Driven Wild Universe

The Driven Wild Universe is a series of Daria stories in quasi-script form by Kara Wild, forming a detailed alternate universe. The series currently contains twenty-two "episodes."

Background

The Driven Wild Universe (or DWU) is meant to play out several "what ifs?" regarding the Daria series, consequences occuring 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 Daria and runs along a parallel path. Kara Wild has stated the the true break occurs after Daria episode 307, "Daria!"; from that point onward, while certain series developments remain (such as the introduction of Tom Sloane as Jane Lane's boyfriend), others such as "Psycho Therapy" never occur because they have already played out in the Driven Wild Universe.

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 Is It Fall Yet? 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's relationship with Jake. In time, she would give nearly equal coverage to Helen and her sister, Amy Barksdale. Some critics charged that Wild did so at the expense of 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.

Plotlines

Warning: The following may contain plot or ending details.

Quinn Learns That She is Smart

Quinn getting glasses launches the Driven Wild Universe, leading to some of its brightest and darkest moments. At first Quinn wants nothing to do with her glasses, believing correctly that they will hurt her popularity, but finally the lure of being able to see the blackboard proves too great. Quinn wears her glasses continuously from "None in the Family" to "Into the Fire," much to the pleasure of her math teacher, Alfred Phelps. Believing that Quinn possesses great talent in math, Phelps presses her to focus on her studies, first enlisting Jake to watch over her at home ("Of Absolute Value") before taking over the job himself. As with her glasses, Quinn at first resents Phelps's extra attention. However, as she grows to enjoy math, even going so far as to remain on Lawndale High's mathletics squad ("Charge of the Math Brigade") in the face of ridicule, she sees Phelps as more of an ally. As her family troubles pick up in the final episodes of the DWU, Quinn views Phelps as a surrogate father, someone upon whom she is dependent for her math success.

Installments

• Rose-Colored Lenses
• The Tie That Chokes
• That Thing You Say
• 'Shipped Out
• Andrea Speaks
• Cheered Down
• None in the Family (Parts One and Two)
• Outvoted
• Of Absolute Value
• Breaking the Mold
• Surreal World
• Erin the Head
• Primarily Color
• The Age of Cynicism (incomplete)
• Charge of the Math Brigade
• An Uneasy Marriage
• In Her Own Words
• All But Forgotten
• Memory Road
• Into the Fire
• Tomorrow Never Knows

Original Characters

• Alfred Phelps
• Barry Bukowski
• Charles Howard Barksdale, Jr
• Damien Crawley
• Evelyn Barksdale
• Greg Valmont
• Joel Silverman
• Marshall Winsett
• Vince Rogers

External links

• The Driven Wild Universe (all stories)
• The Driven Wild Universe Primer (a good first reference)
• Driven Wild Universe Fan Art
• Driven Wild Universe "Apocrypha"
• Driven Wild Universe interview Kara Wild was interviewed in PPMB in February 2005 by E. A. Smith; many questions were submitted by fans. This was by far the longest and most detailed interview in this series.
• "Mother's Milk" A short story set in the DWU, after the series has ended.
• "They Came from Planet Xulfanex" A "B movie" science-fiction tale set in the DWU, but not an official part of that epic. Technically, it is an AU of an AU.
• "Illusions" Fanfic by CharlieGirl, The Angst Guy, and Angelinhel, in which a universe-crossing Daria meets her DWU counterpart—and her sister, the math genius Quinn ("Illusions," Chapter Three).
• "The Thong Remains the Same" A sex-farce fanfic by The Angst Guy that parodies the characters and events in the DWU.