Driven Wild Universe: Difference between revisions

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

The Driven Wild Universe (or DWU) is meant to play out several "what ifs?" regarding the ''Daria'' series, consequences occuringoccurring if just one thing were changed. In the case of the DWU, this change involved [[Quinn Morgendorffer|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! the Musical|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 Morgendorffer|Helen's]] relationship with [[Jake Morgendorffer|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 Morgendorffer|Daria]], who, as the title characercharacter, 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.

Wild created Commercial Hell because she thought it was standard practice to have commercials in a scripted fanfic, having seen them used by [[C.E. Forman]], [[John Berry]], [[Peter Guerin]], and [[Danny Bronstein]]. Wild's Commercial Hells would typically pick apart three different commercials between each act, everything from Mentos to the dot-com craze of the late 1990s to SuperbowlSuper Bowl ads. From "The Tie That Chokes" onward, one of the commercial slots was reserved for a "sneak preview" of the next DWU installment. In the second Commercial Hell of "An Uneasy Marriage," Wild went so far as to preview another author's fanfic: [[Daria 2: The Curse of the Misery Chick]]. Although Wild viewed (and continues to view) Commercial Hell as a time capsule reflecting then-current trends, she quickly grew tired of finding commercials to criticize. Her final two DWU installments have no Commercial Hells.

Related to the "Life is Never Easy" theme is the idea that life is a continuous struggle that you have to be willing to engage in so as to get the best out of it. Even "redeemed" characters are neither perfect nor permanently redeemed. One obvious example is the coupling of Amy and Joel; although they appear to be closer by the end of "Memory Road," it would be a mistake to assume that they are headed for an untroubled life. In the unfinished novella, ''The Winter Chill'' (a sequel to the Driven Wild Universe), stongstrong hints are left that Amy is feeling overwhelmed by her new life with Joel and their child. Another example within the Driven Wild Universe is Helen's new self -discovery. While one would think that after separating from Jake, she might revel in her newfound freedom and independence, she is instead fearful and sad, and more focused on keeping things normal than on sculpting or dating. That is not to say that Helen will never find happiness, and there are signs that she is adapting to single life toward the end of "Tomorrow Never Knows." Wild finds "happily ever afters" to be boring and unrealistic, and is bothered by the number of episodes in ''Daria'' Seasons Four and Five that suggest a character has achieved a permanent state of happiness or maturity (such as suddenly newly mature Quinn of "Lucky Strike").