Drive by comment - because y'know, back at work and supposed to be... well... working.
I've got to say that I find your "journeys" as you get involved with new series kinda fascinating. It would seem that we never start on the same page (like your early views on John Sheppard and Dean Winchester were very different from mine) - but somehow, as the series progresses, our views become similar until we end up virtually sharing a brain about most things. It's scary, but also rather fascinating.
To throw back to the last discussion, I hadn't waded through all the responses, so I didn't know that you had already voiced the Rose = Mary Sue theory before me. And there was I thinking I was being all controversial. *snort* - again with similar reasons to my own and similiar niggles about the lack of "show, don't tell" with the way her character's "virtues" were written.
And, yes, "School Reunion" is one of my favourite episodes of the whole series too - and again for many of the same reasons as yours. I must admit that I'd been apprehensive about it when I saw the promos because, being an Old School Whovian, I'd always adored the character of Sarah Jane. I really rather feared that her character was going to be sacrificed on the altar of "Rose is the Best Companion Eva - Coz We Say So!". But instead, they did tackle all the issues that you mentioned quite brilliantly and showed the "context" of how the Doctor latches onto his human companions.
I love the way "Mickey the idiot" became a genuine term of affection. I love the way that Sarah and Mickey really "took control" of their lives and their roles in the Doctor's universe. They made the decision not to be mere "hangers on". The character arcs for both were well nigh perfect. you actually see their characters grow. As you see Rose's mum, Jackie, grow as a character.
I'm still not convinced that Rose herself grew all that much as a character throughout her tenure with the Doctor (there's just more and more of us being told how wonderful and irreplaceable she is). But at least in "School Reunion" she was forced to have a good hard look at herself for a moment. It's not really a substitute for growing up, but it's as close as she ever gets.
And actually, maybe Rose doesn't ever grow up because other people keep propping her up so she doesn't have to. The Doctor, Jack, Mickey, her mum and others - all running to her aid or making concessions for her because "she's worth it". She never really had to act like a grown up and make any sacrifices for other people (other than the Doctor and I struggle to think even of times when she elected to sacrifce something even for him of her own free will). She was universally adored (or envied) everywhere she went - so, "School Reunion" was the closest she ever came to being knocked down a peg or two. And damn! It was good for her.
PS - for the record, I don't hate Rose either, but I've never been as impressed with her as most others seem to be. And the Rose Adoration still mytifies me a bit. And I can't wait until you see season 3, because IMHO, Martha Jones rocks!
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I've got to say that I find your "journeys" as you get involved with new series kinda fascinating. It would seem that we never start on the same page (like your early views on John Sheppard and Dean Winchester were very different from mine) - but somehow, as the series progresses, our views become similar until we end up virtually sharing a brain about most things. It's scary, but also rather fascinating.
To throw back to the last discussion, I hadn't waded through all the responses, so I didn't know that you had already voiced the Rose = Mary Sue theory before me. And there was I thinking I was being all controversial. *snort* - again with similar reasons to my own and similiar niggles about the lack of "show, don't tell" with the way her character's "virtues" were written.
And, yes, "School Reunion" is one of my favourite episodes of the whole series too - and again for many of the same reasons as yours. I must admit that I'd been apprehensive about it when I saw the promos because, being an Old School Whovian, I'd always adored the character of Sarah Jane. I really rather feared that her character was going to be sacrificed on the altar of "Rose is the Best Companion Eva - Coz We Say So!". But instead, they did tackle all the issues that you mentioned quite brilliantly and showed the "context" of how the Doctor latches onto his human companions.
I love the way "Mickey the idiot" became a genuine term of affection. I love the way that Sarah and Mickey really "took control" of their lives and their roles in the Doctor's universe. They made the decision not to be mere "hangers on". The character arcs for both were well nigh perfect. you actually see their characters grow. As you see Rose's mum, Jackie, grow as a character.
I'm still not convinced that Rose herself grew all that much as a character throughout her tenure with the Doctor (there's just more and more of us being told how wonderful and irreplaceable she is). But at least in "School Reunion" she was forced to have a good hard look at herself for a moment. It's not really a substitute for growing up, but it's as close as she ever gets.
And actually, maybe Rose doesn't ever grow up because other people keep propping her up so she doesn't have to. The Doctor, Jack, Mickey, her mum and others - all running to her aid or making concessions for her because "she's worth it". She never really had to act like a grown up and make any sacrifices for other people (other than the Doctor and I struggle to think even of times when she elected to sacrifce something even for him of her own free will). She was universally adored (or envied) everywhere she went - so, "School Reunion" was the closest she ever came to being knocked down a peg or two. And damn! It was good for her.
PS - for the record, I don't hate Rose either, but I've never been as impressed with her as most others seem to be. And the Rose Adoration still mytifies me a bit. And I can't wait until you see season 3, because IMHO, Martha Jones rocks!