I am very pleased Judi Dench just got nominated for a BAFTA for her work as M in Skyfall, though confused about the category, because what do you mean, "supporting"? Clearly M was the leading female
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I'm not sure those two annoyances are equivalent, since as far as I know Moffat has never backtracked from his statements in that interview, and pretty much everything he's ever produced, including his most recent work, confirms that he still holds those views - in fact, just about every problem with the female characters of Doctor Who, Sherlock, Jekyll, and even Coupling is explained if you assume that they live in a universe in which women are defined primarily (perhaps even solely) by their desire to be wives and mothers. At this point, pointing to that interview feels useful whenever someone gasps at the very thought that Moffat might be sexist (something I experience with a regularity that doesn't seem to be lessening) - rather than getting into a big debate, just go to the horse's mouth.
It's interesting because when I go online looking for reviews or analysis or just fannish squee from people other than Selena and a few others I usually encounter the opposite - that Moffat's sexism is considered unquestionable and unchecked. I completely agree that he falls back on the wife/mother motivation in lieu of characterization far too often, but I also think he's an interesting writer whose work offers up a lot for discussion, which becomes impossible when fandom so often eagerly slaps him with the raving misogynist label and considers the matter settled.
What Ponygirl said. I mean, yes, I know a few people online who deflect any criticism of Moffat by an RTD slight in the manner I not even had to exaggarate in my post and won't admit any problem in his work. But I've also come across, repeatedly, the attitude:
1.) Moffat is sexist. 2.) Therefore, ever single female character ever showing up in a Moffat written piece of tv is further evidence of his sexism. 3.) Any discussion of a female (or for that matter, male) character in a Moffat written show is superflous as said character can't be interesting but just consists of further evidence of his sexism.
Which even for someone like yours truly who wouldn't rank the Moffat era anywhere near her favourite DW eras, spent the first season of Sherlock loathing Sherlock and chokes whenever someone describes that show unironically as "flawless" is, well, annoying. Of course, if one then goes on to read a post by the hardcore Moff admiring crowd and comes across the constant Rusty bashings, no matter the context, the annoyance only triples
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1.) Moffat is sexist.
2.) Therefore, ever single female character ever showing up in a Moffat written piece of tv is further evidence of his sexism.
3.) Any discussion of a female (or for that matter, male) character in a Moffat written show is superflous as said character can't be interesting but just consists of further evidence of his sexism.
Which even for someone like yours truly who wouldn't rank the Moffat era anywhere near her favourite DW eras, spent the first season of Sherlock loathing Sherlock and chokes whenever someone describes that show unironically as "flawless" is, well, annoying. Of course, if one then goes on to read a post by the hardcore Moff admiring crowd and comes across the constant Rusty bashings, no matter the context, the annoyance only triples ( ... )
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