putting on my rose-(& martha)-colored glasses

[xparrot]

Y'know, I was telling myself I was going to stop posting about Doctor Who. But then the casting news for 4th season came in. My first thought was that the BBC was playing a practical joke; the second was W.T.F. But upon consideration, I'm kinda jazzed about it.

gnine and I just rewatched "The Runaway Bride" a couple days ago, and the funny thing is, when it was over, we looked at each other and said, "Y'know, a companion like that would be really interesting." The special's a lot of fun. And while I wasn't actually expecting to get Catherine Tate herself, this is better than I was thinking, far from the last thing I wanted to see... Well, the last thing I wanted was Lana Lang as his companion. I don't think even RTD could save us from that. The Doctor would fall in love with her! and then we would have to spork out our eyeballs! For that matter I didn't want Sally Sparrow, either, because what I really wanted was something different. The show has done a great job with spunky, pretty young women crushing on the Doctor, but it's time to shake things up a bit. And this will be different.

It does depend on how it's played, whether this is a bit of stunt casting setting up TARDIS: The Sitcom (and I have more faith in RTD & co. than that), or more. Donna as the char was played in "The Runaway Bride" would get old really quick. But even in the course of that one hour she evolved a lot; if her char has evolved further, into a willing traveler on the TARDIS, she could be great fun. She already understands the Doctor - in some ways better even than Rose or Martha, who were both so amazed and awed by the Doctor that they wouldn't always notice his faults. Donna's in awe of him in a different way. "You scare me to death." But she still smacks him when he needs it - and he does need it! And she saw how he can't be alone, not just for his sake. "I think sometimes you need someone to stop you." Which he does. If you have worries about the char, watch that last scene of "Runaway Bride" - Catherine Tate can do drama. Comedians are often surprisingly talented in the other end of the emotional spectrum. And shifting nimbly between comedy and drama is one of RTD's strengths.

Not to mention, Tate and David Tennant have great (platonic, semi-antagonistic) chemistry. The Doctor gave it to her good and she gave it right back. They could be the sniping sort of friends who truly love one another, when pushed to the wall...which would be awesome. And hey, it's great to see someone being rude back to the Doctor (and maybe even a little ginger, too!)

How will she get on the TARDIS? The Doctor wouldn't be going back for her just for fun, he doesn't do that; so maybe she gets involved in trouble again - maybe deliberately, what has she been up to for the past year or two? And it'd be terribly funny if she were still interested in finding a good man, pursuing dating opportunities while being totally oblivious to the Doctor being - well, a male alien, anyway. It'd be great to have a companion as oblivious to the Doctor's charms as the Doctor is oblivious to his companions'! (as long as there's hugs. I can't see how there won't be, with Ten, but, yes, need my hugs...) And I'll be curious how Martha will play off her, too...

So, in the final analysis...is it 2008 yet? Darn it!

Comments

[aerynvala.livejournal.com]

Yes, for all the reasons you mention, I'm quite excited about seeing Donna again. :D

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Yup - next season can't get here fast enough!

[yma2.livejournal.com]

To be honest when I first heard of the casting decision I thought just the same and was a bit worried. I remember watching Donna and thinking that for one episode she was great but for more she'd bother me.

But yeah, if they make her grow a little bit as a person then I think she'd be fun. Especially if they played off that antagonistic relationship, and DIDN'T make her fall for the Doc, as you said.

I'm a bit nervous about this, to be honest. I think if done well she could be a fab companion but if not it could be really annoying. But I'm pretty confident RTD can pull it off, so fingers crossed.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's the thing...it could be really annoying, but it doesn't have to be, and I have enough confidence in RTD to think that it won't be ruined. The show's managed a great balance of comedy and drama before, don't know why they'd lose it now!

This is the kind of spoiler I don't mind...

[greenlady2.livejournal.com]

... and I think Donna would be a wonderful addition to the TARDIS. She has great chemistry with the Doctor, and she's really tough. I thought the Doctor was a bit sad that she didn't take up his offer to join him, too. This is good news. :-)))

Re: This is the kind of spoiler I don't mind...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

The Doctor's always sad when people don't want to come along! He never quite gets the rejection of his madcap lifestyle. Very curious how she's going to be persuaded to hook on after all. I bet the Doctor's going to be all excited to see her again, he usually is!

[airairo.livejournal.com]

...You know, it might just be a good idea to imagine that Lana Lang will be the new companion every time they're about to announce one. Then there is no room for disappointment! XD

I actually just watched the Runaway Bride for the first time last night! (I'd been having trouble finding a torrent that would work, but got my hands on it finally, now that it's required watching!) I'll admit that the first 10 or so minutes of the episode, I was worried (couldn't handle the over-the-top shouting), but that tapered off soon enough, and by the end of the episode... I *adored* her!

There is really no way of knowing how much my opinion of her was affected by knowing the news, but... I LOVED her dynamic with the Doctor! *_* Not only did they butt heads beautifully, but I think they have a serious potential for growth, could have great fun together (I loved the scene where they were riding those scooters and couldn't stop laughing, that was SO cute XD), and become amazing friends!

And you're absolutely right about that final scene! "I think sometimes you need someone to stop you." is surprisingly perceptive for someone who seems to want to bury her head in the sand. And the way that she got him to speak Rose's name, and being so close to losing love herself? I don't think Donna is a genius, by any stretch, but she can be quick on her feet (the way she distracted the alien so that Lance could sneak up on her, she did it without any fear!), and I think that when the Doctor broadens her world, she is going to surprise us with just how perceptive she can be.

The Doctor NEEDS someone who will question him. I have no doubt that she will be devoted to him and trust him, but she won't have to cope with seeing him as fallible the way that Jack did, and she isn't going to have her image of him clouded by romantic feelings. I think that's exactly what he needs right now, and exactly the change of pace that the audience needs.

And it'd be terribly funny if she were still interested in finding a good man, pursuing dating opportunities while being totally oblivious to the Doctor being - well, a male alien, anyway.

Oh man, I would love that! XD It'd really suit her character too. (It'd be funny if it got to the point where the Doctor had to get all "stop it!" with her ala Jack XD But, aww, maybe she can find love in a distant land ♥)

I'm reeeally looking forward to this O:

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

In general I think that comparing Lana Lang to nearly any disliked character will put that character in proper perspective. Wow but she's one of the worst characters ever in anything...!

Eeee, great to know that watching the ep from the perspective of knowing she signs on long-term, that you enjoyed her! My only real problem with the Xmas special was that it was temporary, that it didn't have much impact on the rest of the series (though it did help him deal with losing Rose). So now that it's an introduction to a soon-to-be-major character, that just makes it better!

Really looking forward to this myself! Is it Xmas yet? ^^

[naye]

I checked Catharine Tate on IMDB, and - did you know she was actually in the RSC before going into comedy? So, you bet she can act!

Now thinking about her is just making me full of glee over the amazing, amazing potential their relationship has - she's both going to keep him on his toes, and help keep him grounded, because she really is awesome like that. And she wouldn't want to date him, never! Looking for guys while travelling on the TARDIS, though? HEE~! Because she's a lot pickier than Jack, and a lot more determined to get things her way than Rose or Martha...

Of course there will be hugs! There are always hugs with the Doctor. ♥ And there was a bit at the end of the episode where they were laughing and clinging to each other that seemed to me like they were getting quite comfortable inside each other's personal space, in that wonderful, platonic way. ♥

In a word - yes! Is it 2008 yet? (Listening to the podcast, they said they'd be back "April or May 2008", and I made a noise very much like *GNARF*.)

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Hee, yeah, I saw that bit about the RSC, so yes! She shows some acting chops in the end of the Xmas special, I think. Bet she'll be made to show more! It's not like the show's gonna suddenly become a sitcom (though I wouldn't mind a bit more lightness...the Doctor's had an awfully hard time lately...)

There'll be a hug when he first sees her again, I bet. Whatever the situation. ...darnit! I want it nooooow~! This is gonna be the longest year since waiting for the next LotR movie :P

...definitely need to get those podcasts...

[littlehollyleaf.livejournal.com]

Lots of fans are upset about Donna coming back... But I'm secretly happy. Sparrow was brilliant, but I like that she just had her one outing with the Doc- she developed and matured in that time and now has her own man and her own life, putting her with the Doc now would be mean to her I think :p

Donna though still has some developing as a person to do and companions who don't always enjoy being with the Doc are always fun (should you get round to Davison's era, I point to Tegan, who was amazing!). Plus, I thought she was really the best thing about the Runaway Bride...

I dislike Catherine Tate usually, but I really really did like Donna... Just keep that on the downlow ok? I have a DW rep to keep up :p

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

*laughs* your secret is safe with me! (I think I have the advantage; as an American I'm not really familiar with Catherine Tate - I think I'd heard the name before, but not enough to recognize her when we watched Runaway Bride or anything - so the stunt casting aspect doesn't bother me.) I'm really looking forward to Donna, because she is so different from any of the New Who companions, and I'm curious to see where she'll go, and what her relationship with the Doctor will be like...

[utopiantrunks.livejournal.com]

Your icon is so cute. XD

As for the casting announcement, hmm... my general feeling is "wait and see." At least Martha will be back mid-season (and on Torchwood), so that's heartening. When we watched the Christmas special, our general reaction was, oh, thank god she's not signed on for next season. o_O So... yeah. You and naye have raised some good points, though. The show's writing has been so consistently compelling that I don't think it'll fall through now, and perhaps... perhaps Donna is actually the kind of tonic the Doctor needs. Because her approach is more blunt and forceful (kinda like head trauma!), and she probably won't edge around the Doctor's trauma like Martha did with him being sad about Rose, or like Jack would... "What, you're sad because your enemy died? Are you insane? BUCK UP!" seems more her style... ^^ And that could be cool, too.

Is she gonna be in the upcoming Christmas special, too, though? I'm guessing not, if that's the Titanic from its original time sticking through the TARDIS wall...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when we first watched the Xmas special that was our basic reaction, but the second time through we changed our minds a bit. Not that Martha wasn't the awesomest of the awesome (I can't say how happy I am she's coming back) but it's time to shake things up a bit companion-wise (besides, honestly, writing a char cooler than Martha is by the season's end? would be pretty hard! better to go in another direction entirely.)

She's not going to be in the Xmas special though, no - they've got another gueststar, some Australian idol? Kylie Minogue, I think it is (she's apparently famous, I prove my American ignorance by having never heard of her!)

[utopiantrunks.livejournal.com]

WTF... Kylie Mongue as a companion?! Wow, yeah, that's pretty serious star power. I guess not in the States, but here, definitely. I've never seen her act, but I like her songs... I guess we'll see!

[stitcher2ficcer.livejournal.com]

Making a start at catching up on two weeks of LJ... and I guess the good Doctor is still supplanting the Clex. So frustrating. You spend weeks getting me into new fandoms... and then when you succeed, you move onto something new before you satisfy the cravings you create in me. I dare not follow you into "Who" fandom... by the time I become as enamoured as you of the Doctor, you'll likely be onto someone/thing new. I'll stick with the Clex a bit longer and see if you return to it while Who is on hiatus. Please?