sad day

[dbskyler]

For anyone who hasn't heard the news yet, Nicholas Courtney has passed away.

A few of my favorite Brigadier quotes, in tribute:



[about the Doctor] "As long as he does the job, he can wear what face he likes."

General: "Waiting for this famous scientific advisor of yours to turn up?"
The Brig: "That's right, sir."
General: "I suppose he'll just materialize out of thin air."
The Brig: "Very probably."

[upon entering the TARDIS for the first time] "So this is what you've been doing with UNIT funds and equipment all this time."

"You attract trouble, Doctor. You always did!"

"Do you realize what you've done? You've stolen the whole of UNIT HQ! Now what am I going to tell Geneva?"

"Chap with the wings -- five rounds rapid!"

"Just once I'd like to meet an alien menace that wasn't immune to bullets."

"You don't have to be a Time Lord to cope with A-level maths."

The Doctor: "If only I could find my recorder, I could play you a little something to pass the time."
The Brig: "We must be thankful for small mercies."

The Doctor: "You recognize me then?"
The Brig: "Yes. Who else would it be?"

"This is the Doctor. Don't let him baffle you."

Destroyer: "Can this world do no better than you as their champion?"
The Brig: "Probably. I just do the best I can."



I'm sad that we never got to see the Brigadier reunite with the Doctor on-screen, but at least we did get him for an episode of SJA.

Off to watch some Classic Who UNIT episodes now.

Comments

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

I've just woken up to the news and I'm sitting here sobbing...

I knew he'd been ill lately, but I hoped he'd go on for a few more years yet. (I think I was hoping he was somehow immortal.)

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize quite how old he was. I think he just seemed timeless to me. If it helps, you're not the only one who's feeling shocked and devastated. *hugs*

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

I knew...

I know - I've seen several posts on my FList, and on my Twitter feed (which is where I first saw it) - I follow several of the Who writers who have mentioned it.

I foresee some relistening of 'Old Soldiers', 'The Apocolypse Element', and the two Doctor Who: Unbounds he did, not to mention the 5 audio dramas of 'The Scarifyers'.

[derekmetaltron.livejournal.com]

It's hard to imagine a world with the Brigadier and a tragic shame he never got to appear on the main show. With luck this might convince the Beeb to try and get William Russsell or Frazier Hines on one day. But yes, I'm as shocked as most. RIP, Nick.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I really feel like I've lost a childhood friend.

[rengeek.livejournal.com]

Such a wonderful chap that it didn't matter who you were in the fandom, whether you prefer Ten or Four, Rose, Donna Romana or Sarah Jane, old series or new, everyone could agree on one thing: The Brig will always be <3.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Doctor Who fandom is incredibly argumentative, but you're right, I know of no one who didn't love the Brigadier. That's a real tribute to Nicholas Courtney's wonderful portrayal of the character.

I also saw this quote from Tom Baker: "Of all the characters in Doctor Who there is no doubt that he was the most loved by the fans."

[thisbluespirit]

What a thing to wake up to! :-(

Your quotes are all great. And rengeek sums it up perfectly. In this fandom, it's so varied, there's almost nothing we can't all disagree on - except that.

And so much of it really was down to the way that Nicholas Courtney played him.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

The character could've so easily turned into a cliche, but yes, Nicholas Courtney imbued him with greatness.

[clocketpatch]

He was a legend.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

And he always will be.

[tempestas-inu.livejournal.com]

I saw this post on my livejournal yesterday and I thought my heart stopped for a moment. Then I started seeing posts about it all over and I just didn't want to be on LJ for the day. I haven't been in the Doctor Who fandom for even a year, but I did grow quite attached to the Brig and Nick Courtney and I knew how important and revered he was in fandom. I so badly wanted a reunion between him and the Doctor, but now that's never going to happen ;_; I too was hoping he'd at least stick around longer. I've only seen a handful of episodes with him but he really was a great man.

If I weren't so busy with school at the moment and behind on those Doctor Who requests, I'd totally draw some sort of tribute.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Well, school should take priority, but after that I think you should draw the tribute if that's what you want to draw. I think everyone in the fandom would understand.