Are they trying to see how many times fandom can implode in a week?

[drakyndra]

Yesterday, I went to the zoo. YA RLY!

'Twas for becker_'s birthday. So, zoo during the day, dinner at Shanghai Dumpling House, some wandering around the city for a bit, onto that Ferris Wheel thingy by the Yarra, Max Brenner's for hot chocolate, and then up to fireflyfaery's where we playyed Munchkin.

I had a shock last minute victory, which was fun.

However, my legs are now killing me. Ow!

Anyway, good day out, lots of fun, though I would have liked it better if it had been less damned cold. Stupid Winter.

Anyways, it meant I was absent from Teh Fandom from a bit yesterday, and was not able to respond to certain announcements. Then again, I never commented on other announcements earlier this week here, so I think I'll comment on the lot of them at once.

So:
- Announcement about Martha
- Announcement about the Christmas special
- Announcement about Series 4


I maintain my original thoughts on the Martha leaving thing - though I was pleased at her for doing so, I'm annoyed that the writers had to make things go that way.

Though I half get the vibe that it's a case of writing Martha for only one series, but leaving the ending open "just in case" - and the just in case has been invoked, so we she's coming back.

But I'm pleased to hear she's returning to Who and will be guesting in Torchwood for 3 episodes. I'd say that would put paid to stupid sacking rumours, but I've already seen that isn't the case. Though I can't understand what the logic of "She's been sacked, so let's not just bring her back but put her into our other big publicity show as well!" must be.

Now, all we need to find out is how many episodes she's in. Returning middle of the series is all we are told, which I think implies more than just the guest role in Torchwood, but something bigger. But I'm not certain. I'm hoping it's the entire second half of the series, anyway. 6 or so episodes, maybe?

The fact Freema apparently starts filming for Torchwood in 3 weeks explains why she's not in the Christmas special - the filming would clash - so I'm now officially intrigued as to what's going on there.

As for Christmas, I have no Thoughts On Kylie. Or rather, no opinion of her being on the show, one way or another.

The fact she was apparently a Who fan, even prior to the New Series is some points in her favour, and being Kylie she obviously doesn't need the money, so if it's out of love for the show, good on her.

As for the production team's decision to cast her, well, she's Kylie. I think the worldwide publicity this has got says it all.

Never seen her act, so I'll just wait and see.

Now then, Donna. After the finale, and it's treatment of Martha et al (as well as doing it's darnedest to make me not like the Doctor, which I was really upset by), I was starting to lose a lot of enthusiasm for the series. There was a certain amount of disillusionment going on regarding the fourth series, so I am pleased that casting Donna managed to get me excited for it again.

I know she's a very divisive choice, but I do like Donna as a character. She's a very different character type to the companions on new Who thus far, and so having her aboard was something I was a lot more pleased by than if we'd gotten, say, Sally Sparrow (who was all right as a one off, but I don't see why half of fandom has decided she's the best thing since sliced bread. For one, she's far too similar in character type than Rose and Martha, and we need a change).

I mean, it's not my ideal casting - I would have liked a non-contemporary companion. Or a guy. Or both. But Donna works for me, as well.

Pushy, mouth, slappy Donna. As much as I normally love the Doctor, after the finale I think I'll like seeing him get a slap around.

The thing I am most looking forward to, though, is when Martha comes back. Martha and Donna as companions? Oh, the Doctor is going to be in so much trouble. Now that's going to be fun...


In other news, Doctor Who on Fandom Wank again. Does that mean lifeonmartha has been broken in now?

That said, I was sort of expecting this. Fandom + Race always seems to cause wank when combined. Throwing finale opinions, and character preferences probably didn't help, either.

Comments

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

Kylie's not a great actress, but it probably doesn't help that she's never really been in anything well-written. She certainly doesn't have the skill to rise above a bad script.

Her best performance was probably as Eponnee-Rae (sp?) in Kath & Kim, and that was essentially mimicry + self-parody. Which, I add, she did very well. Knowing RTD, I expect he'll write to her strengths.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I have never seen Kylie in anything - not Neighbours, not Kath and Kim, so I honestly have no idea. I'm just hoping she's good enough so I'm not spending the whole time watching her going, "It's Kylie Minogue on Doctor Who! Say hello to the Doctor, Kylie!"

I'm hoping we get Rusty in his good writing mode for this episode. Srsly.

[big-n-happy.livejournal.com]

Fortunately nothing ever happens in Christmas specials, so I think we are.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I'm curious as to just what's going to go in the Chrissie special, actually. It isn't per se essential character-wise - getting the new Doctor or the loss of Rose stuff out of the way - so what is going to happen? For all his flaws, there has to be something going on, character-wise...

[big-n-happy.livejournal.com]

The first anvil I can think of is humans are brilliant, but get ourselves killed because we don't have lifeboats. He's definitely an alien these days.

[malaleen.livejournal.com]

You know, while it doesn't surprise me that the race thing ended up on F_W, it looks the the Donna thing is much more volatile and wanky. It seemed most people are like, where is the wank. Howver, it seems that the new companion thing has distracted the fandoom.

But I see we have a few with an axe to grind against LoM, both on the original wank report and on the clairvoyant wank post. Have to wonder who those special stars are.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

Both have certain amounts of wankiness, just different types. The race stuff has genuine serious arguments at it's base, but some people (on either side) are going a bit too far with their points and all. It's Serious Business wank.

Whereas the Donna stuff is simple fannish hysteria and overreaction. And is thus funnier (and more stupid).

I don't recognise the names, which has me curious. And I'm wondering if a Doctor/Martha shipper ran over that one person's dog or something. Sheesh.

[malaleen.livejournal.com]

It's probably some batchippers who didn't like the fact that we liked Martha with the Doctor better than Rose. I know there are several of them who absolutely hate Martha, yet still have LoM on their flist.

Yeah, they're both wanky. I knew the race thing would generate wank, and it doesn't really surprise me about the Catherine Tate casting. I haven't seen much because I've been out of town, and I've been avoiding places like the OG.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I make no guesses as to motivations, but s/he is incredibly, incredibly angry about it all. Which is what confuses me: I get disliking a character and ship and all, but that seems like aggression on a personal level.

I'm now wondering why there's a lack of Kylie wank. I was expecting huge rows about lack of acting skill and stunt casting. Is everyone busy getting worked up about other things?

[xwingace]

I've read a good portion of the comments on the posts linked in F_W, and nearly all the comments so far on the F_W report, and so far it seems to me the wank over on F_W is stronger than in the original posts. WTF?

XWA

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

That has been known to happen at FW occasionally. Especially during Serious Business wanks.

[cyprinella]

The stuff going on at F_W feels very grudgewanky, and has been called a couple of times by the regulars.

[magic-lilybean.livejournal.com]

It does seem grudgewanky. It's the most boring wank report I've seen, comment-wise.

I was excited at first, because I'm in some of the comments of the posts they linked in the report - first wank report I'm sort of part of - but then I read it and was just bored. I don't think it was nearly wanky enough to qualify. Even the little bit of wank in the report comments is pretty small.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

Too much Serious Business, not enough lulz. They should have posted the Catherine Tate hysteria, because that is just plain funny.

I made two short comments in the first link they mention, but am otherwise uninvolved.

But I agree, it is a bit dull, wank-wise.

[chicklet73.livejournal.com]

I completely agree to all you said about Donna. Hearing that she was the new companion really helped bring back my enthusiasm and now I'm looking forward to Season 4 more than ever. Yay!

And just as you said, watching her and Martha tag-team the Doctor? Is going to be SO MUCH FUN.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I think the tag team mental images are the best part. Because I can just imagine the two of them together completely walking all over him.

[chicklet73.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. He is in for SO MUCH TROUBLE. And pwning. Muahahahaha.

[gryffinclaw.livejournal.com]

I tell you I was starting to get so upset by the series and I really was having trouble getting over Martha leaving. I felt so cheated out of a really great character and was worried who the new person would be. As much as I wanted a boy the Donna news greatly pleases me and I can not wait to see her with Ten again. Not to mention see Martha/Ten/Donna.

Kilye. Eh, I am not excited about the Christmas episode. More excited about season four. I am really upset that RTD flat out lied and said she was not going to be in the Christmas special. That is the last time I ever believe anything that man says.

I really hope Martha returns mid season for the rest of the season or I will still feel cheated. Also I hope she is in the Moffat written ones!

Oh the wank. *shakes head*

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I'm curious for the Christmas special, but yeah, it's the actual series I am more looking forward too. Though once I know more about it, I might pick up a bit more anticipation.

That is a good point: Who will write the episodes she's in. But it'll be interesting to see anyone's take on the Doctor-Martha-Donna thing, if only because (aside from School Reunion) it's our first take on a two female companions dynamic.

[in-the-end.livejournal.com]

I soooooo want Martha in a Moffat. Im kinda thinking she may be back in a two-parter anyway and I am prayin it is Moffat's.

I'm glad you're feeling better about S4 as well. Martha and Donna are so gonna bitchslap Ten. I can't wait!

Re: Donna

[fa11ing-away.livejournal.com]

Heee, I just found a wonderful quote in Men at Arms: "You can't have unmarried brides flapping around the place, being a danger to society"

Re: Donna

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

It's disturbing how well that fits Donna.