I do mean to post about the weekend sometime

[tree_and_leaf]

But for now I'm in a hurry, so I shall just point to Philip Pullman wanting to write for Who

For me, his comments, apart from confirming my feelings about his egocentricity, chiefly raise the question as to why on earth he wants to take credit for inspiring the end of Doomsday. If it were me, I'd be pointing out as many differences as possible... Though I can see what he means; equally, I'm not as heavily invested in either ship as their respective creators seem to think I should be.

Comments

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I didn't see any resemblance except possibly for Rose ending up in a dimension that the Doctor cannot travel to...and Pullman is scarcely the only writer to come up with that idea. I hope he doesn't write for Doctor Who, unless he wants Iorek Byrnison to be a Companion. THAT I would watch.

[tree_and_leaf]

Well, in both cases the way between the worlds can no longer be used because it will destroy them, which is a bit more specific. But I can't see Pullman working in Who (in particular, the phrase 'it's been really good since Russell Davis took over' rubs me up the wrong way) - though Iorek would make a brilliant companion. A bit like Leela, only without the gratuitous semi-nudity.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

I don't think he should be allowed to write for Doctor Who. He's far too portentous and full of himself.

[tree_and_leaf]

Yes, Who needs a lightish touch, and I haven't seen much evidence that Pullman can do that so far. It's probably not a co-incidence that he admires Milton, who was also pretty heavy-handed...

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

I must sit down, re-read the Pullman books, and see if there is any mileage in parallelling what Dust represents in His Dark Materials and what Voidstuff might represent in Doomsday. There might be something, given that Voidstuff (replacement of grace by experience) allows the imprisoned Daleks (Bad) to be released from their prison. I've heard it said that RTD is an Anglican (or a Catholic) despite his atheism; and also seen His Dark Materials hailed as essentially Anglican in their worldview.

[tree_and_leaf]

also seen His Dark Materials hailed as essentially Anglican in their worldview.

Then God help the poor old C of E!

Joking apart, there are some similarities between Dust and Voidstuff, especially in the way the story has to be resolved, but I don't think they map on to each other exactly, since Dust turns out to be a good thing, more or less, and Voidstuff aparently isn't.

Hm. Magisterium = Cybermen?

[ms-wanderlust.livejournal.com]

I don't know much about Philip Pullman personally, but I do love his writing. I raced through His Dark Materials and also loved the three Sally Lockhart books I've read so far. I'm rather excited by the idea of him writing for Dr Who! Hope he gets the opportunity...

Why did LJ just eat my comment?

[tree_and_leaf]

I think it would be interesting, but I'm not convinced it would be successful. Well, perhaps we'll see....

If you want to keep liking Pullman, don't read any of his interviews, as they tend to the annoying. Though he is undoubtably a very gifted writer, when he doesn't go off on a preaching kick.

Re: Why did LJ just eat my comment?

[ms-wanderlust.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the warning. I'm sure we don't have much in common (PP and myself, I mean) certainly when it comes to questions of faith! And I have several thousand other things I want to read, so I'll avoid his interviews and thus avoid spoiling my enjoyment of his books!

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

Once upon a time, I would have been delighted at the prospect of Pullman writing for Who. Ruby in the Smoke and The Golden Compass were two of my favorite books in my late teens. Now, though, he seems to have gone a bit off the deep end. He actually wrote a diatribe against Gnosticism all about why it was logically unfounded and all that...centuries after Gnosticism died out. *eyebrow* And then there's the self-centered thing, which seems to be getting worse each year, of late.

Also, he seems to turn into Cthulhu whenever Christianity or Narnia are mentioned, which is...a little alarming.

[tree_and_leaf]

Also, he seems to turn into Cthulhu whenever Christianity or Narnia are mentioned, which is...a little alarming.

Yes, the tentacles in particular are disturbing ;)

[gervase-fen.livejournal.com]

I think he's just being polite in response to a question (not featured on the taped report on the CBBC website) from Newsround reporter Lizo, a huge fan of new Who and an occasional forum poster on Outpost Gallifrey. I can imagine a "from a story by" credit - which is perhaps what RTD envisaged he might get from J K Rowling when he approached her for the 2005 series. I think it's a shame that Anthony Horowitz hasn't yet been taken up on his offer to write an episode : a historical with the intrigue of a "Foyle's War" or a techno-thriller a la Alex Rider.

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

Horowitz as dark horse to take over as head writer? Probably not because it would be too big a commitment and he doubtless has publishers and agent breathing down his neck wanting more Alex Rider... but a tantalising possibility nonetheless.

[tree_and_leaf]

That hadn't occurred to me, though it probably should have!

Horowitz's historical idea sounds particularly intriguing.