Having CE gave the show credibility, there's no doubt about it. I know there were shockwaves when he was announced, and people started seeing the show differently (note he's the only Doctor actor ever to be nominated for a BAFTA in the role -and I sincerely doubt Mark Rylance was anywhere near as good as he was, but SF always loses the toney awards). Americans have no idea, really, just how much of a "serious" profile he has in the UK (I find it wonderful and hysterical that so many of them commented on how funny he is in Heroes). I was trying to explain how unlikely the chemistry was with Billie Piper and could only say "It's like matching Robert de Niro with Britney Spears." Although I think he's a much more flexible and impressive actor than de Niro, it's at least a point of comparison!
I understand that DT's enthusiasm is very endearing and useful for publicity, but I don't think I'd have watched the show with him. Well, to be honest, I know I wouldn't because Ten hits a number of my "DO NOT WANT" buttons, and at times practically plays a symphony on them; but if I were to make a basic comparison, I think the difference for me between Nine and Ten is that Nine saves the day by doing right while Ten does it by being right (although, honestly, sometimes I don't think he is). But Nine is my ideal kind of hero - he's the teacher hero who guides others into seeing and doing the right thing, and also becoming the best that they can be. He's powerful, but he doesn't go around pushing his power on others. That he has to get past his own loss and guilt for having done the right thing and still had it result in disaster is icing on the cake.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-05-07 06:06 pm (UTC)I understand that DT's enthusiasm is very endearing and useful for publicity, but I don't think I'd have watched the show with him. Well, to be honest, I know I wouldn't because Ten hits a number of my "DO NOT WANT" buttons, and at times practically plays a symphony on them; but if I were to make a basic comparison, I think the difference for me between Nine and Ten is that Nine saves the day by doing right while Ten does it by being right (although, honestly, sometimes I don't think he is). But Nine is my ideal kind of hero - he's the teacher hero who guides others into seeing and doing the right thing, and also becoming the best that they can be. He's powerful, but he doesn't go around pushing his power on others. That he has to get past his own loss and guilt for having done the right thing and still had it result in disaster is icing on the cake.