Quotes from Doctor Who Confidential 4x08 and 4x09
Plus my snarky comments for free!
There will obviously be spoilers for Doctor Who 4x08 - Silence in the Library and 4x09 - Forest of the Dead behind these cuts. Since I am unspoiled about the rest of series 4 and wish to remain so, please don't discuss any future spoilers in the comments. Thanks ( Read more... )
There will obviously be spoilers for Doctor Who 4x08 - Silence in the Library and 4x09 - Forest of the Dead behind these cuts. Since I am unspoiled about the rest of series 4 and wish to remain so, please don't discuss any future spoilers in the comments. Thanks ( Read more... )
Thank you. I do have the advantage of having a very small readership, and I'm basically preaching to the choir anyway. So I don't really think too many strangers will pop up here. I have no desire for flame wars, but I do have fire-proof armour just in case, and you know what? I am tired of shutting up and locking my posts in paranoia. I don't blame anybody who does, I certainly will keep doing it myself. But I have an opinion, and I am going to voice that opinion.
Of course, the problem with bringing her in later is that the audience would know the entire time how she died and also the important points of the relationship. Spoilers.
Yep. That's the thing about this story - he totally wrote himself into a corner that he really can't back out of anymore. If he leaves it as it is, it really has no impact and no meaning beyond ruining it for some of us; if he goes back to it, it's really kind of boring and doomed from the start. I mean, what kind of message is that? I don't think it's a story you can, or should, tell on a family show. It's a story that has a certain gravitas to it, but I don't think it has a place on Doctor Who.
David Tennant will have chemistry with her or they'll need to have a new Doctor who does have chemistry with her.
I'm just glad I'm not the only one.
Honestly, I am kinda curious about how he says this, because the man is an admitted control freak everywhere else. Why does Moffat get a bye?
See, that's exactly what I don't understand. Why does Moffat get this free pass? Sometimes, I wonder if there's some higher authority Rusty has to answer to and humor about Moffat, because it just doesn't make any sense. The thing is, he really does say it quite excitedly. He's positively gushing about how great it is that all he knew about it was the basic hook, and then the next thing he knew is that River's possibly the Doctor's future wife, and he kind of looks like he's really amazed about that, like it's the greatest idea ever. At one point, he says how happy he is that Moffat did a two-parter this year, since he's always begging him to write for them more. Uhm.
Seriously, I don't think the man even watches his own old episodes. He just assumes that he remembers the important bits.
You mean the things he keeps repeating that just aren't as original and funny anymore the fourth time around?
Her own life and story that has absolutely no impact on the main plot.
*SIGH*
Reply
See, that's exactly what I don't understand. Why does Moffat get this free pass? Sometimes, I wonder if there's some higher authority Rusty has to answer to and humor about Moffat, because it just doesn't make any sense.
Have you listened to the podcast that goes with this episode? It has DT, Rusty and Moffat giving their commentary (though admittedly Rusty and Moffat babble so much poor DT doesn't get much of a word in for the most part). In it they reveal that Rusty and many other production insiders had already known before the start of season 4 that Moffat would be taking over as Exec Producer from Season 5 on, so that probably explains (or partly explains) why he's been given such free reign. It was the same in DD where a word from Moffat got Rusty to change his plans about killing off Jenny.
So, wait. Let me get this straight: not only are you saying that yes, River Song clearly is an important part of the Doctor's future; you're also saying that we can only speculate about it, which, knowing you, means you won't follow it up with any kind of continuity, not ever, right? ...And she will probably never be mentioned again.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in the same podcast DT hints strongly that Kingston may be back again as soon as the 2009 specials. Personally I feel revolted at the prospect- not only did we have to put up with the nightmare of the last two episodes, but now we're faced with the possibility that Moffat will be allow to taint the last of Rusty's episodes with the pursuit of his own agenda. Looks like the Moffat era has begun before it's time. I hope you don't mind me butting in on this post by the way- you just really captured the despair I've been feeling about the whole River Song/Moffat issue!
Reply
In it they reveal that Rusty and many other production insiders had already known before the start of season 4 that Moffat would be taking over as Exec Producer from Season 5 on, so that probably explains (or partly explains) why he's been given such free reign.
Yeah, I read an interview with Moffat the other day where he said Rusty e-mailed him about the job last summer, so I guess it makes some sort of sense that Rusty's trying to accommodate him a bit. Still, I would have thought that while he's still in control, he would be a bit more protective of his story. I can only speculate that he might want to avoid damaging the show, or help Moffat to make a smooth transition. And I didn't know that it was Moffat who asked to keep Jenny alive. Interesting. He seems terribly attached to insta!relationships, doesn't he?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in the same podcast DT hints strongly that Kingston may be back again as soon as the 2009 specials. Personally I feel revolted at the prospect- not only did we have to put up with the nightmare of the last two episodes, but now we're faced with the possibility that Moffat will be allow to taint the last of Rusty's episodes with the pursuit of his own agenda. Looks like the Moffat era has begun before it's time.
UGH. Ugh, ugh, ugh. I don't know what else to say, other than that I agree with your reaction. Sweet Tinkerbell Jesus Ten. Like butterfly said, if he's set on keeping Kingston, they better quickly find someone to cast as the Doctor who has better at least any sort of chemistry with her.
I hope you don't mind me butting in on this post by the way- you just really captured the despair I've been feeling about the whole River Song/Moffat issue!
Not at all - on the contrary, you're quite welcome! It's so reassuring to know that other people out there feel the same. I'm working on a long review post about those last two episodes, too, so you're welcome to check back anytime!
Reply
Well, there is some some laughter and general nerdiness from him, and he does put Russell on the spot nicely at one point (asking him outright how much editing he did with Moffat's script knowing he was the new Exec, which Russell more or less avoids answering!), but in general it is rather woe inducing! Although it may just be my current negative frame of mind interpreting it that way! At any rate, expect what feels like a lot of rather self satisfied rambling from Moffat.
And I didn't know that it was Moffat who asked to keep Jenny alive. Interesting. He seems terribly attached to insta!relationships, doesn't he?
Russell mentions it during the Confidential for DD. Definitely agree on the insta!relationships front- Reinette, Jenny, River- he really does seem to prefer bypassing the all important build up and getting straight to what he sees as the good stuff.
UGH. Ugh, ugh, ugh. I don't know what else to say, other than that I agree with your reaction. Sweet Tinkerbell Jesus Ten. Like butterfly said, if he's set on keeping Kingston, they better quickly find someone to cast as the Doctor who has better at least any sort of chemistry with her.
I really hope it just turns out to be Tennant being playful/joking with his hints here, but having heard other commentaries with him in the past where he drops in playful hints about things he knows are coming up but maybe haven't been confirmed for the general public yet (for example in the commentary that appeared on the BBC website for TRB he speculates playfully about whether we might ever see Catherine Tate/Donna again) I tend to think there's a fair chance he might know something's coming up with Kingston. As others have said, despite my love of DT I think I might rather see him regenerate than have to see Ten be dragged through this sham, predestined relationship with River.
Not at all - on the contrary, you're quite welcome! It's so reassuring to know that other people out there feel the same. I'm working on a long review post about those last two episodes, too, so you're welcome to check back anytime!
Thanks for your hospitality and your kind words!
Reply
principia_coh has noted that, in the past when DT and RTD have had... issues with an episode, they tend not to talk about the episode so much as ramble off on tangents. Would you say that is the case with this podcast?
Reply
As for RTD perhaps his babbling was a deliberate way of avoiding comment, or maybe it was just him being exuberant as he often can be in interviews and commentaries. Certainly if he was really unhappy with the River Song development then somebody from above must be leaning on him to let Moffat have his own way to a certain extent, or else he would've insisted it be cut or changed. Or else perhaps he deliberately gave Moffat the opportunity to push his own agendas and do some set up for the way he wants to take the show in the future. Russell's always known DW would continue on after him and grow and change, so although maybe he might not like where it goes and what it changes into, perhaps he figures it won't be down to him to fix that anymore. He's given the public his vision- now it's going to be Moffat's turn to do so, and it's the viewers and critics who'll judge who did it better. In other words, maybe he wants people to think of and judge these developments as part of or a precursor of Moffat's vision/version of the show and not his.
Reply
Well, there is some some laughter and general nerdiness from him, and he does put Russell on the spot nicely at one point (asking him outright how much editing he did with Moffat's script knowing he was the new Exec, which Russell more or less avoids answering!)
Oh, David, ILU. And you too, Russell. *pats them both*
As others have said, despite my love of DT I think I might rather see him regenerate than have to see Ten be dragged through this sham, predestined relationship with River.
Oh, absolutely. I really hope he sticks to what he has (albeit jokingly) said in interviews in the past, about leaving when Russell leaves. And I have to admit I've hoped that from the moment I heard that Moffat would be taking over. I don't want him to ruin Ten, and even if he doesn't, I just don't want Rusty's vision, my vision of DW tainted by Moffat. And I know that that would invaribly happen if DT stayed on. I need a clear cut from New Who to New New Who, and then I'll may keep watching, but more likely I won't; either way, I can wrap RTD's DW in a bubble and live happily ever after with it. :-)
Reply
Leave a comment