So hard to choose but honestly I'd probably say Eccleston. I used to be a major Tennant fan but since watching some classic who and listening to big finish Tennant just feels a bit like he's constantly preaching how smart and right he is about everything compared to all the other doctors.
I love Smith and Capaldi too as they really deliver when it comes to the alien side of the doctor compared to Tennant and Eccleston who are more humanish. Sadly I'm not such a fan of season 6 onwards, not that there's nothing good there but I feel like seasons 1-5 had more episodes that interested me. I think Eccleston also has the advantage of being a 1 season doctor so you're left wanting more, plus he's such a phenomenal actor every scene he's in feels so rich and there's a lot of depth to his lines and delivery.
Capaldi is honestly the most Doctorish doctor in my opinion and I'd like to put him first especially considering how much I liked season 10, but I can't deny I enjoyed Ecclestons season more.
I used to be a major Tennant fan but since watching some classic who and listening to big finish Tennant just feels a bit like he’s constantly preaching how smart and right he is about everything compared to all the other doctors.
Yeah, I feel that. There's something I just find slightly grating about 10's attitude, and as a result he's at the bottom of my personal ranking of new series Doctors. Still, I don't hate him in any objective sense, mind you.
Ten is definitely high on his own supply, but ironically, that's one of the reasons I love him. He's easily the darkest of the nuWho Doctors, the one most in danger of letting his arrogance tip into megalomania and his pain consume him. But there's also so much good in him, too-- he is the Doctor, after all. IDK, guess I've always been a sucker for a tragically flawed hero (see also: Star Wars).
(I do agree, though, that the narrative doesn't call Ten out on his bullshit nearly often enough. And some of the more worshipful things the other characters say about him make me roll my eyes-- the whole "he's like fire and ice" speech makes me cringe so bad I can't listen to it and have to fast-forward to the end on rewatches (no hate to people who love that speech, different strokes for different folks!))
It's also a toss-up for me between Eccleston and Capaldi. The Doctors in between were all good in their own ways, but I enjoyed the fresh air of a plain-spoken, sardonic Eccleston in the reboot, bookended by Capaldi at the end.
It's also about the Companions and their relationships with the Doctor. Eccleston and Rose were perfect, as was the inclusion of Rose's family. I liked the come-hither look of Rose's mum. Then there was the superb combination of Capaldi with Bill and Nardole.
After that, it all went to hell in a handcart. Not because of Jodie Whittaker - I'd always wanted there to be a female Doctor - but because that ass Chris Chibnall ruined the show by turning them into social workers in space. The episodes felt like being bludgeoned by a simplistic protest placard.
I'm glad the show is back in good hands and looking forward to Steven Moffat restoring the wit, nuance, subversiveness, and the gods forbid - fun.