Doctor Who: Partners in Crime (4x01)

[fajrdrako]

A fourth series! It seems to me miraculous that we have this - even more so than the previous two series. A sort of cornucopia of television goodness that just keeps flowing. This doesn't mean I don't wish there were more episodes, or that all are of high quality. It's just... so cool that they exist. That the show continues to exist without compromising its originality. With new and intriguing things happening.

And with surprises on several levels.

I have watched "Partners in Crime" twice so far, and the first thing that struck me is that the tone of the show has changed again - perhaps just for this episode. It seemed much more like a typical "kid's show" than I am used to expecting. It felt, on a purely visceral level, as if I were watching The Sarah Jane Adventures. Now, I know Doctor Who is meant for young viewers, but when I got hooked on it in series 1 my belief, my reaction, was that it was a show 'for viewers of all ages' - children's themes grafted onto adult sensibilities. But the show felt mature in its viewpoint.

Series 2 was less so. Series 3 confused me by its tone - still does. And this, the first episode of series 4, struck me as 100% kiddy-tv. The Doctor's "no sex, please, I'm alien" stance sounded more like "Eeyew, girl-cooties" than the complex psychological issues I'd been cheerfully postulating. The Doctor was at his funniest, goofiest, and most boyish: just look at that hair. The plot was about cute animations and a Nanny. And Donna, despite her age, is the most child-like in her circumstances of all the Companions we've had since Rose. Rose took responsibility for those around her - Donna lives at home, jobless, being nagged by her mother, finding an ally in her grandfather - a typical teenage (or younger) lifestyle.

I thought it wasn't the Doctor Donna needed to find, it was Sarah Jane Smith, who would put her straight in no time, and put her to work, too. In a "been there, done that" sort of way.

The plot? I kind of like "alien reducing diets gone nighmarish" themes, and this was fun. Reminding me of the Torchwood novel Another Life, and the Smallville episode "Craving" - and wasn't there an X-File story with this theme, too? It reminded me also of "The Lazarus Experiment", not my favourite series 3 episode, but the same idea: someone tries to market to the public what they want (rejuvenation or thinness) and it all goes wrong.

The good stuff:

1. Donna Noble. When I first heard she would be the companion, my heart sank. She was all right in "The Runaway Bride" - not my favourite Doctor Who story by any means, probably in the bottom ten of my 'least favourites' - and I was holding my breath when the Doctor invited Donna to travel with him, for fear she'd say yes. But she said "no" (confirming my notion that she was an idiot) and I relaxed and Martha came on board and I fell in love with her. So. Happy.
   
   And now... Donna has a new personality and an IQ upgrade. She's stopped being shrill. (Her mother has taken over the shrillness monopoly for the time being.) She's smart and personable and even, dare I say, endearing? Utterly impractical, a dreamer - who'd have thought?
   
   Russell T. Davies has emphasized that Donna has no romantic/sexual interest in the Doctor, and I think we are supposed to believe it. I was prepared to believe it until I saw the episode. Now I don't believe it for a moment: when Donna says she doesn't want "any of that nonsense", she is protesting way too much. They'd have done better not to raise the subject at all.
   
   
2. For me, the most interesting lines by far were the Doctor's comments on Martha. She loved him; he destroyed her; she's doing fine - interesting viewpoint and observations. "It got complicated. It was all my fault." We don't often see the Doctor saying something was his fault, and it would intersting to know what aspect of the 'fault' he sees as his.
   
   But then, I haven't got over my love of Martha, so of course his comments would interest me. Just as it interests me that in "The Runaway Bride" the Doctor was talking a fair amount about Rose, and here he's talking and thinking mostly about Martha.
   
   
3. Big surprise #1: the return of Wilfred Mott, who turns out to be Donna's Gramps. What a treat to see him again, in context! I loved his going up 'on the hill' and his love of Donna and his curiosity. never thought I'd see him again.
   
   
4. Big surprise #2: Rose. Woo! Like pulling a rug out from under us. Why does she look so unlike herself? Is this a holographic projection? (Trying to recall whether Donna touched her when she spoke to her.) Is this an alien doppelganger? Is this the cleverest, nastiest bit of a tease that Russell T. Davies has pulled off yet?
   
   
5. I loved Donna's account of her life since meeting the Doctor - how you have every desire to change your life but it doesn't change; you go to Egypt and you're still you when you get back. It's not so easy to live the life you want to live. I thought this was the most profound thought of the whole episode and it was almost lost, but of course the whole story was about hope and its transience.
   
   
6. Loved the structure of the first part of the episode, with the Doctor and Donna both investigating Adipose, and just missing each other. And then the climactic moment of their meeting - if I hadn't already been impressed by Catherine Tate earlier in the episode, that brilliant bit of improvised mime would have done it. Best moment in the show. And David Tennant was doing beautifully there as well.
   
   
7. This episode played up the aspects of the Doctor I don't like so much, on the whole, but did remind me how brilliantly David Tennant plays those aspects of the Doctor.

Comments

[teaphile.livejournal.com]

I liked Donna's reasoning for not going with the Doctor, how she tried to change her life on her own terms first, instead of just relying on him to give her what she lacks.

I'd love to see her take a big sister role with him.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I liked that reasoning, too. It's one of many things that makes Donna more than she appears - and way more than she was in "The Runaway Bride".

I think she's already trying to be a sisterly type - the way she is critical of him is very sister-like. And he seems to want this, so they may suit each other very well. I'm not sure it's a dynamic I want to see for a whole season - but on the other hand, it's the nature of the show that the relationships change in style with events and the course of the action, and I think there will be various changes this season.

[gypsylady.livejournal.com]

I think Donna in "The Runaway Bride" was not the real Donna, that this was Donna about to get married and satisfy everyone around her that she was doing well. I kind of can identify. My mother, when I graduated with my BA, said, "Well, I guess we have to get you into a graduate school because you didn't find a husband." I was lucky that my tiny rebellious streak wouldn't allow her to manipulate me any more because otherwise I'd have gone from grad school to grad school looking for a husband. Yet, when I got married (never mind that he was wholly wrong for me and being male was only part of his problems) she was happy that I finally had someone to "take care" of me. So I can understand Donna's two personalities coexisting in the one person.

Apparently that pantomime across the office was left to Catherine Tate to ad lib. She's a marvel. I'm not crushing on Donna like I was on Martha (or Sarah Jane, to be honest) but I feel towards her much like I do towards Rose, that she's a wonderful character and Tate is a wonderful actress.

And I do believe she believes she doesn't want him for sex. She wants him to show her what she's missing, to help her grow. And for that mindset, her protestations seem more than adequate.

And did you say ROSE!!!!!!! I squealed. I think she's supposed to be slipping between the two universes. Deliberate? Maybe.

I re-watched "Utopia" Saturday night and was in love with Martha and Jack discussing Rose. I think that might be when the Doctor started to realize he was not being fair to Martha.

I found a knitting pattern for the Adipose but can't find a crochet one, even though I know it exists. If I make one, I may have to send you one.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Apparently that pantomime across the office was left to Catherine Tate to ad lib.

Not really - it was entirely scripted, they just didn't give her any direction as to how to physically communicate it and just let her go.

Script:

The Doctor: Donna???

Donna: Doctor!!!!

The Doctor: but...what? Wha... WHAT??!?

Donna: Oh! My! God!

The Doctor: but... how???

Donna points at herself: It's me!

The Doctor: well I can see that!

Donna: oh this is brilliant!

The Doctor: but... what the hell are you doing there?

Donna's just so thrilled, she waves! Big smile!

The Doctor: but, but, but, why, what, where, when?

Donna points at him -- you!! I was looking for you!

The Doctor: me? What for?

Donna does a little mime: I, came here, trouble, read about it, internet, I thought, trouble = you! And this place is weird! Pills! So I hid. Back there. Crept along. Heard this lot. Looked. You! Cos they...

and then Miss Foster sees them.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

LOL. What a script! Shows how much faith they had in Tate that they just threw it at her and let her do it, knowing her strengths. Either that or they were totally and unconscionally clueless and got away with it, the sneaky dogs.

I really love that scene. And I love Donna's reasoning: I, came here, trouble, read about it, internet, I thought, trouble = you! And it worked!

Clever girl.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Where's the knitting pattern? A friend of mine who has a small daughter wants one!

[gypsylady.livejournal.com]

http://www.mazzmatazz.co.uk/index.php?page=adipose

I can't find the crochet pattern just now but have it bookmarked at home. (I'm at work just now.)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

That is amazing, it looks so good. I have to admit I stared at the Face of Boe and by gum started to think it looks like Jack. Must be my pain-killers deluding me and leading me astray.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I just love it that these exist. And so soon.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

They could also be constructed very easily from old socks, with the addition of felt hands and feet.

The knitted Face of Boe is quite impressive! And the knitted Tardis!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't knit but seeing these things makes me want to start.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

was not the real Donna, that this was Donna about to get married and satisfy everyone around her that she was doing well.

You mean that she was just overstressed? Or that she was playing an image for those around her, that wasn't true to her personality? I could buy that, easily - especially since the Donna of "The Runaway Bride" seemed (to me) to be way too superficial for reality while the Donna of "Partners in Crime" was delightfully real. I believed in her as a person.

My mother, when I graduated with my BA, said, "Well, I guess we have to get you into a graduate school because you didn't find a husband."

I would laugh if it weren't so sad. My mother was funny: in no way was she a feminist, and yet she never said that sort of thing to me, and made it clear that it was fine with her if I married or didn't marry or whatever. Of curse they wanted me to "find a nice boy" but they didn't judge me on it. I never found out how she'd react to knowing I was just as likely looking for "a nice girl" - I never put it to the test.

She's a marvel. I'm not crushing on Donna like I was on Martha (or Sarah Jane, to be honest) but I feel towards her much like I do towards Rose, that she's a wonderful character and Tate is a wonderful actress.

Yes... that's rather like my reaction. I'd trade Donna for Martha in a second, but she's fun and entertaining and I've come to like her already.

I think she's supposed to be slipping between the two universes. Deliberate? Maybe.

Interesting - and scary.

I re-watched "Utopia" Saturday night and was in love with Martha and Jack discussing Rose.

I love those exchanges. There's so much personality for each of them.

I found a knitting pattern for the Adipose but can't find a crochet one, even though I know it exists.

How incredibly cute!

If I make one, I may have to send you one.

I would love it. If I find a pattern, I'll let you know at once.

[dameruth.livejournal.com]

Actually, though the plot was pretty kiddy-ish, I thought both Donna and the Doc showed a fair amount of maturity here.

The Doc wanted to make sure the ground rules/mutual intent were clear *before* he took on another Companion (something that would have really helped with Martha), even though he was desperately lonely.

Donna was prepared to work her ass off and endure all kinds of flack from her mother in order to find the life that *she* wanted. She thought it all through to the point of pre-packing, asking about travel immunizations, remembering to *not* run off with he mum's car keys, etc., etc. Not impractical at all, in my book.

Neither one of them was just jumping into things, and I liked that.

I also wouldn't say that Donna got a whole new personality -- she was stressed to the max in TRB, and I bet the shrillness she displayed there was something she'd picked up from her mother. There were moments when she ewas a much better and more rounded character -- notably the ending sequence, when she shows a great deal of perception and sympathy in talking to the Doc.

Oh, this gal made a crocheted Adiopse:

http://community.livejournal.com/crafty_tardis/80358.html

and says she'll post the pattern later.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I thought both Donna and the Doc showed a fair amount of maturity here.

In personality? Yes, in some ways, and their motivations were mature, but the presentation was not mature. The exact same story could have been written in another tone entirely: it wasn't the content but the tone that I was reacting to.

I bet the shrillness she displayed there was something she'd picked up from her mother.

Which was, actually, a detail I liked - that in doing what her mother had wanted, Donna was taking on aspects of her personality. People do that.

The adipose crochet pattern - oh my goodness! Little Woobie.

[dameruth.livejournal.com]

The exact same story could have been written in another tone entirely: it wasn't the content but the tone that I was reacting to.

Ah, okay -- yes, like I said, it was a kiddy-ish plot (and tone). I think they might have wanted to segue slowly into the more serious stuff because of CT's reputation. Everyone expects her to be funny, so give 'em funny, but with a few more serious notes that can be built on for future stories.

Or, I could just be over-thinking and over-analyzing things . . . XD

Yeah, that crocheted adipose is adorable. I notice that there are a *lot* of people out there making soft-sculpture adiposes; they're such cute, simple little things, they're perfect for even beginning crafters.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Everyone expects her to be funny, so give 'em funny, but with a few more serious notes that can be built on for future stories.

I've only seen Catherine Tate twice: once in "The Runaway Bride" and once in that comedy skit she did with David Tennant. I like her far, far better when she's serious. She's a good actress and I don't like comedy much.

I notice that there are a *lot* of people out there making soft-sculpture adiposes; they're such cute, simple little things, they're perfect for even beginning crafters.

You can't have too many Doctor Who toys in this world!

I like soft-sculpture toys myself, and used to make dolls sometimes. I'm not really very good at it, but the temptation to make my own Doctor doll and my own Captain Jack Harkness doll is strong.

[dameruth.livejournal.com]

I've only seen Catherine Tate twice: once in "The Runaway Bride" and once in that comedy skit she did with David Tennant. I like her far, far better when she's serious.

I'll "ditto" this; but she does have very good comic timing (speaking as someone who does like comedy -- albeit good comedy, which is a rare commodity these days).

My mom used to make soft toys professionally, so I picked up some of it by osmosis; don't have time for it now, though, especially since I'm trying to get back into writing. Love seeing other folks' creativity, though!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

peaking as someone who does like comedy -- albeit good comedy, which is a rare commodity these days

I'm always open to recommendations!

don't have time for it now, though, especially since I'm trying to get back into writing.

Yes, me too. And I don't much like doing crafts while I'm watching television - I find it distracting.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Ah, okay -- yes, like I said, it was a kiddy-ish plot (and tone).

And a welcome relief after the heartbreak of Torchwood. I wonder if they deliberately planned it that way, given the audience overlap and the scheduling of both series, following so closely on each other?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I wonder if they deliberately planned it that way

I would expect they did - even if they didn't know the exact scheduling, they must have known well in advance that the one show would follow quickly after the other.

And yes, the change of mood was a relief, though I did like the more serious bits of "Partners in Crime" more than the funnier bits.

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

From what I understand, the first five epsiodes are airing in an earlier time slot than the rest, and RTD may be slightly constrained as far as more adult material goes for those episodes.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

That hardly seems fair! But if the material is still good, I'm happy.

[nina-ds.livejournal.com]

I love Donna. Wholeheartedly. I could never quite connect to Martha the way I wanted to (I think it's just Freema's not that good an actress yet), but Donna got right under my skin. I absolutely love her.

And that crocheted adipose baby? I'm buying yarn online as we speak to get out my crochet hooks for the first time in ages... Do you craft? Because now would be the time!

But this is what I really wanted to respond to:

the first thing that struck me is that the tone of the show has changed again - perhaps just for this episode. It seemed much more like a typical "kid's show" than I am used to expecting. It felt, on a purely visceral level, as if I were watching The Sarah Jane Adventures. Now, I know Doctor Who is meant for young viewers, but when I got hooked on it in series 1 my belief, my reaction, was that it was a show 'for viewers of all ages' - children's themes grafted onto adult sensibilities. But the show felt mature in its viewpoint. Series 2 was less so. Series 3 confused me by its tone - still does. And this, the first episode of series 4, struck me as 100% kiddy-tv. The Doctor's "no sex, please, I'm alien" stance sounded more like "Eeyew, girl-cooties" than the complex psychological issues I'd been cheerfully postulating.

I think this is the heart of a lot of my frustrations. I completely agree that S1 was family viewing, but full of darkness and heart. But in a way, each successive season (with a few exceptions, like Human Nature/Family of Blood) seems to have become more and more "lite". I don't actually mind that, in fact I think it plays to their present strengths in terms of writing and acting; I just hope that they know that. (The irony is that I think S1 spoiled me, in more ways than one.)

How's the foot, btw? Any more timepiece-related adventures?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I could never quite connect to Martha the way I wanted to

I adored Martha with a passionate passion. More than Sarah Jane? I'm not sure, but I think so. By a small margin. My favourite companion is Jack, of course, but I think of him as a special case. Otherwise, it's Martha, Martha all the way.

I'm buying yarn online as we speak to get out my crochet hooks for the first time in ages... Do you craft?

Not much these days. My knitting is embarrassing, my crochet is worse - though I do like crochet. I used to do a lot of costuming and some doll-making. Tempted to make my own Captain Jack and the Doctor dolls, but I'm not sure I really want to do it - it's more that I want to have them, as envisioned in my imagination.

each successive season (with a few exceptions, like Human Nature/Family of Blood) seems to have become more and more "lite".

So it seems. And part of that 'liteness' lies in not tying up themes, in leaving things open.

The irony is that I think S1 spoiled me, in more ways than one.

Yeah, me too. Did I tell you one of the highlights of my hospital stay - that there was an intern came by who looked like a young Christopher Eccleston? Oooh. I only aw him the once, but what a treat for the eyes.

The Foot: It's hurting right now because I'm getting close to the next time to take a painkiller. Not to bad. Mostly it just feels... heavy. As if someone tied a brick to it.

No more evil chronographs around but I lie in wait with my sledgehammer, just in case.

[nina-ds.livejournal.com]

I had a somewhat bifurcated response to Martha - I wanted to like her, and did, enormously, intellectually; I just couldn't really connect with her, except for that "bones of the hand" moment, or in "Blink" when she leans in to complain that the Doctor doesn't help earn his keep. It was the same with Tosh, except for in CJH and in her death scene.

I can knit, but it bores me stupid. I prefer crocheting, and I can't even really tell you why. I think I just like the way it looks better! I enjoy the way it feels when I do it. But now would be a good time for you to do some crafting, do a little varying of your time while you're laid up.

And part of that 'liteness' lies in not tying up themes, in leaving things open.

The plot holes have always been there...but they seem to be getting bigger and bigger and less and less concerned about hiding them. I also find the moral choices that they're making somewhat dubious (there's been a whole flap about the Doctor "bringing it on himself" with Harriet on some of the comms in the past couple of days, and for me, it's almost beside the point - what really pissed me off was not so much what he did, although I disagreed with it, as the way he did it). I'm hoping Rose is on some mission from alt!Torchwood and isn't just trying to get back to the Doctor, because I can't really think of anything they could gain by bringing Rose back, and certainly Billie Piper would be foolish to take her career in that direction.

Did I tell you one of the highlights of my hospital stay - that there was an intern came by who looked like a young Christopher Eccleston? Oooh.

No. That might have been a bit distracting! Did he have hands like a tree frog?

I hope you can take your painkillers before the pain breaks through. I know that "heavy" thing (I had foot surgery for a totally unrelated thing two Christmases ago, then again the following May, and was on crutches for about 18 months altogether). But pain is not good.

I lie in wait with my sledgehammer, just in case.

Oh, noes! Unexpected Peter Gabriel flashback!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I had no problem at all connecting with Martha at any point. Almost as easily as with Jack. Rose presented me with more of a problem, and even when I most loved her, and often sympathized with her point of view, was never as comfortable identifying with her.

I prefer crocheting, and I can't even really tell you why.

I also prefer crocheting. I seem to be able to do it better, too, though the difference in quality of my output is negligible at best, ranking somewhere between "mortifying" and "amusing".

The plot holes have always been there...but they seem to be getting bigger and bigger and less and less concerned about hiding them.

I don't usually care about open-ended themes and plot holes are merely excuses for fic. Most of the time. But do it too much, and the stories just seem random - they start to lose coherence and meaning. Reduced to just action, what's the point?

what really pissed me off was not so much what he did, although I disagreed with it, as the way he did it

Yes. I am more bothered by the "attack a friend out of pique" aspect than the "interfere in Earth affairs to Earth's detriment" aspect. The second is a mistake in judgement. The first is something that makes him seem undependable or untrustworthy.

That might have been a bit distracting!

It was, believe me.

Did he have hands like a tree frog?

He had beautiful expressive hands that I kept trying to get a better look at. Unfortunately he turned away from my line of sight, and shortly afterwards went away. With a broken foot, I could hardly follow. Pity.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Donna lives at home, jobless, being nagged by her mother, finding an ally in her grandfather - a typical teenage (or younger) lifestyle.

Given house and flat prices here in the UK, especially in London, staying on in the parental home is something a lot of single adults are doing. It's just not affordable.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, and here to - I didn't mean to imply otherwise. The only thing unusual in Donna's situation is her friendship with the Doctor. But at the same time, she could have had any number of lifestyles, and this is the one they gave her.

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

WOW feeling awake are we? That's actually too much info for me to take in right now - my eyeballs feel like they are peeling. I loathed Donna in Runaway Bride - she made my teeth itch - and I *loved* her the other night.
I think the obvious step back to 'kid tv' is Uncle Rusty in his usual heavy handed way trying to address issues (stop shipping the Doctor with all his companions/We don't want to hear him say I love you) that have been raised over the last couple of series...

ETA Just for clarity? My eyeballs already felt like they were peeling BEFORE I started reading it wasn't a reflection on your words...

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I think the obvious step back to 'kid tv' is Uncle Rusty in his usual heavy handed way trying to address issues (stop shipping the Doctor with all his companions/We don't want to hear him say I love you) that have been raised over the last couple of series...


Might it be something to do with the earlier time-slot (6.20, as opposed to 7.00 pm), which RTD wasn't happy about?

But I didn't think there was much "kid TV" about the poor woman being devoured from within by the cute little beastie, despite the comedic aspect of it. And this is Who, not Torchwood.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

My "kid tv" comment was meant to reflect the tone, not the content of the show. I'm not sure what they have in mind - further episodes probably won't have me reacting this way - and I don't think the change in tone is a bad thing at all, it just isn't something I expected.

Though I suppose, given that the Eccleston Doctor remains my favourite by far, I'm not entirely happy with the change in tone since that time: but I like a show that isn't static or unchanging.

I guess I'm still trying to work out what I make of it. Trying to second-guess RTD and what he's up to is a futile game! (Though rather fun....)

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

Nine had it just about right for me tonewise - the ship with ROse was there for anyone that was interested in turning it into that and not for people like me who just *didn't*. Is it fair to say that Jack's arrival heralded a blatant switch in tone? I mean, I'd have slashed them anyway even if there hadn't been such a big deal about Jack's 'dancing' but-. Thinking about it I might even have preferred it if he hadn't...
Hohum
If Donna keeps on like this who knows I might even get a handle on her and start writing some gen again :D

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Nine had it just about right for me tonewise - the ship with ROse was there for anyone that was interested in turning it into that and not for people like me who just *didn't*.

Yes. That worked well, I thought. I never did really become a Rose fan, but I thought her storyline and her relationship with the Doctor were magnificent. Brilliant.

Is it fair to say that Jack's arrival heralded a blatant switch in tone?

Yes, it did, and I liked that, because it was Jack. Because Jack was... a catalyst and a galvanizer.

I'd have slashed them anyway even if there hadn't been such a big deal about Jack's 'dancing' but-.

Me too, but it's hard to imagine what he would have been like without that. I mean, Jack is so much a complete package - without the dancing, without the con games, without the caring, - what parts of him are divisible? He seems very complete to me and you either have him as he is, or not at all.

If Donna keeps on like this who knows I might even get a handle on her and start writing some gen again :D

My goodness! I don't know whether to hope that you do, or hope that you don't!

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

you either have him as he is, or not at all
I can't imagine life without him so I'll take the complete package every time.

I don't know whether to hope that you do, or hope that you don't!
Actually laughed outloud *cackles*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine life without him so I'll take the complete package every time.

Me too. With great pleasure.

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

...or you know - have him take me ;-)

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

What fajrdrako said about tone not content :D

And it's on at 6:45pm this weekend though after that I haven't got a clue because I'm a total spoilerphobe and won't even open a programme guide to find out (in fact I only set a reminder for it on the morning it airs).

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

won't even open a programme guide to find out

How wise!

There is nothing in our media about Doctor Who, ever - maybe the occasional ad, when they show the program at all. I don't know whether they will. Thank goodness for an international communications network that makes it possible for me to watch things (thanks to my friends in more civilized countries) that CBC just doesn't bother with. I don't know why it has to be CBC - tradition, I suppose - or maybe it's that the other networks are even less interested in Doctor Who than the CBC is. Bummer.

But anyway, even online, I can't even read the Doctor Who communities at the beginning of a series, and even icons must be approached with caution.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I loathed Donna in Runaway Bride - she made my teeth itch - and I *loved* her the other night.

Radically different characterization, but this is a good thing - one of the strengths of Doctor Who over the past few years is that the characters do change and grow, and that makes them more realistic than those who never change at all.

stop shipping the Doctor with all his companions

As if we would ever stop! What a silly idea. And why should we?

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

Not us *G* RTD on air and in public as it were - *we'd* never ever stop shipping!!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

*we'd* never ever stop shipping!!

I should hope not!

As for shipping him on the show - I agree that a wide variety of relationships is a good thing. But I still love it when they ship him. And get frustrated when there's all that UST going on that they don't deal with or acknowledge. Just because I like it.

And shamelessly, I don't even mind that this puts me out of synch with a lot of the old fans and editorial intent, and that, actually, is fine with me too.

Except I'd have liked better for Martha. So in my fic - maybe I'll manage that some day.

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

Ah the pros and cons of UST
I think my pros win out over my cons - if only because for as long as it's that - unresolved - and *isn't* canon it's easier to fight your corner over your favourite ship because it's all in a look or a moment :D

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, I like it when the canon leaves it open to interpretation and reinterpretation. That's always fun too, because you can make of it whatever you wish.

[raissad.livejournal.com]

Check out lots of nifty behind-the-scenes-stuff here:
http://www.veoh.com/search.html?type=&searchId=7786020917652039680&search=Doctor+Who+Confidential

and here:

Doctor Who: The Commentaries
David Tennant and Catherine Tate discuss Partners in Crime, Episode 1 of the new TV series. Episode 1 of 13

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/sunday/

Re: Rose -- I've decided that my post DD fic Royal Blue will not be AU after all. I'm going to challenge myself and figure out how to make the S4 Rose developments fit, whatever they may be. Frankly, given the prevalent death themes -- Astrid, Owen, Tosh, a Vesuvius historical coming up, as well as a murder mystery writer in Agatha Christie, and Andrea Yates on SJA, I'm wondering if that isn't Rose's ghost bleeding through dimensions looking for Ten. I could be wrong, but it would be an interesting development, and I could make it work ficwise.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

OH, very, very interesting. Thanks for the links.

I like your theory about Rose's ghost. I'd say, go for it - sounds like a great idea. Challenging, but that makes it all the better!

[raissad.livejournal.com]

Big surprise #2: Rose. Woo! Like pulling a rug out from under us. Why does she look so unlike herself?

Remember in AoG, Mickey said three years had passed since he'd seen them last, because time passes differently on Pete's World, so assuming it really is Rose, it could just be that she's aged in Pete's World years since we saw her last. It wouldn't be hard to pull off as Billie was always older in real life than Rose by a few years, and she's 26 now.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Hm, yes, a difference in time would explain a change in her. Time's all relative and wibbly-wobbley here anyway.