Ten Things for which I am grateful to Russell T Davies

[caz963]

Things like this tend to happen when I'm at home ill, because I get more time to think than normal. So I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm on the mend and will be returning to work shortly!

I read a blog post the other day (sorry, but I can’t remember where it was), the subject of which was Ten things we love about Russell T Davies’ Doctor

Comments

[caz963]

Thanks for reading it! I actually watched WoM yesterday because I wanted to check something. I haven't watched it for a while, but it's impact hasn't lessened. If anything it's increased. I mean, I know what happens, I've seen it a few times... but it's still like being punched in the gut. Ten's face as he's operating Gadget to get it to the TARDIS, that rictus grin which was a complete travesty of his incredible smile ... it's painful and yet I couldn't look away. I never cease to be amazed at how much this show has affected and moved me. And while I'm sure some are relieved not to be put through the emotional wringer like that, I miss it.

[chloris]

Excellent post! I love everything you've picked! While there are other things to love as well, if I were to confine myself to 10 things, my list would look very close to yours. Though I do know that the Master would make an appearance. I do so love Simm as the Master playing the other side to Tennant's Doctor.

Also, I now have a craving for rhubarb and custard. *g* I've never put the two together but some day, when it's spring *sigh*, I'm going to have to try it.

[caz963]

It's the "confining" that's always the problem, isn't it? I could have included the Master in the "old enemies" bit, I suppose, because as you and others have said, as played by Simm, he was the perfect antithesis to Ten.

I was never a great fan of rhubarb as a kid, but I really like it now. I'd go for rhubarb crumble with the custard though!

[beachy_geek]

One of the things I love most about RTD's writing, which has been pointed out by others who write far more eloquently than I, is his ability to blend the light and the dark, and turn on a dime. In one scene he can make us laugh uproariously, and then break our hearts. That is what life is, in the real world. It's not all tragedy or smiles or love or hate. The facility of the actors is paramount, of course, to make the scenes and the emotions believeable, but the writing leads the way.

I loved 'Single Father' for the most part, although the ending irritated the heck out of me. But if it had had more light with the dark I would have enjoyed it much more and I think it would have rung more true to life. There is nothing funny about losing your partner, of course, I've been through it myself long ago. But there is laughter in a hospice, there are smiles and humor at a funeral, and Rusty captures the light and dark and gray brilliantly. The light makes the dark even darker, by contrast, and more frightening as well.

[caz963]

Sorry I'm late with this reply!

What you've said about the blend of light and dark is absolutely right, I think. It's one of the things I love about another of my favourite writers, Aaron Sorkin - you can be laughing your head off one minute, and crying your eyes out the next, and it feels right.

[wendymr]

Here from who_daily, and thank you for making my evening with this fantastic post! You've selected just about everything I love about RTD's Who here, including some very favourite episodes among those written by RTD, such as Midnight and WoM. I'm far, far more a fan of character-driven shows and episodes than plot-driven, and clever plots - unless they also have clever, engaging, likeable and interesting characters - bore me

[caz963]

The more I think about it - and I suppose the more the "distance" between now and the RTD era grows - I'm more and more impressed by how much he packed in to episodes. Of course he didn't write them all (although reading between the lines, it seems he rewrote a substantial number) but his was the overall direction. Yes, that was muddled sometimes, and yes there were times where characterisation was inconsistent, but for the most part, we got an action-adventure show that appealed to kids but which also managed to address some quite serious themes. And the more I think, and the more I read what other people are saying, the more layers are revealed. Hopefully, when the immediate Rusty backlash has died down - maybe when Moffat moves on, fandom at large will be able to appreciate just how good RTD was again.

[papilio_luna]

how could you possibly have left out X !!

Just came across this whilst putting together tennant_report and I've got one! How could you possibly have left out The Second Coming!!

Wonderful to see Bob & Rose on here, though! You never hear anyone talk about it, but it's just brilliant.

[caz963]

You know - ashamed as I am to admit it, huge Rusty fangirl that I am - I've not seen TSC. It's been on my "must watch this" list for AGES, and in fact, after I wrote this post, I got hold of it and intend to watch it VERY SOON!

I lurrrrve Bob and Rose though. Alan Davies and Lesley Sharp are so damn cute together and throw in Jessica Hynes and Penelope Wilton and it's one big package of awesome!