The Untold Story behind Doctor Who's Most Iconic Line: Revealed by Matt Smith

Matt Smith, the former Doctor Who star, recently revealed the origin of the Eleventh Doctor’s most iconic line of dialogue. Making his debut as the Eleventh Doctor in the 2010 special "The End of Time (Part 2)", Smith went on to lead Doctor Who for four years until his departure in the 2013 special "The Time of the Doctor."

During Smith's tenure, he upheld the tradition of each new Doctor having their own catchphrase. While the Ninth and Tenth Doctors used "fantastic" and "allons-y," the Eleventh Doctor favored "Geronimo." Similarly, Smith's Doctor had a habit of deeming offbeat items as cool, such as bow ties in his first episode, "The Eleventh Hour."

Matt Smith reveals the origin of his most iconic Doctor Who line

Smith recently revealed the true story behind this recurring joke at Los Angeles Comic Con (via Popverse). The actor explained that he unintentionally came up with the “bow ties are cool” phrase himself, while trying on his initial Doctor Who costumes.

In one of these sessions, Smith asked for bowtie options, a fashion accessory that then-showrunner Steven Moffat had not originally considered for the character. When Moffat pushed back, Smith simply replied, "Bowties are cool," and this iconic response ended up being included in "The Eleventh Hour."

The Eleventh Doctor would go on to wear a bowtie throughout all of his appearances, making it the Time Lord's signature piece of clothing. In fact, the moment when the Doctor finally removes his bowtie before regenerating in "The Time of the Doctor" is so significant that it is given its own close-up shot.

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Other items that the Eleventh Doctor would later deem as cool in Smith’s tenure on Doctor Who include black-rimmed glasses, stetsons, and fezzes. The latter was later alluded to by one of the actor’s successors, Jodie Whittaker, during her portrayal of the Thirteenth Doctor.

Doctor Who has continued to make references to Smith's time in the TARDIS even after he left. Most notably, the fates of the Eleventh Doctor's companions, Amy Pond and Clara Oswald, were prominently featured in the franchise's final 60th anniversary special, "The Giggle."

Although Smith does not make an appearance in "The Giggle," some fans believe that his likeness can be seen on a playing card in the villainous Toymaker's deck. However, there are others who argue that the card actually depicts Neil Patrick Harris instead.

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Editor's P/S

As a lifelong fan of Doctor Who, I was thrilled to learn the untold story behind Matt Smith's iconic line, "Geronimo!" Smith's revelation that the phrase originated spontaneously during a costume fitting adds a touch of serendipity to the character's development. The fact that "bow ties are cool" became such an integral part of the Eleventh Doctor's persona, even inspiring references in subsequent seasons, speaks to the enduring impact of Smith's portrayal.

The Eleventh Doctor's penchant for declaring offbeat items as "cool" added a quirky charm to the character, making him relatable and endearing to audiences. Smith's ability to infuse humor and personality into the role left an indelible mark on the Doctor Who legacy. His departure from the series was a bittersweet moment for fans, but the enduring popularity of his catchphrases and fashion choices is a testament to the lasting impact he made on the show.