Time-Flight and Who Novels

[meddow]

I watched Time-Flight. First two episodes were absolutely terrible for one reason: Kalid. A horrendous mix of Arabic stereotypes topped off with the ugly green prophetic mask which leaked snot when he 'died'. Worse than Talons in my opinion.

Thankfully, Kalid goes away at the end of episode two and I could focus on what was so very right about this serial: the concorde flight crew. They made this serial with their attempts to help the Doctor. Concorde flight crew for series five companions! Of course there are no longer concordes, so we'll maybe just have to make do with Flight of the Conchords aboard the TARDIS.

Meanwhile they've released the April novel information and it's Ten travelling alone with no Companion. Which means we've been given the grand total of four novels featuring Donna. (in comparison Martha got 13). I haven't read the novels in the past though I am intending to read the September batch featuring Donna when they're released, because, well - Donna. Anyway, it looks like Donna's been shafted by spin-off media.

And, quite frankly, I don't watch the show for the Doctor. If he didn't have a companion to interact with, I'd probably find it very dull. The Doctor-Companion relationship makes this show for me. And yes, I am not all that exited about the specials.

Comments

[julioangelortiz.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm a fan of the classic and new series, and I read the BBC novels, but I can't bring myself to buy the new WHO novels, as I keep thinking they're lacking in the same substance as the pre-new series books. Have you read them, and if so how do you like the new ones?

[meddow.livejournal.com]

While I do intend to try the Ten/Donna books, I haven't read any yet. I got half way through an audio reading of one of them (Wooden Heart) and wasn't interested enough to listen to the other part. I did listen to the Audiobook Pest Control, which was fun. But they certainly are aimed at a younger audience than the BBC novels.

[julioangelortiz.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the head's up. I'm digging your blog, by the way.

/Add friend list

[adroidmortox247.livejournal.com]

Just out of curiosity what are the four ones with Donna? I don't normally read the spinoff novels but I'd make an exception for her.

[meddow.livejournal.com]

There's Ghosts of India, Shining Darkness and The Doctor Trap to be released in September and Beautiful Chaos (which also features Wilf) to be released in December. What would be absolutely prefect is if Catherine Tate found the time to do the audio readings of them, but she's probably busy.

[airie-fairy.livejournal.com]

Most of Kalid I can dismiss as "wow, Master, you're...special." But THE SNOT WAS SO GROSS WTF WHY.

Oh, wow, they're doing more than that one solo Doctor book? I gotta say, I'm intrigued. The Doctor/companion relationships are always the heart of the show, but I do get interested in the thought of him on his own. Also, luckily, Ten is one of the Doctors who can talk to himself without weirding me out/boring me.

Maybe the fewer Donna novels is connected with her being the first of the major companions that the new series itself did well by. Lotsa Rose novels (thirteen as well, I think) could be part of the notorious oversaturation of her (along with her having two series), Martha's books (proportionally more than Rose, too, considering her shorter span as a regular) could be seen as fixits, and Donna's smaller array being a result of an achieved zen. ...my off-the-top-of-my-head crack theory, let me show you it. I'd love to get more Ten/Donna books.

[meddow.livejournal.com]

I tried the dismissing it as the Master, but ended up becoming disappointed in the Doctor for not noticing something was off about Kalid right away.

Ten is a far better Doctor to go solo than some of the others. But I'd pick Ten/Anyone over him by himself.

I follow your zen reasoning. Although the cynic I am wonders why since Donna's so popular they wouldn't put her in because they would sell more. The lack of Donna might be Catherine Tate being protective over her image. She would have had lot more clout than Freema Agyman when it came to contractual negotiations, or maybe the writers don't like writing Donna (I can't think why, I love writing Donna in fanfic).

[airie-fairy.livejournal.com]

There's so much you could give Donna, I wouldn't think they'd across the board not like writing her.

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

Only four Donna novels? That's a pity there aren't going to be more, cause I'd definitely pick them up!

[meddow.livejournal.com]

You're the second person to say they would read a novel if Donna was in it, and I also feel that way. That's three customers they would have had if Donna were in the books, which makes me wonder about the commercial reasoning behind the decision.

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd have thought there'd be a good market of fans clamoring for more Donna stories. I liked Martha, but I'd be much more likely to read one of the novels because it had the Doctor and Donna than I would because it had the Doctor and Martha. (Or the Doctor on his own.)

[artic-fox.livejournal.com]

I love the Doctor-Companion relationship, and that is what makes it for me too. That said, I am looking forward to DAVID MORRISSEY in the specials. :D