Jenny?
- Thread starter EJA
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i have an idea for an anniversary 4 Doctors story, where Susan would appear with the First Doctor, but before AUC. she'd appear to be about 10 or 12 and the Doctror would be look younger than Hartnell, but still older...
Are you seriously talking about building a story on a 46 years old continuity reference? In my opinion, Doctor Who is at its best when it is not plagued by that kind of byzantine, incestuous self-referencing.
I happen to agree with captcalhoun on this matter, bring on the byzantine, incestuous self-referencing
it would be a four Doctors story with One and Susan, Ten, Eight and Eleven and whoever.
To heck with multiple Doctors. Sarah Jane Smith (and K9) was enough to float one of the new show's better stories. A reunion between the Doctor and one of his relatives could be the core of an even better story. A reunion with a relative thought lost to the ages and/or the Time War could be even better, and why introduce a new character when Carole Ann Ford is still with us and able to return to the role?
The age difference could be a fun story point. For us continuity geeks, it might be fun to learn whether Susan is really a Time Lord or "merely" a Gallifreyan -- assuming there is such a distinction -- and whether Susan has the ability to regenerate. Maybe we could even learn a bit about her parents, when and why she left Gallifrey with the Doctor, etc. I wouldn't want a Susan story to beat us over the head with trivia at the expense of a good story, but a small helping of it would be fun for long-time fans, as it was when Sarah Jane mentioned some of her past adventures with the third and fourth Doctors.
The age difference could be a fun story point. For us continuity geeks, it might be fun to learn whether Susan is really a Time Lord or "merely" a Gallifreyan -- assuming there is such a distinction -- and whether Susan has the ability to regenerate. Maybe we could even learn a bit about her parents, when and why she left Gallifrey with the Doctor, etc. I wouldn't want a Susan story to beat us over the head with trivia at the expense of a good story, but a small helping of it would be fun for long-time fans, as it was when Sarah Jane mentioned some of her past adventures with the third and fourth Doctors.
also they should do an episode where theDoctor meets the 15 year old SarahJane, as seen in SJA
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/42/SJA_Whatever_Happened_To_Sarah_Jane.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/42/SJA_Whatever_Happened_To_Sarah_Jane.jpg
These questions and more are reasons I'm looking forward to Big Finish's An Earthly Child in December, when we get to see what happens when the Eighth Doctor checks in on Susan to see how she's getting on.
Please, just let it be better than Legacy of the Daleks. Please. Please. Oh pretty please.
Unfortunately, by saying this, you also agree with John Nathan-Turner.I happen to agree with captcalhoun on this matter, bring on the byzantine, incestuous self-referencing
R
Rocketman
Guest
This issue is really what differentiates the long-time Who fans from new viewers like myself.
The former group seems to think that "School Reunion" was a brilliant episode, I thought it was rather dull--the character of Sarah Jane Smith carried no special significance for me, other than that she was introduced as a former companion of the Doctor.
Similarly with "Army of Ghosts/Doomsday"--great, if you've spent a childhood fantasizing about a battle between the Cybermen and the Daleks, but mediocre otherwise.
There's room for both continuity references and new stuff in the series, of course. But yeah, I'm hoping that Moffat will tone down the continuity-heavy style of NuWho a little. And there are good indications that he will.
Well I'm a long-time Who fans and I think the show is at its best when it is made for everyone, including first-time viewers. This should not be made for an elite. In fact, it should not be made for fans.
I don't mind continuity references but the least I ask is that they're properly explained and that they have some emotional weight even for people who don't get the reference. "School Reunion" might have less of an impact if you've never heard of Sarah-Jane Smith, but at least her character is properly introduced in the episode, and you don't need any prior knowledge to understand what it's all about. Besides, "School Reunion" is about Rose, not Sarah-Jane, and the episode centers on her developing feelings for the Doctor. That's fine.
The worst thing that could happen to "Who" would be going back to things like "The Two Doctors" were the second Doctor is on screen for the first ten minutes, without any introduction whatsoever, about fifteen years after the actor left the show. Expecting people to catch that kind of reference is crazy.
As for Moffat, he wrote "Time Crash", so he does have a continuity-heavy streak in him.
R
Rocketman
Guest
Oh, don't get me wrong, the character was handled well, the episode was well-written. But afterwards, people in this forum in particular fell over each other to express their delight at "the return of Sarah Jane"--an emotional impact that probably wasn't shared by new viewers, or casual non-fans.
Depending on positive reception of continuity references is the road to irrelevancy.
that is the bloke responsible for the 6th Doctors costumer isnt it?Unfortunately, by saying this, you also agree with John Nathan-Turner.I happen to agree with captcalhoun on this matter, bring on the byzantine, incestuous self-referencing
John Nathan-Turner was "Doctor Who"'s showrunner during seasons 18-26, IIRC. He's largely responsible for turning the show into turgid fanwank.
well I am in favour of it turning into good fanwan, its a shame Tennant is leaving no one does "Fanboy" better than him.
I dunno-- Sarah Jane seemingly had enough of an impact that she can support her own children's show. And the kids watching CBBC certainly don't remember her from back in the day!
You beat me to the punch there--Sarah Jane must have resonated with new viewered to get her own show.
Eh...
The BBC wanted a CBBC spin-off. What they asked RTD for was a show about the Doctor as a youngster on Gallifrey. RTD wisely pointed out that such a show would strip away the character's mystery, and countered with Sarah Jane.
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