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[icepixie]

So over the past few days, I've watched parts three and four of the Key to Time story, "The Stones of Blood" and "The Androids of Tara."

Oh, such FUN! New Who is perhaps better at sticking themes and symbols and emotional oomph into an episode, but it can't beat the old stuff for sheer glee. Particularly these old ones. And there are a surprising amount of character moments, for all that Old Who is generally criticized for not having much of that kind of thing--I was particularly impressed with Lamia in "Tara," and of course Romana gets lovely moments all the time: the shoes and the very put-out, "Yeah, I got pushed off a cliff and I'm hanging by my fingernails--little help here?" attitude when she, uh, gets pushed off a cliff in "Stones"; the very smug way in which she lands the TARDIS perfectly at the beginning of "Tara," etc.

"Stones" has fantastic trappings with the Celtic mythology, the henge, the dotty old lady professor, etc. And the justice machines! Hah! I loved those little blinking lights. So fun.

And of course "Tara" was just a big ol' ball of silliness, and everyone knew it. HOW funny was K-9's "Master? Maaaster?" closing the episode when he was stuck in the boat? And Mary Tamm gets some fantastic disdainful expressions in when she's captured. Hee. I love how they're all sort of like, "Fourth segment of the Key? Eh, whatever. Logical reason for this society to have electric cattle prods mated with swords, crossbows that shoot laser bolts, and freaking androids, yet apparently still exist in the Middle Ages in every other way? Who cares!" Although at the same time, what we saw of their society was actually really intriguing: Only "peasants" have the knowledge to control the androids, and yet they're an underclass. Hmmm. I smell a revolution, myself...

I've never even heard of The Prisoner of Zenda, but I think I might need to read the book.

If I weren't already hatching a plan to dress up as Charley to elflore's Eighth Doctor and go to a con sometime, somewhere, I'd make myself a copy of that lovely purple outfit Romana wears in this episode and wear it to a con. (I really, really want that hat. Really, really, really. I don't think I can articulate how much I want that hat, actually.)

Also, I thought I recognized the location they were shooting at--particularly the moat, and bridges over it. It was confirmed in the commentary that it was Leeds Castle, and I HAVE TOTALLY BEEN THERE. AWESOME. And heh, commentary. Funny. Lord, I could listen to Mary Tamm read the phone book for hours. She has such a gorgeous voice. Has she been in any of the Big Finish audios, I wonder?

I'm a bit sad that I only have two more Romana I stories left. :( I love Lalla Ward in the role as well, but Romana's first incarnation is just so cool. Smart and prickly and snarky and with a bit of naivete for spice. (Not to mention unusually good fashion sense for the 1970s.) Great character.

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In random news, I found a pair of jeans that fit with a minimum of looking around. Not only do they fit at the top, but they are ALSO in "short" length, which I don't think I've seen for at least three years. Hooray! I don't have to take this pair up by the nearly two inches that "average" length requires!

(Yeah, so I'm about an eighth of an inch under 5'5". I am also not unnaturally sticklike and able to fit in, like, a size 2 or whatever would usually have the inseam of under 30" that I need. This means that the "petite" sizes some stores do, for people 5'4" and under, are just a bit too short, both in the legs and the waist, but EVERYTHING ELSE is too long. I love "short" lengths of things in my size.

And yes, I realize the tall people reading this are rolling their eyes and saying, "At least you have the option of altering them! We have to live with pants that are too short!" Yeah, well, anything that helps me continue to be lazy is nothing but good. ;))

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Question: Am I a very strange person for eating cinnamon raisin bagels with butter and a generous helping of brown sugar sprinkled on top? My mother says that no bagel is meant to be sweet, while I think that any bread product which has a spice like cinnamon and little fruit bits in it damn well better be sweet, or what's the point, really?

Comments

[alto2.livejournal.com]

(This is my only Romana icon, and I so rarely get a chance to use it, so...don't take it personally! ;) )

I was so disappointed when Romana regenerated, because like you, I thought she was just the coolest thing ever. I love how she could match the Doctor pretty much evenly (the TARDIS landing scene you mentioned is hiding in my mood theme, waiting to come out) and she was pretty on top of it all, which was just an added bonus (and I wanted that white dress in the WORST way, even though I'd look like shit in it and might not want it so much now that I'm no longer in high school). I mean...talk about your perfect female role model!

So, yeah, I'm with you on Romana I. Have you ever, btw, seen The Story of English? The one Robert MacNeil did about 20 years ago? The first episode goes back to Anglo-Saxon and shows folks at the BBC learning how to pronounce some for a radio production (or something along that line--it's been 20 years, so I could have the details wrong!). I was sitting in English class my senior year in high school trying to contain myself when Mary Tamm was one of the folks shown at the BBC. /random trivia

If you and elflore ever dress up, ya gotta post a picture. And dernit, it's your bagel, don't let other people tell you how to eat it! ;)

[icepixie]

(Yay for Romana icons!)

I like that they weren't afraid to have a character who was a complete snob, and yet somehow was still sympathetic. She reminds me of Hermione from HP, who I identify with so, so much.

I want practically all of Romana's clothes. I particularly like the red outfit in my icon.

I'd heard of The Story of English, but haven't ever seen it. I think I definitely need to check it out, though--I took a class on Anglo-Saxon translation first semester last year, so it's doubly entertaining for me!

If you and elflore ever dress up, ya gotta post a picture.

Oh, definitely. :) I've been looking up patterns for 1930s dresses online, and...most of them are bias cut, and I can't remember if that's supposed to be exquisitely hard or relatively easy to do. I have shoes that work for it, though!

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I hadn't thought to compare Romana I and Hermione, but you might be onto something there! I really should go back and watch the Key to Time. It's been ages since I've seen some of it (I've watched The Pirate Planet more than the others because it's Douglas Adams and it cracks me up. And some of them, like The Power of Kroll, are just kinda....ehh).

I don't think The Story of English is available on DVD, alas--I remember borrowing it from my English teacher in HS (or shortly thereafter) because I loved it so much, but I think that was the copy someone recorded from the original broadcast. It's a shame, because it is good stuff, even though it branches out from the pure development of the language more than I would prefer, myself. (As it turns out, that's okay, Bill Bryson filled that gap for me pretty well!) She's only in it for a few minutes, so I wouldn't watch it just for her, but I did find that first installment especially interesting, even without the Romana!Squee ;)

I sew simple things, mostly consisting of straight lines--like my shower curtain. I'm of no use on anything involving words like bias, alas. Having the shoes is a good start, though! Have you tried looking for vintage dresses, either as inspiration, or to buy? I have to say, I think the clothes for Charley would be the easy part, since you're not trying to match anything you've already seen.

[icepixie]

Oh, Romana definitely shares many traits with Hermione: Frighteningly smart, class nerd ("triple-alpha"? Eeek), disdainful of those they feel aren't their intellectual equals (although both learn to appreciate the other qualities the Doctor or Ron and Harry offer), more naive than the characters they play off of (Hermione comes from a Muggle family and isn't as integrated into the wizard world as Ron is)...Hermione isn't so much the ice queen that Romana can be, though.

My library has TSoE on VHS. *g* I read the Bryson book sometime ago...I remember very little of it, though, so I may have to reread it sometime. Aside from the Romana!Squee, I'm particularly interested in the first segment 'cause of the Anglo-Saxon.

The only things I can do, sewing-wise, are hemming, and sewing buttons on. Oh, I made a pillow once. A very plain one. But I hear dresses tend to be easy to sew...? And I have access to a sewing machine, and I can follow directions pretty well, so as long as bias cut isn't terribly complicated, I should be okay if I choose a simple enough pattern.

I think I'm a bit larger than most vintage dresses (I have dresses in sizes 10-14, but I tend toward the upper end of that spectrum), which are often horribly expensive anyway. I suppose there might be some out there in thrift shops that aren't actually from the thirties, but look like it? If I were after an evening dress, it would be simpler, because most of the styles that are labeled today as "elegant" and "classic" came out of that decade. But I want something that will go with lace-up Oxford-type walking shoes, and also would be something Charley would probably wear to go on a regular sort of adventure with the Doctor, a la Rose's blue jeans and T-shirts.

And yeah, it's nice not to be trying to match something I've seen on TV. :)

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Well, like I said, I haven't watched Romana I in ages, so I'm taking your word for the similarities until I find some time to sit down and get to know her again ;)

My library has TSoE on VHS. *g*

Ooh, excellent!! Libraries are so handy that way :) Do check it out.

I sewed myself an apron and a pair of trousers when I was in middle school Home Ec class. Otherwise, I repair things like broken seams, and occasionally do something crazy like make myself curtains, because, hey--straight lines! I can handle those. And my sewing machine (which may not be mine for much longer in order to accommodate Gran's dining room furniture) is from 1947, so...it's pretty much limited to forward-stitch and back-stitch.

I do have to wonder--would Charley rummage around the TARDIS wardrobe and find more practical clothing for adventuring with the Doctor? I can't imagine 30s-era dress really working very well for her. If she sees herself as an adventuress, surely she would be forward-thinking enough at least to entertain the idea? Hmmmm....

[icepixie]

I think I've used a sewing machine twice. They still sort of scare me. But I'd be willing to do more with it for this project.

I imagine Charley would go through the wardrobe for something more practical, but I figure if I don't dress in something from the thirties, then I wouldn't be recognizable as Charley. (Well, beyond the blonde hair, anyway.) Okay, not that many people would recognize me anyway, but you see what I mean. ;) Also, she does mention that the jam at the beginning of Chimes of Midnight is "on my dress," so apparently she was wearing a dress for that one, at least.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Ahh, good point about looking the part :) I've only just started TCoM, but can't wait to continue!

[icepixie]

Ahh, good point about looking the part :)

Yeah, I figure if I wear what Charley would probably actually pick, I'd get mistaken for, like, Benny or someone. ;)

I've only just started TCoM, but can't wait to continue!

Eeee! So good.

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

most of them are bias cut, and I can't remember if that's supposed to be exquisitely hard or relatively easy to do.

Depends on your fabric. Get something flowy and forgiving, and be careful not to let the seams pucker (you'd rather have excess at the end of the seam and trim it off) and you're golden.

[icepixie]

*takes notes*

I am...not an accomplished seamstress, and I probably have no call to be attempting this kind of project without more experience. But I suppose that's what the supervisory powers of a mother are for... ;)