History Characters / DoctorWhoTenthDoctor

->''[[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime "I don't want to go."]]''

* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Of the SmugSuper. The Doctor has always been an InsufferableGenius with a tendency to belittle anyone he believes is beneath him, but the Tenth Doctor takes it to a completely different level since he's now [[GenreSavvy aware]] that he's a hero with a [[TheDreaded fearsome reputation]]. This means that while he's still as kind as usual, he's much more dismissive of people until they prove him wrong and considers himself the highest authority in the universe. The deconstruction comes in with episodes like "Midnight", where his smugness frightens and angers people, and "The Waters of Mars", where his arrogance leads him to decide that as the last of the Time Lords he has the right to do whatever he wants and dismisses some of the people he saved as "little people". While future Doctors continued to be arrogant at times, these experiences were clearly taken to heart as all the incarnations after the Tenth Doctor became far kinder and more self-aware of their faults.

* FunPersonified: He's quite bouncy and excitable. This comes back to bite him and Rose in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E2ToothAndClaw Tooth and Claw]]", as their playful behaviour (and his NightmareFetishist attitude) when people are dying angers UsefulNotes/QueenVictoria and she [[WhatTheHellHero chews them out for it]] at the end of the episode, something which in turn leads to the foundation of Torchwood and the events of ''Doomsday''.

He ''despised'' his past selves for their role in the [[GreatOffScreenWar Last Great Time War]], and was always at his coldest when confronted with it. He held deep respect for pacifism, and remembered how nice Gallifrey used to be, and how much he hated the corruption of Time Lord society into warmongers. He had zero tolerance towards anyone who wanted to engage in violence to resolve conflicts and [[DoesntLikeGuns disapproved of guns]] unless they were unquestionably a last resort. A long-standing fault of this Doctor was his vanity and his attachment to his current self, with him even finding a way to regenerate while keeping the same face following a lucky shot from a [[Characters/DoctorWhoDaleks Dalek]]. When warned about his upcoming demise from a psychic, he tried to avoid it as much as possible, and considered even the prospect of regeneration to be akin to [[DeathOfPersonality death]].

%%!! Tropes associated with other books

** In regards to being the second Doctor of an era, like the Second Doctor, Ten is a more approachablee incarnation that comes after a more standoffish and often cold predecessor, and like Two, those surface level traits hide the darker and more alien aspects of his personality; for Two, his silly, hobo demeanor hid his truly cunning and manipulative side, while for Ten, his more attractive, bombastic surface hid his more prideful and and weary nature. Both of them also stand out from other incarnations by reacting with pure fear at their respective regenerations despite the context for each being different; Two got forced into regeneration by his people after being forced to call them for help to save the galaxy from someone who used to be his friend while Ten's came from performing a HeroicSacrifice to save his newest friend after being forced to banish the Time Lords to save the world and time itself ''from'' them.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/3d55fbb3_2d2c_416d_80f9_00d22cb31ca3.jpeg]]

* ArchEnemy: The Cult of Skaro and the Master[[note]]specifically the incarnation portrayed by John Simm[[/note]]. The former are the Tenth Doctor's most recurrent foes and serve as linchpins in his relationship and history with his companions, while the latter serves to anchor and conclude the MythArc of the Creator/RussellTDavies era, acting as the bridge between the Doctor's present-day self and his childhood as the [[Characters/DoctorWhoFirstDoctor First Doctor]], the events of the Classic era and as the sole survivor of the Last Great Time War.

** In regards to being the second Doctor of an era, like the Second Doctor, Ten is more approachable and energetic incarnation that comes after a more standoffish and often cold predecessor, and like Two, those surface level traits hide the darker and more alien aspects of his personality; for Two, his silly, hobo demeanor hid his truly cunning and manipulative side, while for Ten, his more attractive, bombastic surface hid his more prideful and and wrathful nature. Both of them also stand out from other incarnations by reacting with pure fear at their respective regenerations despite the context for each being different; Two got forced into regeneration by his people after being forced to call them for help to save the galaxy while Ten's came from saving performing a HeroicSacrifice to save his friend after being forced to banish the Time Lords to save the world and time itself ''from'' them.

* TimeyWimeyBall: In the course of ''Dalek Universe'', not only does the Doctor encounter a younger version of Davros, but he also [[spoiler:contributes to the creation of the Movelleans]].

* NotSoDifferentRemark: Is subjected to this by [[spoiler:Davros when the Dalek creator learns that the First Movellean is the Doctor's old companion Mark Seven, suggesting that the Doctor created the Movelleans just as Davros created the Daleks, although the Doctor rejects the idea as he only helped Mark Seven be human where he already had training as a soldier]].

** In regards to being the second Doctor of an era, like the Second Doctor, Ten is more approachable and energetic incarnation that comes after a more standoffish and often cold predecessor, and like Two, those surface level traits hide the darker and more alien aspects of his personality; for Two, his silly, hobo demeanor hid his truly cunning and manipulative side, while for Ten, his more handsome, bombastic temperament hid his more prideful and and wrathful nature. Both of them also stand out from other incarnations by reacting with pure fear at their respective regenerations despite the context for each being different; Two got forced into regeneration by his people after being forced to call them for help to save the galaxy while Ten's came from saving performing a HeroicSacrifice to save his friend after being forced to banish the Time Lords to prevent them from destroying the world and time itself.

** In regards to being the second Doctor of an era, the handsome, lady-killing Ten comes across as ''far'' more grounded yet bombastically HotBlooded than Two's more silly, hobo demeanor that hides his truly cunning nature. Both of them also stand out from other incarnations by reacting with pure fear at their respective regenerations despite the context for each being different; Two got forced into regeneration by his people after being forced to call them for help to save the galaxy while Ten's came from saving performing a HeroicSacrifice to save his friend after being forced to banish the Time Lords to prevent them from destroying the world and time itself.

** In contrast to the Ninth Doctor, who's cynical, moody and weary attitude would often work to hide his strong inner optimism and idealism, Ten's rather pleasant, enthusiastic surface and love of life concealed his inner wrath and capacity for ruthlessness. Moreover, when they ''really'' snapped, Nine tended to go into a frothing rage, but Ten would go absolutely stone cold. Also unlike his predecessor, Ten wore his emotions on his sleeve, had a particular love of humanity, and involved himself in conflicts much more readily. And in the end, where Nine calmly accepted his regeneration with [[GoOutWithASmile a confident grin on his face]] and was welcoming of the change that would result from it, Ten feared it and was even willing to "cheat" in a bid to keep it at bay, even comparing it to death at several points, and when his time came, he kept off the change for as long as he possibly could and his last words were ones of despair.
** In regards to being the second Doctor of an era, the handsome, lady-killing Ten comes across as ''far'' more grounded yet bombastically HotBlooded than Two's more silly, hobo demeanour that hides his truly cunning nature.
*** Additionally, in regards to Two, Ten's adventures had him travel with more contemporary companions from the 2000s with a preference to explore their contemporary Earth with the occasional story set on a deep space shuttle, base or future human colony. Compare it to Two's long-term companion Jamie (an 18th century Scotsman) and his other two more well-known companions Victoria (a lady from Victorian England) and Zoe (a young female from a Zeerust 21st century spacewheel) who spent more adventures on deep space shuttles, bases, or human colonies with the occasional story set in contemporary (1960s) Earth. Also more interesting comparison to note is that both Two and Ten's final stories involved the Time Lords, with Two's "The War Games" establishing the Time Lords for the first time in the original run of the series and Ten's "The End of Time" re-establishing the Time Lords for the first time in the revival run of the series. But where the Time Lords of Two's final story were more mystic, cryptid, and overall frightning due to their two unnamed Time Lords maintaing a lot of power throughout Two's confrontation with them, the Time Lords of Ten's final story were more bombastic, openly aggressive, yet visibly submissive to Rassilon with the power concentrated on Rassilon alone.

'''Jackson Lake:''' And you haven't? ''
'''Doctor:''' ''(looks at him solemnly and seriously)''

* BadassNormal: Acting on pure instinct, he saves a woman and her baby from a [[PianoDrop precarious piano]] by throwing a cricket ball that causes a ridiculously precise chain reaction. Deep down, he still has a lot of latent Doctor in him despite having a completely human body.

* ByronicHero: While an extremely kindhearted gentleman, John is only human. In contrast to the Doctor's unflappableness in the face of danger, John is reduced to an angsting, sobbing mess by the end of his story, and seriously considers making the selfish choice of handing over the fob watch to the Family in order to remain himself. Thanks to his fake memories of an upbringing in Victorian Ireland, he also has some period-appropriate views, including a slight dismissal of Martha due to her minority, lower-class status.
* DeathOfPersonality: He understandably views the prospect of the Doctor retaking his body as a form of execution. Ironically quite similar to the Tenth Doctor's own views on regeneration.
* DoesNotLikeGuns: His Doctor-genes are strong enough to prevent him from firing a gun.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: His whole arc foreshadows both the Master's later return under the human "Professor Yana" disguise, as well as the Tenth Doctor's apprehensive regeneration.
* {{Expy}}: Of the Seventh Doctor's "John Smith" identity from the original ''Doctor Who New Adventures'' novel ''Human Nature'' which the television story was adapted from. Their circumstances are practically identical.
* FutureMeScaresMe: Rather than inspired, he's ''terrified'' of Martha and Tim Latimer's vivacious descriptions of the Doctor. Since John doesn't know the Doctor, he hates the idea of giving his own "life" in exchange for some callous, lonely god.
* IAmWho: His whole arc is figuring out who exactly he is, and what kind of man the Doctor is.
* ManchurianAgent: A rare self-inflicted example, as the Doctor needed his human disguise to be completely foolproof, so John Smith genuinely believes he is a normal human and has no idea who the Doctor is. However, he seemingly never foresaw John gaining such rigorous individuality, or falling in love.

* MrSmith: As per the Doctor's usual human pseudonym.
* ObliviousToLove: {{Averted}} for the most part. Whereas the Doctor either ignores or supresses romance for others (or that others feel for him), John is unashamed of admitting his love for Joan, though ironically, he's just as oblivious to Martha's love for him and the Doctor.

->''[[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E13ThePartingOfTheWays “Hello! Oka–oumm... New teeth. That’s weird. So, where was I? Oh, that’s right. Barcelona!”]]''

* NiceGuy: While somewhat cocky, impatient, and having a ''vicious'' [[Main/BewareTheNiceOnes dark side when provoked]], Ten is nonetheless a very cheerful, energetic, sociable, and compassionate individual who's quick with a hug and always willing to lend a helping hand.

* DeathSeeker: He seems to get more reckless in season 3, such as when he screams at daleks to kill him. He also chooses to indefinitely undergo DeathOfPersonality. "Turn Left" corroborates that he would have let himself die in "The Runaway Bride" had Donna not been there to stop him.

* DeathSeeker: He seems to get more reckless in season 3, such as when he screams at daleks kill him. He also chooses to indefinitely undergo DeathOfPersonality. "Turn Left" corroborates that he would have let himself die in "The Runaway Bride" had Donna not been there to stop him.

---> Did someone order an alien nemesis with a side-order of rice? Well, I’ve got bad news for you; they’re all out of rice.

** “Imagine watching that happen to someone that you...”

-->"‘I’m the Doctor and ''I’ve just snogged Madame de Pompadour!''"

---> '''War Doctor''': ''[Bemused]'' Is there a lot of this in the future?\\
'''Eleventh Doctor''': ''[Embarrassed]'' It does start to happen, yeah...

-->'''Donna''': You fought her off. ''With a Water Pistol''. I bloody ''love'' you!

-->'''The Doctor:''' To save my own life, I changed my body. Every single cell, but ''I'm still me''.
-->'''The Doctor:''' Even then, even if I change, it feels like dying. Everything I am dies. Some new man goes sauntering away... and I'm dead.

-->'''Jackson Lake:''' And you haven't? ''
-->'''Doctor:''' ''(looks at him solemnly and seriously)''

* MayflyDecemberRomance: Rose’s mortality becomes a point of tension and worry in the Doctor and Rose’ relationship. They’re forced to confront it in “School Reunion” when Sarah-Jane makes Rose scared the Doctor will leave her, too, but he promises not to. They end up allowing both themselves and each other to buy into the fantasy of being together forever.
-->'''The Doctor:''' I don’t age, I regenerate. But humans decay. You wither, and you die. Imagine watching that happen to someone that you...\\

'''The Doctor:''' You can spend the rest of your life with me, but I can’t spend the rest of mine with you. I have to live on. Alone. That’s the curse of the Time Lords.

-->'''The Doctor:''' Any number that reduces to one when you take the sum of the square of its digits and continue iterating it until it yields 1 is a happy number, any number that doesn't, isn't. A happy prime is both happy and prime. Now ''type it in!''

-->'''Rose:''' With you, did he do that thing where he'd explain something at, like, ninety miles an hour, and you'd go, 'What?' and he'd look at you like you'd just dribbled on your shirt?

-->'''Martha:''' Trust me, just nod when he stops for breath.

--->'''Eleventh Doctor''': Well number Ten once regenerated and kept the same face... I had ''vanity issues'' at the time.

* SayMyName: The Tenth Doctor loves to scream ‘MAAAAAARFAAAAA!’ and 'DONNAAAAAAAAA!'. It calls to mind [[Creator/SylvesterMcCoy another hammy thespian]] who's known for shouting ‘HAAAAACE!’

'''The Doctor''': ''[pretends to ponder this]'' Hmm, TARDIS, Time Lord, '''YEAH!'''\\

-->'''The Doctor''': I'm so old now. I used to have so much ''mercy''... you get one chance. That was it.

** To Jenny, a daughter-clone harvested from his cells in "The Doctor's Daughter". He's ''not'' happy about being forced into parenthood at gunpoint, but he ends up bonding with her, and her death (which turns out to not be as permanent as anyone imagined) is the ''only'' thing other than a prospective reality ending cataclysm that [[BatmanGrabsAGun makes him unhesitatingly willing to grab a gun]] - indeed, [[PapaWolf it has him on the verge of cold-blooded murder.]]

[[folder:John Smith]]
!!John Smith
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/3d55fbb3_2d2c_416d_80f9_00d22cb31ca3.jpeg]]
-> '''Played by:''' Creator/DavidTennant (2007)

When the Doctor and Martha were being chased through time by the ravenous Family of Blood, the Doctor decided to take a human disguise by sealing his Time Lord essence inside a chameleon arch, which looks like an ordinary fob watch, and hid in an inconspicuous English village in 1913. The process is much more than a disguise, however, as the chameleon arch completely rewrites a Time Lord's biology into a human form. With falsified memories, the history teacher John Smith was, for all intents and purposes, ''not'' the Doctor at all but a completely new man with a life of his own.

He appears only in the two-part storyline consisting of "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E8HumanNature Human Nature]]" and "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E9TheFamilyOfBlood The Family of Blood]]", both self-adapted from Paul Cornell's 1995 novel ''Human Nature'' which follows an identical premise, but instead features the Seventh Doctor as "John Smith".

* BadassNormal: Acting on pure instinct, he saves a woman and her baby from a [[PianoDrop precarious piano]] by throwing a cricket ball that causes a ridiculously precise chain reaction. Deep down, he still has a lot of latent Doctor in him despite having a completely human body.
* BornLucky: How he justifies his extraordinary feats of skill.
* ByronicHero: While an extremely kindhearted gentleman, John is only human. In contrast to the Doctor's unflappableness in the face of danger, John is reduced to an angsting, sobbing mess by the end of his story, and seriously considers making the selfish choice of handing over the fob watch to the Family in order to remain himself. Thanks to his fake memories of an upbringing in Victorian Ireland, he also has some period-appropriate views, including a slight dismissal of Martha due to her minority, lower-class status.
* DeathOfPersonality: He understandably views the prospect of the Doctor retaking his body as a form of execution. Ironically quite similar to the Tenth Doctor's own views on regeneration.
* DoesNotLikeGuns: His Doctor-genes are strong enough to prevent him from firing a gun.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: His whole arc foreshadows both the Master's later return under the human "Professor Yana" disguise, as well as the Tenth Doctor's apprehensive regeneration.
* {{Expy}}: Of the Seventh Doctor's "John Smith" identity from the original ''Doctor Who New Adventures'' novel ''Human Nature'' which the television story was adapted from. Their circumstances are practically identical.
* FutureMeScaresMe: Rather than inspired, he's ''terrified'' of Martha and Tim Latimer's vivacious descriptions of the Doctor. Since John doesn't know the Doctor, he hates the idea of giving his own "life" in exchange for some callous, lonely god.
* IAmWho: His whole arc is figuring out who exactly he is, and what kind of man the Doctor is.
* ManchurianAgent: A rare self-inflicted example, as the Doctor needed his human disguise to be completely foolproof, so John Smith genuinely believes he is a normal human and has no idea who the Doctor is. However, he seemingly never foresaw John gaining such rigorous individuality, or falling in love.
* MorphicResonance: On top of looking identical to the Doctor in spite of the chameleon arch supposedly rewriting his biology at a fundamental level (not unlike regeneration), John has numerous "cracks" in his personality and backstory where his true Gallifreyan alter-ego shines through.
* MrSmith: As per the Doctor's usual human pseudonym.
* ObliviousToLove: {{Averted}} for the most part. Whereas the Doctor either ignores or supresses romance for others (or that others feel for him), John is unashamed of admitting his love for Joan, though ironically, he's just as oblivious to Martha's love for him and the Doctor.
* OohMeAccentsSlipping: As with the Tenth Doctor's normal accent (see in his own folder), John's upper-crust RP accent is less than convincing at times.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:TV Series Tropes]]

* TheBabyOfTheBunch: 10 is both the youngest-lookimg and most HotBlooded of the original 13 Doctor incarnations.