Driven Wild Universe: Difference between revisions

The <b>Driven Wild Universe</b> is a series of ''Daria'' stories in quasi-script form by [[Kara Wild]], forming a detailed [[Alternate Universe|alternate universe]]. The series contains twenty-two "episodes."

The Driven Wild Universe (or DWU) is meant to play out several "What ifs" regarding the <i>Daria</i> series if just one thing were changed. In the case of the DWU, this change involved Quinn getting glasses in the first episode, "[[Rose-Colored Lenses]]." While the early episodes of the Driven Wild Universe could have taken place within the series proper, once Quinn chooses to wear her glasses permanently (from "Cheered Down" onward) the fanfiction series breaks from <i>Daria</i> and runs along a parallel path. Kara Wild has stated the the true break occurs after <i>Daria</i> Episode 307, "[[Daria! the Musical]]"; from that point onward, while certain series developments remain (such as the introduction of [[Tom Sloane]] as Jane's boyfriend), others never occur because they have already played out in the Driven Wild Universe, such as "[[Psycho Therapy]]."

An intriguing AU series, the Driven Wild Universe's main focus is on Quinn's evolution from popular person allergic to school to a glasses-wearing math prodigy who sees a new world opening up before her. (The series proper would later provide its own perspective in <i>[[Is It Fall Yet?]]</i> and "[[Lucky Strike]]." At the same time, Wild felt compelled to tweak other dynamics that she felt were stagnant in the series, such as [[Helen Morgendorffer|Helen]]'s relationship with Jake. In time, she would give nearly equal coverage to Helen and her sister, [[Amy Barksdale]]. Some critics would charge that Wild did so at the expense of [[Daria Morgendorffer|Daria]], who, as the title characer, should have been the star. Wild pointed out that she was already being well explored on the series proper; however, during the final episodes of the series, Wild would beef up Daria's role, having her come face to face with the dark side of Quinn's success in math. Jane makes fewer appearances in the DWU than in the series proper, mainly providing much-needed common sense and support.

* [http://www.the-wildone.com/interviews/DWU_interview.htm Driven Wild Universe interview] Kara Wild was interviewed in [[PPMB]] in February 2005 by [[E. A. Smith]]; many questions were submitted by fans.

* [http://www.the-wildone.com/fanfics/kw_fics/Xulfanex/TCFPX.html "They Came from Planet Xulfanex"] A "B movie" science-fiction tale set in the DWU, but not an official part of that epic.