Doctor Who Club of Australia

Greg · Last edited by Greg on Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:41 pm; edited 1 time in total

One of the dividing issues in fandom is the increased involvement of companions' families since the new series started.

We've got to learn quite a bit about the Tylers and the Joneses - so which do you prefer (or would prefer the more traditional, family-free companions of the past?) Not interested in whether you prefer Rose or Martha, just their families!

Please cast your vote below, and your opinion as to why would also be appreciated!

Tegan · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:51 am Post subject:

Too many bad memories of lost Aunties. Crying or Very sad

charlie · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject:

ALthough I like the idea of having 'regular extras' I think that they showed up way too often and I didnt really like either of these families.

Speckled Jim · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 124 Location: Auckland, Un Zud

This is Dr Who, not Hollyoaks. And every member of both families have annoyed the crap out of me.

Tegan · Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:24 am Post subject:

I agree with charlie. The families tended to be nothing more than useful plot devices, discarded when no longer useful.

Didn't Martha have a brother somewhere? I wonder whatever happened to him?

lochutus · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:21 am Post subject:

I don't like what RTD has/is done/doing with the companions at all. Sometimes I feel as if I'm watching MARTHA JONES SAVES THE WORLD (with the doctor) and the same when Rose was on board.

2 out of 3 season finales had the doctor pretty much completely helpless while the companion saved the day (earth/universe). Completely crap!

I don't mind finding out a bit about the companions family/background but I don't really want them as regulars and would be happy to see the Tylers/Jones exit the show Adric-style Smile

I'm not looking forward to the upcoming series where we will have Donna, Martha AND Rose on board!

Sulp Niar · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:52 pm Post subject:

Uh... does the "Tylers" include Mickey, considering he's sort of not part of it?

To be honest, although I feel there are times when the family drama takes precedence over the actual drama (like in 'Boom Town'), it's usually done well enough for me - technically 'Rise of the Cybermen' was full of family drama, as was 'Love & Monsters', but they were pretty much central to the plot whereas back in Series One they were more of a distraction. The Jones were more consistent though, and probably the best served in terms of plot. They were central to 'Smith and Jones' and 'The Lazarus Experiment' and were placed accordingly (and anyway, who honestly wanted to watch the dull scorpion monster stuff in 'Lazarus' instead?), and were pushed completely into the background for '42' to keep the plot arc running. They may not have been as prominent in the three-part finale, but that's fine, and I still think it was well-balanced.

So, basically, if we're going for effectiveness, then the Jones family were much better implemented than the Tylers.

However, going by personal preference, and despite Jackie Tyler, I just can't go past Mickey. Still the best companion (yes, he is a companion) the New Series has offered up (sorry, Rose and/or Martha lovers, but he is!), I'm moved to vote for the Tylers purely because of him as, despite being consistently good, none of the Jones family other than Martha (probably deliberately) stood out.

Er, and regarding the Classic Series... well, I don't mind the different emphasis. I mean, we got to see Ace's family from time to time (or bits and pieces), but because she was a social delinquent, we saw it from an outsider's perspective. To be honest, I don't mind family drama as long as it's done well (look at the inclusion of family in 28 Weeks Later), so the introduction of them in the New Series, and the lack of them in the old, works perfectly with what Doctor Who is/was striving for at the time/now.

EDIT: HA, I only just noticed the inclusion of "Annalise". If she counts, then Mickey counts, and my vote's validated. Hooray!

EDIT 2: By the way, since this is the December poll, that kind of negates what I was going to suggest. I was going to say, "Best Christmas Episode". Though, considering that's, from memory, a total of 3 (not including 'Voyage of the Damned'), er, that would have been pretty pointless, wouldn't it?

montypython · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:27 pm Post subject:

SharazJek · Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Posts: 892 Location: Hobart, Tasmania

OMG the Jones's by far. Just when we thought Martha was the hottest thing to grace the Doctor's console room, along comes Tish! And at least Martha's mum is attractive. Can't say that fr the Tyler family I'm afraid.

The Jones's get the votes from the dads IMO.

montypython · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject:

Chickmacgyver · Joined: 10 Nov 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Hobart, Tasmania

Ickabod · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 504 Location: far far away

the families were over rated and not always needed.....what about the family in Human Nature....more like it...homocidal is much better Laughing

Lungbarrow · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Brisbane