Why do you like or dislike River Song? I dislike her because she fits in the model of Moffat's typical female character; smug, all powerful/all knowing, and aggressively flirtatious. I don't think she's a special character, because Reinette and Liz 10 share similiar traits with her.
Part of my dislike is the fact that River Song reeks Mary Sue to me, for several reasons. The first is because of how the current Companions always seem insistent on The Doctor acting like he's her boyfriend. The Doctor himself seems uncomfortable and resistant to this relationship, so it's like they're pushing him into it. Secondly, she told him he was parking the Tardis wrong, when he's been flying the ship like that since the show started. Finally, the fact that she's introduced as all important to the Doctor, despite the fact that she only interacts with his later incarnations.
I recognize main characters often carry Sue-ish traits, and that it's an overused label in fandom -- But in this case, I think it fits because the extent to which she displays said traits them is ridiculous.
As well, I noticed her and the Doctor never act as equals. She nearly always is portrayed as having the upper on him by knowing about the situation. That's her failing as a feminist character, for me. The important is equality between the two genders, not one looming over the other.
Has your opinion of the character changed since her introduction in season four and re-introduction in season five? Is this change for better or for worse and why? For the most part, she grates on my nerves. She has since her introduction, and she continues to bother me in her season five appearances. I don't mind some of the banter between her and The Doctor, but these moments are few and far between.
How do you feel about the character as a fictional role model? I recognize that she's significant as an older, attractive woman. She's very forward and comfortable with her sexuality. She's active in pursuing her goals. So River Song can be a significant role model, but like I said, the unequal power dynamic might ruin some of that.
What do you think, if anything, that River Song symbolizes in Doctor Who? In the world view at large? In Doctor Who Land, she seems to be something he can't run away from. Maybe River Song is the Doctor finally having to consistently deal with someone, compared to his Companions, who he can just abandon. There's also an implication she's just a female version of the Doctor.
...I'm not really sure what the second part of the question is asking!
Has the character impacted your life personally? She's definitely influenced the way I interact with the fandom. I have to distance myself from poses involving her, because I know they'll just make me angry.
Do you want to know anything else? Like our ages and how long we've been watching the show/been involved in the fandom? People usually want to know those things.
...I'm not really sure what the second part of the question is asking!
Apologies! I was trying to be open eded with that, but I was referring to the mindset in contemporary culture, above and beyond the subset of the DW fandom. For instance, does she represent a shift in gender roles or does her characterization say anything about the influence of feminism? Like I said, I didn't want to be too specific, because although my starting point is examining the character from a feminist lens, if other people have views that aren't feminism-related that I hadn't thought of, I am interesting in knowing those interpretations of the question as well. :)
Do you want to know anything else? Like our ages and how long we've been watching the show/been involved in the fandom? People usually want to know those things.
This is the first time I've done one of these, so I was a little unsure of how to go about it. If you're willing to give out that information, I'd certainly appreciate that. Actually, I just added that into the post after sensiblecat's comment, but I was probably making that edit as you were responding. It's completely optional, though. I don't want anyone to give out anything they are uncomfortable with.
I dislike her because she fits in the model of Moffat's typical female character; smug, all powerful/all knowing, and aggressively flirtatious. I don't think she's a special character, because Reinette and Liz 10 share similiar traits with her.
Part of my dislike is the fact that River Song reeks Mary Sue to me, for several reasons. The first is because of how the current Companions always seem insistent on The Doctor acting like he's her boyfriend. The Doctor himself seems uncomfortable and resistant to this relationship, so it's like they're pushing him into it. Secondly, she told him he was parking the Tardis wrong, when he's been flying the ship like that since the show started. Finally, the fact that she's introduced as all important to the Doctor, despite the fact that she only interacts with his later incarnations.
I recognize main characters often carry Sue-ish traits, and that it's an overused label in fandom -- But in this case, I think it fits because the extent to which she displays said traits them is ridiculous.
As well, I noticed her and the Doctor never act as equals. She nearly always is portrayed as having the upper on him by knowing about the situation. That's her failing as a feminist character, for me. The important is equality between the two genders, not one looming over the other.
Has your opinion of the character changed since her introduction in season four and re-introduction in season five? Is this change for better or for worse and why?
For the most part, she grates on my nerves. She has since her introduction, and she continues to bother me in her season five appearances. I don't mind some of the banter between her and The Doctor, but these moments are few and far between.
How do you feel about the character as a fictional role model?
I recognize that she's significant as an older, attractive woman. She's very forward and comfortable with her sexuality. She's active in pursuing her goals. So River Song can be a significant role model, but like I said, the unequal power dynamic might ruin some of that.
What do you think, if anything, that River Song symbolizes in Doctor Who? In the world view at large?
In Doctor Who Land, she seems to be something he can't run away from. Maybe River Song is the Doctor finally having to consistently deal with someone, compared to his Companions, who he can just abandon. There's also an implication she's just a female version of the Doctor.
...I'm not really sure what the second part of the question is asking!
Has the character impacted your life personally?
She's definitely influenced the way I interact with the fandom. I have to distance myself from poses involving her, because I know they'll just make me angry.
Do you want to know anything else? Like our ages and how long we've been watching the show/been involved in the fandom? People usually want to know those things.
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Apologies! I was trying to be open eded with that, but I was referring to the mindset in contemporary culture, above and beyond the subset of the DW fandom. For instance, does she represent a shift in gender roles or does her characterization say anything about the influence of feminism? Like I said, I didn't want to be too specific, because although my starting point is examining the character from a feminist lens, if other people have views that aren't feminism-related that I hadn't thought of, I am interesting in knowing those interpretations of the question as well. :)
Do you want to know anything else? Like our ages and how long we've been watching the show/been involved in the fandom? People usually want to know those things.
This is the first time I've done one of these, so I was a little unsure of how to go about it. If you're willing to give out that information, I'd certainly appreciate that. Actually, I just added that into the post after sensiblecat's comment, but I was probably making that edit as you were responding. It's completely optional, though. I don't want anyone to give out anything they are uncomfortable with.
Reply
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