Doctor Whois one of the most enduring science fiction shows of all time. Its longevity is linked to the fact that its main character can constantly change their face, meaning an endless array of actors can be brought in and redefine the role withseveral starkly different personalities.
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With a show that changes so much, it's hard to ignore the fact that beginning and endings are a vital part ofDoctor Who. Indeed, while plenty of characters get a fitting conclusion to their own story, many others have unfortunately suffered in their final moments. For the Doctor, each new incarnation is often summed up by those all-important first and final words.
First Doctor
William Hartnell was the first man to take on this iconic role and quickly defined what audiences should expect from this timeless Time Lord. His very first line demonstrated his cold persona. "What are you doing here?" carried with it an attitude of longing to push away the world in An Unearthly Child.
His final line before his regeneration (ignoring his reappearances on screen, with actors like David Bradley taking on the role) was "Ah, yes! It's good! Thank you. Keep warm." inThe Tenth Planet.The line demonstrates the character's growth, with his final words showing his hidden kindness; a stark contrast to how audiences first met him.
Second Doctor
The Second Doctor was certainly a chaotic one. Patrick Troughton came into the world shocking audiences who had never seen a regeneration before and it's fair to say the character was a little more action-driven for the show. His first and last lines, therefore, reflect the increased pace of the show.
“Slower! Slower! Concentrate on one thing. One thing!" is the Second Doctor's first known line, with his first appearance happening inThe Power Of The Daleks.His last was "No! Stop, you’re making me giddy! No, you can’t do this to me! No, no, no, no..." during his forced regeneration inThe War Games.
Third Doctor
A lot has changed since the original run of the showbut the Third Doctor, played by Jon Pertwee, started to embody what the series would later become. Stylish, quirky, and always ready for an adventure, his first and last lines indicated his bizarre personality and his love for his companions.
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"Ungh… Shoes, must find my shoes.” was the suitably hilarious opening line for the character inSpearhead From Space.InPlanet Of The Spiders,the Doctor would comfort his dear friend Sarah Jane,“A tear, Sarah Jane? No, don’t cry. While there’s life there’s…” as he took his final breath.
Fourth Doctor
Not since the multiple seasons of the reboot has there been a Doctor that quite resonated with audiences as that of Tom Baker's incarnation. His first appearance inRobotsaw him mumble a series of strange lines, setting audiences up for one of the most charismatic and freewheeling versions of the character. "Typical Sontaran attitude… Stop, Linx… course of human history… I tell you, Brigadier, there’s nothing to worry about. The brontosaurus is large and placid… And stupid!"
His final appearance inLogopoliswas a major goodbye for fans of the show. This was a particularly momentous occasion inDoctor Who'shistory and as such his final line was "It’s the end. But the moment has been prepared for.”
Fifth Doctor
Peter Davison was the next to take on the role. Witty and ready for a challenge, his first words were important in setting apart the fifth iteration of the character from the last.Castrovalvawas his first major story with "Ah. You’ve come to help me find the Zero Room. Welcome aboard. I’m the Doctor. Or will be if this regeneration works out," as his first line.
“I might regenerate. I don’t know. Feels different this time… Adric?” was the final line of his run inThe Caves of Androzani.With the show once more resetting again, the character was given a moment of uncertainty asDoctor Whohad to evolve for a new era.
Sixth Doctor
TheColin Baker version of the character is one of the least popular of the show due to his pompous attitude and largely sarcastic sense of humor. His first words reflect this changing personality with "You were expecting someone else?” straight after the regeneration in The Caves of Androzani. Interestingly his first full episode would be the finale of the season inThe Twin Dilemma.
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There's not an overly deep meaning to his final line of the show in The Ultimate Foe. Indeed, "Ohh… carrot juice? Carrot juice, carrot juice, carrot juice!” is more a reflection of the madness of death and the quirky side of the Doctor, who was told to drink the substance for good health.
Seventh Doctor
Sylvester McCoy's eccentric Doctor was a breath of fresh air. His first major line inTime And The Raniwas "Ah. That was a nice nap. Now, down to business," showcased that the Seventh Doctor really hadn't missed a step.
His final appearance was in the much-discussedDoctor Whomovie, which was set in America. With an old foe returning, the Doctor's first thought was to send a warning with“Timing malfunction! The Master, he’s out there! He’s out there… I know… I’ve got to stop… him…”
Eighth Doctor
Paul McGann entered the scene in the very same movie and was quickly thrown into a confusing situation. "Who am I?" is a question the character has often asked, but in an unfamiliar hospital in the middle of San Francisco, this was a haunting moment.
For the 50th Anniversary of the show, McGann made a comeback to officially film his regeneration scene. In the shortThe Night Of The Doctor, he salutes his fallen companions, before drinking a potion designed to change him for War, citing "Physician, heal thyself."
War Doctor
The War Doctor was a surprising addition to the show and was portrayed by legendary British actor John Hurt. He makes his own canonical first appearance inThe Night Of The Doctor, throwing away his name with "Doctor no more."
His final scene took place moments after saving his planet and that of the universe, in a fitting end that saw him ultimately accomplish his goals in the Time War. His final line in The Day Of The Doctoris also a joke linked to the Ninth Doctor with "Wearing a bit thin. I hope the ears are a bit less conspicuous this time.”
Ninth Doctor
No one knows what the first lines of Christopher Ecclestone's Doctor were. The 2005 reboot meant fans hadn't seen his first regeneration. His first appearance on screen inRosegave his new companion a very simple instruction, "Run!"
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He would depart after only one season on the show, with his final death becoming a heroic act of love in saving Rose; a moment his first line really foreshadowed. His final line supported that bond further with“Rose… before I go, I just wanna tell you, you were fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. And do you know what? So was I!"
Tenth Doctor
The Parting Of Wayswas suitably the Ninth Doctor's last appearance and David Tennant's first as the Tenth Doctor. He picks up exactly where Ecclestone left off with“Hello! Okay. Ooh. New teeth. That’s weird. So, where was I? Oh, that’s right. Barcelona!”
This launched a brand new era of success for the show, with Tennant's take on the character becoming one of the most popular in history. His final goodbye atThe End Of Timewas suitably emotional, with both the actor and character stating "I don't want to go."
Eleventh Doctor
Matt Smith made a big impact withThe End Of Time,marking his initial appearance and first line. As the T.A.R.D.I.S. came crashing down, the character took stock of all his body parts including "Legs! I’ve still got legs!! Good. Arms, hands. Ooh, fingers. Lots of fingers..."
His final line, delivered with a twinkle in his eye, took place as Clara tried to come to terms with the loss of her friend inThe Time Of The Doctor.Speaking once more as the actor and the character, the Eleventh remarked "I will always remember when the Doctor was me.”
Twelfth Doctor
Peter Capaldi was the next to take on the iconic role of the Time Lord, something he had dreamed of since he watched the show as a child. His first lines suitably paid homage to that his past selves with a nod to both his change and his situation: "Kidneys! I’ve got new kidneys! I don’t like the color…We’re probably crashing!"
His final line was a fond farewell to the role of a lifetime. It portrayed all of the warmth of this version of the character, which had been developed after his initially stern start.Twice Upon A Timesaw him proclaim“Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind. Doctor… I let you go.”
Thirteenth Doctor
Twice Upon A Timealso saw the debut of the current Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker. There had never been a female incarnation of the character before and her first line celebrated theregenerationwith "Oh brilliant!"
With no end line yet for the character, it's important to note that there may be countless other versions of the Time Lord out there, thanks to the reveals of the latest series. What's more, Whittaker's final line may be on the way ifthe rumors about her departure are true.
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