The one thing I'll disagree with here is Matt & Karen. I don't know that it's fair to say they're not capable of the parts. I don't think they're being given much to work with here. It's true that an actor can make a small part into a scene-stealer, but I don't know how possible that is when you're already the main characters.
Not to say that you're completely wrong on this - hell, they might not be up to the roles. But I'm feeling like the deck is stacked strongly against them on this with poor writing.
Yes, and that's the one point I wish I'd addressed now that I think about it! The writing is just...like bits of rehashed stuff from the era that Steve M supposedly wants to shy away from. THE HUNGRY EARTH had elements we've already seen from a series 2 two-parter; and another crack in the universe? Haven't we had enough of that?
I agree that the writing has been poor, but these actors also have a substantial amount of screen-time in the majority of episodes each series because they are playing the main characters. On the other hand, as an actor, all you have is the script, and if the scripts are poorly written or the direction is bad or the pacing in the script is badly structured, then you have a whole host of problems. It's all been very disappointing.
Definitely rehashed in many ways (although it could be argued that much of TV/Movies are... take Dances With Wolves vs. Avatar, for example).
The Hungry Earth, on its own, may be one of the dullest episode I've seen - it could have been retitled "And Now for a Period of Time in which Absolutely Nothing Happens."
I mean, hell - The Long Game is not exactly a shining example of great DW - but there's an okay story there, and it definitely sets up portions of the series finale. When I first watched it, I thought it was a pretty good romp.
But the two-parter I just saw - I basically saw 90 minutes of setup for a crack eating a character that had nothing to do with the rest of the episode (in which Nothing Really Happened).
I'm convinced it's horrible writing that's making the Doctor and Amy appear flat. I look at how they banter in the Confidentials and see that there's a huge amount of potential that's being underused. It's as if the focus is on worldbuilding and what we're seeing visually, that what should be the main focus is being forgotten (the Doctor and Amy and their growth as individuals).
Case in point on the horrible writing. Donna was /terrible/ in Runaway Bride. I hated her, and when I heard she was the Companion for Season 4 I was so angry and frustrated that it would be a horrible season because the "bad Companion" was coming back. I was floored at how much better she was as a character with the improvement in writing in Season 4 to the point that she's my favorite Companion thus far.
Ah, see, I enjoyed Donna in the Runaway Bride. She was loud and obnoxious, but it was pretty clear by halfway through she was loud and obnoxious specifically because she was an insecure person who got shit upon quite a bit. The fact that she doesn't allow the Doctor to pull the shit he did with Rose cracked me up.
That said - I'm very thankful she'd mellowed down for the series, because yeah, she would have been too overbearing and distracting at that level of protective sarcasm.
Donna is my favorite companion of the new series. Yes, the Doctor/Rose shipper thing is fun, but it really is a fanon invention for the most part (I will not argue the reality of flirting and a clearly complex relationship right on that friends/unrequited love line in the show). Fun to play with and put back when I'm done.
But the Doctor and Donna's friendship, which was clearly a deep best-friends having the time of their lives friendship? Absolutely awesome.
Reply
Not to say that you're completely wrong on this - hell, they might not be up to the roles. But I'm feeling like the deck is stacked strongly against them on this with poor writing.
Reply
Yes, and that's the one point I wish I'd addressed now that I think about it! The writing is just...like bits of rehashed stuff from the era that Steve M supposedly wants to shy away from. THE HUNGRY EARTH had elements we've already seen from a series 2 two-parter; and another crack in the universe? Haven't we had enough of that?
I agree that the writing has been poor, but these actors also have a substantial amount of screen-time in the majority of episodes each series because they are playing the main characters. On the other hand, as an actor, all you have is the script, and if the scripts are poorly written or the direction is bad or the pacing in the script is badly structured, then you have a whole host of problems. It's all been very disappointing.
luv jackie
Reply
The Hungry Earth, on its own, may be one of the dullest episode I've seen - it could have been retitled "And Now for a Period of Time in which Absolutely Nothing Happens."
I mean, hell - The Long Game is not exactly a shining example of great DW - but there's an okay story there, and it definitely sets up portions of the series finale. When I first watched it, I thought it was a pretty good romp.
But the two-parter I just saw - I basically saw 90 minutes of setup for a crack eating a character that had nothing to do with the rest of the episode (in which Nothing Really Happened).
Reply
Case in point on the horrible writing. Donna was /terrible/ in Runaway Bride. I hated her, and when I heard she was the Companion for Season 4 I was so angry and frustrated that it would be a horrible season because the "bad Companion" was coming back. I was floored at how much better she was as a character with the improvement in writing in Season 4 to the point that she's my favorite Companion thus far.
Reply
That said - I'm very thankful she'd mellowed down for the series, because yeah, she would have been too overbearing and distracting at that level of protective sarcasm.
Donna is my favorite companion of the new series. Yes, the Doctor/Rose shipper thing is fun, but it really is a fanon invention for the most part (I will not argue the reality of flirting and a clearly complex relationship right on that friends/unrequited love line in the show). Fun to play with and put back when I'm done.
But the Doctor and Donna's friendship, which was clearly a deep best-friends having the time of their lives friendship? Absolutely awesome.
Reply
Leave a comment