Which ‘Doctor Who’ historical figure is your favorite

By Laura Byrne-Cristiano (@LauraByrneCrist) at 12:45 pm, May 31, 2012

Over the years, Doctor Who has had episodes built around the Doctor and his Companion interacting with various historical figures. Which ones do you think were done the best?

In focusing on the reboot era, here are some of the top historical figures as major players in episodes.

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Now there have definitely been other historical figures who have made a brief appearance such as Queen Elizabeth I in “The Shakespeare Code,” and Queen Elizabeth II in “Voyage of the Damned.” Of course there was also the brief glimpse of Hilter in “Let’s Kill Hitler,” but it seemed in poor taste to include any incarnation of Hitler in any sort of favorites poll. There have also been lesser known ones. Did you know that Lucius Caecilius Iucundus from “The Fires of Pompeii” and the pirate Henry Avery from “The Curse of the Black Spot” were actually real people?

In the comments tell us who your favorite historical figure was and why. Also if we left off a favorite of yours, or if you have a favorite from the Classic Doctor Who era (Marco Polo anyone?) let us know. We are recording our next episode of WhoHype this weekend and will feature this as part of the discussion since the BBC recently called for fans to suggest a new historical figure for the Doctor to meet.

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http://twitter.com/TokoMasho Matthew Potter

Just as I expected. All of those options were great characters and from episodes that explored some cool or funny ideas, but Vincent and the Doctor is just a whole other level. That episode is a masterpiece.
http://twitter.com/walshcaitlin Caitlin Walsh

The only reason why I voted for Shakespeare over Van Gogh is probably because of my English classes. I love the Shakespeare Code and how the character is a 16th century rock star. (Which works because we don’t know a lot)

Vincent and the Doctor is a Masterpiece but I like Who’s treatment of Shakespeare better than Vincent a tiny bit more.
http://jordanamarshall.com/ Jordan Marshall

I cry every time I even think about “Vincent and the Doctor”. It’s one of the best episodes of the series.
Jael

It’s a tie between Van Gogh and Madame du Pompadour. Van Gogh because “Vincent and the Doctor” is by far one of the best episodes in the series overall and because the actor who played him did the role justice. On the other hand, “Girl in the Fireplace” is also well written and I love the chemistry between her and the tenth Doctor.
- DP
  
  So true. Fun fact, if you didn’t already know…10 and Madame du Pompadour probably had such great chemistry because the two actors were dating in real life at the time :)
  - http://twitter.com/VeronicaADuff Veronica Duff
    
    I’m pretty sure they didn’t start dating until after filming; they met during production of this episode. Regardless, you’re right that the chemistry was very real between David Tennant and Sophia Myles. :-)
  - http://www.hypable.com/author/lauracristiano/ LauraBC
    
    I could have my time lines off, but I thought they became an item having developed a relationship while shooting that episode. I didn’t think they were together prior to that.
    - http://twitter.com/StarkidSims Simone
      
      Awww how sweet :)
http://www.facebook.com/cmoorepats Cameron Moore

Very tough choice for me between Vincent, and the madame!
Matthewhpg

Van Gogh, because, just as they say in the episode, we are able to explore the mind of a man who, although suffered madness and sickness, was able to see such beauty in our world. He was able to use his pain and torment to create masterpieces.
stargazer

Wait, what episode was the Richard Nixon episode?

I loved the episode “Vincent and the Doctor.” Vincent breaks my heart every time I watch it.
- DP
  
  The first two episodes of series six “The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon” occur during Nixon’s presidency, and he appears for only a brief time.
gcw07

As much as I loved Madame Du Pompadour, Van Gogh was just an amazing episode and character. He was by far my favorite character. While I enjoyed several of those other historical figures, none of them were as good as Van Gogh.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Maria-Wang/542480760 Maria Wang

Vincent Van Gogh, because his story is so tragic. He made me cry at the end when he visited the museum
AlyssaMz

Im sorry but theres just no contest.
The Van Gogh episode was possibly my favorite episode of television ever.
Not just of Dr. Who.

Thats just amazing.
Karen Rought

Gah, this was so hard. I loved Agatha Christie so much, but the Madame du Pompadour and Vincent Van Gogh episodes were so beautiful. In the end, I had to go with Shakespeare because that one was so witty and funny. Can’t I just pick them all??
FairyCutie86

Gah! So hard. I voted for Madame du Pompadour because that was one of the first episodes that made me feel so emotional by the end. I just all around love “The Girl in the Fireplace” in general. Vincent van Gough and Agatha Christie are my definite faves after her though, followed by Shakespeare.
tG

while madam de pompadour was in the BEST EPISODE EVER NO CONTEST, shakespeare was still a more fun character. The van gogh episode was overrated.
Oscar

Vincent! Is it really any question? Of course, while the episode didn’t get much people liking it, I loved Winston as well – he just felt like a very… um… steadfast person. He seemed so brilliant. But Vincent was the best, he made you laugh and cry and fall in love with him so perfectly.
Katelyn

Their Van Gogh shows more true courage than any of the other contenders combined.
VioletteTreeman

Madame de Pompadour, Vincent Van Gogh, William Shakespeare…how do you choose!
BlueBronze

I was torn between Christie, Van Gogh, Dickens, and Madame du Pompadour, but in the end I had to pick Van Gogh. There are so many artists who died in poverty, unappreciated, but it’s nice to think that maybe, just maybe, one of them got a taste of the recognition they deserved.
Matthewhpg

I put down Van Gogh, but I also really enjoyed seeing Nixon. I didn’t exactly love the portrayal (not as cold and calculating as Nixon really was), but it was just fun to see the president of such a crazy time. Also, all the little hints and jokes the Doctor dropped about Nixon’s resignation and the rest of his presidency.
Cheryll

I really loved Van Gough, but enjoyed watching the episodes with Queen Victoria and Mme du Pompadour. Mme Pompadour still gets me so emotional and Queen Victoria started the Torchwood Institute so it’s really hard to choose!
http://twitter.com/StarkidSims Simone

I voted for Vincent (I see the majority have) because he touched my heart and his story was just so sad and beautiful. Shakespeare and Madame Du Pompadour get honorary mentions from me – ‘The Girl In The Fireplace’ and ‘The Shakespeare Code’ where fantastic episodes.

I know the Trojan War is primarily legend and mythological territory but I would LOVE to see Helen of Troy appear in an episode focusing on the Trojan War. That could make for a brilliant episode.
Laurent

Hi from France!
It’s Mme De Pompadour, not Mme Du Pompadour :’)
Inseriousity.

Lol Queen Elizabeth II isnt dead yet so not quite historical!
I’ll go for William Shakesphere but more because of how they twisted your expectations with him and the EXPELLIARMUS ending.
Phantomfluteplayer

I loved Vincent’s episode. I feel as though we got to see the depth of his character in a far greater extent than many of the others we have seen in the new series. I loved the scene where he, Amy and The Doctor were all laying on their backs, holding hands, looking up at the stars and we got to see how he viewed the world. It was a beautiful episode.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Maria-Wang/542480760 Maria Wang

The Doctor is a historical figure himself, albeit fictional
LotusCalm

Definitely Shakespeare. :-)

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Which ‘Doctor Who’ historical figure is your favorite

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