(no subject)

[rynne]

I'm trying to be more positive about Journey's End, and here's something I've been thinking in regards to Donna.


So I've noticed that the previous series' historical-author episodes matched quite well with the Doctor's state of mind at the time. Charles Dickens was old and weary and ended up rejuvenated, which was Nine's journey throughout S1. Shakespeare was grieving his son and wondering what the point of life was, which is basically S3.

What's interesting is that Agatha Christie applies far more to Donna than she does to the Doctor. There are still some Doctor-Agatha comparisons, like Agatha trying to heal from her husband and the Doctor trying to heal from Rose. But Donna drew more explicit comparisons between Agatha and herself in the episode, and now there's another one from Journey's End--both Donna and Agatha experienced amazing things and had to forget them.

In the Journey's End Confidential, Julie Gardner said that of course Donna still had the potential to be the amazing person she was with the Doctor, but that she probably wouldn't realize that potential, because she wouldn't know she could. That was something I actually thought of myself--one reason I hate Donna's ending so much--but I'm going to be optimistic enough for one more comparison between Donna and Agatha.

Though she had to forget the amazing things she saw, Agatha Christie went on to become one of the most popular authors of all time, and even managed to be influenced by things she couldn't consciously recall. Donna may not remember either, but I'd like to think that her subconscious could be just as influential, and she'll still end up the amazing person we all know she can be.

Comments

[lotusflower85.livejournal.com]

I'd like to think that Donna can be subconsiously influenced by her time with the Doctor. I think the only problem with the comparison between her and Agatha is that Agatha was already a successful author - she knew she had the potential to be amazing, even if she was going through a rough patch. Donna very firmly believes that she is 'nothing special', and even after being with the Doctor, only believed otherwise when explicitly shown.

I'm not trying to dampen your theory - I'd like to believe it too!

[thunderemerald.livejournal.com]

I like this theory a LOT, actually. Very good point!

[principia-coh.livejournal.com]

Given that we saw Donna reach for the awesome even when the world was going straight to crap in Turn Left, I don't think she's going to spend the rest of her life wallowing in meaningless twaddle.

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

I think the only problem with the comparison between her and Agatha is that Agatha was already a successful author - she knew she had the potential to be amazing, even if she was going through a rough patch

Well, but in the episode, they made sure to show Agatha constantly putting down her own work and saying that she wasn't particularly good and that no one would remember her. It's a lot like Donna, who's also always putting herself down.

So since Agatha went on to be great despite thinking poorly of herself, it's very possible that Donna will too. But there was a line in there about Agatha never realizing how legendary she was, which is why she kept going. I think that suggests that Donna will still do awesome things with her life, but will probably never realize how wonderful she is. :(

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Yes. I think "The Unicorn and the Wasp" is very much a parallel to what happens to Donna.

[rynne.livejournal.com]

Well, I think the adversity brought out things in her that she might not have noticed before--basically what happened with the Doctor. I want Donna to be magnificent, but the conditions in Turn Left are different enough to what her real life might be like that that episode wasn't enough reassurance.