On doctors of all persuasions and superheroes

[selenak]

Catching up after insane business and before continuation of same, part II:



I have a flist who features the whole range of "oh no!" to "yeah, squee, I hate Ten and/or Tennant anyway". I'm somewhere in the middle ground in that I love both the Tenth Doctor and his actor but think four years (which it will be, including the specials) are a good run. I hoped for a fifth season as a transition but can cope with not getting one. Now, whether Eleven will be played by Patterson Joseph, David Morrisey or another actor not even rumoured at this point, I have no doubt, given the general good casting by Team Cardiff, that it will be a good actor. There are just two incarnations of the Doctor I don't love - Four and Nine - and even with them, there is love for much of their reign. (Plus I don't hate or dislike them, it's just that I can't emotionally connect with them the way I can with the others.) So I'm pretty optimistic I'll enjoy watching Eleven's adventures. All this being said? I think the Ten era will remain unique in one particular regard: the way the actor playing the Doctor truly, deeply loved the show as a fanboy just as the audience did throughout his life. Now other actors playing the Doctor have been proud of their work, have connected with the show emotionally, have been enthusiastic about it even if treated somewhat shabbily by TPTB (i.e. Colin Baker) during their original run. And it's not required that the actor playing the Doctor has to care in ways other than giving a good performance. Christopher Eccleston seems to have never connected with the franchise at all, but he gave a great performance (just because I'm not a Nine lover doesn't mean I can't appreciate his acting), and it worked out well. Still. There was something special about having a leading actor who could name the galactic position of Gallifrey long before it ever showed up in a New Who script, geeked out about having the chance to act with Lis Sladen, tried out Gallifreyan robes because he could and had his photo taken with Davros on his mobile, who could argue about monsters that haven't been featured in New Who at all, like the Zygons, and could discuss the Doctor as a character not just in the sense of "I, an actor, play this character this way" but "this is how I, as a viewer, see this character through the years". I doubt we'll ever get the like again.

Another thing: I do hope RTD will bring back Donna in one of the specials not just for Donna's sake - though while Moffat has said he likes her, he'll probably use at least his first season to introduce his own companions and recurring characters, rather than bring back old ones, so if RTD doesn't bring her back for an encore, chances are we're in for a long wait - but because the Tennant 'n Tate chemistry and rapport are something special. As I said, I have no doubt whoever plays Eleven will be fab in the role, but some actors just click more than others. Catherine Tate and David Tennant are just magic together.

(On that note: given that Big Finish just got its license renewed, I hope at some point in Eleven's reign we'll start to get New Who audio plays, and that they will feature Ten and Donna.)

Re: the latest House episode:



See, this is why I don't ship House and Wilson despite the show blatantly wanting me to. No, not because I ship House and Cuddy instead, on the contrary. But I think this is as good a demonstration as any why House/ Wilson or Cuddy as a twosome won't work. Because, just as various later part of s3 episodes proved, House is unable to stand either Wilson or Cuddy having an emotional life in which he's not the central focus point. Now that he has succeeded in becoming Wilson's main focus again, is he content with that? No, of course not, no more than he was in the past. He needs to be Cuddy's as well. I mean, if there is another explanation for House's reaction at the end of the last episode and throughout this one, do tell, but the way it looked like to me was that he knew damn well that if Cuddy did adopt a child, this child would be the center of her universe. This was never about just jerking Cuddy around or honest convictions about whether or not Cuddy would be a good mother, this was about competition. Which isn't to say he didn't genuinenly feel for her as well, but he's still "the long distance runner of neediness" as she described him in the last season when he angsted about Amber/Wilson. Who needs to come first for both Wilson and Cuddy, not just for either of them. I'd say they need to get away, but it's too late, I guess, so the best one can hope for is an OT3 where they have at least some counterbalance to cope with House.

(This being said? The final scene was great, and wonderfully played by both characters.)

I've come to the conclusion I love Thirteen, and am probably in a distinct minority there, because I bet she's as unpopular as Cameron used to be. Love Taub and Kutner as well, but that's not new. And still wonder why the original ducklings aren't finally let go from the cast, though I liked Foreman's scenes last week.


On to other fandoms:

Iron Man (and superhero films in general): Power and Accountability is a great essay, and the point made vis a vis the differences between this particular comics-to-movie transition in comparison to both the Spider-man and the Batman franchise is a great one.

Battlestar Galactica:

There are songs I connect to specific vids, and so a vid using the same song automatically has an inner hurdle to overcome. "Clint Eastwood" is such a song, because sisabet did an absolutely fantastic vid based on the Buffy episode Restless (but using the entire show for the developments of the four characters) a couple of years ago. And yet this vid about Gaius Baltar by bop_radar completely managed to overcome my viewer problem. It captures the comedy and the tragedy, the insane and oddly compelling journey of the BSG storyline I tend to call Life of Gaius throughout the show. (Gaius Baltar: least likely character to fall for - I mean, I loved Roslin right from the start, wasn't surprised to go from finding Six compelling to loving her, and given my thing for Albee-like relationships wasn't suprised to take to Tigh and Ellen, either, but I never expected Baltar to sneak up on me the way he did.)

Comments

[wondygal.livejournal.com]

My reaction about the Tennant news: oh, directly followed by, so can Big Finish have Ten and Donna now?

I mean, it's sad, because I like Ten and Tennant a lot, but it's not entirely unexpected, is it? I wish good things for him. And now Aaron Sorkin can write something for him and Tate.

[skywaterblue.livejournal.com]

Man. I don't care how rocky my relationship to Sorkin is right now: I would pay my teeth to see this.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Maybe someone should send him some DVDs? And a couple of interviews where the two fangirl and -boy The West Wing?

[skywaterblue.livejournal.com]

Actually, what we need to do is that, and then make sure he goes to see Hamlet in New York...

[selenak.livejournal.com]

No, not entirely unexpected, and it makes good sense career wise. Aaron Sorkin, if he isn't comissioned to write Obama's auguration speech, really has to do this. Maybe someone should send him some great episodes together with the chain reaction interview? (Which btw RTD and Ben Cook mention in their book, in a "we love our actors" way.)

[skywaterblue.livejournal.com]

According to Sorkin, he's only met the guy once. Barack Obama supposedly writes most of his speeches (or did until VERY recently.) So he should be free.

IDK, Sorkin keeps bouncing around on projects.

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

I agree that Tennant's run here was enhanced by his "fanboyishness". No other actor quite embraced the role like he did. I'm one of the people who could have taken another year or three.

Given that I'm ready to embrace Eleven, whoever it might be. Nine is one of least favorites but I'll still rewatch them cause it's all in the Doctor Who Mythos.

---------

I wonder why they haven't let the original team go yet. It's not like they're really doing anythiny to advance things.

I do like your take on House needing to be the center of everyone's universe. Makes him a mch needier character cause he doesn't think people can be happy without him. Ther more miserable people are, the happier he seems. And I don't think that kiss meant as much to house as it did to Cuddy...

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

I'm somewhere in the middle ground in that I love both the Tenth Doctor and his actor but think four years (which it will be, including the specials) are a good run.

It's that, and from some stuff I heard that happened with fans during his Hamlet run, I'd say it's high time if he wants to get some resemblance of a personal life ever again. He made the show very enjoyable, but I have no doubt he can make other things just as enjoyable. :)

I'd be fine with a lot of actors for Eleven, with the possible exception of James Nesbitt. I liked RTD's own suggestion of Russell Tovey (he who played Midshipman Frame), but think he's really a bit too young. Maybe for Twelve?

ETA: Ohh. Maybe, since Swingtown is over, andrastewhite and I will get Jack Davenport? Moffat has already worked with him, after all.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be surprised if said stuff plus the press attention to his private life played a role in the decision to leave.

Agreed that Russell Tovey is too young now, though could be earmarked for the future. (Also, won't he be busy with Being Human?)

Actor-wise, I'm torn between the Marquis de Carabas Patterson Joseph and David Morrisey as to whom I like more; and I have sneaking fondness for Paul Cornell's outsider suggestion of Ray Stevenson as well. Jack Davenport would be fine, of course.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

I'm a lot happier about the prospect of Patterson Joseph if I ignore his stint on Jekyll. Yikes.

Ray Stevenson would be rather unusual I admit, but certainly not bad.

Russell Tovey is indeed doing Being Human, but since they are completely revamping (sorry) it, who knows how long it will be around.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

...and again I'm glad I didn't watch Jekyll beyond the pilot. Patterson Joseph was great as the Marquis de Carabas in Neverwhere, which is mainly why I see him as a possibility. (It would be doubly fitting because Neil Gaiman said in the audio commentaries to Neverwhere that the Marquis was inspired by the Doctor, and Neverwhere in general his attempt to pay homage to the DW of his childhood, complete with cliffhangers at the episode endings.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Neverwhere as DW homage: that does make a lot of sense, actually. And is the perfect excuse for me squeeing "Islington! It's Islington!" during The Fires Of Pompeii.

[skywaterblue.livejournal.com]

There was something special about having a leading actor who could name the galactic position of Gallifrey long before it ever showed up in a New Who script, geeked out about having the chance to act with Lis Sladen, tried out Gallifreyan robes because he could and had his photo taken with Davros on his mobile, who could argue about monsters that haven't been featured in New Who at all, like the Zygons, and could discuss the Doctor as a character not just in the sense of "I, an actor, play this character this way" but "this is how I, as a viewer, see this character through the years". I doubt we'll ever get the like again.

This. You're right about Tennant. I actually love him, but I'm very neutral on the leaving since I'm excited by one of the Eleventh Doctor rumors, and I knew what I signed up for when I cast my chips in the fandom. Still, I'll miss the enthusiasm.

I think currently Big Finish isn't allowed the new Doctors, but what do you want to bet that Tennant's going to be the one banging on their doors to get to do some audio!Ten? I hope they're all with Donna! Or River, maybe we'll get the missing adventures of Ten and River in audio. And those might be awesome. (I don't know actually, I still don't listen to them, but from reading discussions about them they all seem to be very fascinatingly constructed.)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I loved most of the BF audios I've heard, so while there is the occasional dud, they're by and large indeed wonderful. And that's a wonderful idea, doing the missing adventures of Ten and River in addition to Ten and Donna stories. (Though they'd probably have to clear whether or not Moffat wants to use River again on screen first.)

but what do you want to bet that Tennant's going to be the one banging on their doors to get to do some audio!Ten?

Since he seems to be on good terms with the audio producers, given he acted in several of them (in a Seven adventure called Coldlitz as a Nazi, in a Six adventure called Medicinal Purposes as Daft Jamie, a mentally handicapped but sweet young man bonding with the Doctor - who of course has flashbacks to the other Jamie -, and as the Brig's successor, Colonel Wood, in the Alt!Three adventure Sympathy for the Devil), the chances should be high!

[skywaterblue.livejournal.com]

I had heard that he said at Comic-Con he has no current plans. But since I can't really see Tennant doing BF any time in the next five years (it has to be cleared first, and the new Doctor has to have settled and maybe already moved on...)

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

I know nothing of Dr. Who, but Warren Ellis is lobbying for Idris Elba (http://www.hbo.com/thewire/img/castcrew/actor_season04/idriselba.jpg), late of "The Wire".

(And there's nothing ironic about the lobbying; this just happens to be my Warren Ellis icon).

[ion-bond.livejournal.com]

Holy shit, Stringer Bell is British? I had no idea! I don't know why Dominic West gets all the accolades.

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

Yup. He was actually in a British TV show with Jack Davenport. . .where they killed vampires or something? I have the DVD's and haven't actually watched them. I should remedy that. That's a lot of hot.

[londonkds.livejournal.com]

Ultraviolet. I wouldn't say that anything about Ultraviolet is hot, it's a very chilly and subdued show in tone.

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

Idris Elba is hot. You're outvoted because I'm a girl :).

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I second Deuce on Idris Elba's hotness, though I rather predictably (for me) went for Philip Quast's character. This being said: Ultraviolet is definitely chilly.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

You should watch it. It's an awesome miniseries. Which is why I know who Idris Elba is despite never having seen The Wire.

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

I have a bunch of DVD sets at home needing my time & attention, but that might go to the top of the stack.

[ion-bond.livejournal.com]

I'm only an occasional House viewer these days, but I like Thirteen way more than I liked Cameron. I find it strange the way some fans equate them. They're pretty different people.

[lizamanynames.livejournal.com]

May I just say WORD to all of the above?

Also having a non-promiscuous, positive bisexual role-model on TV is nice.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

They're quite different, I agree, but the comparison keeps getting made. (Most recently I've heard complaints that Lucky Thirteen was just a remake of the s3 episode where Cameron thinks she might have AIDS and has sex with Chase for the first time. Which, you know, it was not in more ways then I can count, but there you go. Having said that: I never understood the hostility towards Cameron, but I never liked her as much as I like and now love Thirteen.

[bimo.livejournal.com]

As JackDav and Idris Elba have already been mentioned...

You know which former Ultraviolet cast member I'd really like to see as an incarnation of the Doctor though I know it would be more than unlikely to happen? Philip Quast. After a series of younger actors playing the part it would be great to have someone more middle-ageish again, I think. Quast has both necessary subtlety and charisma, plus, he's a childrens' TV veteran.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Isn't he also the original Australian Javert in Les Miserables? *has vision of singing Doctor a la Three*

I've heard RTD say that the main reason why they haven't used a middle aged Doctor again and aren't likely to is that the shooting schedule is murderous and a younger man simply can cope better with the stress (given the Doctor is heavily featured in all but one of the thirteen episodes and the special each season and thus as opposed to the guest actors doesn't get many days off). But maybe Moffat has more confidence and/or ruthlessness in employing someone middle aged as a leading man, who knows.

[lilacsigil.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed, he was the Javert that I saw, and he's also Javert on the international cast recording.

[rivrea.livejournal.com]

I, too, am jonesing for a reunion of Ten'n'Donna. And BF audioplays with this particular team TARDIS would be a wonderful addition to the franchise as well because their verbal bickering and banter would work just so well off-screen.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

It would, and ever since listening to the awesome chain reaction interview of Catherine Tate and David Tennant, I know they play each other off beautifully in the audio medium. Also, there are many crossovers between BF writers and New Who writers, so I think if BF gets the license to use the characters the writers would not only be ready but also attuned to using them.

[rivrea.livejournal.com]

I missed that interview, alas. Do you know if there are still some links available?

Having listened to Catherine Tate reading The Forever Trap today, I am longing very much for more audio work by her. A superbly written interaction with David Tennant would just be the icing on the cake!

[selenak.livejournal.com]

You've got mail!

[rivrea.livejournal.com]

Thank you ever so much!

[hibernate.livejournal.com]

I do hope RTD will bring back Donna in one of the specials

Yes please! I think it would be a shame if they didn't, since it's probably the last chance of seeing Ten and Donna together on screen again. Not that I wouldn't be thrilled to have Donna back any time, but like you said, CT and DT are brilliant together.

I've come to the conclusion I love Thirteen, and am probably in a distinct minority there

I ADORE Thirteen! She's awesome. Taub and Kutner too - I like the new ducklings a lot more than the old.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad to hear people are sharing the new ducklings love! Maybe I looked in the wrong quarters before, because I came across so many complaints about them (well, except for Kutner, whom even the "only season 1 and 2 were good" diehards seem to love). Do you have any fanfic recs?

[longhairedlady.livejournal.com]

I don't commnt much, but just wanted to say I love the way you link so many different fandoms, your poss always have something exciting I've missed in!

[prof-pangaea.livejournal.com]

oh where is the news that big finish's license was extended again? that would be a wonderful thing indeed!

meanwhile, there won't be any tenth doctor audios for.. who knows how long, because big finish's license only covers old school doctor who. anything new school is strictly out of bounds, even mentioning characters/events/aliens. which is why they can't do new sarah jane audios anymore -- she's a part of new who now, so the character is beyond their scope. at least until their license is changed or they get a special project to do for the bbc (as has happened a couple of times, i think? but that was before the new series began).

[lilacsigil.livejournal.com]

I don't mind that Ten is leaving - change is good - and, when I though about it, everything that makes me unhappy about Ten is actually to do with writing and plot direction issues, nothing to do with Tennant or Ten as a character. So I'm glad I will get to see some non-RTD Ten before Tennant goes, but I liked Nine far better and he's the one I wish had stayed longer.

[neutralalienist.livejournal.com]

I loved that Tennant was a geek. I didn't always like his acting, but he himself was always so earnest and excited and lovely. (I tend to think he...needs good directing. Like Boreanaz, a bit.)

I hope we get to see Ten with Donna again before he goes. Season four really connected me with him for the first time, and part of that is down to her. For me, she's his definitive companion.

Hopefully he'll get a great sendoff.