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Defending the Characterisation of the Twelfth Doctor: A Thread
Okay so, I've noticed too many people faulting Twelve's characterisation and portraying that as a fact. So I've decided to make a thread to prove them wrong, in the name of our Lord and Saviour Peter Dougan Capaldi.
(This will be long, and has taken toil to create)
(This will be long, and has taken toil to create)
Series 8: PTSD
Starting at the beginning, Twelve's characterisation is fully consistent with what came before - Eleven spent 900 years fighting in a war he was 100% certain he would die at the end of. The Doctor born from that is born shocked at his own existence, and he is born
Starting at the beginning, Twelve's characterisation is fully consistent with what came before - Eleven spent 900 years fighting in a war he was 100% certain he would die at the end of. The Doctor born from that is born shocked at his own existence, and he is born
doubting what it means to be the Doctor. A good man doesn't fight wars, does he? A good man doesn't blow up towns, does he? This is a Doctor riddled with doubt, who shuts people out and seems cold and aloof. He is like a wounded pup, only biting to conceal the anguish inside.
Series 8: I am an idiot!
Missy. Cybermen. "Show a bad girl how it's done". And here we have an epiphany. Being the Doctor means travelling, it means learning, it means following those emotions not burying them. The Doctor finally relinquishes the doubt.
And that gives us...
Missy. Cybermen. "Show a bad girl how it's done". And here we have an epiphany. Being the Doctor means travelling, it means learning, it means following those emotions not burying them. The Doctor finally relinquishes the doubt.
And that gives us...
Series 9: Doctor Disco
Twelve is unleashed upon the universe. Yes, he plays a guitar. Yes, he wears shades. Yes, he wears a HOODIE. Because he is the Doctor channelling those red hot emotions, and following his instincts without inhibition. Creating a bootstrap paradox, what's
Twelve is unleashed upon the universe. Yes, he plays a guitar. Yes, he wears shades. Yes, he wears a HOODIE. Because he is the Doctor channelling those red hot emotions, and following his instincts without inhibition. Creating a bootstrap paradox, what's
the harm? Making a Viking immortal, why not?
This is the Doctor living life to the full, and nothing in the UNIVERSE can stop him...
This is the Doctor living life to the full, and nothing in the UNIVERSE can stop him...
Series 9: Bird
Clara is dead. He stood by powerless as it happened. And it was his fault.
Grief is a terrible thing, but guilt and regret are worse. Grief will make you punch a wall for 4.5 billion years to give your friend a second chance at life. To make up for what you did
Clara is dead. He stood by powerless as it happened. And it was his fault.
Grief is a terrible thing, but guilt and regret are worse. Grief will make you punch a wall for 4.5 billion years to give your friend a second chance at life. To make up for what you did
wrong.
In Hell Bent, Twelve makes the choice to not be the Doctor for the day, because he knows the Doctor can't make the choices he needs to make. He breaks every code the Doctor ever lived by. And he gets his hearts broken for it. But he gets what he needs from Clara, she tells
In Hell Bent, Twelve makes the choice to not be the Doctor for the day, because he knows the Doctor can't make the choices he needs to make. He breaks every code the Doctor ever lived by. And he gets his hearts broken for it. But he gets what he needs from Clara, she tells
him to be a Doctor. And that is something he now knows how to do.
Series 9: The Last Night
Always when you need it the most, there is a Song. And the Doctor's Song has been seared onto his hearts for centuries. Finally he understands what it means to be the Doctor, he is the purest version of himself. And who better to prove it than River
Always when you need it the most, there is a Song. And the Doctor's Song has been seared onto his hearts for centuries. Finally he understands what it means to be the Doctor, he is the purest version of himself. And who better to prove it than River
Song, for what is true love but finding the person who sees and exposes the very best in ourselves? Their last night proves that the Twelfth Doctor's evolution has reached where he needs to be, and in no way moreso than the strength of belief to let her go despite how much he
adores her.
His heart aches, but he lives on. The man who has learnt his lessons, survived the most extraordinary or experiences. And what better way to go for someone who has learnt all they need to learn?
His heart aches, but he lives on. The man who has learnt his lessons, survived the most extraordinary or experiences. And what better way to go for someone who has learnt all they need to learn?
Series 10: The Doctor the Professor
Teaching. Not according to subject matter or syllabus, but actually according to the student he wishes to teach. The Doctor first takes the mantle of sitting vigil over the rehabilitation of his oldest friend, confident enough in himself that
Teaching. Not according to subject matter or syllabus, but actually according to the student he wishes to teach. The Doctor first takes the mantle of sitting vigil over the rehabilitation of his oldest friend, confident enough in himself that
he genuinely believes he can show her a better way to be. Then later he can hardly resist tutoring a young misfit, who's grades didn't allow them into the place of education they wanted, but who has a twinkling inquisition for everything about the universe... In Bill Potts the
Doctor sees the very best parts of himself, from right back when he started, and feeling so in touch with that identity he chose for himself all those centuries ago, how could he possibly refuse the chance to nurture another?
The End: The Doctor's Soul
And then, at the end of his life, Twelve lives through many chances of reflection on the principles he has learnt. The perfect end to the most nuanced and evolutionary of Doctors. His kindness speech to the Master, meeting his very first incarnation,
And then, at the end of his life, Twelve lives through many chances of reflection on the principles he has learnt. The perfect end to the most nuanced and evolutionary of Doctors. His kindness speech to the Master, meeting his very first incarnation,
and then his final words aimed to his successor.
"Hate is always foolish, and love is always wise."
"Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind."
"Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind."
"Hate is always foolish, and love is always wise."
"Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind."
"Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind."
Twelve was the Doctor who went on a journey to learn about himself, and then became the man who endeavoured to teach those values to all who would listen. That is his story, consistent, deep and brilliant. And no one can take the power of that away from him. 
