Since when has the Doctor had trouble telling humans they are special/unique/have potential?
Since Moffat made him into BBC Sherlock, that’s when.
“You’re not special. You’re not important"—Tenth Doctor to Donna Noble.
*gif of Ninth Doctor consigning Adam Mitchell to a life of misery for not being special enough*
Remember when One nearly threw Ian and Barbara into the time vortex, even after they helped saved his life, in The Edge of Destruction?
“Don’t waste my time.” -the Tenth Doctor to a young woman who appears to be about to have a panic attack