I was just chatting online with a few of my fellow Whovians.
We were discussing Ms. Agyeman's departure and Ms. Tate's arrival as the Doctor's companion. Consensus was mutual. We all liked Martha, but we all (we, mostly are in the 35 and over age range) thought that the lovey dovey stuff was weakening Martha's role as companion, not helping it. Freema was awesome as a companion, no complaints about her or her performances. She seems a very capable actress and well up to the task. No, I'm afraid the fault lies with RTD. He's a brilliant writer, really, I do believe that. But even the best of writers can get caught up in all the complicated aspects of a story, and lose the big picture.
Consensus was that us old-time fans, for the most part, are getting fed up with this constant Tardis love-fest. Bleh, I think is the word. A little is okay, it's the 21st century, after all. But..come on, dear Mr. Davies, it was getting a bit...sickening. I felt, and still feel, that the love-fest was really bogging the story down, rather than moving it forward. Exploring relationships is wonderful, I love that we're finally checking out the Doctor's psyche and motives and all--but the words, "too much of a good thing" enters in here, I think.
Plus, as a forty-something, I really had a difficult time relating to Rose. Her character was nearly completely out of my realm, as someone I could connect with. Oh, Bille was wonderful in her portrayal of Rose, and Rose was a terrific character, certainly. But...I just couldn't seem to connect with Rose, as I'd done with other companions--had that problem with Adric's character, as well, as I recall. It happens, sometimes. I felt more in tune with Martha, for sure. Martha was more the type of person I associate with, I suppose, because she was more mature and more of a thinker, I feel. She asked the right questions, I think--and Freema nailed the part, playing it just as real as could be, with her reactions. And, she was older, which helps.
Even when I was a teen, I never hung out with Roses's type of character--my sister did, but not me. Not that there's anything wrong, I just...I don't know, Rose might be someone I'd like to know casually, but not someone I'd probably hang out with. Well, probably could say the same about Martha, but I think the conversation would be a lot more interesting , with her character, and she'd be a lot more fun to be around.
Now Donna--Catherine Tate's character--I can relate to. I've known Donna's type. Worked with them, had them for neighbours. Again, the characters's maybe someone I'd not hang out with, but certainly someone I can very much tune into. Someone closer to my own age, who has, to some tiny extent, lived as I have (Oh yes, have done the temping thing--and the shallow boyfriends from hell).
And, I love the chemistry between Tennant and Tate, I really, really do--it's fantastic! Classic, even. As I told a friend tonight, this ying-yang relationship is just what I love to see in a stage play, because it's just so darn fun to watch--and, I think, really fun to write, as well (at least to me it is). And, maybe no more lovey-dovey eyes for a while? Please Russell, cool your jets with the soap opera stuff, ey? BLEH! Gag me!
I was going to play around with the next chapter in Time Lords Don't Cry, but decided not. There's something wrong with me tonight--has been all day. Can't put my finger on it, I actually feel much better, physically, than I've done in ages, tho' still tired, of course. I did do some more editing of Chapter 11, tonight, tho, but only a minor change to one part, and found a small grammar error, and fixed it.
What's going on is in my brain---I've been stumbling over words all day, and my typing is downright dyslexic tonight--and I'm NOT dyslexic! I just can't seem to focus and my head's all done in. No clue. I don't hurt--at least no more than what's normal for me, I don't feel lightheaded or dizzy, I'm breathing okay--no idea. But I was really seriously, totally stumbling over my scripts today--very unusual for me, and tonight I just can't type at all--I keep having to re-type stuff, because I'm spelling words all wrong or leaving out letters. Well, hopefully it's nothing and will pass.
So, if there is anyone out there actually reading my Doctor Who story re-write, sorry. You'll have to wait a day or so for the next chapter, or as soon as my head gets right and I can type again. Really miss having a proper desk to work at. This typing in my lap and having to have a faraway screen, doesn't help much.
