XPost: rec.arts.drwho 
 From: greenyammo@blueyonder.co.uk 
  
 John Russell wrote: 
 >>I didn't say that sci-fi was a type of story. I was just using it to 
 >>describe the differnce between the "kitchen sink" part of the story and 
 >>the rest. If RTD wanted charcters that we could relate to he should have 
 >>written dialogue that doesn't sound like it was stripped from an episode 
 >>of Neighbours. 
 >> 
 > 
 > But that type of language is understood by the target group for this 
 > program! 
 > RTD wanted to explore the "emotional aspects" of the relationship between a 
 > time lord and his Earthling companion. Those emotions are not different 
 > becuase it's sc-fi! Or do you also condemn  Star Wars as well for having 
 > "relationship" elements to the stories. All that yuckyness between Luke and 
 > Hans over the Princess, or Anakin's infatuation with Padame. 
 > 
 > 
 > 
 > 
 Listen. For the last time, I DON'T object to the "emotional" aspects in 
 the story just the fact that they are written by somebody who draws 
 these parts out at the expense of the rest of the story so they become 
 the central focus; The problem is that the writing isn't good enough for 
 this and relies on cliche. 
  
 Dr who is essentially an adventure series and I would like to see more 
 of that, not more 'relationships', they can be found ten a penny on Tv 
 every single night. 
  
 Poor writers often falls back on in jokes and think that backstory etc. 
 is what makes a good character. DR Who himself is a good example of a 
 character who has existed quite happily for decades with almost nothing 
   known about him. Another example would be Clint Eastwood's "The man 
 with no name". Actors make great characters not dialogue. If RTD would 
 concentrate on the story and let THAT dictate the dialogue instead of 
 shoehorning in lame plot devices and personal issues then the series 
 wouldn't feel so lumpy. 
  
 I am not a RTD hater at all, I just think he is overreaching himself. He 
 has done a great overall job but needs to concentrate more on  his job 
 as supervisor. He is an excellent writer when given the time, QAF was  good. 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)