Anyone remember this? No? Anyone?
Dec. 30th, 2007 08:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eponymous_roseHey, new icon! As the old proverb says, you can never go wrong with Romana dressed as the Fourth Doctor!
(Wait, what?)
Anyway, back in The Day I did that pick-a-character-and-I'll-answer-the-following-questions meme. And then promptly forgot about it.
So here it is!
The questions:
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
The answers (cut separately because of the potential for spoilers and because I felt like posting pretty pictures):
Pic courtesy of Tragical History Tour
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
I think the Eighth Doctor is made of awesome, basically. I admire his optimism - but more to the point, I love the way he's just plain weird so much of the time. And enthusiastic. Of course, his character's so wonderfully inconsistent (even the movie's not regarded as canon by some, so tons of different takes pop up) that he's not always like that. And, yes, he does darkness well, too.
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
Well, he's sort of the titular character. And chances seem very good that he had a big part to play in the Time War (Nine appearing to be newly-regenerated in "Rose" and all). So, uh, yeah. Just a wee bit.
That said, I don't think he's as much of a hands-on Doctor as, say, Seven. If he gets involved, it's usually quite by accident - a lot like Four's early episodes, just sort of cheerfully blundering about. But Four's so emotionally distant about everything (even after people start dying, in some cases), whereas Eight's got the wanderlust but the guilty conscience if anything goes wrong. Well. Generally. (Again, this is my weird little pieced-together image of Eight based on my favourite audios and books. He changes!)
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
I'd like to register my strong dislike of the first part of this question. "Relate" implies a certain degree of empathy - and since I'm not exactly a time-travelling alien myself (I think), it's a bit hard to go beyond a sort of vicarious sympathy. But I'm being unnecessarily pedantic again!
Yup, he's good with the emotional gripping. When you've got someone that cheerful and energetic and optimistic, dramatically speaking there's nothing more perfect than some sort of great fall. And it always seems to happen - "Zagreus", "The Ancestor Cell", about a million other smaller things.
Not just the sadness, though - the sheer joy of him is extremely contagious.
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
Psh. Doctor Who? Never heard of it.
No, actually, I'm a bit intimidated by this fandom - I lurk everywhere, and am actually astounded that I've met as many people as I have. So, um, hello! Much like the Sherlock Holmes fandom, I think I'd rather work a bit behind the scenes.
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
If it's very well-written, I'll ship Eight with anyone. I'm fascinated by all his relationships - romantic or otherwise - because there's such a depth of up-front caring there that you start to wonder if it might be an act. Interesting stuff.
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
Give him a TV series? *bats eyelashes*
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
Hee! I might get a bit exasperated at him sometimes - I'm not a particularly practical person myself but irrationally expect everyone else to be - but I think it'd be a fun sort of Doctor-Companion relationship. Really, I don't think Eight ever particularly dislikes anyone on sight.
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
Sure does! When I list my favourite Doctors, he's usually around second place. Gold star!
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
I'd hype him up liek woah. (Right,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
scarletsherlock?) Most people just sort of know his as the wait-is-he-actually-canon Doctor, and I like to try and remedy that.
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
By and large, very much so, though there are plenty of Eight-deniers out there. Most people tend to just disagree with a certain book or audio's portrayal of Eight - and since it tends to be a localized sort of thing, they'll get over it with the next one.
Pic courtesy of Tragical History Tour
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
Ooh, this is surprisingly hard to do. I like Jack well enough, really I do! I just seem to find it particularly hard to muster up any enthusiasm about his character. "The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances" are some of my favourite episodes ever, and I thought he was marvelous in series three. But I'm just so blah about his character in Torchwood that I have trouble with it. Can't really explain, sorry!
(All that said, I love John Barrowman to death. He seems just adorkable!)
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
Yup! More so in Torchwood than Doctor Who.
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
See, this is the problem. I can't, really! And I also really can't put my finger on the whole thing.
I expect a rewatch is in order to get to the bottom of this. For science!
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
See above comments on Doctor Who (intimidating, lurking, unlimited rice pudding, etc. etc.). I'm not a huge Torchwood fan - but as with Jack's character, I love the premise. Something's just not clicking for me.
(I'm pretty dang sure it's not the darkness of "Torchwood" that's putting me off, considering my daily dose of TV usually includes "The Wire" and "The Sopranos".)
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
Having Jack in a happy relationship completely messes with his character! So, no, I'm actually pretty reluctant to ship him with anyone. Maybe that's just because I haven't gone shopping around for much Jack!fic. (gosh, that sounds dirty)
I don't know. I'm a little indifferent about him. Surely I'm not the only one?
*crickets chirp*
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
Whatever it is that's preventing me from liking him?
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
I guess Jack flirts with anything with a pulse, and that'd probably apply to me. And that's okay! My general reaction to that sort of thing is teasing in return (which has actually landed me in trouble a couple times). But me = not so touchy-feely. Sorry, Jack.
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
Neither, really. He's just there. Hi, Jack!
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
I don't think I'd really say anything one way or the other, unless said person would be an ideal candidate for Jack!love (oh, even that sounds dirty).
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
Very! I get the distinct impression that I may be a bit nuts for not loving him to death. *grins*
Jeremy Brett as Holmes, though I love Basil Rathbone and Ronald Howard and others in the role just as much - if not more. Despite all that, Clive Merrison is undoubtedly my Holmes.
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
Like most Holmesians, I find him utterly fascinating. I mean, look at the premise! You've got this young man who's totally devoted to forensic science, who's (apparently) managed to shift everything else totally and completely out of mind. Add in Watson's potentially unreliable narration throughout and it's just plain brilliant.
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
No, really. It's actually all about Mrs. Hudson - he's just her faithful sidekick.
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
Little bit of relating, yeah. But then, I expect everyone has a bit of Holmes in 'em - does anyone actually enjoy small talk? Surely we've all thought, at least once, that maybe love just isn't worth the bother? And most of us have probably solved cases for Scotland Yard in the past. Right? Right?
He's very emotionally gripping, if only because he's so unemotional so much of the time! In stories like "The Three Garridebs" or "The Devil's Foot", you catch a glimpse of Holmes without all the carefully-constructed walls. It's amazing.
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
Hee! Holmes fandom is a bit intense. I love Holmesian.net (though I've only been lurking lately) because it doesn't take itself too seriously. Generally, I like it very much.
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
Argh. Every time I think I've got him figured out, some fic writer will put a whole new spin on things. I'm particularly intrigued by his relationship with Watson. We'll just say that.
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
More stories? *bats eyelashes some more*
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
Well, for one thing, he's an unabashed misogynist. I'd probably take issue with that. He's not really a very pleasant person, all things considered. You'd basically have to be as close as Watson (or at least have his infinite patience) to be able to see past any of that!
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
Oh, yes. He's right up there on the list of characters that've made a huge shift in my general mindset!
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
I always hype Holmes up, because people tend to have this image of a perfect detective who wanders around solving crimes and being boring. Hidden depths, my friends!
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
Um. Immensely.
Pic courtesy of Tragical History Tour
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
I think Martha's just a brilliant character - and again, it's all about the enthusiasm and... and glee! She's extremely competent, too, doesn't crack under pressure. And, y'know. Saves worlds, mostly. (One of these days I'm gonna wind up subliminally quoting Classic Who in some sort of essay and get pulled in front of the Dean for plagiarism.)
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
Nah. Saxon just rules the world, now, that's all.
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
This is probably a big part of it - I find it pretty easy to relate to her, to the things she does and says (or doesn't do and doesn't say). She's having fun, but she's got a life outside the Doctor, and enough to go home to that when she leaves, it feels like a beginning rather than an end. (A bit like Sarah Jane in "The Hand of Fear" or Jo Grant in "The Green Death" - although the latter episode still makes me want to physically drag the Doctor back in to say a proper goodbye to her instead of storming off in a huff. Jeez, Three. No gold star for you. Wait, where was I?)
I find Martha really emotionally gripping, though it's mostly owing to the circumstances she finds herself in. She's completely, utterly alone, and still she manages totravel the world singing folk songs save the Doctor and the rest of the world. (Throw your own Heroes reference in here, folks.)
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
See above comments on both Who and Torchwood. I'll be watching next season of TW primarily for her!
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
I think Martha can do whatever she sets her mind to. Her relationship with the Doctor fascinates me - though I do feel like some of the writing of said relationship really undermined her character, which is a terrible shame. If it were up to me (which, for obvious reasons, it isn't), she'd have had a bit of a crush on Ten, sure, and probably even convince herself to a point that she's totally and utterly in love with him (look at the facts - she's basically running her family and attempting to survive med school when along comes the Doctor, with his space travel and extremely mixed signals), but - and herein lies the subtle distinction - it's not all about that. It can become something more without having her obsess over it. The way they made it happen just seemed totally out of line with her established character. They got there in the end, though. Er. Sort of.
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
The aforementioned wince-worthy puppy-dog crush on the Doctor. No, no, it's not even that I dislike. It's the depiction of said crush. Very weak writing there.
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
Sure, I think we'd get along!
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
Mm, I dunno, really. I do really like her, but I'm not sure she'd be on my Mt. Rushmore of Favourite Companions.
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
Oh, definitely! Particularly some of my friends in pre-med or med school. :D
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
Eh, you know. Both she and Rose get bashed a fair bit depending on the week and the relevant "spoilers" of the week. Personally, I love 'em both.
Pic courtesy of Tragical History Tour
Both were requested, so both it shall be!
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
I love them both to death, because they both manage to claw their way out of the stereotypes they seem to be at first (the sweet but none-too-bright boyfriend, and the flighty single Mom). They're both incredibly brave, and both get a really hard time from Nine.
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
Well, Mickey's doing the whole alt!universe anti-Cybermen thing. So, uh, yeah! And Jackie has the big yellow truck, my friends. Nothing beats that.
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
They both really grip me emotionally, which surprises the heck out of me given the quick not-too-sympathetic sketches of them we get in "Rose". Jackie's really terribly sad in a lot of ways - see "Army of Ghosts" where she's so happy to accept the idea that her Dad's back from the dead! - having lost her daughter and her husband. She's the sort of person who forms really superficial acquaintances/"friendships" with people, and only really connects with her immediate family (that eventually extends to include Mickey). And Mickey - he's amazing. He goes from being utterly dependent on Rose to running off himself, finding a place for himself. (Yup, the Doctor/Companion parallels are there. I'm a bit too sleepy to expound on that at any length just at the moment.)
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
I like to eat cheese and jelly beans. But not usually at the same time. Bloogle! Bloogle! Fweeee!
(ask a silly question...)
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
I'm actually most fascinated by their relationship with each other, believe it or not! We don't see nearly enough of that, and I love the fic that fills in the blanks - after all, she accused him of murdering her daughter! There's a fascinating story there.
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
I would say "more screen time", but then I'd probably be upset at the lack of other stuff. A spinoff series for Mickey and Jake! Who's with me?
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
Jackie would probably think I'm a snob and Mickey would be sort of indifferent? Cautiously friendly?
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
Well, y'know. They're good characters, but not just knock-your-socks-off, right?
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
As always, sure!
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
They both get a bit of complaining about 'em, but I think they're pretty popular overall!
Whew. I think I might have to save the next two for later.
I'm so proud that I didn't go through and correct that "whose" in question 9. :D
Feel free to throw more names on the list - I'll get to them whenever! *grins*
(Wait, what?)
Anyway, back in The Day I did that pick-a-character-and-I'll-answer-the-following-questions meme. And then promptly forgot about it.
So here it is!
The questions:
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
The answers (cut separately because of the potential for spoilers and because I felt like posting pretty pictures):
Pic courtesy of Tragical History Tour
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
I think the Eighth Doctor is made of awesome, basically. I admire his optimism - but more to the point, I love the way he's just plain weird so much of the time. And enthusiastic. Of course, his character's so wonderfully inconsistent (even the movie's not regarded as canon by some, so tons of different takes pop up) that he's not always like that. And, yes, he does darkness well, too.
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
Well, he's sort of the titular character. And chances seem very good that he had a big part to play in the Time War (Nine appearing to be newly-regenerated in "Rose" and all). So, uh, yeah. Just a wee bit.
That said, I don't think he's as much of a hands-on Doctor as, say, Seven. If he gets involved, it's usually quite by accident - a lot like Four's early episodes, just sort of cheerfully blundering about. But Four's so emotionally distant about everything (even after people start dying, in some cases), whereas Eight's got the wanderlust but the guilty conscience if anything goes wrong. Well. Generally. (Again, this is my weird little pieced-together image of Eight based on my favourite audios and books. He changes!)
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
I'd like to register my strong dislike of the first part of this question. "Relate" implies a certain degree of empathy - and since I'm not exactly a time-travelling alien myself (I think), it's a bit hard to go beyond a sort of vicarious sympathy. But I'm being unnecessarily pedantic again!
Yup, he's good with the emotional gripping. When you've got someone that cheerful and energetic and optimistic, dramatically speaking there's nothing more perfect than some sort of great fall. And it always seems to happen - "Zagreus", "The Ancestor Cell", about a million other smaller things.
Not just the sadness, though - the sheer joy of him is extremely contagious.
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
Psh. Doctor Who? Never heard of it.
No, actually, I'm a bit intimidated by this fandom - I lurk everywhere, and am actually astounded that I've met as many people as I have. So, um, hello! Much like the Sherlock Holmes fandom, I think I'd rather work a bit behind the scenes.
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
If it's very well-written, I'll ship Eight with anyone. I'm fascinated by all his relationships - romantic or otherwise - because there's such a depth of up-front caring there that you start to wonder if it might be an act. Interesting stuff.
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
Give him a TV series? *bats eyelashes*
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
Hee! I might get a bit exasperated at him sometimes - I'm not a particularly practical person myself but irrationally expect everyone else to be - but I think it'd be a fun sort of Doctor-Companion relationship. Really, I don't think Eight ever particularly dislikes anyone on sight.
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
Sure does! When I list my favourite Doctors, he's usually around second place. Gold star!
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
I'd hype him up liek woah. (Right,
scarletsherlock?) Most people just sort of know his as the wait-is-he-actually-canon Doctor, and I like to try and remedy that.10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
By and large, very much so, though there are plenty of Eight-deniers out there. Most people tend to just disagree with a certain book or audio's portrayal of Eight - and since it tends to be a localized sort of thing, they'll get over it with the next one.
Pic courtesy of Tragical History Tour
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
Ooh, this is surprisingly hard to do. I like Jack well enough, really I do! I just seem to find it particularly hard to muster up any enthusiasm about his character. "The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances" are some of my favourite episodes ever, and I thought he was marvelous in series three. But I'm just so blah about his character in Torchwood that I have trouble with it. Can't really explain, sorry!
(All that said, I love John Barrowman to death. He seems just adorkable!)
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
Yup! More so in Torchwood than Doctor Who.
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
See, this is the problem. I can't, really! And I also really can't put my finger on the whole thing.
I expect a rewatch is in order to get to the bottom of this. For science!
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
See above comments on Doctor Who (intimidating, lurking, unlimited rice pudding, etc. etc.). I'm not a huge Torchwood fan - but as with Jack's character, I love the premise. Something's just not clicking for me.
(I'm pretty dang sure it's not the darkness of "Torchwood" that's putting me off, considering my daily dose of TV usually includes "The Wire" and "The Sopranos".)
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
Having Jack in a happy relationship completely messes with his character! So, no, I'm actually pretty reluctant to ship him with anyone. Maybe that's just because I haven't gone shopping around for much Jack!fic. (gosh, that sounds dirty)
I don't know. I'm a little indifferent about him. Surely I'm not the only one?
*crickets chirp*
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
Whatever it is that's preventing me from liking him?
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
I guess Jack flirts with anything with a pulse, and that'd probably apply to me. And that's okay! My general reaction to that sort of thing is teasing in return (which has actually landed me in trouble a couple times). But me = not so touchy-feely. Sorry, Jack.
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
Neither, really. He's just there. Hi, Jack!
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
I don't think I'd really say anything one way or the other, unless said person would be an ideal candidate for Jack!love (oh, even that sounds dirty).
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
Very! I get the distinct impression that I may be a bit nuts for not loving him to death. *grins*
Jeremy Brett as Holmes, though I love Basil Rathbone and Ronald Howard and others in the role just as much - if not more. Despite all that, Clive Merrison is undoubtedly my Holmes.
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
Like most Holmesians, I find him utterly fascinating. I mean, look at the premise! You've got this young man who's totally devoted to forensic science, who's (apparently) managed to shift everything else totally and completely out of mind. Add in Watson's potentially unreliable narration throughout and it's just plain brilliant.
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
No, really. It's actually all about Mrs. Hudson - he's just her faithful sidekick.
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
Little bit of relating, yeah. But then, I expect everyone has a bit of Holmes in 'em - does anyone actually enjoy small talk? Surely we've all thought, at least once, that maybe love just isn't worth the bother? And most of us have probably solved cases for Scotland Yard in the past. Right? Right?
He's very emotionally gripping, if only because he's so unemotional so much of the time! In stories like "The Three Garridebs" or "The Devil's Foot", you catch a glimpse of Holmes without all the carefully-constructed walls. It's amazing.
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
Hee! Holmes fandom is a bit intense. I love Holmesian.net (though I've only been lurking lately) because it doesn't take itself too seriously. Generally, I like it very much.
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
Argh. Every time I think I've got him figured out, some fic writer will put a whole new spin on things. I'm particularly intrigued by his relationship with Watson. We'll just say that.
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
More stories? *bats eyelashes some more*
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
Well, for one thing, he's an unabashed misogynist. I'd probably take issue with that. He's not really a very pleasant person, all things considered. You'd basically have to be as close as Watson (or at least have his infinite patience) to be able to see past any of that!
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
Oh, yes. He's right up there on the list of characters that've made a huge shift in my general mindset!
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
I always hype Holmes up, because people tend to have this image of a perfect detective who wanders around solving crimes and being boring. Hidden depths, my friends!
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
Um. Immensely.
Pic courtesy of Tragical History Tour
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
I think Martha's just a brilliant character - and again, it's all about the enthusiasm and... and glee! She's extremely competent, too, doesn't crack under pressure. And, y'know. Saves worlds, mostly. (One of these days I'm gonna wind up subliminally quoting Classic Who in some sort of essay and get pulled in front of the Dean for plagiarism.)
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
Nah. Saxon just rules the world, now, that's all.
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
This is probably a big part of it - I find it pretty easy to relate to her, to the things she does and says (or doesn't do and doesn't say). She's having fun, but she's got a life outside the Doctor, and enough to go home to that when she leaves, it feels like a beginning rather than an end. (A bit like Sarah Jane in "The Hand of Fear" or Jo Grant in "The Green Death" - although the latter episode still makes me want to physically drag the Doctor back in to say a proper goodbye to her instead of storming off in a huff. Jeez, Three. No gold star for you. Wait, where was I?)
I find Martha really emotionally gripping, though it's mostly owing to the circumstances she finds herself in. She's completely, utterly alone, and still she manages to
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
See above comments on both Who and Torchwood. I'll be watching next season of TW primarily for her!
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
I think Martha can do whatever she sets her mind to. Her relationship with the Doctor fascinates me - though I do feel like some of the writing of said relationship really undermined her character, which is a terrible shame. If it were up to me (which, for obvious reasons, it isn't), she'd have had a bit of a crush on Ten, sure, and probably even convince herself to a point that she's totally and utterly in love with him (look at the facts - she's basically running her family and attempting to survive med school when along comes the Doctor, with his space travel and extremely mixed signals), but - and herein lies the subtle distinction - it's not all about that. It can become something more without having her obsess over it. The way they made it happen just seemed totally out of line with her established character. They got there in the end, though. Er. Sort of.
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
The aforementioned wince-worthy puppy-dog crush on the Doctor. No, no, it's not even that I dislike. It's the depiction of said crush. Very weak writing there.
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
Sure, I think we'd get along!
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
Mm, I dunno, really. I do really like her, but I'm not sure she'd be on my Mt. Rushmore of Favourite Companions.
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
Oh, definitely! Particularly some of my friends in pre-med or med school. :D
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
Eh, you know. Both she and Rose get bashed a fair bit depending on the week and the relevant "spoilers" of the week. Personally, I love 'em both.
Pic courtesy of Tragical History Tour
Both were requested, so both it shall be!
1) What is your opinion of this character? If you like, explain why you like him/her. Likewise if you dislike the character.
I love them both to death, because they both manage to claw their way out of the stereotypes they seem to be at first (the sweet but none-too-bright boyfriend, and the flighty single Mom). They're both incredibly brave, and both get a really hard time from Nine.
2) Is he/she important to the general plot?
Well, Mickey's doing the whole alt!universe anti-Cybermen thing. So, uh, yeah! And Jackie has the big yellow truck, my friends. Nothing beats that.
3) Can you relate to this character at all? Do they grip you emotionally?
They both really grip me emotionally, which surprises the heck out of me given the quick not-too-sympathetic sketches of them we get in "Rose". Jackie's really terribly sad in a lot of ways - see "Army of Ghosts" where she's so happy to accept the idea that her Dad's back from the dead! - having lost her daughter and her husband. She's the sort of person who forms really superficial acquaintances/"friendships" with people, and only really connects with her immediate family (that eventually extends to include Mickey). And Mickey - he's amazing. He goes from being utterly dependent on Rose to running off himself, finding a place for himself. (Yup, the Doctor/Companion parallels are there. I'm a bit too sleepy to expound on that at any length just at the moment.)
4) How much do you like the fandom that this character comes from?
I like to eat cheese and jelly beans. But not usually at the same time. Bloogle! Bloogle! Fweeee!
(ask a silly question...)
5) Do you ship this character with any other character? Or, are you particularly intrigued by their relationship with any other character(s)? (romance-wise or platonic)
I'm actually most fascinated by their relationship with each other, believe it or not! We don't see nearly enough of that, and I love the fic that fills in the blanks - after all, she accused him of murdering her daughter! There's a fascinating story there.
6) Is there anything about the character you would change?
I would say "more screen time", but then I'd probably be upset at the lack of other stuff. A spinoff series for Mickey and Jake! Who's with me?
7) If you were in the fandom with this character or knew this character in real life, how do you see yourself interacting with him/her? (Would you get along well? Fall in love with? Dislike? Friendly rivalry? etc etc)
Jackie would probably think I'm a snob and Mickey would be sort of indifferent? Cautiously friendly?
8) Does this character make the cut as one of your all time favorites (if you like) or least favorites?
Well, y'know. They're good characters, but not just knock-your-socks-off, right?
9) Would you hype up this character (if you like) or warn about (if you dislike) to someone whose new to the fandom?
As always, sure!
10) Is this character popular with the fanbase?
They both get a bit of complaining about 'em, but I think they're pretty popular overall!
Whew. I think I might have to save the next two for later.
I'm so proud that I didn't go through and correct that "whose" in question 9. :D
Feel free to throw more names on the list - I'll get to them whenever! *grins*
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Date: 2007-12-31 06:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-31 07:11 am (UTC)Looking forward to answering this one! :D
(But for now, I'm gonna finish "The Stones of Blood". Whee!)
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Date: 2007-12-31 07:18 am (UTC)Stones of Blood is fun! xD
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Date: 2007-12-31 07:41 am (UTC)Ooh, yes! I've heard some of the "Hand of Fear" and "Pyramids of Mars" commentaries. Made of win? Why, yes indeed!
Stones of Blood is fun! xD
It's extremely silly, which is probably why I'm enjoying it so much. :D I can just picture the writers pitching ideas on this one - "I know! Rocks! VAMPIRE rocks!"
Is it just me, or are they actually a bit scary?Plus, K-9 is hilarious in this one. *grins*
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Date: 2007-12-31 07:50 am (UTC)They are quite frightening, actually. But they could probably be outran at a brisk walk...
K-9 always manages to make me grin! =D
I got the RC K-9 and quite enjoy chasing my dog around with him... ^^
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Date: 2007-12-31 06:48 am (UTC)Not at all! There's little ol' me, here in the corner!
*waves*
Hello! I'm with you on pretty much everything, actually. We share a fandom brain. Or perhaps there is another, slightly less disturbing explanation...maybe we possess equals levels of genius?
I like to eat cheese and jelly beans. But not usually at the same time. Bloogle! Bloogle! Fweeee!
Me too! Will the coincidences never cease?
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Date: 2007-12-31 07:09 am (UTC)It's a relief to know I'm not the only one with these (occasionally unpopular) opinions. *beams*
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Date: 2007-12-31 07:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-02 05:50 pm (UTC)Must listen to the audios again!
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Date: 2007-12-31 08:51 am (UTC)Oooh. That's a disturbing and fascinating thought. My sense of Eight is that the caring is real, but that he can stop caring in an instant if sufficiently disappointed or angry (the way he turns against Karl in YOIT, for example).
As for Jack Harkness--I love him, but then I also love Torchwood, which I genuinely think is a good show. In some ways, though, Torchwood!Jack and Who!Jack are almost different people. The tone of the shows is very different, and that reflects in the way Jack is written, which means his character doesn't have much consistency. There's also the fact that Torchwood!Jack is just less likeable (I think there are reasons for that, but the reasons don't change the fact that he can be a prick). So, not loving Jack is understandable, I think.
I'm just glad you don't hate him. I've seen people start to detest the character because there's so much really terrible fic about him, and a lot of insane fannish adulation as well.
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Date: 2008-01-02 05:52 pm (UTC)Right, yes. He's a lot more... fickle than most people make him out to be. But also a bit more devious.
I'm just glad you don't hate him.
I don't think I could actively hate anyone remotely involved with the Doctor Who series. I'm that hooked. :D
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Date: 2007-12-31 09:15 am (UTC):B
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Date: 2008-01-02 05:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-31 02:24 pm (UTC)You know, I feel the same way about Jack. I really like him in DW, but the couple of TW episodes I have seen I've been basically indifferent to him. I think he's really different. I've read some fanfic, and I actually like him a lot more in ff than in Canon. Weird. Torchwood overall makes me feel like that. Maybe I just haven't seen the right episodes, but the couple I have seen so far have basically been kind of take-it-or-leave it. It comes on dvd later in January so I plan to get it from Netflix though, so I can catch up because I really want to watch season 2 for Martha.
I think from my DW trolling of late (I am a champion lurker as well) that Martha has a lot more fans than people generally think. I haven't seen or heard enough other companions yet to make a comparison, but I think it's well-deserved. How many times does she save the world? How much crap does she put up with from the Doctor? I'm a big fan.
Mickey and Jackie are awesome. Jackie reminds me of my mom, and Mickey's whole character arc was fantastic. I liked them more than Rose. I kept wanting Mickey to say, "You know what? F*** you." That's harsh but I think he proved himself as much more than the "tin dog" and Rose never treated him as anything more than that. I don't think she deserves to get bashed, but I think the people who blindly worship her as the Doctor's one true love (including RTD!) are crazy. I haven't even seen all the Old School Who and even I think it's ridiculous. In some ways they embrace all the old history and Canon, and in other ways they totally ignore it.
As for Holmes, it IS all about Mrs. Hudson. Didn't you know? XD
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Date: 2008-01-02 05:56 pm (UTC)Phew, thank goodness. I don't seem to be the only one!
that Martha has a lot more fans than people generally think
Oh, definitely. My mindset always gets a bit jammed at the point where I enter the fandom - and I started off somewhere in the first few episodes of series three, where people were missing Rose and bashing Martha the most. So there you go - the situation's changed by now. Must keep up with the times!
In some ways they embrace all the old history and Canon, and in other ways they totally ignore it.
And that's their prerogative, I guess! (That's what you get when a show's resurrected by its fans - a lot of picking and choosing!)
As for Holmes, it IS all about Mrs. Hudson. Didn't you know? XD
Awww, man! I totally missed that boat. Again. D:
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Date: 2008-01-01 03:37 am (UTC)Hmm...I share your opinion of Jack, but much more strongly- I just Do Not Like Him. And I can't figure out why either. Maybe it's just...*waves hands vaguely and shrugs* Ah well. It's not so bad that it keeps me from rewatching TEC/TDD an inordinate number of times.
As for Sherlock Holmes, I read "A Scandal in Bohemia"! It was quite fun. xD
Seeing that I haven't watched much of series three, I can't comment much on my own judgement of Martha. I quite like her in the few fics I've come across, all post-S3- I do agree that her departure in LotTL did feel more like a beginning for her.
Mickey and Jackie- heh. I have to say, my reaction to them was much like Nine's, and still sorta is. It's not a very...objective reaction. The first few times I saw them, I was nearly ranting at the screen, especially at Jackie. I suppose you're more open minded than me. (But I wouldn't object too much to a Mickey and Jake spinoff. xD)
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Date: 2008-01-02 05:58 pm (UTC)Ooh, yes you must! All kinds of awesome. :D
And I can't figure out why either.
Maybe it's like the Doctor thinks - he's Just Plain Wrong. :D (*dramatic pause* Out with it - you're a Time Sensitive, aren't you?)
As for Sherlock Holmes, I read "A Scandal in Bohemia"! It was quite fun.
Hee, that's where I started! I love that one because it involves Holmes the misogynist getting pwned by a girl. :D
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Date: 2008-01-01 11:59 pm (UTC)Four's so emotionally distant about everything
Huh, you're right! I never thought about it that way, but it explains a lot.
the sheer joy of him is extremely contagious
Indeed. I haven't heard a lot of the Eighth Doctor audios, but it's so much fun to watch him be happy. :)
Much like the Sherlock Holmes fandom, I think I'd rather work a bit behind the scenes.
I'm beginning to agree. I got attached to the show before the series started again, and the sudden growth of fan culture connected with the new show has been occasionally overwhelming. XD
..I love those rare Holmes stories where we get a glimpse of the man behind the mask. The Three Garridebs always gives me chills.
MARTHA YAY. ^__^
which surprises the heck out of me given the quick not-too-sympathetic sketches of them we get in "Rose"
Same with me -- I was furious with the writers after that episode, particularly for Mickey's characterization, but both characters rallied magnificently.
A spinoff series for Mickey and Jake! Who's with me?
Me, me, me! XDDDD
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Date: 2008-01-02 06:02 pm (UTC)I really want to write some Four!meta, because I feel like I could actually say quite a lot. Especially in the early episodes, and in comparison to the Third Doctor. Maybe I will!
I got attached to the show before the series started again, and the sudden growth of fan culture connected with the new show has been occasionally overwhelming. XD
Ooh, yeah - that would be downright scary. (I like going back in the
Both Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who are fandoms I entered really late compared to most (read my first SH story when I was seventeen, and only got into Doctor Who this past April). That's made things a little bit scary - at least with Doctor Who I had the "New Skool Fan" excuse to fall back on - and the fact that I've watched much of the old series lends me some credibility at least!
The Three Garridebs always gives me chills.
Have you listened to the Merrison/Williams audio drama? It's absolutely amazing.
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Date: 2008-01-04 05:56 pm (UTC)Ah, I remember those heady days, when I used to watch
Yep -- I've heard most of the Merrison/Williams dramas, with the result that they're my definitive Holmes and Watson, at least in voice. Not so much for the Three Garridebs, sadly -- the bit with the ring throws me off every time -- but Merrison's mercurial energy and Williams's steady respectability are the nearest thing I've heard to canon. I think they were the only Holmes and Watson to complete all sixty stories together, too.
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Date: 2008-01-04 06:03 pm (UTC)Uh-oh. Now it's morphing into Doctor Who/Sherlock Holmes meta. Could be interesting!
He's so totally different in the later episodes (the transition must occur sometime with Leela and is most obvious by series seventeen - for equally obvious reasons). It's sort of neat to consider that whole thing - I'm a sucker for a Doctor that gets a well-established character arc.
the bit with the ring throws me off every time
Ack! How could I have forgotten that part? It's been too long since I've listened. Right, there is that.
Merrison and Williams are definitely my Holmes and Watson - though Andrew Sachs does a good job as well in the Further Adventures series. And, yep - as far as I know, they're the only ones to have completed canon together. Getting access to that box set was what put me back on track for a full-fledged Sherlock Holmes obsession!
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Date: 2008-01-04 06:25 pm (UTC)The episodes I've seen were too scattered to get a proper idea.... what is the nature of this arc?
Aww, sorry I reminded you, then. But when they're good, they're good. 'The Reigate Squires' comes to mind... and 'The Naval Treaty'... and, well, most of the other ones... XD I did hear one of the ones with Sachs; he's okay, but Williams still has the spirit.