The more I watch, the more I enjoy the writing, and see things in it that I missed before - and which I love. But there's a random, unpolished quality to it all that is perplexing. So may loose bits that I have the impression that if you shook it, it would rattle.
there actually are TW fans, who didn't tune in for Jack
I believe you. But I find it hard to imagine.
There are also people who have never seen DW, but they like TW.
I can understand that better: there are certain aspects to the DW myth that you have to take with a grain of salt, or more. Silliness that is endemic to the show. Not that Torchwood doesn't have a but of that, but it's easier to take, more diluted, more adult.
I wish it would either (a) be about Jack and the rest are secondary, or (b) be a real ensemble show, so they all get about equal air time.
I want option (a). I don't want an ensemble show. I don't like ensemble shows. I want more Jack, and more of Jack's point of view,and more of other character's point of view of Jack.
it just sucked, that's all there is to it
The more I try, the harder it is to make excuses for it.
Could be that RTD is feeling a bit burnt out?
I think that might be it. Initially he had a challenge: to revive a long-dead show. He succeeded. He made it both a popular and an artistic success. It was amazing. But then...? Sustaining the success is another kind of challenge, and burden. Anyone might burn out. Most authors do, if they don't take a break.
Christopher Eccleston was utterly brilliant and I don't think the show would have been nearly as successful without him. I think also that he and Russell T. Davies worked together with incredible insight. I don't see that kind of magic with Ten - Tennant is good, but the show is at a lesser creative or philosophical level. Even the weird gestalt of goofiness and depth that Eccleston was able to put across isn't the same.
Yo, writers, sometimes giving the viewers what they want is the right thing to do!
it isn't the right thing becuase we want it. It's the right thing because it's the best storytelling choice - and that is why we want it. There is no creative virtue to being contrary.
I loved the relationship between the Doctor and Harriet Jones in series 1. In series 2... the Doctor's attitude was not only high handed, it didn't make much sense to me. He turned on a friend. Though I didn't like this when I saw "The Christmas Invasion", it didn't bother me until I got to "The Last of the Time Lords". Looking back now, it looks like a pattern with Ten - radically breaking ties with those he cared about when he was Nine. Betraying his old friends, without regret or compassion.
I'm not saying he should have approve of her her actions, or that he shouldn't have said he disapproved. Philosophically, I agree with the Doctor, but it wasn't for him to make these judgements on behalf of an elected official of earth. He shouldn't have interfered with Earth politics. He shouldn't have toppled Harriet Jones from power. That paved the way for the Master to take over, with countless pain and suffering. And he is reponsible for delivering mankind to Utopia to become the Toclafane... if I wasn't angry with him, I'd feel that it wasn't his fault, that he too was a victim. But as the story stands? I can't feel quite so forgiving.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: reply part 2
Date: 2007-10-22 02:03 am (UTC)The more I watch, the more I enjoy the writing, and see things in it that I missed before - and which I love. But there's a random, unpolished quality to it all that is perplexing. So may loose bits that I have the impression that if you shook it, it would rattle.
there actually are TW fans, who didn't tune in for Jack
I believe you. But I find it hard to imagine.
There are also people who have never seen DW, but they like TW.
I can understand that better: there are certain aspects to the DW myth that you have to take with a grain of salt, or more. Silliness that is endemic to the show. Not that Torchwood doesn't have a but of that, but it's easier to take, more diluted, more adult.
I wish it would either (a) be about Jack and the rest are secondary, or (b) be a real ensemble show, so they all get about equal air time.
I want option (a). I don't want an ensemble show. I don't like ensemble shows. I want more Jack, and more of Jack's point of view,and more of other character's point of view of Jack.
it just sucked, that's all there is to it
The more I try, the harder it is to make excuses for it.
Could be that RTD is feeling a bit burnt out?
I think that might be it. Initially he had a challenge: to revive a long-dead show. He succeeded. He made it both a popular and an artistic success. It was amazing. But then...? Sustaining the success is another kind of challenge, and burden. Anyone might burn out. Most authors do, if they don't take a break.
Christopher Eccleston was utterly brilliant and I don't think the show would have been nearly as successful without him. I think also that he and Russell T. Davies worked together with incredible insight. I don't see that kind of magic with Ten - Tennant is good, but the show is at a lesser creative or philosophical level. Even the weird gestalt of goofiness and depth that Eccleston was able to put across isn't the same.
Yo, writers, sometimes giving the viewers what they want is the right thing to do!
it isn't the right thing becuase we want it. It's the right thing because it's the best storytelling choice - and that is why we want it. There is no creative virtue to being contrary.
I loved the relationship between the Doctor and Harriet Jones in series 1. In series 2... the Doctor's attitude was not only high handed, it didn't make much sense to me. He turned on a friend. Though I didn't like this when I saw "The Christmas Invasion", it didn't bother me until I got to "The Last of the Time Lords". Looking back now, it looks like a pattern with Ten - radically breaking ties with those he cared about when he was Nine. Betraying his old friends, without regret or compassion.
I'm not saying he should have approve of her her actions, or that he shouldn't have said he disapproved. Philosophically, I agree with the Doctor, but it wasn't for him to make these judgements on behalf of an elected official of earth. He shouldn't have interfered with Earth politics. He shouldn't have toppled Harriet Jones from power. That paved the way for the Master to take over, with countless pain and suffering. And he is reponsible for delivering mankind to Utopia to become the Toclafane... if I wasn't angry with him, I'd feel that it wasn't his fault, that he too was a victim. But as the story stands? I can't feel quite so forgiving.