29.02: The Shakespeare Code

[Dr.Jackson]

I really liked this episode. So many inferences and references that I'm going to have to watch it a few more times. The balance between pop-culture and historical references was just right, giving something for everyone to grin about. The whole Harry Potter thing was rather amusing - "Good old JK!"

The vis-fx were pretty cool, such as the pass on the Globe with everyone running away from the Carrionites maelstrom, it looked so good I thought it was a composite to start with, until I saw Confidential.

I also think that this episode showed how quickly Martha has adjusted to the Doctors way of life, and that he still has emotional issues regarding the loss of Rose that she will probably help him deal with. I can see her becoming more of an equal with the Doctor than Rose was, if given the chance.

Need to wait for the next episode, which looks great! Next Saturday can't come fast enough!

[scottevill]

I liked the episode -- though, as with last week's hospital-set season premiere, perhaps not as much as its counterpart from last season ("Tooth & Claw").

I've seen a bit of comparison to Tom Stoppard, and I like Stoppard very much (R&G Are Dead and Shakespeare in Love are particular favorites), but I wouldn't go that far.

I would compare it favorably to Neil Gaiman, though. I particularly liked the Naming, and the comparison of magic to mathetmatics: "it's science of a different sort."

Christina Cole was delicious as the main witch--Her moustache twirling was the best thing about the whole ep.

And the period detail was just marvelous.

I liked the bit about the Doctor storing his captives (bound by their crystal ball) in the TARDIS's "attic." I imagine it's not the first time that's been done in Who, but I thought it was clever -- and in keeping with the Gaiman vibe. (Gaiman had Dream lock a couple of demons in a bottle. Then, he locked the bottle in a trunk and forgot about them for many years.)

BTW, though I thought the script was stuffed to bursting with quips and one-liners, I do admit that the Harry Potter one was marvelous--I hope we actually see Martha reading Book 7 in the TARDIS sometime in the next couple of episodes. (Traveling with the Doctor *should* have its priveleges, after all.)

My one gripe is Shakespeare. Didn't buy him for a second. I have no problem with the "sexy Shakespeare" approach, but this actor came off like he'd be more at home in a cop show. It was a charmless, wooden performance. Worse, the script had him more or less constantly spouting modern slang. (If he said "as if...!" one more time...)

I think if they'd cast a better actor the ep might've ben a home-run. Oh, well...

Next Week: Return to New New York.

The week after that: Old New York. (...Why they changed it, I can't say. People just liked it better that way...)

S c o t t E V i l l

[Bel_Azad]

I quite liked the Shakespeare character, I thought they did it well and he came off as a unique character in his own right.

His ability to see things about the doctor and his companion where spot on.

This whole thing about Rose is turning me off a bit - his little tear at the end of THAT episode should have been enough, I dont know why he is going around moping about it.

That encounter with Queen Elizaebth I was real funny.

When I was a kid and thought about time travel and about all the consequences of it, what if ..., what about...

These new Dr Whos have done well to address some of them.

Meeting Sarah Jane Smith again after he just left her somewhere.

And meeting someone that he has met in the future, that we dont know about was REAL FUNNY