Tansy Rayner Roberts's Blog, page 128
October 29, 2011
Oh yes, we Halloweened
A couple of days early, but it worked for us!
a little witch, and her baby bat
a ghoul and her daughter
little witch does not like daddy's head wound
at the party, there were plenty of eyeballs to eat!
a rare family picture
it's a good hat.
October 27, 2011
Watching New Who: The Girl in the Fireplace
"The girl in the fireplace" – Season two, episode four
The Doctor – David Tennant
Rose Tyler – Billie Piper
Mickey Smith – Noel Clarke
Sophia Myles – Reinette
DAVID:
One of the advantages the episodic format gives shows like Doctor Who is that the writers get a chance to play around with all sorts of concepts, and experiment a little. It's one of the reasons I enjoyed the later seasons of Smallville so much, for example, because you never knew what you were going to get. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it is never boring and gives great scope for creativity. I can just imagine the writers sitting around and throwing in ideas for this one. Steampunk and clockwork? Why not? Love story? Sure!
TEHANI:
It's Steampunk In Space!! Awesomely awesome 
I like the longer story arcs we get in New Who, but when the individual episodes are done this well, I love them too. This one is a standout.
DAVID:
This episode has so much to talk about! Given the previous episode, the theme of mortality, and how a, if not immortal, long lived being like the Doctor interacts with short lived humans was very timely. I also enjoyed the way her perceptions of the Doctor changed, which mirrors the differences between how we watch the show as children, and then as adults. And, of course, the idea of the Doctor as the hero, quite literally riding to the rescue, was something that resonated with me.
One of the other interesting things about this episode is that you could take someone who has never seen Doctor Who before, and knows nothing more about it than it's a British sci fi show, and it would stand up completely on its own. It's so self contained that it works as a stand alone sci fi love story, yet more excellent writing.
TANSY:
This is another of my favourites, and further evidence that Steven Moffat's (as writer) take on the show was going to be hugely important to New Who. After being supremely cheeky in "The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances" by addressing the idea of the Doctor flirting and possibly having a sex life (albeit couched in metaphor!) as well as being very relaxed around different sexual orientations, he follows up with this story which unashamedly gives the Doctor a romance.
However you feel about Rose and whether what's going on between her and the Doctor is romantic or not (it can certainly be read either way at this point), there is no mistaking what is going on with him and Madame De Pompadour in this story. Kissing! Mind-reading! White charger! Doom!
DAVID:
The first thing I though when they kissed was, "Finally a real kiss! Tansy must have been thrilled!"
And, how awesome was it when he rides the horse through the mirror? It doesn't get much better than that.
TEHANI:
Isn't Sophia Myles just WONDERFUL in this? I already loved her from the far too short-lived Moonlight, but she is absolutely brilliant here, I thought.
TANSY:
She was also Lady Penelope in the otherwise-forgettable live action Thunderbirds movie… and she and David Tennant dated for a couple of years after filming this episode.
DAVID:
It was an outstanding performance, but what an amazing character she was given to work with! Reading about Madame de Pompadour I was absolutely fascinated, and I just thought it was great to see such a complex character presented so well. We get this woman who is completely unapologetic about who she is and what she wants, and despite the fact she is the "damsel in distress" in some ways, that is not what defines her, she is not a mere cipher.
One of the things that has struck me about New Who is the strength of some of the supporting characters (though her and the Doctor are very much the primary characters in this episode, of course) and the quality of the acting. There have been some show stealing moments so far.
TANSY:
Madame De Pompadour is a fabulous historical character – Nancy Mitford famously wrote a biography of her. Something New Who has done that I enjoy very much is bringing back the importance of historical stories to the show – and bringing a modern sensibility to that history. Aspects like having multi-racial characters back in Europe's past (because you know, there WERE, it's just that we're accustomed to whitewashed versions of history thanks to 20th century cinema and TV), and acknowledging that in fact most eras of history had different sexual or social mores to what we take for granted. Sometimes it's just touched on, but I appreciate those moments. I very much like that Madame de Pompadour's relationship with the King doesn't preclude her from loving anyone else, and at the end (not to jump ahead or anything) the King knows all about the Doctor and what he means to Reinette.
TEHANI:
Mickey and Rose are really falling into the brother/sister role here. Running off to chase the clockwork robots like naughty little kids … it's very cute.
TANSY:
I like the dynamic of this episode, with Rose demoted (again) to the kids table with Mickey, but it takes some of the tension out of the Rose/Doctor relationship, which is good… apart from it not making sense with some of the more romantic Rose/Doctor episodes. I love the exploration of Mickey's first space adventure, and he does the physical comedy aspects very well.
DAVID:
Mickey is a great addition, and with him on board it has a much more Classic Who feel. Sometimes more comedic characters can be annoying but I think they get it just right.
TEHANI:
Alright, so I LOVED this episode. But … it is perhaps problematic? The Doctor is somewhat stalkery, no? He identifies it in the spaceship itself – is this intended to be self-referential?
TANSY:
I'm not sure I buy the stalkery aspect – if he is, it's entirely inadvertent. It's not like he sets out to seduce her – it's the problem that fascinates him, and then the romance hits him between the eyes by accident. And it's still the problem that draws him back to her over and over.
The ship is definitely stalking her, though! I love the whole concept of a spaceship full of windows to the past.
DAVID:
I didn't see the Doctor as stalkerish, and if there was seduction I thought it went the other way! I may be misremembering, but the moment that things change and the Doctor starts to see her as more than someone to be rescued is when she kisses him. She is not a passive character, which is one of the things I like about her.
The idea of a spaceship cannibalising its crew was both clever and creepy, and the concept of windows being opened along someone's timeline was done really well. The image of an abandoned spaceship, floating in the middle of deep space, with all these portals looking into 18th century France is one that I won't forget in a hurry, it was very evocative.
There is a Dean Koontz story (Lightning) which is actually very similar, even down to a mysterious stranger intervening at various stages in a young woman's life, and her falling in love with this protector that has always been part of her life.
TEHANI:
Ooh, I LOVE that book a lot – read it for the first time when I was about 16 and reread it many times. I still recommend it to people!
And so, when did the Doctor become psychic – I have a mental blank if this is the first time he's done this reading minds trick?
TANSY:
In Classic Who it happened a few times, the mutual mind sharing, but I think only with other Time Lords. It's not the last time it will happen, though…
TEHANI:
It's very interesting how Reinette focuses on one of the elements that is so true about Doctor Who, and the life he leads, when she talks about the monsters and the Doctor: "It seems you can't have one without the other." But in all the short time Reinette has spent with him, how does she know that "…the Doctor is worth the monsters"?
TANSY:
Hmm well yes, but it's a romance, and the rules of romance are pretty much all about falling in love with people before you get to know them. She's an eighteenth century girl! Also she does get to know a bit more of the inner workings of his head, and he is, after all, David Tennant. I have no problem with her deciding he's worth the trouble!
TEHANI:
Ha! You're such a fan girl!
TANSY:
Heh not entirely, I think David Tennant automatically becomes twice as attractive when he's not the Doctor (plus bonus points for the Scottish accent). Okay, yes, a fangirl, but I was *his* fangirl long before he collided with my Doctor Who fandom.
DAVID:
I think the mind reading part makes the whole falling love thing a lot more believable. It's not just the time that they spend together, it's the fact that the get to know one another on such a deep and intimate level that makes their bond so powerful.
TEHANI:
It's also just a teensy bit future referential to Season Five and Amy! (Sorry David, no spoilers, promise!).
And then he totally chooses her. Over the TARDIS, Rose, and everything he's ever known. I'm really not sure enough is made of this, not here, not ever. He gives up EVERYTHING for Reinette, even though it doesn't actually happen, and all we get is a moment of silence at the end of the episode?? He's a shallow beast sometimes…
TANSY:
It's obvious that The Time Traveller's Wife had a bit of an influence on Mr Moffat – this is his first working through of the themes of that novel, which he would later do with greater abandon with River Song AND Amy Pond. I think that it's interesting that he delves so much into the imbalances of the Doctor's various relationships, exploring the problematic fact that he is always so much older than everyone he travels with (even his fellow Time Lord Romana in Classic Who, 50-60+ Evelyn in Big Finish and Wilf towards the end of Tennant's run, are all spring chickens compared to the Doctor, by hundreds and hundreds of years). Somehow that imbalance all becomes a lot starker and more obvious when we see his companions/romantic leads as children, and/or get to see them at different points in their lives.
The best example of this in the Classic series, really, is his ongoing friendship with the Brigadier, where he checked in with him regularly throughout his life, and knew him as a young officer, a military leader, and a retired veteran. And of course there's the Master, who comes back again and again, and to a lesser extent the Rani, whom we are told has known the Doctor since university days.
TEHANI:
Oh Tansy, that makes the end of Season Six even SADDER, knowing that. (NO SPOILERS, SORRY DAVID! I really need to stop doing that.)
TANSY:
Shhhhhhhhh, Tehani, behave yourself.
I think "The Girl in the Fireplace" shows how romance and even friendship with the Doctor is problematic in all kinds of ways, because of how difficult it is for him to find anyone remotely equal – it's not that he's better than everybody, but he's so alien, even to his own people (and of course the big theme of New Who is that his people are gone anyway). Reinette is one of a whole bunch of great companions-who-never-were (Moffat makes such a habit of creating these) and I think she would have been fascinating to travel with in the TARDIS, but ultimately, she's no better suited to Ten than is Rose.
The Doctor may be getting younger, but I think the actors chosen for New Who have done a bang up job of portraying the Doctor's alienness (in different ways) and his age despite their appearances. Of course, all the Doctors have done this to greater or lesser effect, but there's something very effective about that combination of a modern looking young man who acts like he has the whole universe in his back pocket, and all of time and space jumbling around inside his skull.
DAVID:
I think we have seen more than once now that the Doctor has very short mourning periods. Perhaps it is a sign of how broken he is by the trauma of losing his people, or a defense mechanism against the constant cycle of goodbyes he goes through, but he seems very capable of compartmentalising his grief.
I don't think that means it is any less real to him, but a mark of how, as Tansy says, ALIEN he is. Because he looks human we do tend to forget that, I think.
TANSY:
Yes and of course it's a feature of the show's production choices – we don't want to see the Doctor constantly moping. The universe (and the TARDIS herself) drag him from adventure to adventure so he doesn't quite have time to mourn but also so that we don't have to see the bits where he's just staring into space, twitching.
TEHANI:
That's a fair point. I must also keep in mind that it is, after all, a TV SHOW! Things must happen! There must be more ACTION and more LOVEY BITS! Else we'd all get bored
TANSY:
Which of course is why there is so much of the Doctor's life (and TARDIS) we don't get to see. It's just a coincidence that the bits we don't see are mostly the bits that would be hugely expensive to design and film.
TEHANI:
In all this, we haven't yet mentioned the fact that this episode actually won the Hugo for the year. What do we think it is that made this one stand above the others nominated? (We haven't talked about "Army of Ghosts/Doomsday" yet, I know, so perhaps in relation just to "School Reunion"?).
TANSY:
Whatever it was, Moffat was doing a lot of it. I suspect partly the reason that it works so very well is because it's the kind of story you can single out from the season – it's a standalone, it has a deep emotional core to it, it is a brilliant showcase for the protagonist of the show. It has certainly become one of those episodes people reach for first when trying to introduce newbies to the show.
After all it has SF, history, intellect, romance, speccy costumes AND some of the best banter in the business. The banter gets the Hugo voters every time…
DAVID:
Well, what Tansy said! It really does have a bit of everything. There are some truly remarkable performances (Myles and Tennant), it is accessible to fans and non-fans alike, the writing is top notch, the dialogue sparkles – there really isn't anything not to like.
Was this around the time steampunk was REALLY big? Because it does have that feel about it, and perhaps that helped, too.
TANSY:
I think it possibly preceded the Extreme Hotness of Steampunk by a year or so but not much more than that.
TEHANI:
So basically, it's the broadness of the appeal? It's an episode that can be enjoyed and embraced by more than just the hardcore fans, and with the steampunk-ish element, grabs a few more votes!
TANSY:
I did want to talk a bit about the design of the episode – this is the first time we get to walk around inside a really real spaceship in New Who (as opposed to the same space station painted three different ways) and I think it's very nicely realised. But of course it's the 18th century design that really leaps off the screen – Reinette's frocks particularly but the clockwork robots in their courtier garb have become an iconic Doctor Who villain, and I think the design has a lot to do with that.
DAVID:
The design is gorgeous, isn't it? It captures the luxury and decadence of that period perfectly, like a well done period piece. It would make a great theme for a masquerade at a convention!
TANSY:
I agree with you about the Masquerade – it would be lovely to see Madame De Pompadour and Clockwork Robot cosplay (and did anyone spot the cameo appearance of Angel Coulby, Guinevere from Merlin, as Reinette's gal pal?). Hard on the heels of Anthony Head last episode (Uther).
TEHANI:
I clearly need to watch more Merlin! And we'll keep that theme in mind for a future convention, shall we Tansy?
TANSY:
Ha! No comment.
======
Watching New Who – in conversation with David McDonald, Tansy Rayner Roberts and Tehani Wessely
David is coming to New Who for the first time, having loved Classic Who as a kid. Tehani is a recent convert, and ploughed through Seasons 1 to 6 (so far) in just a few weeks after becoming addicted thanks to Matt Smith – she's rewatching to keep up with David! Tansy is the expert in the team, with a history in Doctor Who fandom that goes WAY back, and a passion for Doctor Who that inspires us all (plus a six-year-old daughter who is finding her own Doctors for the first time). We're going to work our way through New Who, using season openers and closers, and Hugo shortlisted episodes, as our blogging points. Just for fun! We have already talked about:
"Rose", S01E01
"Dalek", S01E06
"Father's Day, S01E08
"The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances", S01E09/10
"Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways", S01E12/13
Season One Report Card – David, Tansy, Tehani
"The Christmas Invasion," 2005 Christmas special
"New Earth", S02E01
"School Reunion," S02E03
Friday Links Has a Murder To Solve
As usual every other week, Galactic Suburbia has peeled out some of my best & crunchiest links. But that's okay, still plenty to go around! You don't mind the mostly frivolous, right? Well, not entirely frivolous.
The Bitch Magazine series looking at maternity issues in pop culture is continuing to produce some gems like this post about the myth of almost-certain-death-in-childbirth that we see in historical drama.
Sherwood Smith muses on the difference between metafiction and fanfiction.
Deb Biancotti wraps up her excellent On Burnout series of Blog Briefs.
An interview with Australian manga writer-artist Queenie Chan.
The question of why comics by women are becoming more, not less scarce, is tackled with the question of whether comics by women are bad for business?
Foz Meadows drops by Ripping Ozzie Reads to talk about revisiting old ideas, and sometimes you have to wait for an idea to be ready to turn into a book.
Another Dalek Game classic from Kathleen Jennings with "Dalek's Thesaurus." I love the reminiscences about books she includes with these pictures. Is it embarrassing for me to reveal that I only discovered the difference between ordinary thesauri and Roget's Thesaurus ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO?
At Tor.com, a comprehensive, modern and feminist review of Stephen King's It, still the only one of his books that I have ever read. And I loved it, horribly. Loved the stupid movie too, for at least a year. Martha Kent from Smallville will always be Bev for me. I thought the discussion of the icky? not icky? justified? not justified? sex scene in the book was particularly interesting, in the comments as well as the review. (and yes, my view of this book as an adult and parent is totally different to what it was – I think I would rather walk on broken glass than re-read it now).
Shout out for a new Facebook community to promote and discuss Australian women writers and reviews of their work.
And while Joss Whedon has been whetting our appetite for the second most geeky version of Much Ado About Nothing, let's not forger that David Tennant does Shakespeare too!
Galactic Suburbia Episode 45 Show Notes
The new episode is up! Head over here to check it out.
EPISODE 45
In which Alex and Tansy wax lyrical about Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing (despite knowing next to nothing about it), welcome the new Apex overlord Lynne Thomas, celebrate the twin dawns of All Hallows Read and Nanowrimo, and embark upon an epic marathon of Culture Consumed.
News
Joss Whedon makes Much Ado About Nothing in secret
at first we knew next to nothing
then we knew something
and every new bit of something brings squeeage!
Harry Potter DVDs to disappear from the shelves after Christmas (and Tansy's still not over the whole Disney revelation)
Lynne Thomas' first issue of Apex comes out next week featuring an article by Tansy on The Australian Dark Weird.
As the new editor, Lynne talks about what she wants from authors at Outer Alliance
The lack of (paid) women reviewers (in the lit scene) continues to dismay and fascinate us in equal measure.
All Hallows Read is upon us
And if you're going to gift a scary book to someone, why not make it Australian?
Nanowrimo is imminent!
What Culture Have we Consumed?
Tansy: Zoo City by Lauren Beukes
Alex: Life on Mars S2
Tansy: Bumped by Megan McCafferty
Alex: Obernewtyn, The Farseekers, and Ashling, by Isobelle Carmody
Tansy: Debris by Jo Anderton
Alex: God's War, Kameron Hurley
Tansy: Marvel's Ultimate Universe: Ultimate Spiderman, Ultimate X-Men, The Ultimates
Alex: Shadow Unit
Tansy: Big Finish and Mary Shelley: Mary's Story (for 99p) & The Silver Turk.
Please send feedback to us at galacticsuburbia@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter at @galacticsuburbs, check out Galactic Suburbia Podcast on Facebook and don't forget to leave a review on iTunes if you love us!
October 26, 2011
More on DC's New 52, Wonder Woman and other Issue 2s
I was linked by @preciousthings on Twitter to this great article which introduced me to comicbookGRRRL. Here, she blogs about the criticism that female bloggers receive when tackling issues to do with women on any geeky subject, and why blogging about comics is important to her. From there I also found her massive "Women in New 52" review which I enjoyed because she had some refreshingly different opinions on some of the comics than I've read elsewhere. In particular, her discussion of the bits she liked about the new Catwoman comic (such as the way the expression of Selena's personality through action, and especially her friend/fence Lola) and her later comparison between how sexuality is portrayed in Catwoman vs. how it is portrayed with Starfire in Red Hood and the Outlaws. She also loved some comics I hated, was indifferent to some I really liked, and so on. Good stuff!
Which reminded me that I have forgotten to update reviews on the other #2s I have read in the last two weeks. Ooops!
So last week I picked up Wonder Woman #2, Nightwing #2 and Blue Beetle #2. I did NOT pick up Birds of Prey, Supergirl, Justice League, Catwoman or Red Hood and the Outlaws. The only two I am now feeling regretful hmms about at Catwoman and Birds of Prey – BoP continues to not be about Oracle and apparently I can't get over that, which is a shame because it's a fine if not spectacularly interesting team book; I've since read some far better Catwoman graphic novels than the new series thanks to Wolverina, but ComicbookGRRRL reminded me of what I liked about this Catwoman. So I may pick either of both of those up at another date. Supergirl #1 was bland so until I see a cover in which the teenage girl is not wearing a skeevy outfit, I will pass. Justice League continues to not have Wonder Woman in it for a second issue, apparently. (no girls for you!) And while I was glad to hear Flash was quite good in it, apparently I still have issues about Barry Allen not being Wally West, because his solo title put me to sleep.
Red Hood & the Outlaws with its sarcastic amnesia, or whatever, can bite me.
Some spoilers for the comics I have actually read, Wonder Woman #2, Nightwing #2 and Blue Beetle #2, beneath. I'll follow up talking about today's haul later in the week.
I continue to be surprised that I quite like Nightwing, despite the meh beginning. It's still not brilliant, and how are we talking about female characters not being relatable enough when Dick has access to Daddy's jet any time he wants? But I'm quite liking the development about the circus, and the mystery aspect, and not bored yet. Meanwhile, Blue Beetle continues to have funny, actiony goodness as he bonds with his scary suit. I am pleased to see the development of the girls who are his friends. I know so little about Hispanic culture and am enjoying the extra dimension that Jaime's community brings to the comic.
The new Wonder Woman continues to be good. Like, really good. I'm enjoying the storyline about the girl that Zeus has impregnated and damn it, I can see where the "he's your father" theme fits so beautifully into the story. Though I choose to believe it's a massive hoax that Discord is playing on Diana. And in turn, us. Which would actually be awesome. The girl whose name I can't remember is sharp and funny and I love the whole 'what form did Zeus take to seduce you' 'A Truck Driver' riff.
I am liking the portrayals of Hera and Discord very much, and I have to say that if the 'Who's Your Daddy' storyline means that a fabulous Hera gets to be Diana's nemesis, then I'm feeling a bit better about it. Even if it does pull us more closely into Hercules the Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess territory. Hera's sweep of peacock feathers is glorious. And SPEAKING OF XENA, there is a stick fighting scene that comes straight out of a very specific Season 2 Amazon episode. Not that I mind. There are actually a lot of comparisons between Xena and this comic, in a good way.
This run won't last, because there are Plans Afoot and that guy who took over my broken Justice League in the 90′s and made it so that Wonder Woman got to be the Only Girl in the Treehouse after a decade of a more gender-balanced team is apparently taking over next year and making her sexy again. You may know him as Grant Morrison.
I'm sarcastic and skeptical about this because come on, it's a comic book creator talking about how to make Wonder Woman sexual, and making the obligatory mention of William Marston Moulton's bondage fetish into the bargain (so OVER people acting like that's the only thing of note in her fun, feisty early years as a character). And, you know, the only comics of his I've read have been boring boy's clubs. But he does get bonus points for actually researching feminism to prepare for the job (though to be honest checking out half a dozen feminist comics blogs would possibly be more helpful in this than Simone De Beauvoir) and I think he has a very valid point that Wonder Woman has basically been treated like a nun in recent decades. A nun that dresses like a stripper, sure, but I think he is absolutely right that there has been a discomfort with writers (and fans?) about allowing Diana to have any kind of sexual life or attitude.
On the other hand… there's a reason why feminist comics fans tend to freak out a bit when people suggest that a character needs a bit more sex. There really is. And it doesn't matter how good the writing is (though it helps) the art is a major factor, too. And I can't help thinking that adding sexuality to her storylines would be a lot less problematic if she was allowed to wear a few more items of clothing. Or bra-straps. I am enjoying the current art, and I like very much that what she is doing is prioritised over her prettiness, especially on the covers. Hopefully we get to keep the artist longer than the writer?
October 25, 2011
Creature Court Fashion Challenge: First Wave!
Glad to see some entrants right off the bat, especially as I forgot to put up an end date for the Creature Court Fashion Challenge (it's 15th December, for those of you working on more long-term entries). Remember, the earlier you enter, the more valuable your sneak peek of Reign of Beasts is. Which, by the way, went to TYPESETTING today, hoorah!
Oh and for those of you outside Australia wanting to enter, yes, I will send postcards anywhere. And I meant it when I said everyone's a winner. Get entering!
Katharine S in Darwin described a costume for Rhian (because she misses her! Don't worry, there will be lots of Rhian in Book 3):
A full dress in matte black (not shiny at all) with very slightly puffed sleeves, modest neckline and tight around the bodice
down to the hips, where it flares out, changing eventually to a deep, deep green. Think Phthalo Green but sweeter,
maybe with a bit of Skobeloff mixed in. Sewn into the hem of the dress are many, many peacock feathers (or similar in their world) so the edge of the fabric is hidden completely by ticklish feathery shimmeryness – you can hardly see the fabric through them. On the bodice, under the breast is a single small peacock feather – generally unseen as it's hidden by the shadow of the curve. The edge of the short puffed sleeves would be an inch of lace with wide cut, to show the skin beneath.
Worn with this dress, generally, would be high boots. Around the neck would be a single ribbon, around the wrist… well, depends on the occasion. In the hair, a headband with a single, long and wide feather attached on top delicately to sit atop perfectly flat non-frizzy shiny hair (oh, we can only dream of having novel-perfect hair…)
[Tansy says: yep, there are definitely peacocks in their world. And I'm not just talking about Ashiol and Poet. What a gorgeous, thoughtful description! I loved the detail on the colours especially, as I've never heard of either of those greens before, and I thought I was a green aficionado!]
Alisa K in Perth:
Hello! Naked boys falling from the sky NEED NO COSTUME, though maybe some tassles and a bow on their boyly bits.
[Tansy says: Hmm, I'm going to allow it, if only to show that even a brief entry is worthy of a postcard, and also to get the whole 'naked' option out of the way early. No repeats! Also I like the use of the phrase 'boyly bits.'
And yes, even my friends have to submit to the contest to score a postcard. Heh.]
Madeline T in Queensland gave me two entries because she couldn't decide between them, and they go rather nicely together:
They were at once both similar and strikingly opposite, a study in contradictions.
Warlord at first glance was blatantly barbaric. His feet and chest were bare, but for a band around his left arm and a matching neckpiece made of segments of flat, polished ivory, connected by thin bands of gold. He wore only Zafiran pants, soft and loose, billowing around the strong lines of his legs, easily seen through the fine fabric. They were of the lightest vicose, soft as down feathers to touch, and of a rich cream colour that was stunning against his dusky skin.
Velody at first glance looked the demure demoiselle in an old-fashioned white gown that covered her from chin to ankle. The dress had a high choker-style collar, the edge of the sleeves brushed her knuckles, and the skirts were full. But for all it covered, nothing was hidden. The collar, bodice and sleeves were skin tight and made of the finest silk lace. It looked as though she was painted with moonlight. When she walked the full skirts parted, a cunningly hidden slit down the length of the skirt allowing one long bare leg to be seen. Her long hair was bound up in a net, invisible against her dark hair so that the beads of moonstone and pearl seemed strewn through her hair, a scattering of lustrous miniature stars amongst the glossy strands.
[Tansy says: so much of the personality of my characters comes across in these descriptions! I wish I could send two postcards, but I fear that might be a bad precedent... I don't want to end up hand-writing the whole novel for enthusiastic readers! I'm still more than happy to receive & post multiple entries, though. The more the merrier.]
And from Bill R in New York, we have:
I saw the contest on your blog yesterday, and put together a sketch inspired by a drawing from the 1925 comic strip "Flapper Fanny." The sketch is attached.
This is an outfit for Delphine. It's made by Velody, of course, trying to represent the nox sky in fashion. The deep blue material is the sky itself, with a series of sequins and beads to represent the stars, while the pink lines on the ribbon echo rays of scratchlight. It's scandalously cut above the knee to set tongues wagging and to allow freedom of movement, while the bracelets are made of skysilver so Delphine is always ready to be a sentinel.
[Tansy says: my first drawing! I'm excited - the verbal descriptions are lovely, but there's something about art based on our books which makes an author bounce up and down. More visual entries, please! They don't have to come with words, but I do like the explanation here which gives a philosophy behind the clothing choice]
Thanks so much to my first entrants – I'll be writing your postcards this week! That's the first wave – I'll be putting up another post in the next week or so. Keep sending in your descriptions/designs of outfits for Creature Court characters, and I'll keep writing postcards with sneak peeks of Book 3!
October 23, 2011
Countdown to Nanowrimo
So we have… eight days to go! I'm getting so excited about this year's Nano. I have a new book to start FROM SCRATCH (newbooknewbooknewbook) – Fury was a new book, but it came out of Siren Beat, and came with the baggage and negatives of writing a sequel without the benefits.
But this one is newwwwwww and even though I first got the spark about it a year or more ago (possibly two? I think Iz was badgering me to write it for Nano last year) I have not let myself write any of it down.
What I love about new new new new new book is that it's a challenge in so many interesting ways – it contains stuff I've never done before, and a few aspects of it terrify me. But in many ways I think it will make a better follow up to Creature Court than Nancy Napoleon – it's not the same kind of book in any real sense, but it has a few tonal aspects in common. It can certainly be described as dark fantasy rather than urban fantasy, and I can see it being marketed in the same sort of way.
BUT OMG SO DIFFERENT, HOORAY!
The other nice thing, once I have wrapped my head around the idea that I'm starting a new novel in just over a week, is that I feel like I can start blogging about writing again. There's something about the middle and second half of a novel where it's hard to think of anything to talk about – without massively spoilering everyone for a book that isn't even contracted yet. I mean, do you want to know that Nancy is decapitated in the second last chapter?* No, you do not.
*This doesn't happen. Unless workshopping it takes the book in a radically different direction…
So I imagine I'll be talking a lot about writing. This happens when I nano.
Plus, did I mention?
NEW BOOK NEW BOOK NEW BOOK.
If you are Nanoing this year, you can find my profile at tansyrr.
October 20, 2011
I, Friday Links
Kathleen Jennings' excellent Dalek game continues apace, and she recently produced a new favourite for me – daleks rocking the romanpunk with an I, Claudius parody.
An eye-opening post about the kind of hardcore harassment experienced by women in tech industries, and those who blog about geek feminism.
Colleen Mondor at Chasing Ray calls bullshit about the troubling behaviour of Amazon as they launch their new publishing imprints, and how the spin that publishers are "running scared" of Amazon's attempt at a publishing monopoly serve to underplay some of the important author rights that are being eroded, and deliberately left out of the equation.
Sarah Rees Brennan goes Gothic, and talks about how she stopped worrying and learned to love the spooky houses, plucky protagonists and turns her inimitable parody summary style on Gothic classic novel The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe.
Speaking of historical houses, my new favourite Tumblr to follow is Chirravutever thanks to her fantastic chibi-style Downton Abbey drawings and cartoons. Many spoilers for Season 2, so don't check it out unless you're up to date (you reallly don't want to be spoiled) but if you are watching the show, these pics are so happymaking.
A mostly unspoilery example:
Tor.com posts a plea for more realistic depictions of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting in SF.
Some reveals of new Vertigo titles, most of which excited the socks off me. Some interesting creators, and very interesting concepts. The Paul Cornell one looks cool, as does the little Polish girl in the middle of wartorn Europe comic, plus Holly Black, plus an all-women-characters Fables spin off that's almost tempting enough for me to check them out again. So… do Vertigo do day and date release on ComiXology too?
It's all about me: I talk about whether writing is art or craft over at the Battersblog, and Jeff VanderMeer posts a shout out to the first three Twelve Planets books (with a great group photo) over at his blog.
Great panel round up on the topic of what makes a kick ass teenage girl heroine, with Tamora Pierce, Esther Friesner and Caitlin Kittredge.
Last time I tried to show Raeli Maid Marian and her Merry Men, she was bored and didn't get it – but this time it's been a huge success! What a difference a year (and a bunch of Robin Hood pop culture) makes. She's now quite obsessive about this fantastic show.
October 19, 2011
Watching New Who: School Reunion
"School Reunion"
Season two, episode three
The Doctor – David Tennant
Rose Tyler – Billie Piper
Sarah Jane – Elisabeth Sladen
TEHANI:
We only skip one episode (the werewolf-ish "Tooth and Claw") before we get to the first of Season Two's Hugo nominees, "School Reunion". I think it's pretty obvious why this one got the fan nod. Not only does it have Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) of BTVS (My fandoms! They cross over!) but of course, we see here the return of Sarah Jane and K9! Fan heads all over the world must have exploded Tansy!
I do want to say one thing about "Tooth and Claw" – I loved how Tennant's Scottish was showing in that one – listen hard, you'll hear it
TANSY:
I don't think you have to listen too hard, he's outright doing his own accent for most of the episode! I am a little wistful they wouldn't let him be Scottish as the Doctor generally. He has a beautiful voice.
DAVID:
Other than the last five minutes, I thought "Tooth and Claw" was an excellent episode, I really enjoyed it. Had a nice nod to Classic Who, some great character acting and an awesome fight scene!
TANSY:
Heh it's amazing how many stories of this era are brilliant until the last five minutes. But let's leap ahead to the head-explodey "School Reunion"!
TEHANI:
Rose as dinner lady – she does fit the role… That was mean, wasn't it? Nice to see Mickey in this though, and being quite cool with the sniffing out of the problem and all (in the beginning at least – and he gets his chance to be a hero near the end, which is nice). I also like that he didn't play to Rose's half-flirting.
DAVID:
I thought Rose had some excellent moments in this show. The look of loathing that she shot the Doctor during the canteen scene said it all, and her reaction to Sarah Jane and the Doctor's history was exactly what I would have expected from her. She needs to decide how she feels about Mickey though, just a few mixed signals there!
TANSY:
I like the awkward reshuffling as Rose and Mickey try to settle in as just friends instead of trying to hang on to the ghost of their old relationship – and instantly Mickey is so much more fun to be around. I love how he teases her, sibling-style, and is actively a part of the adventure. Also the classic double act with K9 – his "I'm the tin dog" reaction, the marvellous "we are in a car" sequence, and so on. I would totally watch an episode which was just Mickey and K9.
DAVID:
Mickey was great in this episode, and yes, I loved the dynamic between him and K9! It was wonderful to see K9 back, as well, he was always a favourite of mine. Who didn't dream of having a dog like K9 when they were a child (or even now)?
TANSY:
My daughter just built her own K9 out of egg boxes, so I'm going to say yes to that one. I adore K9, always have. John Leeson's voice has lifted him from gimmick to real character and I love the dry humour that comes through that tinny little voice.
DAVID:
I was really happy at the end when Mickey asks to come along because I think he adds something to the show. I've always liked the Doctor-female companion-male companion dynamic, and I cant help but recall the episodes where Harry and Sarah Jane accompanied the Fourth Doctor.
TANSY:
Me too! It's a nice combination and something we see done several times in New Who. Mickey has grown a lot as a character to feel ready to face his fears and the universe as a whole. I like that he seems to have chosen to come for his own reasons, and not for anything to do with Rose. I also think she's quite human in her reaction, being so disgruntled at having to share the Doctor, and the TARDIS, instead of being the exotic one who goes swanning off.
TEHANI:
Ten's reaction to seeing Sarah Jane is fascinating – he's astounded and delighted, which is very sweet, but a little sad. After all, in all the long years that have passed since Sarah Jane left the show, has he ever visited her? Thought about her? When I first watched this episode, I thought it was lovely, but as the seasons passed and the issue of what happens to companions left behind becomes quite prominent (the examination certainly starts in this episode), I come back to it with a different perspective. I'll be interested to hear what you two think of it, with a much stronger Classic Who background.
TANSY:
For the most part I love this episode and the return of Sarah Jane (there are a couple of major problems I'll mention later). The scene where the Doctor sees her for the first time and she has no idea who he is … it has me in pieces every time. The wave of nostalgia and connection, and pride: there she is, doing the same thing she always has, letting her nose for a story drag her into trouble. And the opposite scene where she sees the TARDIS for the first time and the reality that he's here crashes in over her. Wonderful stuff.
DAVID:
I have spoken a couple of times about how waiting so long to watch New Who has robbed some scenes of a bit of their emotional impact because I know a little of what follows (ie Jack's "death"). This was a case of the complete reverse, seeing Sarah Jane was quite moving (and K9 too, though obviously not to the same extent). To me Sarah Jane will always be THE companion, just as Tom Baker is THE Doctor so I loved her return in this, because it took me back. And, with Elisabeth Sladen's sad passing this year there was also a sense of melancholy about it.
TANSY:
Yes, rewatching this so soon after her death was very sad! An emotional rollercoaster all around – but at least the characters are on one too, if that makes sense. And how extraordinary that she got to do this, that they actually brought back a companion 25 years later and brought her into the story.
DAVID:
I found the conversation between the Doctor and Sarah Jane very interesting. Her feelings of abandonment are completely understandable, but I can also understand the Doctor not wanting to watch his companions age, and wanting to remember them as they were. Like I have heard others comment before, I don't really like the idea that she put her life on hold after the Doctor, though, I much prefer the Sarah Jane who became a top investigative journalist and whose journeys with Doctor spurred her on to greater heights rather than them being something that held her back.
TEHANI:
But I guess we don't know, in this episode at least, that she HASN'T become a top investigative journalist – she tells the Headmaster that she's doing a piece for the Sunday Times. That doesn't have to be a lie, no? We do know she never met a man who could live up to the Doctor, but, well, fair enough really…
TANSY:
Of course it's not a lie! She's a real journalist, always has been.
There are two ideas in this episode I hate with a passion: one, the implication that there was a romantic connection between Sarah Jane and the Doctor in the old days, which squicks me out completely (Tom Baker, ew) and is too much of a revisionist attitude for me. Some Doctor-companion combinations, sure. Sarah and Four? Impossible. I have no problem with them being attracted to each other now, because whoa, he got hot, but that chemistry simply wasn't there in the 70's (or indeed, 1980). I also hate, hate, hate the lines that suggest she put her life on hold for him, waiting for him to come back. It's not true to Sarah Jane in any sense.
Rewatching the episode, there are actually only two appalling lines in the final scene which are the worst offenders, and the rest of it is fine as is. And yes, one of them is the bit about not being able to find a partner who could live up to the Doctor. It made me want to kick both of them, but mostly the writers. How hard would it have been to pull that out and have her say 'no kids, actually, I was too busy.' Sarah Jane was not just one of the most popular companions of Classic Who, she was a feminist and a career woman. The Doctor ditched her, and it is important she got to have it out with him in this episode, but I think they pushed the analogue to Rose way too far.
DAVID:
I do think that this episode gives the impression that she didn't achieve much at all after the Doctor left her in Aberdeen. We know different, that she was, in fact, a top investigative journalist, but that is despite this episode, not because of it. So, I'm glad to hear that is treated a bit better in her future appearances, because that was one aspect I found really disappointing.
TEHANI:
Sarah Jane: You can tell you're getting older, your assistants are getting younger.
HA! Onya Sarah Jane.
She really calls him on his behaviour, how he deserts his companions – is this the first time someone does this? It's really sad here.
TANSY:
I think it is the first time, as it isn't really a feature of the classic series. Something that goes hand in hand with David Tennant's Doctor is definitely an in-narrative meta critique of the Doctor's behaviour, which I think mitigates his problematic behaviour in a lot of ways. This is by no means the last time that someone is going to kick Ten's butt for having his head in it.
TEHANI:
Rose gets quite a shock too – so soon after the "honeymoon period" of "New Earth", it actually hits home that maybe she's just not all that special to the Doctor…
DAVID:
But. that's Rose thinking in human terms, surely? That someone else being special to the Doctor means she couldn't be, like there is a finite amount of him to go around? I do think Rose reads more into her relationship with the Doctor than there is, and I think this is a bit of a wake up call for her.
TANSY:
It is absolutely a wake up call, and it's a revelation for Mickey too, who enjoys it a little too much. I think it's one of the episodes where Rose's immaturity is shown as being a problem for her relationship with the Doctor. As soon as Sarah Jane turns up, he is off with her being grown up investigators, and Rose and Mickey are left at the kid's table. I have to say it is interesting that as soon as other companions enter the mix, the Doctor and Rose's relationship looks a lot less romantic and intimate.
DAVID:
This is where maybe I am being a little naive, but I refuse to the see the Doctor's bond with the companions as anything other than platonic. That's why the whole acting like exes thing is amusing, rather than just being nasty.
TEHANI:
Hmmm, I best not say too much here, for fear of spoilers! Rose is pretty conflicted in this episode – she's half flirting with Mickey on one hand (and behaves very badly when he asks to come travelling at the end!), but snarky and jealous over Sarah Jane on the other. Your typical nineteen year old really…
I wasn't convinced that the Doctor was tempted in this episode, but I loved that Sarah Jane had the rationale to save them – she knew what to say, which buttons to press – perfect!
DAVID:
I can see that this would be one of the few things that could really come close to tempting the Doctor. Even though Ten doesn't wear it on his sleeve like Nine did, we can see that he is deeply broken by the Time War and a chance to make things right, and rescue those he loves, must be deeply tempting. And, I hate to turn this into a sort of metageek thing, but it is like when Gandalf is offered the Ring, the Doctor would be all the more terrible given that power because he would do it from the best of motives, not for power or glory, but to do the right thing.
And, it's lovely how it is Sarah Jane who gives that poignant speech about all things having their time. At their best, that is what the Companions always did for the Doctor, just as he gave them something beyond the stars, they humanised him and grounded him, in the best sense of the term.
TANSY:
It's so strong for her, such a wonderful moment that she turns him down, because of course she does. She has a life. But it's nice that he does ask her. Especially as her leaving story was one where – she didn't leave to fall in love, or by choice, he dropped her home to get her out of the way when he went off to do a Thing, and never came back. And he didn't even drop her in the right place. But it's worth noting that unlike most of his companions, Sarah was one he hadn't forgotten – in a doomed pilot for spin off series K9 and Company, he sent her K9, who hadn't been a part of her travels. And they had also seen each other in the Five Doctors – her (most recent) Doctor wasn't there, and she couldn't exactly smack Three around for what Four had done to her, but Five was there and there was none of the emotional resolution that meeting deserved. Then again, he didn't get to enjoy being reunited with his grand-daughter (whom he also ditched) either – that story was done in such a by the numbers way!
TEHANI:
Huh, there's quite a lot of "Smiths" in this episode… And I LOVED K9! I do remember him from the olden days
The end is sad – brought a tear even on the second time around. When Sarah Jane says to K9, "He replaced you with a brand new model … he does that," (*sniff*) it was totally true and a punch to the heart. I gather this is the prelude to "The Sarah Jane Adventures" though?
TANSY:
The story is the reason that "The Sarah Jane Adventures" happened, but no one had thought of it until Elisabeth Sladen came in and did such a bang up job. It's a brilliant show, with a lot more of the sensibilities of Classic Who than New, and it became such a phenomenon. I mean, a science fiction kids show with a 60+ heroine in the lead. How awesome is that? Not that she ever looked 60… Also she gets a family, and we see her balancing that with active work, not only as a journalist but also cleaning up the alien messes that are too minor or 'domestic' for the Doctor to bother with. I can recommend the show, not only as something to watch with your kids, but also because it tidies up the most problematic aspects of this episode.
Heh so we've come this far without mentioning the head villain, or the plot, which says a lot, I think about the priorities of this episode. Any thoughts on the actual story?
TEHANI:
Oh yeah, there was a plot! I loved Giles in this (sorry, I know, he's Mr Finch, the Headmaster, but he'll ALWAYS be Giles!) – he was predatory and amoral and awesome. The effects of the Krillitane are not as good as those of the cat nuns in "New Earth", but they were suitably creepy. The idea behind the episode kind of slipped off me both times I watched it though – using Krillitane oil (which just happened to be toxic to themselves? How do they produce it then!) to make kids smarter then networking them into some kind of super computer… Surely that's why we have the internet?
TANSY:
It was so weird to see him as a villain back when this first screened, but now after three years of King Uther in Merlin, it's not a problem for me! He does make a brilliant villain. The Krillitane are a lot like the Slitheen in that they're a monster likely to appeal to the kid viewers rather than the adults – teachers sleeping at school! Less stinky, though.
DAVID:
Well, let's be honest here. Even if this had been a terrible episode I still would have loved it, simply because of the nostalgia value. But, I think it holds up as an episode really well. Despite the fact that I can't help but see Anthony Stewart Head as either Giles or the Prime Minister, he was a suitably creepy villain, and I enjoyed the plot. It also gave plenty of room for great performances by Tennant as an insane teacher that we would have loved to have and Billie Piper as a very surly lunchroom lady. It was nice to see Mickey getting a bit of camera time as well, he was the sort of comic relief that you enjoy, not the sort you just want to punch (Looking at YOU, Jar Jar).
TEHANI:
I had to look up which show ASH was Prime Minister in! (It's Little Britain, for others similarly challenged).
TANSY:
Ha yes, it's actually a good, solid story with a lot going for it, crunchy thematic issues side by side with some great dialogue and comedy. And a few scares. Sarah Jane is what lifts it into something truly special but there are great moments for all of them, and so many memorable scenes. I really liked that they started the story with the Doctor and Rose already undercover, and unpeeled it from there.
DAVID:
I liked the Krillitane too, the special effects were quite reasonable, and they appealed to that part of us that believes teachers are, in fact, terrible monsters in disguise The idea of using the creative minds of children as a computer is hardly new (in fact one of the Eighth Doctor Adventures has a very similar concept), but it was well executed and managed to drive the episode sufficiently.
But, really, all of that is secondary to the main attraction, and that is the return of Sarah Jane. After everything that has been said I am very keen to watch the spin off. At what point in watching New Who would you recommend that a viewer start watching the Sarah Jane Adventures?
TANSY:
I'd say that you would want to have seen at least a few episodes of SJA before the season finale of Season Four Doctor Who, but I won't say why! Any time between now and then would be fine. Season 3 of SJA has a proper appearance by the Tenth Doctor, and Season 4 has the Eleventh (I haven't seen season 4 yet, for some reason it takes a year for them to get the DVDs out!) but there's no particular obligation to fit those episodes into Doctor Who continuity. Oh, and the Brig appears in Season 2, I think, in Nicholas Courtney's last filmed appearance as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart!
SJA is a great TV show, with the proviso that it's firmly aimed at kids – there's a reason it quickly became the most successful BBC Children's show, and it's not just because of the Doctor Who connection. But as well as having a very contemporary tone, there's much that is reminiscent of Old Who, as well – the format, and a lot of factory-lost-aliens-and-quarry stories. Plus, of course, the wonderful Elisabeth Sladen, in fabulous clothes and an adorable little car.
DAVID:
Aimed at kids or not, it sounds like my sort of show!
======
Watching New Who – in conversation with David McDonald, Tansy Rayner Roberts and Tehani Wessely
David is coming to New Who for the first time, having loved Classic Who as a kid. Tehani is a recent convert, and ploughed through Seasons 1 to 6 (so far) in just a few weeks after becoming addicted thanks to Matt Smith – she's rewatching to keep up with David! Tansy is the expert in the team, with a history in Doctor Who fandom that goes WAY back, and a passion for Doctor Who that inspires us all (plus a six-year-old daughter who is finding her own Doctors for the first time). We're going to work our way through New Who, using season openers and closers, and Hugo shortlisted episodes, as our blogging points. Just for fun! We have already talked about:
"Rose", S01E01
"Dalek", S01E06
"Father's Day, S01E08
"The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances", S01E09/10
"Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways", S01E12/13
Season One Report Card – David, Tansy, Tehani
"The Christmas Invasion," 2005 Christmas special
"New Earth", S02E01
On my iPod: Science Fiction Podcasty Goodness
The Coode Street podcast invite on special guest Ursula Le Guin to discuss the good, the bad and the "oh no she didn't" contained within the pages of Margaret Atwood's recent collection of essays about science fiction In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination (2011). It's especially interesting because Le Guin not only considers herself a friend of Atwood, but is often a subject in the essays themselves – but she pulls no punches when it comes to casting a critical eye over the book – and, with equal sharpness, the fans who have contributed to Atwood's often misguided image of what SF readers are like. If there was a literary canon of SF-themed podcasts, this one would have to be pretty high on the list.
I also very much enjoyed the latest, 12th episode of The Outer Alliance podcast – these have been going from strength to strength with some wonderful interviews (and I'm not just saying that because they namecheck Galactic Suburbia!) and the latest one has host Julia Rios discussing all manner of gleeful and squeeful things with Lynne M Thomas – Hugo-award winning co-editor of Chicks Dig Time Lords, co-editor also of Whedonistas and the upcoming Chicks Dig Comics, incoming editor of Apex Magazine, podcaster of the SF Squeecast, archivist extraordinaire, etc. Oh yes, and she's my fellow Tiptree juror this year too! Getting a chance to eavesdrop on the conversation between these two bouncy, enthusiastic and smart women was a great pleasure today, and they cover all kinds of issues, from behind the scenes podcasting gossip to third wave feminism, and how talking about shoes can be a subversive act.
I checked on a new discovery, the Anomaly podcast this week, with mixed results. I had been linked to their special two part Women of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Fandom episode, and found that inspiring and illuminating in some places, and deeply irritating in others. I liked that it was a group of women discussing their interests in SF, fandom, etc. and tackling questions like who writes strong female authors best, and whether 'slave Leia' costumes are problematic or empowering.
I was put off initially by the opening to the podcast – why is a podcast with all female hosts and a focus on female issues introduced by male voices? And I also bristled about the definition of Anomaly, and the over-emphasis on just how weird it is that girls like geeky things (in my world, this isn't a weird thing!). However, I was won over by the earnestness of the presenters, and the quite emotional revelations of how they came to fandom, and some of the sexism or gender assumptions they have had to overcome to embrace their geekitude, which made me a lot more sympathetic to their feeling like being geek women is, you know, unusual.
As with all podcasts, the most interesting parts were the conversations where it was obvious that they were only speaking for themselves and their personal opinions – and it screeched to a halt (as far as this listener was concerned) where I disagreed madly with them. The issue that repeatedly had me gnashing my teeth was the lack of mention of female writers – the very long discussion about who writes great female characters in SF and fantasy came back again and again to Joss Whedon, Robert Jordan, and other male writers, but only touched briefly on women (mentions of Jane Espenson and Suzanne Collins) – and then one of them made the appalling statement that she sort of thought women tended not to write strong female characters. For the most part this was met with agreement, and while she admitted maybe that meant she wasn't reading the right female authors, none of them could think of many examples to counter her claim.
So the statement stood there, sucking up all the oxygen in the room.
Because, sorry, that really does mean you are reading the wrong stuff! Later on the same statement was brought up by someone else as JUSTIFICATION for the fact that women in the TV and film industry were more vulnerable to being elbowed out, in the troubled economy. As in, since women don't write great female characters… well she didn't actually say that maybe it was better then that they got fired first so the menz could get on with writing great roles for women, but it was implied. Ouch. I know none of us are perfect feminists, but that bit did rather produce some steam from my ears.
So… I'm not sure about this one. I liked so much of the mega double episode, as an introduction to this group of female hosts, but was saddened to see so little positive discussion of female authors – it made me want to send them a book list! Except for the fact that my whole life is basically a book list arguing against that particular point. The analysis of women's position in fan culture, though, and the media focus, was of great interest to me and I absolutely think it produced more good than harm. Though – gnash gnash. Not sure I can recommend it.
On a far, far more positive note, I started listening to the interviews that the Anomaly women had posted as part of their celebration of Women in Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Fandom, and I can recommend this one without hesitation: Sue interviews Carrie, the mother of "Katie the Star Wars girl," whose story went viral last year after Katie was bullied at school for having a Star Wars drink bottle (Star Wars is for boys, apparently) and her mother wrote a heartfelt blog post about it. Being the mother of a proud Grade 1 geek girl myself, I found myself tearing up as Carrie talked about the internet response to her request to hear from women who love Star Wars, so Katie would know it was nothing to be ashamed of. I do love me a story about the internet doing good – and this particular pile-on was spectacular!
Carrie has written a book about bullying, and has done a huge amount of interview-based research for her work, looking particularly at how to teach very young children to deal with and respond to bullying in the most constructive possible way, and how to head it off as early as possible (also about how to empathise with, and communicate with children who bully others). I found her thoughts on the issue absolutely fascinating, as well as her discussion on raising geek children generally, and other things to do with the way society is intent on gender policing our children.
The advice on how to explain the difference between tattling & necessary reporting/telling was very cool, and something I will draw upon in the future, I suspect. So after my disappointment in the group podcast, I was glad to have my hopes for Anomaly pay off so well – I guess that means I have to give some more of their episodes a go now!
