Curmudgeon Report

[threemonkeys]

I think it must be me. I’m feeling very negative about a lot of stuff. Even more so than usual that is. I mean, look at my reaction to new series of Dr Who & BSG.

I should be really happy – new DW is always something to celebrate. Most people seem happy enough with the first couple of episodes. Personally I’m wondering if I should bother with the rest. The first episode was all sound and fury with lots of running about and no real content and then there was the insufferable cuteness. Somebody asked me if I waved at the screen when the blobs were leaving – I was ready to throw stuff at the screen instead. The Pompeii episode was a lot better – a really huge amount better. But Catherine Tate’s Donna still bugs the hell out of me. That voice is abrasive enough to remove cereal that has been left to harden on the plate. The scattergun approach to her personality does not help. I just wanted her to shut up.

Then there is BSG. Another series where I should be celebrating. The soap opera-like nature of delaying story gratification by noisy personal conflict has always been part of this series but it seems to be much more galling in this final series. The personal drama stuff just seems like padding designed to frustrate. The distinction between heightening tension and just irritating can be a fine one at times.

I think it must be me, but there may be just a little justification there too.

Comments

[tofulope.livejournal.com]

Catherine Tate has really disappointed me. I was hoping for something different to the RoseMartha composite character, a reluctant and bolshie companion. Instead rather than a companion who has a basically happy but rather stagnated life (Rose) or one who had ambition and a lot going for her but also a lot of problems (Martha) we get someone who has no life whatsoever apart from waiting for the Doctor. Ugh.

The Pompeii ep was so ridiculous and outlandish as to be genuinely good and enjoyable though.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

It was "ridiculous and outlandish" but it also had a go at the great contradiction of The Doctor's interference which is why I thought it was a big step up from the previous week. That plus some genuinely funny moments - Latin sounds like Celtic got a real laugh out of me.

[darthsappho.livejournal.com]

And what's with companions turning down the chance to travel with the Doctor? Both Rose and Donna initially said no thanks before being given a second chance (I can't recall if the same was true of Martha). I suppose the old trick of kidnapping them and not returning to their home time doesn't work so well when every other story is set on present day Earth. Donna is making a far better companion than I was expecting after Runaway Bride, though, aside from the continued obsession with Doctor-companion romance. But I miss Lynda-with-a-y.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Lynda-with-a-y had the makings of an excellent companion. Of course DW has a long history of misdirects where you think somebody is going to join the regular crew only to be deflected away at the last minute. During the Davison years, I think they pretty much had one in every story (but then it may have been wishful thinking).

[angriest.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen ep 2 yet, but between Runaway Bride and Partners in Crime I'm really enjoying Donna.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Was it you who was speculating that prior contact with Catherine Tate on her show may put people off Donna? I think there is quite some validity to that because I can't shake off those previous images.

[angriest.livejournal.com]

Yup that was me. I suppose a similar performance is Hugh Laurie in House, where half of the USA seems to think he's actually an American actor whereas I can't ever quite shake off images of Bertie Wooster and George in Blackadder.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Good example - I have the same problem there too.

[bytheseaside.livejournal.com]

I've made no secret of the fact I love CT as Donna. I love the rage and the shoutiness. I think she's brilliant. But that's me. By comparison, I notice a reference to Lynda-with-a-y above who I found to be bland and uninteresting - but then I find I'm mostly alone in that opinion.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Rage & shouty is fine as a concept - but oh that voice. Lynda-with-a-y had that Sarah Jane vibe - strong & resolute when it counted.

But like companion misdirects, DW has always been full of arguments about companions. Back on usenet in the 80s I seem to remember exactly the same passionate arguments. You could probably find the same from the letter pages in fanzines in the 60s.

[bytheseaside.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's not even unique to Doctor Who really. Anywhere there is a large gathering of fandom there are character/actor discussions.

I don't mind Donna's voice. But I have my own triggers. I just about climb the walls when my students say 'shame' or start clicking their pens.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Sure - I most painfully remember Kirk vs Pickard arguments (so so sad). But DW is special in the span of time it encompasses with so many different characters filling essentially the same role.