In regards to "are some regenerations tougher than others?" I'll just say 'yes', as imo that is the case. Nine was hardened by the war, by ptsd (see his reaction to the first Dalek he encounters after the war), by survivor's guilt and by what his eighth self had done. And I once heard Eight described as The Doctor's gentlest incarnation. Now, I haven't listened to any of his audio adventures, so all I have to go on is the movie. But based on that I'd say that's fair. Eight was also the first Doctor to break the 'don't kiss your companion' rule. So if he indeed was the most gentle one, then to me logically it follows that any other Doctor would have found himself capable of doing this, too, if necessary.
Gentlest incarnation? I can see why some might say that, but I disagree. You'd had to listen to the audios to see it, but Eight has a dark side that is positively fearsome and terrifying. But that side of him only shows itself when he's been provoked. He's still the Doctor, and would never have done anything so extreme without good reason.
This raises an interesting question: Are the audio adventures official canon? I've listened to a lot of nu!who audio and in some cases really hope that they're not considered canonical.
I know that psyfi_geekgirl has written amazing Eighth Doctor stuff that is very dark and steeped in that intensity you talk about, also after listening to a lot of his audio adventures (shameless pimping for her amazing story arc - for 'season one' click this link here: http://psyfi-geekgirl.livejournal.com/26361.html). However, the part in 'season 2' dealing with the Eighth Doctor is mostly post-time-war-Eight, who is, as a result of the events, fully bonkers.
I also believe that every Doctor has a very dark and terrifying side, each to a degree, of course. Still, while all I have to go on is visual canon, then Eight, to me, is the most gentle.
Doctor Who is unique in sci-fi in that it simply does not have canon in the same way other franchises do. Authority based canon, that is, a creator who owns rights to the media and decides what did or did not happen, is not a thing in Doctor Who. This is partly because there are simply so many different creators, but it is mostly because those who are arguably the ones in charge, R.T. Davies, Steven Moffat, Paul Cornell, have explicitly denied canon. They have said that the television show definitely happened, but that they will not rule on canonicity of expanded universe material. They have also said that in cases where the television show contradicts itself, that the universe is complex enough that both things can be considered to have happened with a convoluted continuity. This is awesome news for us. We don't have to discard good stories simply because some authority figure says so. Canon is mostly rubbish anyway and is simply used to browbeat other people into accepting a prevailing opinion most of the time.
Hm... I was agreeing with you up until "Canon is mostly rubbish anyway and is simply used to browbeat other people into accepting a prevailing opinion most of the time. "... If canon were rubbish, then fan fiction wouldn't see the need for the "AU" disclaimer.
Yes! Have you heard 'Lucie Miller'? It's the Time Lord Victorious all over again. (Or vice versa but you get my meaning.)
I really think Eight has the greatest emotional range of all the Doctors. Hmm...now I'm thinking I might have to document some quotes from him in his darker moments. 'Scherzo' and 'Lucie Miller' and 'Zagreus' and maybe 'Caerdroia'...any others? 'The Girl Who Never Was' perhaps?
Yes, "Lucie Miller" killed me. I just haven't listened to an Eight audio since then. I can't bring myself to, and not because I don't like him anymore. It was just too emotional and I haven't fully dealt with the outcome. I mean, come on - the grandson, too??
He does! He had extremes on each end of the spectrum, which really made him a bit dangerous. Having listened to the audios and the character they've expanded there, it's why I kinda chuckle at my friends who go, "Eight is too sweet, I can't imagine how he dealt with fighting in the Time War. It must've been hard." Well, I don't disagree it must've been hard, but I know he has the conviction to "use the Moment" because of my knowledge of him beyond the TV movie.
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I know that psyfi_geekgirl has written amazing Eighth Doctor stuff that is very dark and steeped in that intensity you talk about, also after listening to a lot of his audio adventures (shameless pimping for her amazing story arc - for 'season one' click this link here: http://psyfi-geekgirl.livejournal.com/26361.html).
However, the part in 'season 2' dealing with the Eighth Doctor is mostly post-time-war-Eight, who is, as a result of the events, fully bonkers.
I also believe that every Doctor has a very dark and terrifying side, each to a degree, of course. Still, while all I have to go on is visual canon, then Eight, to me, is the most gentle.
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I really think Eight has the greatest emotional range of all the Doctors. Hmm...now I'm thinking I might have to document some quotes from him in his darker moments. 'Scherzo' and 'Lucie Miller' and 'Zagreus' and maybe 'Caerdroia'...any others? 'The Girl Who Never Was' perhaps?
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He does! He had extremes on each end of the spectrum, which really made him a bit dangerous. Having listened to the audios and the character they've expanded there, it's why I kinda chuckle at my friends who go, "Eight is too sweet, I can't imagine how he dealt with fighting in the Time War. It must've been hard." Well, I don't disagree it must've been hard, but I know he has the conviction to "use the Moment" because of my knowledge of him beyond the TV movie.
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http://meremoon.livejournal.com/54019.html
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