Too Much of a Good Thing

[meddow]

I really want to watch Runaway Bride, but I really shouldn’t. There is such a thing as watching an episode too many times, and I’ve got a marathon planed for series four launch day of The Runaway Bride, Voyage of the Damned and Partners in Crime.

Really there is such a thing as watching an episode too many times. Even though I initially loved it, I can’t stand Blink anymore and it’s because every time somebody new wanders into my flat, my flatmate makes them watch Blink (she likes watching their reactions). And they all agree, it’s both a brilliant and terrifying episode, but when you’ve seen it sixty five million times – to the point where you practically know the script off by heart – you start to get loathe it. And don’t get me started on the “Sally Sparrow for companion” crowd (Sally Sparrow is tainted by association).

Sometimes you really need to put something away for a few month/years.

Anyway, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I really love The Runaway Bride. I think it’s vastly underrated by fandom at large and written off as a simple holiday romp when it shouldn’t be as there are some really brilliant things about it and a lot going on. For example, Donna has her little world (Lance and the wedding) coming crashing down around her in the cruellest way – and in the very next scene gets to see the creation of a world – her planet – which at the same time opens her eyes to something she had been ignoring for so long, and presents her with something else to build her life around. It just works so wonderfully.

Must resist temptation…

Oh, in one degree of Who casting, I was watching an episode of Wild West, in which Catherine Tate’s character gets involved with a handsome American from out of town, and it took me a short while to pick who it was – but it was Captain Jack Harkness. Not the Doctor’s Jack, but the original Jack from Captain Jack Harkness.

And finally, having begun watching the New Beginning, I’m really starting to ship Five/Nyssa.

Comments

[artic-fox.livejournal.com]

I too, love The Runaway Bride. I've probably seen it second most, after The Christmas Invasion, but I can understand the whole 'too much of a good thing' concept too. A lot of people hate Donna, but I can't see how you can hate her from the context of one episode. I mean, sure... she is a little bit shouty, but other than that... what is to dislike?

Okay, I'm probably being simplistic, and bias, but I just hate how there seem to be so many anti-Donna's out there, when she had so much going for her in TRB, and an awful lot of potential.

[meddow.livejournal.com]

I can't understand the Donna hate either, but then I do think she's the best thing since sliced bread and wanted her to become a companion since the first time I saw the episode. And I even like her when she's being shouty, because she's rather funny when she is.

I do think that there is a lot less Donna hate out there than there used to be. Either the Donna haters have come to accept Donna and moved on or have left fandom in a huff. I think they'll warm to her, though not many people will admit to being wrong. I was watching Sarah Jane's first serial a few weeks ago and thinking how she must have been hated - a loud-mouthed card-carrying feminist who initially dislikes the Doctor - and she just this week toped a best Companion ever poll, again.

What is bothering me is the many people on my flist who are going on about how their love of the show is diminishing (which may be Donna hate, but more like Donna apathy). How can anyone not be excited about season four?

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

I was excited for season 4, until RTD said that Rose and Martha were "superheroes", but Donna is "normal". WAY TO MAKE ME EXCITED FOR THE CHARACTER, DUDE.

I mean, I'll watch it, and I'll probably have squee. Then I'll watch it again and think about it some more, and get cranky about the inevitable offensive subtext. Then I'll write fic crossing Donna over with other companions, and go off in my own little world.

Such is the cycle of fannishness, Liz style.

[meddow.livejournal.com]

*Sigh* I really wish he wouldn't give interviews. Somehow RTD openning his mouth makes everything so much worse.

I'm hoping what he meant to say was that the show is not going to go all out trying to tell us the Donna is perfect and everything she does is shiny and brilliant, and instead let her be an actual person (my cycle of fannishness begins with deluding myself. It's not healthy).

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

That would indeed be a positive developments for New Who companions. I love Martha, but she was somewhat lacking in overt layers. Not that I don't love the development and hints we got, but I somewhat resent having to extrapolate. On the other hand, I resented being spoonfed Rose, so maybe I'm just impossible to please.

[artic-fox.livejournal.com]

Oh, believe me, personally I don't mind shouty Donna either, but I can understand perhaps if someone didn't like it when she was shouty. I think she is the right mix of comic, and realism, and emotion.

I'm so excited about season 4, although perhaps the wait has been too long for some people? When shows are off air, people find other fandoms in the interim, and perhaps the diminishing love is a result of that. I'm sure when things are back on air again, the Who fandom will be at full attention as usual. The show does that to you.

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

I think she is the right mix of comic, and realism, and emotion.

I think that's a great description of Donna. As for the shouting, yeah, it could get old after awhile, but I think in The Runaway Bride a lot of it's pretty justified. She was, after all, mysteriously yanked away from her wedding, which is good grounds to be angry and stressed. I don't think there's a reason why she'd be that angry and shouty during season 4, so that alone is a poor reason to dismiss her character.

[artic-fox.livejournal.com]

Precisely. I mean, I would probably be shouty and freaked out too. I mean, floating in space, abucted from a wedding, strangely hot man in pinstripes, robot santas.... :D

But I daresay Donna will win everyone over. I seriously can't WAIT for her.

[meddow.livejournal.com]

strangely hot man in pinstripes

I don't think Donna saw him quite that way, but LOL.

[artic-fox.livejournal.com]

Damn, my own personal perception slipped in there ;)

[meddow.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're right. Interest will probably pick up. I'm completely bored with Heroes at the moment, but I bet I won't be come September.

[artic-fox.livejournal.com]

Yea, it all swings in roundabouts. It isn't easy for anyone to sustain interest ALL the time on the same thing, especially when there is nothing new being added.

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

And finally, having begun watching the New Beginning, I’m really starting to ship Five/Nyssa.

Hee. Just from one episode I like Nyssa more than Tegan and Adric.

[meddow.livejournal.com]

I don't know how she does it, but by just standing at the back and going about things quietly, she's just wonderful.

[snorkackcatcher]

Well, I like TRB too, and am looking forward to Donna, so you're not the only one. :)

[meddow.livejournal.com]

It appears a lot of people on my flist like TRB. Great to know I'm in good company :)