Maius Intra Qua Extra

Hmm... I don't seem to go for the pretty face at all or the boyish face, and I have to say, I like when there is a bit of character to go with it. I don't think Matt Smith is terribly handsome. That said, his face lent itself to the alien bit of the Doctor; his facial expressions often screamed "not human!" I mean that in a good way.

As for David Tennant, he's got a very interesting face, not very symmetrical. Each feature taken separately might not be so handsome, but put them all together, and you've got quite a package! Still not classically handsome, but I do have to say his eyes are my favorite, they are so expressive and that smile could light up a whole room! He is really skinny, but you get the feeling that there is muscle under there, built for running.

Wait a minute, your sister had no idea who David Tennant is? Wow!

Edited Date: 2015-06-16 07:34 pm (UTC)

From:

I definitely agree that Matt Smith was a wonderful alien, both because of his unusual face and his masterful portrayal of the character.

I absolutely love Tennant's asymmetry! And yes, his eyes are amazing. Actually, his entire face is so plastic and he utilizes it so well.

Another actor whose talent makes him so much more attractive than he is is Nathan Fillion. He's not my type (that rugged look again), but I know he's already considered handsome, but his ability and his expressiveness just draws me in. I remember there was one scene in Castle where his mother is saying something and the camera cuts to Castle for just a couple of seconds and his expression changes very subtly, and it was so perfect.

Yeah. My sister doesn't watch TV or movies other than what her kids or her husband might turn on, and none of them are especially interested in sci-fi or British programming. The only thing that she'd even heard of that DT had been in was Goblet of Fire, and that's only because her daughter had been into HP when she was younger. And even then, she had no idea who his character was, despite being the main villain. Sadly, I was unable to convince her to watch Broadchurch.

From:

a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com

I think he's handsome, but I swear it is voodoo because I didn't find him handsome at first. At ALL. David is very...Hollywood pretty. But his personality (like Matt's) just makes them both that much more lovely. And talk about ACTING. My gods. The two of them are powerhouses in the acting biz. One can see how they got the role of the Doctor. Both can say so much with just the twitch of an eyebrow. David was very dynamic. Everything was always moving, even when he was still -

But Matt made me see the centuries in the Doctor. Just with the flicker of a smile or a glance. He was definitely 'The Old Man' and I just enjoyed that aspect. More so when he was being a bouncy silly puppy. The storm always lurked underneath - and he was VERY alien.

*HUGS*

Edited Date: 2015-06-17 12:57 am (UTC)

From:

Well, see, that's what we were talking about. Matt Smith isn't handsome until you get to know his personality (either his own or his character's). Lots of people are like that, Tennant included. (Like dtstrainers, I don't think DT is Hollywood pretty. He's attractive because of his personality and the characters he plays so well.) And Eccleston and Capaldi, even.

From:

a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com

Seems to be that quality that shines forth from all of the Doctors-to-be and Doctors of the past. That sheer light that is their own personality that makes them...beautiful.

*Nods*

From:

dtstrainers.livejournal.com

I agree- presence is everything, and both DT and MS have it in spades. They're not the type to stop conversation when they enter a room but when you do notice them, you wonder why everyone else is still talking. Matt is so typically British and more than slightly awkward, but endearingly so. He's quite talented and can go from goofy to menacing in the blink of an eye. However, having said that, I'd never had a celebrity crush before DT, which isn't to say that I didn't find people physically attractive. I thought David Duchovney was lovely back in the day, and Harrison Ford before him but as a child brought up watching old movies from the back of my parents car at the last drive-in in Florida that only classic films, I fell in love with the Scottish accent of Sean Connery and I guess that early imprint has still held sway over my heart til this day.

As for DT being Hollywood pretty- you really think so? I love how different he can look in his roles, seemingly almost effortlessly. But I always have thought the British have a much wider definition of what is attractive and they give high marks for quick wit and charm, which all of the aforementioned actors have in spades. I'd much rather watch any one of them than Tom Cruise, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt or any other so-called Hollywood star.

From:

I agree with you that DT isn't conventionally attractive. He's good-looking, but not like Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. He's definitely a chameleon, but in a very interesting way. Outwardly, he doesn't look very different in most of his roles - almost always clean-shaven, with short hair - but he's completely different each because he completely morphs into the character, infusing them with different expressions and mannerisms and personalities. Unlike Cumberbatch, who looks and feels like exactly the same character every time - Khan and Sherlock look completely different, but are pretty much the same.

From:

he's completely different each because he completely morphs into the character, infusing them with different expressions and mannerisms and personalities.

I think of him as a stained glass window: his light just shines through it and all you can see is the design of the character. It's amazing how transparent he is that way.

From:

I think of him as a stained glass window: his light just shines through it and all you can see is the design of the character.

Oh, that is a gorgeous and spot-on description! And I know exactly what you mean! When I'm watching one of his performances, I don't see him, because he completely becomes the character. He is absolutely amazing.

From:

I was wondering when Harrison Ford was going to come into this discussion. Him, too... the individual features just don't seem like they should work, but put them together and, well... the eyes also are most expressive, that is what pulls me in. Not a pretty boy by any stretch!

You're right about Matt, he's endearingly awkward, but can go from crazy goofy to the biggest menace in the room in the blink of an eye. You really can believe he's an alien!

From:

doctorxdonna.livejournal.com

Well, here's my unpopular opinion: I think Tom Hiddleston looks like a serial killer, especially as Loki. Do not find him remotely attractive at all. I don't really feel an attraction to Benedict Cumberbatch, either.

Matt Smith isn't conventionally attractive, but he's not ugly, either. I don't know that I'd call him handsome, though.

Obviously, I'm attracted to Tennant (understatement of the century), but even though I had seen all the Harry Potter movies, I didn't make the connection that he was Barty Crouch Jr until later. I had no idea who he was before I started watching Doctor Who. His portrayal of the Doctor was definitely what made him attractive to me, but I am a sapiosexual, so there's that. I find him handsome now, but I imagine he probably would've flown under my radar if I had never watched Doctor Who.

From:

Oh, I can definitely see how Hiddleston looks like a serial killer. :)

I didn't know who DT was either. I remember seeing HP4 in the theater and telling my husband that I'd heard that that guy is going to be the next Doctor, but that's it. I never saw anything else he'd done until I started watching DW in 2013, and his Doctor just blew me away - both the characterization of the Doctor and his performance. And then Alec Hardy - that's my favorite role of his and the one that made me a fangirl.

"Sapiosexual". Thanks for the new word! I'm definitely a sapiosexual.

From:

My answer is kind of wibbly-wobbly: I can see where people who would use that word for Matt Smith are coming from, but I'm not sure I would use it myself. He can sometimes look attractive or cute, and dressed certain ways or in certain photos I might go "yeah, I guess he's fairly good-looking," but he doesn't quite tick my box.

I don't get the internet's fetish for Cumberbatch; he's way off from handsome to me.

Tom Hiddleston is probably the most solidly handsome of the bunch.

I am utterly incapable of being objective about David Tennant. Sort of the inverse of Matt, if someone wanted to say "I don't think handsome is quite the right word" I could see where they are coming from - like, especially a bit younger, he was very much in boyish skinny nerd camp (though I find that extremely attractive) - but my brain wants to use words more like "utterly droolingly gorgeous," so it sort of all falls apart there.

eta: My ideals of attractiveness in men are a bit off the average to begin with, though. I am often into skinny, even scrawny, rather feminine face/limbed types with long hair. David is actually a bit of a departure for me in that sense, although he does have the kind of narrow face, pointed-chin shape I do like. (And DEM EYES THO.) I am really not into the whole standard rugged square-jawed with muscles aesthetic, although there are some such faces I can appreciate as "well, I guess others would say they were handsome, this is a good photo, etc" - but we're back to the wibbly wobbly there. Inevitably with the "built" types I am always saying "ew, too much muscle."

Edited Date: 2015-06-17 06:53 pm (UTC)

From:

I like the boyish skinny nerds! My husband was a boyish skinny nerd. Now he's more of a boyish potato nerd. But he's still very handsome.

And I feel exactly the same way about rugged, muscly types. I remember when growing up, everyone was drooling over Tom Selleck, and I just never understood it.

I can step back and say that DT is not traditionally handsome, but in my mind, he is so entwined with his characters that he portrayed so well - the Doctor, Alec Hardy, Peter Vincent, Arthur Eddington, to name a few that were so enthralling - and he has so much personal charisma, that he has become in my mind utterly droolingly gorgeous.

From:

[My ideals of attractiveness in men are a bit off the average to begin with, though. I am often into skinny, even scrawny, rather feminine face...] Have you seen David Tennant dressed up as a woman? He could out-female many women, he just pulls it off so well! And his Richard II was also supposed to be somewhat on the ambiguous side, long wavy hair, fine features....

I agree about the muscle types, eww! They spend too much time sculpting themselves. There's healthy and then there's that vanity in just showing off, and I don't like it. I much prefer brains than brawn!

From:

I still need to watch Richard II! I have this pile of DT DVDs just waiting for me to sit down and watch them... Richard II, Learners, Secret Smile, The Politician's Husband, to name a few.

From:

Talk about versatility with roles! He can go from perfectly lovely personality to downright evil, and you totally believe it!

As for Richard II, I tried to schedule watching it without hubby around. He absolutely loathes anything Shakespeare (like his dad). I really tried, but he came home lunchtime one day to find me watching. He couldn't believe that was DT and had some rather choice comments about the hair and some other things... won't say anything more until you've seen it.

Edited Date: 2015-06-18 04:37 pm (UTC)

From:

Learners is just adorkable.

Secret Smile and Politician's Husband were both a bit hard to get through in different ways, but you probably already know what you're in for in both cases. Secret Smile especially for me was a confusing mix of "wow, I am simultaneouly repelled by and weirdly fascinated with and attracted to this character. That's messed up." I mean, it's appropriate for the character of Brendan regardless, because apparently that's the effect he has (same for Aidan, come to that), but it says something about David the way he is able to pull that off.

Edited Date: 2015-06-18 05:26 pm (UTC)

From:

That's exactly why I want to see those two. I know he plays the evil, twisted character in both cases, and that's what I want to see. Much as I love DT's complex heroes (Alex Hardy is still by and far my favorite of his characters), I just know that he can do deep, psychological characters, too. Omg, Will Burton was just awesome.

It's also why I'm very excited for AKA Jessica Jones - they did such a wonderful job with Wilson Fisk in Daredevil that I have high hopes that Kilgrave will be as amazing a character.

From:

Yes, Alex Hardy was certainly complex. It was a mix of him being so difficult to work with, but you knew there was a reason behind it, a history, and it made you want to give some comfort. It also made you want to knock some sense into that thick skull, but what are you gonna do?

It was a joy to watch the professional relationship develop between him and Ellie Miller, from a point of bitter rivalry to grudging respect, then to outright respect at the end. Well done!

From:

Have you seen David Tennant dressed up as a woman?

Yes, and TBH, aside from that this is a staple of British comedy, I gotta say, I just don't get it. He looks strange and not attractive to me that way.

And his Richard II was also supposed to be somewhat on the ambiguous side, long wavy hair, fine features....

Unpopular opinion: Also not a role I'm fond of his appearance in. (I'm sure his performance is stunning - I loved him as Hamlet. But I haven't had a chance to see Richard II.)

While I'm on the topic, I'm going to be a complete heretic and say I that he doesn't do much for me in a kilt, either!

*dodges pitchforks*

From:

It's the acting part; not all women are totally gorgeous either, and in some of the sketches, he's had a downright awful wig! He just can pull off the motions, the emotions and the high heels! I certainly can't pull off high heels that way...

You'd better be quick about dodging those pitchforks! I can see them flying....

Edited Date: 2015-06-18 05:43 pm (UTC)

From:

DT just amazes me in high heels - I can't walk in the things, but he can! Did you see him in This Is Jinsy? It's on YouTube. He's wearing four inch platforms, and he moves so naturally. Also, that makes him six-foot-five! Jeez.

From:

No, I haven't but I'll be sure to look. Six foot five... wow!

From:

I love the look of a kilt in the context of the entire formal Scottish outfit, with the formal jacket, waistcoat, kilt, brogues, hose, and sporran. Otherwise, kilts don't do much for me in general. Thus, to me, DT looks just as yummy in his formal Highland dress as he does in a tux or any of the other suits he's worn. Though I have to say that that maroon velvet suit he had was just kind of weird. I know that's gotten him the nickname "Red Velvet Mancake", but I just don't see it.

I really liked the long hair he sported for Richard II, if only because it was so different. I prefer his short hair, but the long hair was a nice change.

Oh, and he also managed to change my opinion about beards. In general, I dislike facial hair on men, but Alec Hardy convinced me that stubble is very sexy. My husband is glad, because now I don't complain about him not shaving. :D (I still complain when he lets it go too long.)

From:

Well, you have him in the kilt and I'll take the red velvet suit. I like him in that. Then everyone's happy :)

Recent pictures of Peter Capaldi in a somewhat Three-esque red velvet coat filming season 9 have earned him the nickname "red velvet cupcake" on my tumblr dash, a bit of a play on "perfect cinnamon roll" no doubt; but I beg to point out, if only in my own mind, that I think DT was a red velvet cupcake first. lol.

DT does change my opinion about beards somewhat, although the extra-mega-Hardy scruff doesn't quite do it for me. More like I now tolerate somewhat more scruff than I used to, but it's pretty much limited to him. I love sideburns (of controlled length; not lambchops here) but that's about it for facial hair for me.

Edited Date: 2015-06-18 06:00 pm (UTC)

From:

Perfect DTs for everybody! :D

lol @ "red velvet cupcake", for either of them!

I definitely preferred the lighter scruff in Season 1 over the longer, heavier beard of Season 2. I always thought it was kind of strange, though... The scruff, at least as far as I'm concerned, was meant to give Hardy the kind of "gone to seed" look, to make him look like he's tired and cynical, with one symptom of that the fact that he doesn't look after his health or his grooming, so he just lets his facial hair grow. Of course, his scruff length never changes throughout the season, so he actually must be spending time trimming it to just that length and probably has a special trimmer for it, so it gives the exact opposite message. :D

From:

Of course, his scruff length never changes throughout the season, so he actually must be spending time trimming it to just that length and probably has a special trimmer for it, so it gives the exact opposite message.

Hmm, I can see you've given this some thought!

...it's just a show, we should really just relax. lol.

From:

Alec Hardy deserves all the thought I can devote to him. :D

From:

flowsoffire.livejournal.com

I didn't think Matt was handsome at all before seeing him play the Doctor, then I pretty much fell in love ;) I mostly find him attractive when playing the Doctor indeed. However, I do think he has some unconventional beauty/charisma/charm going on, whichever way you want to call it. No sex symbol, but good eye-candy material ;)

From:

Absolutely! The charisma is the key. I think they did a good job with all of the Doctors, matching the actor to the Doctor they wanted to characterize, to let their charisma shine through. Just trying to imagine one actor playing a different Doctor, a lot of them just wouldn't work.

From:

flowsoffire.livejournal.com

Completely agreeing :) They were just great fits! (I wonder if the actor choice didn't also strongly influence the characterization; that would depend on how casting vs. writing were timed.)

From: