound like a big deal, but not only were they hip, they were practical. after all, the Doctor does a lot of running, whether it's into danger or away from Daleks. In fact, in one episode, he runs the Olympic Torch into the stadium for the 2012 Olympics. That's a lot of running. Compare this, to say, Tom Baker's costume as the Doctor, with its giant buccaneer boots and ridiculously long scarf. While the scarf is iconic, Baker's get-up is only practical for tripping, which you can see Tom Baker do often.
8) He Was Pop Culture Aware
The 10th Doctor was always throwing out references to the pop culture of our present era -- he named everything from Ghostbusters, Arthur Dent, Disney's The Lion King, and, in one mind-blowing scene, Back to the Future. This is strange for someone who is thousands of years old and can travel anywhere in time and space. It's sort of like I spent all my time referencing everything that happened on August 21st, 2004, in Tucson, Arizona (note: not a lot). Sure it's a bit strange, but that's just one of the many things we loved about the Doctor -- and it gives him a deeper connection to the average nerd watching at home. Tennant's Doctor was effectively a pop culture-quoting nerd too.
7) Not Bald Like Destro
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6) Made Horn-Rimmed Glasses Sexy
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5) Enhanced the Standing of British People in General
Americans, in general, like the Brits. They've given us Monty Python, tea, The Prisoner, Simon Pegg, and this is despite America being founded on the principal that the British were dicks. So, it's always good to have some one like David Tennant playing a very fine version of the Doctor to help keep the good perception of the British going with America. After all, a few missteps here and there and before you know it, the British could be the next French. No offense to the Francophones out there, but you gotta come up with more stuff than crêpes and Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain. Oh, and helping the United States win its revolution against the British. Get with it, French!
4) He Had Less Retarded Stories
A far too significant portion of the Ninth Doctor's stories were about farting aliens. One of the episodes that wasn't about farting aliens was about a Weakest Link robot. That sucked. Oh, the Ninth doctor mucked about with some Daleks, but the Tenth Doctor had Daleks as well, and they were generally scarier and besides, he has Cybermen as well. Sure, Tennant had to deal with a few stupid stories, but overall he had a nice mix of stories not unlike Frosted Mini-Wheats -- the stories had not only the frosted crazy alien side for the children, but the healthy wheat side with depth that the adults found good for them.
3) His Doctor Was Crazy as Hell
It's always interesting to watch someone who is right on the verge of losing their marbles. The Tenth Doctor generally seemed to be a person who was on the manic side of a Manic/Depressive episode; he was always full of crazy energy, like he really needed a Xanax, then would do something that might require something stronger, like a Haloperidol, or a hit to the head. For example, in (spoiler alert) the episode "The Family of Blood," he traps the namesake alien family of the title in eternal prisons, such as frozen time as a scarecrow, watching over England forever, or held in place in some dungeon by unbreakable chains made from a neutron star. This was punishment for being ruthless murderers in a pursuit for immortality. That's really messed up poetic justice from the Tenth Doctor.
2) His Doctor Stuck Around
One of the greatest reason we'll miss David Tennant is that he was the first Doctor to stay in the role long enough that he will also be The Doctor for a whole new generation of people. Obviously, a large part of that is how wonderful he was in the role, but Tennant truly made Who his own in his four-year stint. To be identified as the definition of an iconic science fiction character in a good way is next to nerd godliness. To be defined as the opposite (for instance, the pre-Darth Vader Anakin Skywalker played by a whiny child and a 9-year old who can't act) is like peeing on Jesus.
1) The 11th Doctor Looks Weird
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Okay, the metaphor got weird, but you see what we mean. Thanks for the memories, David. Please don't kill any women in dark alleys.
Tags: BBC, Doctor Who
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