Fifteen Favorite Fanmixes

As many who know me are aware, I love fanmixes. I think it's a really interesting way to explore themes in shows by finding songs that reflect them, and through cover artwork as well. It's also a great way to find out about new artists- the majority of bands on my iPod I discovered through hearing one of their songs on a fanmix, and then looking up more of their music. So I present to you: my fifteen favorite fanmixes, both my own compilations and others'. Click on album cover to link to each fanmix post.



All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone: A Jack Harkness Fanmix by

boxed

This mix explores the character of Jack Harkness on Doctor Who and Torchwood. It deals with his unique abilities and how he relates to the world and to all the people who've left him behind.


And They'll Never See You Fall: A Tenth Doctor EP by

intrikate88

One of the mixes that I put together. It focuses on the Doctor's brokenness in series three and four of Doctor Who, his difficulties in coping with life without Rose, and the difficulties others have of understanding him.



Broken Things New: A Dexter/Rita Fanmix by

intrikate88

Another mix that I've compiled. This one focuses on the relationship Dexter and Rita have in Dexter, and on the way both of them are emotionally crippled in some way, but still exploring the possibility of being able to love one another.



Cup of Tea: A Doctor/Rose Fanmix by

paperdollgirl

A collection of quiet songs that reflect upon the Doctor and Rose's relationship.



Ten/Rose - The Fine Art of Falling Apart by

boxed

PROBABLY one of my favorite fanmixes ever, and it even comes with some beautiful icons and a wonderful fic! This mix reflects on both Rose's and the Doctor's lives after they are separated in "Doomsday". Wonderful, poignant songs by a great selection of artists.



Happy Phantom: Of Love, Honey, and a Girl Named Chuck by

gimcrack_icons

A cute mix of songs describing Pushing Daisies' Chuck. She's been given a second chance at life by her childhood sweetheart and his abilities to bring the dead to life.



HISS; a Crouch/Lestrange mix by

boxed

The beautiful cover art of this mix is matched by the great concept of the "fleeting moments" of the Doctor and Rose. While their traveling together is temporary, there is something eternal in them as well.



Measures of Infinity (or: How I Lost My Heart to Time) by

boxed

A wonderfully instrumental compilation focusing on the concept of trying to hold on to forever, in the relationship between Rose and the Doctor.



Nicotine: A House/Cuddy Fanmix by

kamikazewaffle

This collection looks at the addictive nature of the relationship between House, M.D.'s Drs. House and Cuddy. While they often drive each other away, they are just as often the only person the other can return to.



No Happy Ending by

katrina87

This mix focuses on the end of Rose and the Doctor's traveling together, and their reflections on their separation.



Pilots Watching Stars: A Post-Doomsday EP by

boxed

Focusing on Rose's learning to deal with her new life in a new universe, this compilation explores her learning to travel on her own.



Running Right Behind You: A Companions Mix by

araceli_maura

This mix lovingly looks at the Doctor's companions- at his friendship with them, his loves, his needs, and each of their own unique features.



See My Friends: a Tenth Doctor mix by

katrina87

Centered around the Doctor's difficulties with relationships in series three of Doctor Who. So sad, but so great.

Take a Walk Around the World by

intrikate88

I had a lot of fun putting this one together- it's all about the journeys Rose takes, from before she meets the Doctor, to long after. Each song has a very short bit of fic with it, showing the various aspects of her travels.



Watching Bridges Burn: A Ten/Rose Playlist by

rainyrainydays

Are the Doctor and Rose separated forever, or can they find a way back? This compilation is all about the doubts and hopes.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter

Murder and mayhem and Miami, oh my!

... and at first glance, that seems to be what Showtime's Dexter is all about. Dexter Morgan (played by Michael C. Hall) is a charming blood spatter analyst for the Miami PD... who also has the little problem of being a sociopath and likes to kill people as a hobby. Thanks to the moral code instilled by his adoptive father, Harry, he only kills other killers- especially the ones that escape the justice system. Dexter attempts to blend into society by means of elaborate fake emotions, his attachment to his sister Deb, and his girlfriend Rita and her two kids, Cody and Astor. But while he considers himself a fraudulent human, we of the audience suspect there may be more to Dexter than even he believes.

The television series is based on the book series by Jeff Lindsey; the books and the show, while featuring the same premise and comparative plot, have different focuses- the show is far more detailed, rounding out many characters that are only briefly featured in the books, which are very strongly written in a first-person narrative- and who can expect a sociopath to incorporate the feelings of others in his book?

I would have to say one of my favorite things about the television series is the way it explores issues of community/isolation, realness of self/realness of others. There is so much dramatic irony to be seen as Dexter thinks himself alone and unique in his problems, even though its stuff we can all sympathize with- stuff like not understanding the people around us.

When it comes to fandom, Dexter is sadly nearly as dead as one of the title character's evening entertainments. However, there are some communities that produce some decent fanfiction- the Dexter Fanfic and DD_Dexter communities at LiveJournal especially. Thunderemerald is one of my favorite authors, for her quality characterization and dialogue- she just wrote "Water Through a Rusted Pipe," which I was totally impressed with the way she wrote Dexter and Deb. Dexter is inspiring me to explore the characters in more depth, too- so far I've written "Breakable Girls and Boys" and am writing another fic, and I'm also putting together a fanmix of songs that musically portray Dexter and Rita's relationship, and the hurdles that they both face to understanding each other.