Saturday, November 08, 2008

Who's "WHO"

There's both wonderful and terrible news about the upcoming 5th series of Dotcor Who:
1. Steven Moffat takes the role of Head Writer/Executive producer (practically the show leader)
2. David Tennant will not be returning to play the role of the tenth Doctor.

All episodes of the Doctor Who revival have had wonderful direction, music and design, but what separates good episodes from great ones, comes down the writing and acting. When the latter are done well, all aspects of the show’s making blend in prefect synthesis. The combination of Steven Moffat’s writing and David Tennat’s performance has provided my favorite work of fiction in a long time, because no matter how far-fetched, they made it feel real.

MOFFAT

I was first made aware of Steven Moffat when I discovered his hilarious sit-com “Coupeling”. Moffat has the skill to make fictional character feel real, by adding layers of humanity to them. By humanity I mean a rich canvas of emotion, and an understanding of how humans think and operate. Humans are emotional based, their rationale and view of the world depends on their emotional structure. An emotional structure isn’t flat. Emotions blend into each other like colors on a mixing palette: joy with angst, warmth with sternness, etc…This prevents the formation of flat characters.

Moffat’s Doctor Who stories are quite profound, they always have more than one element going. My favorite is “The Girl in the Fire Place”, Embedded below:


"The Girl in the Fireplace"
Directed By Euros Lyn, Music by Murray Gold

Plot-wise, it is about clockwork droids from the 51st century stalking a woman from the 18th. What makes this story compelling is the development of romantic bonding between Madam de Pompadour and her “Guardian Angel”- The Doctor. This is challenged by the way the two characters experience time.

Notice the plot isn't completely understood until the very end, but the film is captivating from the very first moment. It makes sense emotionally, and that's why we don't feel lost.
Moffat keeps the viewers on their toes by throwing in many questions and irrational plot developments, until finally he ties all the elements in beautifully unexpected ways.

All of Moffat’s stories have this in common: “Blink”, “Silence in the Library” and “Forset of the Dead” Are creative, layered, and unpredictable. They are emotionally involving, they invite the viewers to take active participation by asking questions, They save the logical"solving of the case" to the very end, and deliver a cathartic resolution. Fiction writing at its best, I look forward to seeing more of it!

TENNANT

Sadly, I can’t look forward to see David Tennant lead Moffat’s upcoming stories, as he is leaving the show at the height of his success:

"I think it's better to go when there's a chance that people might miss you, rather than to hang around and outstay your welcome…I don't ever want it to feel like a job, so I want to move on when it still feels exciting and fresh and that means I'll miss it."

Tennant’s Reasoning is a sign of a capable and versatile actor, but the fact he’s leaving is hard for me to accept. Tennant is a key factor of my identification with the show, It wasn’t until I saw his characterization that I became hooked.

“…In his four years in the role, Tennant has made it his own. His doctor – the 10th – has artfully combined the best parts of his predecessors within an engaging personality all his own. Tennant's doctor has been both physical and cerebral, funny and yet full of angst; he has been the most human of all the Doctors.” (http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/comment/Wha39s-like-us--David.4652347.jp)

Tennant’s portrayal of The Doctor made me feel like I was there with him. I was entranced by his infinite dedication to make sense of phenomenal mysteries, I admired his relentless obsession to protect his loved ones, and I laughed along his joyful enthusiasm upon solving a case.



Forest of the Dead- Resolution
Uploaded by toonamir Click "HQ" to see in better quality.
Warning: This video contains spoilers if you haven't seen the episode, it is meant to illustrate the article.

No matter how catastrophic, no matter how unfavorable the odds are, The Doctor could always re-gain control, and reach a cathartic and delightful resolution. Just as plain text, these descriptions may sound like ordinary hero clichés, but the difference is: David Tennant made them feel real. His character was both an agent of great adventure, and a dependable father figure, he made any situation, no matter how uncanny, sheer fun.


11 comments:

Mitch Leeuwe said...

Youre making good advertisement for docter who, because Im gonna try to watch it on bbc asap.

Really cool to see youre drawings getting better each time. Can you show some stuff what youre making on school? Whould be interesting as well.

Mitchel Kennedy said...

Losing someone you've followed on TV is like losing someone real. It's always hard to continue watching after that (*cough* X-Files). BUT HEY, look at James Bond! If it wasn't for alternating actors, we'd never have so many cool Bonds. Hopefully the eleventh doctor will be as cool as the tenth.

How many directors are on this show?

Those caricatures are awesome! I'm glad to see you posting most drawings. Your 'The Doctor' drawing is REALLY COOL. I love the legs, I do say. His face is so simple in your drawing, yet the thinking behind it wasn't! It looks just like him, with his deadpan expression. haha

It's a part of the Dr Who heritage, as much as it is life-heritage, that things must change. Change can be good! :D

Amir Avni said...

Hey Mitch

"Youre making good advertisement for docter who, because Im gonna try to watch it on bbc asap."

Gee thanks, that's the desired effect, I want to spread the love for material I like, So that others may find it inspirational as well.

"Really cool to see youre drawings getting better each time"

It's not always easy to see my own progress, and that's why I'm glad to hear this from you Mitch, you have a good eye ;)

" Can you show some stuff what youre making on school? Whould be interesting as well."
I will in the future :)

Amir Avni said...

Mitch K-
"Losing someone you've followed on TV is like losing someone real"
I know what you mean

"If it wasn't for alternating actors, we'd never have so many cool Bonds. Hopefully the eleventh doctor will be as cool as the tenth."
-- Good point. Tennant was so charismatic that he will be hard to replace. I suppose Moffat will write a good personality, and there will be a casting to match

"How many directors are on this show?"
There's many, Euros Lyn directed my favorite episodes. James Strong and Hettie MacDonald are also good.

"Those caricatures are awesome! I'm glad to see you posting most drawings. Your 'The Doctor' drawing is REALLY COOL. I love the legs, I do say. His face is so simple in your drawing, yet the thinking behind it wasn't! It looks just like him, with his deadpan expression. haha"

really glad you like it, and I like your analysis of it!

"It's a part of the Dr Who heritage, as much as it is life-heritage, that things must change. Change can be good! :D"

--I'm curious to see how the next season will be like, there's a good crew, the change will be in the actor.

Hammerson said...

Now you got me really interested! :)
I don't know much about Dr.Who, beside some episodes I've seen as a kid during the mid-80s. I remember a really weird looking actor portraying the doctor in that earlier season. I'll check out the episodes with David Tennant, especially since I just found out they are currently shown here in Croatia every Saturday morning.

I always enjoy reading about things that inspire you outside of the cartoon world. And the caricatures are really awesome!

TheFuzzyPubes said...

that "TENNANT" drawing is REALLY cool!!!

Amir Avni said...

Hammerson-
"I always enjoy reading about things that inspire you outside of the cartoon world"
Thanks! I think blogs are a good tool for spreading ideas. Glad you like the drawings too.

Benj- Glad you like the Tennant Drawing, it was a lot of fun to do.

Hryma said...

Sweet perspective on "the Doctor".
Has the bbc seen these, if not you should email them to them!

Love the headless Mickey up top in the next post, he's cool too.

Amir Avni said...

Hi Hyrma, sorry it took me a while to reply, school is very busy now. I appreciate your comments, and glad you like the posts.

Jack G. said...

I was more a Christopher Eccleston guy.

When I first saw promo pics of him I thought, "Short hair & street clothes?!
That's not the Doctor!"

But when I saw the show, Eccleston totaly captured the essence.

From the original series I liked
#3-Jon Pertwee, and #4 Tom Baker best.

The original show was more geared to children but it was fun.

I been following you blogs for sometime now.
Your skills are impressive.

Amir Avni said...

Hi M.S.

Eccleston, Pertwee and Baker are good too! Each definitely had his own unique presence, I enjoy watching their episodes.
Tennant's portrayal is what sold me though, His character has a perfect balance between playfulness and seriousness.

Thanks for the comments!