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xparrotY'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.
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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!
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!
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Date: 2007-07-04 07:58 pm (UTC)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:
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Date: 2007-07-05 04:32 am (UTC)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? ^^