River Song - The Next "Capt. Jack Harkness"?

[Technobuilder]

I was just thinking back on the early seasons of nuWho and how Captain Jack Harkness (another creation of Stephen Moffat's) exploded in popularity and became almost a super companion.

ie Someone with enough substance and back story to carry their own episodes, if not their own series.

River Song (to me) seems to be another example of this type of character, and I look forward to her reappearances over the next several years of Doctor Who to come.

Agree/Disagree?

 

[WillsBabe]

I want to like River. She's the kind of character I usually become fond of, and I've liked Alex Kingston in other stuff she's been in, but, I dunno why, I'm just not that into River. Can't say that I'd care if she shows up again or not.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

...Captain Jack Harkness (another creation of Stephen Moffat's)...

Not to be pedantic, but Jack was actually RTD's creation; Moffat was assigned his intro story and introduced elements like the missing two years.

 

[The]

^Yep, RTD came up with the idea of an omnisexual conman/ex-Time Agent. It was Stephen Moffat that breathed life into him, giving him substance and nuance. Of course, John Barrowman's portrayal didn't hurt, either...

 

[Lindley]

I recall people getting excited about him before his episodes even aired. At the time I figured he was someone returning from the old series, but now that I know that isn't the case, I think it was just weird.

 

[diankra]

I recall people getting excited about him before his episodes even aired. At the time I figured he was someone returning from the old series, but now that I know that isn't the case, I think it was just weird.

John Barrowman already had a bit of a reputation beforehand (from his musicals, maybe?). I recall someone on the Trek BBS commenting that they'd watch Doctor Who because John Barrowman was going to be in it.

 

[Kelso]

I demand a spin-off.

 

[Captain Pike]

Captain Jack seems a much more rounded character than River.

As things go on and we learn about River, this may well change, but so far she doesn't have the depth to her character that Jack has.

 

[SG-17]

I have a feeling that River is more than she portrays to be. Possibly a Time Lady either acting very carefully/has amnesia/used the Chameleon Arc.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I demand a spin-off.

I demand that she become the Doctor.

Which won't happen, of course. But I agree that it would be great to see a lot of her - and I'd imagine there's a real good chance of that.

It's funny that this is an earlier version of her than in her introductory episode, and she's dealing with an older version of the Doctor than she did then - but now she dominates him. She even flies the TARDIS better than he does; he's lost a step or two.

 

[Kelso]

I demand a spin-off.

I demand that she become the Doctor.

Which won't happen, of course. But I agree that it would be great to see a lot of her - and I'd imagine there's a real good chance of that.

They have to bring her back. Karen Gillan shouldn't have to carry this series by herself.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I demand a spin-off.

I demand that she become the Doctor.

Which won't happen, of course. But I agree that it would be great to see a lot of her - and I'd imagine there's a real good chance of that.

They have to bring her back. Karen Gillan shouldn't have to carry this series by herself.

Amy would make a great companion for River.

I'll be in my bunk.

 

[Bones2]

Captain Jack seems a much more rounded character than River.

A damning verdict if ever there was one.

 

[Starkers]

I demand a spin-off.

I demand that she become the Doctor.

Which won't happen, of course. But I agree that it would be great to see a lot of her - and I'd imagine there's a real good chance of that.

It's funny that this is an earlier version of her than in her introductory episode, and she's dealing with an older version of the Doctor than she did then - but now she dominates him. She even flies the TARDIS better than he does; he's lost a step or two.

Sorry but I disagree, she's treating eleven like a bitch yeah, but far less than she was treating ten, but it still makes sense she'd be in the ascendency at this point in time.

In Silence in the Library it was (hypothetically) the 500th time River had met the Doctor but the first time he'd met her. In The Time of Angels it might only be the 400th time she'd met him, but its likely its only the second time he's met her(and even if its not it's probably not many more times) . The relationship will evolve over time but at the moment she has the upper hand even though she's younger.

I liked River more than I did the first time she showed up. I'm not sure how long she can keep coming back as a reccuring character though, if for no other reason than Alex Kingston won't be getting any younger, Jack at least the Doctor meets linearly so Barrowman aging isn't a problem.

 

[bigdaddy]

John Barrowman's portrayal didn't hurt, either...

Nope, not one bit, however the writers failed big time. They should have figured out a way so he could be shirtless more.

 

[Checkmate]

I don't see how River can be a Time Lady. Can't they detect each other's presence?

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I don't see how River can be a Time Lady. Can't they detect each other's presence?

"Is that a Time Lady detector in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"

 

[Bacl]

Speaking of Captain Jack, I'd love to see River snatch Jack's squareness gun from the TARDIS (the squareness gun she had in "Silence" was supposed to be Jack's).

 

[Technobuilder]

...Captain Jack Harkness (another creation of Stephen Moffat's)...

Not to be pedantic, but Jack was actually RTD's creation; Moffat was assigned his intro story and introduced elements like the missing two years.

I did not know this. I always thought he was an idea of Moffat's that later got expanded upon...

My bad.

 

[SG-17]

I don't see how River can be a Time Lady. Can't they detect each other's presence?

Well if she is using a Chameleon Arc, then no. The Doctor couldn't tell that Professor Yana was the Master.