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[solitary_summer]

I remember how back in 2009 I thought writing about CoE was hard, but in some respects MD makes it even more difficult. CoE was a different kind of struggle, trying to put into words thoughts and feelings about a show that more or less knocked me over and wrung me out emotionally. MD never haunted me like that, but, somehow, is sitting at the back

Comments

[neifile7]

As usual, this is extraordinarily well-articulated and insightful. I was hoping we'd get some meaty MD meta from you. :)

I agree, in particular, about what you have to say about concept- vs. character-driven writing and its impact on this series. Whatever issues I had with the first three seasons of TW, weak character development was not on the list. I share your frustration (if that's a fair assessment) with how awesome Gwen is in this season and how her arc is allowed at the end to become another Big Idea juggled in with all the rest.

I also agree largely about Jack and, in particular, about the Jack/Oswald dynamic having Steven's unspoken name mapped all over it, and about how that colors Jack's interactions with Gwen -- I don't think I've seen anyone else address either of those so lucidly. Ep 7 in general may play retcon-havoc with Jack's chronology, but it was still an utter gift in terms of broader characterization (and something of an exceptional moment in that respect).

Jack's story, finished? Perhaps. I concur that for the first time it's possible to imagine a TW without him. But I do want him to come back to DW, at least for a 50th-anniversary appearance. :)

[solitary_summer]

Thank you!

I share your frustration (if that's a fair assessment) with how awesome Gwen is in this season and how her arc is allowed at the end to become another Big Idea juggled in with all the rest.

I'm not sure I'd call it frustration as such... On one level, I really like that scene, Gwen's speech, her making this decision and shooting Jack. But as you say, there's maybe a bit too much 'Big Idea' in there. As a scene, it's a powerful one; as far as characterisation is concerned, I preferred the Gwen in the car with Jack.

Jack's story, finished? Perhaps. I concur that for the first time it's possible to imagine a TW without him. But I do want him to come back to DW, at least for a 50th-anniversary appearance.

I don't want him to drop completely out of TW/DW canon either, but unlike after CoE, I wouldn't mind if that was the end. It feels... not 'finished' in the sense that there's nothing more to say, but... 'peaceful' is maybe a stupid word, but it's the one that comes to mind. There isn't any longer that persistent (and after CoE almost painful) sense of something being unfinished.