Geronimo!

Since I am most likely going to be gone when it actually happens, I am writing this now:

Matt Smith, the Eleventh Doctor on Doctor Who is leaving and being relieved by a new actor, Peter Capaldi. After playing the part for four years, he's finally leaving (I shouldn't say "finally" because it hasn't seemed very long at all). This post is my tribute to a great incarnation of the Doctor and a fantastic actor!

I first started watching Doctor Who when Matt Smith was already playing the role (the show was already done airing the first half of the sixth season and on hiatus for four months when I officially started). But I had only heard complaints about him from my friend (the one who had introduced me to the show) because she was so attached to the Tenth Doctor, and was not very far into his reign herself. So I-- at first slowly, then once I got past the first season, very quickly-- got through the first four seasons, including the specials. Like my friend, I got VERY attached to the Tenth Doctor (played by David Tennant).

Then came the two-part special The End of Time. A truly fantastic and emotionally-wrecking adventure to be sure, but after an entire season of foreshadowing it, the Tenth Doctor's time was finally up. Truly one of the saddest deaths the Doctor has had thus far. "I don't want to go." Breaks my heart every time. But then he regenerates and then appears Matt Smith. This square-faced, floppy-haired, long-limbed KID! Seriously, even though I had seen him before, I was still slightly taken aback by how young he looked. But, he

instantly does the typical post-regeneration inspection (making sure he has all his limbs and such. And getting appalled by his hair XD) and then proceeds to attempt to gain control of his crashing TARDIS, shouting his new catchphrase (which every Doctor should have). I thought his catchphrase was a bit lame at first, but over time, I've come to love it. It totally fits his Doctor.

While the Doctor is always the same man with the same memories and such, each incarnation always sort of has its own personality and quirks and such, as well as its own trademark outfit and catchphrase(s). Eleven is right up there with Four for the most memorable wardrobe pieces, I think. Four is well known for his scarf and now everyone always remembers Eleven for his bow tie. If he doesn't have his bow tie, something is seriously wrong. Anything else could be changed about his outfit (except maybe his suspenders), but he must always be wearing a bow tie. This is because of one of his catchphrases, "bow ties are cool". Which is true. He MADE the bow tie cool! In season seven when he tried to retire, he changed his attire for a while. But then eventually he put the bow tie back on and just stared at it for a minute. I got so emotional. Emotional over a bow tie!

"Bow ties are cool" is not his only catchphrase. His other, exclamation one (like the others have) is "Geronimo!". Like I said before, I thought it was kind of lame at first and didn't like when he used it but by season six, I got used to it and eventually it became endearing to me just like "Fantastic!" or "Allons-y!" had.

I can understand why my friend had a hard time coping with the Eleventh Doctor. So many things changed when he came into the picture. The Doctor (of course), the TARDIS's interior, the head writer, the companions, the opening titles. They revamped everything! Now, it's known as the Matt Smith era (sometimes the Moffat era, but nobody likes Moffat, so we'll call it the Matt Smith era XP).

The Matt Smith era= your mind being blown at every turn. Season six is the worst! It's horrible yet awesome at the same time! My mind never hurt so much before the Eleventh Doctor.

Now as for the actual actor. They of course have to cast an absolutely out-of-this-world actor (pun intended). Every actor who has played the part has been absolutely phenomenal (some more so than others). I remember watching the Doctor Who Confidential (the old behind the scenes show that used to play after Doctor Who before it got cancelled) that revealed who the Eleventh Doctor was. The writers talked about how they had planned on casting an older actor and how they thought the process would take a long while. However, only a few actors had come through when a 26-year-old unknown came in and blew them away. They thought everything about him was perfect: his hair, his acting, even his age. But they thought they should keep looking just in case. But eventually after several days, they turned to each other and were just like, "It's Matt, isn't it?". And they cast him. Best decision they ever made (since David Tennant).

Another famous wardrobe piece (despite the fact that it only lasted for one episode and literally died, as seen here). I'm not entirely sure why it's always associated with Eleven probably because he said it was cool. Anything he says is cool... well, is. (Actually, it has made a couple guest appearances in other episodes).

Like many British actors, Matt Smith is an INCREDIBLE actor! Mind-blowingly talented! From the big grand speeches to the little tiny facial expressions. He can convey so much emotion in either one. He can also switch from curious adorable puppy to horrible rage monster in 0.02 seconds and make it look absolutely real.

First released picture of Matt Smith

I wasn't a part of the Eleventh Doctor reveal back in 2009, but I will hear stories and stuff about what people thought when they first found out who was going to be taking over David Tennant. I've also seen the picture that was released along with the announcement. Everyone thought that Matt's Doctor was going to be a dark, brooding gothic type based on the picture. Ha! Quite the opposite! His Doctor is a very quirky, mad-professorish type and is very easily excited (well basically all incarnations are, but especially this one). He is rather childish at times too, enjoying toys and stuff. Plus he has things like a Christmas list and whatever. In fact he is often described as an excited baby giraffe. (The baby giraffe thing is kid of a long story. You really just have to watch him to fully understand it. Apparently Matt Smith is VERY clumsy and sometimes his clumsiness translates into his acting a bit. His long limbs just flail about all the time.) However, he has a very dark side that is only very rarely unearthed. While Ten was very dark and scary sometimes, I think Eleven scares me more, just because it's more rare. And Eleven's darkness is not like fiery rage like Ten's, where he yells and screams and proclaims his anger for all to hear, but more icy anger where he gives a dark, menacing threat, leaves and then destroys them all (or whatever). And that's just scary. He plays it all incredibly well. "You gave me hope and then took it away. That's enough to make anyone dangerous. Who knows what it'll do to me."

As for Matt Smith himself... I absolutely adore him! He is a true Brit with all his manners and kind soul and everything, plus he's freakin' hilarious! A definite hipster to be sure (just look at his hair), but we love him for it. I dare you to find a picture (where his hands are free) that isn't candid or for Doctor Who, where he's not holding up the peace sign. He's a bit of a reflection of his Doctor with the childishness and excitement.

He has definitely grown up these past few years. I mean looking back at season five I'm just like "Aww! Look at his little baby face!". Like I said before, I didn't really like him when I first got around to him ( I thought he was funny looking and weird). But now I've warmed up to him and yes he is still weird, but it's endearing. And you know what? I (along with many others, don't go singling me out) think he's is actually kind of good looking. Not that he's like the hottest guy around because he's most definitely not, but I've gotten used to him and warmed up to his features (David Tennant is still the best out of all of them.)

I do welcome Peter Capaldi with open arms into the Doctor Who family though. But I'm going to miss Matt desperately! "Raggedy man... goodbye!" (Oh... I made myself even more sad with that reference.) Matt Smith you are one of a kind! Thank you for being a wonderful Eleventh Doctor!

And a tribute video: