Thirteen Thoughts: 1. The Good

[elisi]

Since S11 was a barren wilderness from a meta/poetry perspective, I have been trying to work out how to organise my thoughts. Because I have thoughts, they're just scattered and mostly not terribly positive. So I decided to divide them up into separate posts, and am starting with the good and positive things about S11, irrespective of any personal opinions. Vague spoilers below the cut.



- Female Doctor

This is probably the biggest one. No matter anyone's opinions of Jodi or S11 or anything else, a female Doctor is GOOD. Representation matters. Added to that, the show handled it very well, the Doctor taking her new gender completely in her stride, with only the occasional throwaway line ('Come to Daddy... uh, mummy!'). But it wasn't ignore either, and The Witchfinders nicely showed how being a woman in days gone by meant you couldn't just 'walk around as if you own the place'.


- The Companions

POC companions (TWO of them) is a wonderful thing. Esp a young black man (we've not had one since Mickey) and a young Muslim Asian woman (the nearest we got was poor Rita in The God Complex). It matters A LOT that kids can see a) people who look like them and b) white kids can identify with people who don't look like them. And the old white guy... gets to be the companion, not the boss. This is also important.


- 'Rosa' and 'Demons of the Punjab'

Writers of colour! Writing about history NOT from the perspective of 'Colonizers', but from the fallout, and the human cost involved. About the dangers of radicalisation and the battle to fight against an unjust system. A+ more please.


- Great viewing figures/happy fans

A new Doctor/showrunner always generates new interest, and it's lovely that lots of fans who fell by the wayside for one reason or other have returned, as well as new viewers trying it out, enjoying the fun and generally lighthearted tone.


ETA:

- The Woman Who Fell To Earth

Excellent Regeneration episode. These sort of fall into their own category, with the new Doctor establishing themselves and working out who they are, and this one did a stellar job. Plus it introduced the new companions very well!


- It Takes You Away

Easily the stand-out episode of the season, it felt different and new and unlike anything we had seen before.


Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments, if you feel like it. :)



ETA: In short this. ♥

Comments

[elisi]

RTD is a complete nihilist! Which made writing Doctor Who quite complicated, because he was writing against his instincts.

But yes, fic will save us. :D

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

You got that right. Along with Torchwood.

Although the series three finale with everybody chanting "Doctor".*raises eyebrow*

Fanfiction to the rescue! :D

[elisi]

There is a bit in The Writers Tale where he says that 'Midnight' is the closest he gets to writing his own world view...

And the whole 'The Doctor is god' is, oh, very much a thing. Like, he's an avowed atheist, but he very much sees the Doctor as someone who can take people away from the mundane and into the magical.

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

That is interesting about Midnight. RTD said that it was the opposite of how the humans reacted in "The Voyage of The Damed".

It's too bad RTD is not a historican since people of that profession tend not to be bias. It's their job to try and give a diplomatic view point on serious issues such as faith, religion etc.

As long as we understand where he is coming from I suppose.*shrugs*

[elisi]

That is interesting about Midnight. RTD said that it was the opposite of how the humans reacted in "The Voyage of The Damed".
The Writers Tale is fascinating. I'm sure I have recommended it before, so shan't go on. :)

As long as we understand where he is coming from I suppose.*shrugs*
Yes, it helps to know what a writer's foibles and issues are.

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

I'll always think of David Tennant impersonating Rusty in that skit, "The Ballad of Russell and Julie".:)

[elisi]

It is PURE GOLD!

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

DT's stress smoking. A tad exaggerated.:)

[elisi]

Nnnnot really. (Read The Writers Tale. He stressed A LOT!)

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

Oh dear.:(

Those cigarettes freaked me out.

[elisi]

Read his book. It's not that bad really. :)

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

Oh okay, I've only heard the stressful parts in discussions I've had with those who have. You know what I mean?

[elisi]

Oh yes! :D

And there is a lot of stress involved, which is partly just RTD's writing process. But it also chronicles all the millions of details, the ideas that never go anywhere but that sound fascinating, the ideas that LITERALLY APPEAR AS HE IS WRITING (magic), the everyday slog and the silly asides... I love that book. :)

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine being a professional writer like that. Pressure isn't a great motivator. Inspiration is something that comes in it's own time. I guess there are certain techniques you can do. Mine is daydreaming or incorporating a real life situation into a storyline I want to do.*grins*

I remember Steven Moffat got the name of River Song from a Van Morrison song lyrics, "Crazy Love". While RTD said that he listened to Mika's "Any Other World" when he thought of Donna Noble. It's a sad song.:(

[elisi]

Mine is daydreaming or incorporating a real life situation into a storyline I want to do.*grins*
Currently mine is staring at an open document and then giving up. *g*

While RTD said that he listened to Mika's "Any Other World" when he thought of Donna Noble. It's a sad song.:(
Her fate wasn't decided at the outset, but they all LOVED it. Mind you, he acknowledges that Rose's ending is a bit of a cop-out, so we're not wrong to complain. ;)

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you'll get your inspiration when you least expect it.:)

I believe it should have been more about how Rose evolved as a character from meeting the Doctor. Well, at least she has her memories.*still not over Donna's fate*

[elisi]

I'm sure you'll get your inspiration when you least expect it.:)
I hope you are right...

I believe it should have been more about how Rose evolved as a character from meeting the Doctor. Well, at least she has her memories.
That finale was just way too crowded to allow a Rose-centric story to breathe. Plus it was Donna's season, so... *hands* What's done is done.

*still not over Donna's fate*
Well, Clara served him some of his own medicine. >:)

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

*reassuring hug*

Your right on both points. The moral of the story is that the Doctor will always suffer the consequences, regardless of good intentions.:(

I will channel my frustrations into a fic instead of sulking. I hope.*deep sigh*

[elisi]

My awesome beta helped kick-start my muse! Yay!

Here's to both of us writing. :D

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

Well there you go! :)

It helps when you talk to people because they can inadvertently give you ideas.

Cheers!

[elisi]

Indeed! :D

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

Just like the Doctor and companion dynamic, in a way.:)