Hugo Award Nominations...

[fajrdrako]

More than most awards, the Hugo Awards have always interested me. For years I made a point of reading all the novels nominated, especially when I was in a position to actually vote for the Hugos myself. Sometimes I even read all the short stories, too, and I don't normally read short stories.

This year I've read none of the novels, and the item that interested me most was Dramatic Short Form. The contenders are:

Battlestar Galactica "Downloaded" Writers Bradley Thompson and David Weddle. Directed by Jeff Woolnough. (NBC Universal/British Sky)
I had to look this up, since I only know my very favourite Battlestar Galactica episodes by name. That particular one didn't make much of an impression, which means it kept up to Battlestar Galactica's incredibly high standards. The 2006 episode that really stood out for me was Scar, a compelling stand-alone story.

And then there are no less than three Doctor Who episodes nominated:
Doctor Who "Army of Ghosts" and "Doomsday" Written by Russell T. Davies. Directed by Graeme Harper. (BBC Wales/BBC1)
Doctor Who "Girl in the Fireplace" Written by Steven Moffat. Directed by Euros Lyn. (BBC Wales/BBC1)
Doctor Who "School Reunion" Written by Toby Whithouse. Directed by James Hawes. (BBC Wales/BBC1)

So... one of these would be my pick. I thought they were all brilliant, which makes it difficult to make the choice. "Girl in the Fireplace" gets a double-bonus from me as being delightfully original, and being by my favourite Doctor Who writer, Steven Moffat. And so visual! And "School Reunion" - I just saw it again last night - such good performances, irresistible. But my choice is the "Army of Ghosts/Doomsday" story by Russell T. Davies because it really is my favourite episode of series two. It is so heroic. Also funny, sad, clever, and featuring so many people and things I love: the Cult of Skara, the Rose/Doctor romance, Jackie Tyler in fine form, Torchwood, Freema Agyeman, Mickey (being competent), Jake (being heroic), the Jackie/Pete romance, the Ghostbusters joke, and the Doctor at his best, Converses up on the desk, arms behind his head, Mr. Casual.

Then there's:
Stargate SG-1 "200" Written by Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper, Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie, Carl Binder, Martin Gero, and Alan McCullough. Directed by Martin Wood. (Double Secret Productions/NBC Universal)

Oddly enough, this is the only episode of Stargate SG-1 I've seen in years, and I've seen it twice. I was with Stargate SG-1 fans both times, you understand. It was vaguely amusing, but to a non-fan like myself, it didn't mean much - it was no better or worse than anything else on television. I wouldn't have watched it by choice. It's a fan thing, and it certainly deserves a nomination in token of SG-1's enthusiastic long-term fan base.

Comments

[katesutton.livejournal.com]

the Doctor at his best, Converses up on the desk, arms behind his head, Mr. Casual.


Heh. That was cute. Also, his sheepish little wave to Rose over the television. I thought Ten's characterization was a bit shaky at times in season two, but they hit it spot on in the last two episodes. Particularly in his interactions with Yvonne.

I don't understand why '200' got nominated, unless it was a nod to the show as a whole. The entire episode consisted of nods to the show's past and other scifi shows. While amusing, it certainly can't stand on its own.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I thought Ten's characterization was a bit shaky at times in season two,

Any particular instances you can point to? I'm still getting a feel for the Doctor, I think, in terms of being able to write him - I don't feel nearly ready to tackle a story with Ten yet. (Well, maybe I am if/when I get the right story idea. Sometimes I don't even know when I'm ready, it just happens.)

they hit it spot on in the last two episodes.

Beautiful writing, I thought. Funny, but no cheap laughs. Sad too, but nothing cheap about it anywhere.

Particularly in his interactions with Yvonne.

Oh, yes. What a pair. So many 'good bits'.

I don't understand why '200' got nominated, unless it was a nod to the show as a whole.

I think it was. I think it was a sort of sentimental favourite for all those years of dedicated fandom - a sort of culmination. "200" wasn't much of a story but it was an affectionate look at the characters and situation, and a self-referential parody of the TV industry and its relationship with shows and fans.

That's a really nice icon.

[katesutton.livejournal.com]

Any particular instances you can point to? I'm still getting a feel for the Doctor, I think, in terms of being able to write him

I can't speak to the Doctor's characterization as a whole-versions One through Ten- as I've only seen five incarnations to date. I think it may be my response to a more classic, quirky Doctor after seeing Nine as my first one. Ten was just...overly mercurial and odd at times. It's a vague sense or personal preference, rather than an ability to point to specific instances. I suspect that some of it may be David Tennant's acting choices- the shoutiness rather than the quiet intensity he pulls out on occasion that serves the character so much better. Hmm. I'll have to think and see if I can come up with more than that. The icon is cheesygirl's and is available if you want.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I've only seen five incarnations to date.

This puts you ahead of me; I've only seen Eight, Nine and Ten. Nine was my first as well, but only by one episode. Nine is my favourite.

Ten was just...overly mercurial and odd at times.

He was indeed. Entertaining, but quite difficult to pin down. Many of his outward mannerisms seemed geared to hiding inner thoughts and feelings, rather than revealing them.

I suspect that some of it may be David Tennant's acting choices- the shoutiness rather than the quiet intensity he pulls out on occasion that serves the character so much better.

I love those intense moments. Love 'em! And they are, I think, by no coincidence, the moments when Ten most resembles Nine.

Re the icon: thanks!

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

"Downloaded" -- I had to look this up, since I only know my very favourite Battlestar Galactica episodes by name. That particular one didn't make much of an impression, which means it kept up to Battlestar Galactica's incredibly high standards. The 2006 episode that really stood out for me was Scar, a compelling stand-alone story.

As you've said that you aren't in particular a Lucy Lawless fan, I see why this one didn't make an impression on you... although I thought it was brilliant. For one thing, it was technically demanding: two of the actors were also actually handling cameras, Lucy's character D'Anna Biers, a reporter, and her cameraman, who was played by... a cameraman.

I would imagine that the kicker for why it was nominated was the lovely twist at the very end. Which I knew was coming, and still loved vastly.

Agree with you totally about the Doctor Who episodes, too. And it's so nice to see good stuff being produced, and then to see it getting recognized as well.

You were in the position to vote for Hugo nominees? Gad, I'm jealous! How cool that must have been.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Sorry, that last message from anonymous was from me, really.

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Yikes. I confused "Final Cut" with "Downloaded." I am highly embarrassed.

"Downloaded" may have been nominated because it was the first look given at how the Cylons "redistribute" the life-essence of a killed Cylon. Other than that, I wouldn't have thought it was worthy of special mention... okay, yeah, it was rather clever of them, all that doubling and tripling of only four actors into repeated crowds of people, eh?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

That was cool, but nothing else about it sticks in my mind. Nothing story-related.

[raissad.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping TGITF wins, myself, but any of the Who eps. will do.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree. I think TGITF is flawed but brilliant. All those episodes are magnificent and well deserve awards.

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

I like both The Girl on the Fireplace and School Reunion (and I expect I'll like the other two-episode nominee once I see it) -- I'm not sure which to vote for!

The best novel nominations are a strong lot this year: I loved His Majesty's Dragon, but Eifelheim was just brilliant, and I still want to read Blindsight and Glasshouse. Oddly enough the Worldcon site only had some of the nominees up; I had to go to http://www.locusmag.com/2007/03_HugoNominations.html to get the full list.

Hmmm ... and there's some good contenders too, in the Dramatic Presentation: Long Form category and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer.

The results should be interesting, particularly if they're skewed by the Worldcon being in Japan.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I expect I'll like the other two-episode nominee once I see it

I hope so. I would love to show these two episodes to you. I love them to pieces. I love watching them and re-watching them. Of course, I'm hoping to show you all the episodes you haven't seen... for purely hedonistic reasons. Perhaps we could squeeze some of it in next week?

I hadn't thought about the effect of World Con being in Japan, but that probably will make a difference, won't it? Was "Battlestar Galactica" even shown in Japan?