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An Unusually TV-Focused Post

I was stalking LiveJournals the other day — as I’ve a wont to do — when I came across a post from someone who was essentially making the point that Rose Tyler is the Lana Lang of Doctor Who. The post is of the, “And if you like either… you’re an idiot!” variety, but that aside, it got me to thinking. Because I don’t think that comparison is a valid one, so I was trying to think of a reason as to why (other than, “… but I kinda like Rose!”).

Ultimately, I decided it had to do with the format of the respective shows. See, as far as I can tell there are roughly three categories of serials on TV (let’s have a list; I like lists):

1. The protagonist show focuses predominantly on the experiences of a single character. Sure, they will and do interact with a cast of regulars, but the only ones who are In On It are the main character and the audience. These shows are pretty rare, and in fact I can only think of two; Dexter and the early parts of Millennium. It’s a more common format in movies and novels, and either way expect to hear a lot of voice-over narration. An anti-hero is a must.
2. The buddy show ups the ante to two. Supporting characters still float in and out, but the main focus of the show is the two protagonists and how their relationship with each other affects the world around them. Examples include The X-Files, Supernatural and Doctor Who (post-revival especially so, but also certain parts of the old series).
3. And finally you’ve got the ensemble show. This might be a Power Trio or it might be a whole office block, and even though you probably have a “main” character (but sometimes not) it’s the interactions between all the main cast (read: people in the credits) that makes the show. Torchwood, Buffy, Angel, any show set on a spaceship, police procedurals in the Law & Order mould, daytime soap operas… in fact most shows on TV fall into this category.

Before I get back to Rose, you’ll notice I left Smallville off the list. That’s because I just don’t know where to put it. SV is arguably an ensemble show that plays half as a buddy show (Clark/Lana or Clark/Lex) with a dash of single protagonist (Clark). But I think it pitches itself as ensemble, and the confusion comes mostly from the crappy writing, so that’s where I’m going to put it.

And that’s why I don’t think Rose is analogous to Lana. Lana’s problem in SV is that she dominates space that really should be allocated to developing other relationships; particularly between the Power Trio (Clark, Chloe, Pete) who are, let’s face it, the least powerful Power Trio ever written for TV. Meanwhile, DW — with the occasional exception — is a buddy show. S1 and S2 were all about the Doctor’s relationship with Rose. How she serves as a conduit for battle-scarred Nine to reconnect with “humanity” (used in the loosest sense of the word). I mean, there’s a reason David Tennant talks with Rose’s accent as Ten and not his natural Scottish brogue. The Rose/Doctor doesn’t interfere with the rest of the show because it is the show.¹

I think where the comparison is valid, however, is that neither relationship is going to work if you don’t like the characters. The Doctor and Rose “work” for me because I like Rose; sure, she’s a chav, but she’s strong and clever and adaptable, too. The Doctor needs extraordinary people and Rose is extraordinary. Plus, their relationship is a positive one; they adore each other.

This is the main reason Clark/Lana doesn’t work for me (except for very early S1; like the episode where they’re screaming on the football field together, that was nice); their relationship isn’t positive. They aren’t good for each other (though, admittedly, on SV no-one is good for anyone… except maybe Martha for Lionel and, um, ew), and because we are what we are We The Audience tend to blame Lana for that. I mean, I like Lana but I don’t like her with Clark and any relationship I don’t like I don’t want to see take up 99% of my screen time.

Anyway, the point of this was for me to point out how someone can be a Clex fan and also enjoy [the Clana-like] Doctor/Rose. Nutshell: Because the context just isn’t the same.

While I’m on the subject of TV, this is the paragraph where I talk about Dexter. I think I like it; ask me again in a couple more weeks.

I was, however, interested to note the extensive first person narration. randomredux, what did I always tell you about anti-heroes and first person narration? Heh. (Also: Unreliable narrator. Rah!)

1. I should point out here that I haven’t yet seen S4. It’s entirely possible that I may, indeed, reconsider my opinion of Rose in light of her no longer being The Sole Companion but, well, ask me again in a few months. ^

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