Passing Writing Whinge, with mention of Doctor Who

[shapinglight]

Or general whinge, more like.

I'm in the middle of writing the crappiest action scene in the history of action scenes. Okay, so it's a first draft so it might get less crappy at a later day, but at the moment? See icon.

I need to go for a walk, and in fact am going in a moment. In the meantime, some more whinging about trivial stuff behind cut, with spoilers for yesterday's Doctor Who.



I'm in a minority, I know, but I really didn't like it. There were a few good bits - I don't mind the lizard lady and Jenny, and the Sontaran going on holiday to Victorian Glasgow in order to find a worthy opponent to fight is quite amusing. I also quite liked the parade of previous Doctors, and laughed out loud at the current Doctor calling the annoying kids, 'little Daleks.'

But that's about it. The rest of the plot pretty much revolved around River and Clara, and I can't stand either of them. Clara in particular sets my teeth on edge (I hoped for a moment she was being written out, but no such luck) and River just gets on my nerves and always has, except for her very first appearance back in the RTD days.

I cannot wait for the Moffatt era to be over. IMO, he's only ever written one good episode while he's been showrunner, and that was The Doctor's Wife from whichever series it was. It's not because of Matt Smith. I like him fine. I just can't stand any of the companions.

Bring back Donna!

Comments

[sueworld2003.livejournal.com]

Yep I'm with you, and saddo that I am I rather resent Moffat crowbaring in his bloody souless OC into Who history like this.

[shapinglight]

I agree. It all reminds me of the stupid Twilight prophecy/Seed of Wonder thing from the Buffy comics, going back and inserting stuff.

And not even good stuff.

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Technically, "The Doctor's Wife" was written by Neil Gaiman. ;)

I'm thinking about what annoys me (though a bit less so now than at first) about Clara, and I think it's pretty much that she's... not all that different from Amy. Which is to say she's a very different character (for starters, one with a lot less depth and, for lack of a better word, reality) but she plays almost exactly the same role: she's the audience to whom the story of the Doctor is told and who in turn saves the story by retelling it. Moffat is essentially doing the same thing in every season, except for each season he adds one more layer of metafiction and moves one step further away from telling a story that actually engages with the audience - he doesn't need to, since he's written the audience into the story where he can control her.

...Or something, I'm thinking out loud here.

[shapinglight]

Technically, "The Doctor's Wife" was written by Neil Gaiman. ;)

You're right. Okay, so Moffatt hasn't written a single decent ep of DW, then.

I think your thinking out loud is pretty spot on. I feel he tries to flatter 'the audience' too by making out that they're special, when really they aren't. I didn't like Amy much, but she was way better than Clara.

Law of diminishing returns, I suppose.

[green-maia.livejournal.com]

Which is to say she's a very different character (for starters, one with a lot less depth and, for lack of a better word, reality) but she plays almost exactly the same role: she's the audience to whom the story of the Doctor is told and who in turn saves the story by retelling it. Moffat is essentially doing the same thing in every season, except for each season he adds one more layer of metafiction and moves one step further away from telling a story that actually engages with the audience - he doesn't need to, since he's written the audience into the story where he can control her.

Yes.

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

The Sontaran was the best bit, for sure.
But I find the replacement of Sherlock Holmes by a lizard lady very hard to stomach.

[shapinglight]

But I find the replacement of Sherlock Holmes by a lizard lady very hard to stomach.

Er...I'm not sure I follow. Is this something that actually happened and I missed it?

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

Well, they said or implied that the lizard lady was actually the character behind Sherlock Holmes.

[shapinglight]

Oh. I think I must have zoned out and missed that. ;)

[ex_peasant441]

I didn't really understand it because I'm so fuzzy about the ongoing plot these days. I find Clara less confusing than Amy because she hasn't been around as long so there is less to remember. But how do the lizard, the Sontaren and the parlour maid fit in? They just seemed to turn up a dozen episodes or so back and seemed to be instantly important to the Doctor without us knowing why. And as for River Song, I spent most of the episode trying to remember who she was and whether she was still alive or not. It wasn't until they mentioned the Library (a David Tennant episode and thus one I can remember) that I really had a clue beyond 'oh, it's that woman again, now why is she important?'. I'm sure one of the reasons the show is less popular under Moffat is because it is so bloody hard to follow these days unless you have a perfect memory.

Also I find the ongoing teasing about the Doctor's name to be rather a bore. Although at least Moffat is starting to suggest a reason for why he might be so coy about it, which is at least the right direction to approach the problem from.

And finally I have been longing for the end of the Mat Smith era but if they are going to replace him with John Hurt (although I'm kind of assuming they aren't and that is just another David Morrisey type bluff) then I shall stop watching. Can't stand John Hurt.

[shapinglight]

But how do the lizard, the Sontaren and the parlour maid fit in? They just seemed to turn up a dozen episodes or so back and seemed to be instantly important to the Doctor without us knowing why.

I think they first turned up in the Christmas special, but I don't know for sure because I didn't see it. I agree that they appear to have appeared from nowhere, as a consequence of which - as you said in your review - it's very hard to care what happens to them one way or another.

As for the whole thing about the Doctor's name, I think it passed me by. I never got why the episode was called that and still don't.

[ex_peasant441]

I never got why the episode was called that and still don't.

Because Moffatt was trying to attract the attention of long time fans, who care.

Or alternatively because the Doctor's real name was the password to open his Tardis tomb. Because of course if you are so ashamed of your name you have spent your whole life trying to hide it, that is the obvious word to use as a password.

Although of course if his name really is Please Smith, that makes slightly more sense as a password, along the 'Say friend and enter' model.

[ex_peasant441]

Also, is the goshawk cam working for you? It was fine in the middle of the night but all I can see now is a blank white space. :(

[shapinglight]

It's working fine. Try this link if the RSPB one isn't working.

[shapinglight]

Although of course if his name really is Please Smith, that makes slightly more sense as a password, along the 'Say friend and enter' model.

Where did the 'Smith' come from?

[ex_peasant441]

Well it said Smith (or possibly Smiths) on the Tardis ignition key, so I assume that was the family name. Also he tends to give his name as John Smith when pressed.

[shapinglight]

Well, see, I missed that bit completely.

Shows you how much attention I was paying.

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

I think John Hurt might be The Valeyard - some previously-mentioned doctor-gone-bad.

[shapinglight]

Really? I've never heard any of that before. When was it said?

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

I did hear them mention the Valeyard in the episode - he also featured in the Colin Baker era, where the Doctor was being tried - I don't remember much about it, just wikipedia-ed it!

[shapinglight]

Ah, okay. I didn't think to do that (possibly because I don't care that much. Thanks, Moffatt).

[green-maia.livejournal.com]

Bring back Donna!

♥ ♥

[shapinglight]

She was the best New Who companion by miles.