Doctor Who 3.02: The Shakespeare Code
Just as I settle down to type this review with a cup of tea in hand, I realise that I've not made it yet so I'll be back in a few minutes...
Right, here we go... Diddly-dum, diddly-dum, diddly-dum... Ooo-ooo-ooo...
WARNING: This post is likely to contain spoliers! I have turned the text the same colour as the background of the page so if you highlight this entire post, you'll see the text.
The opening sequence is decidedly cheesy and romantic and almost turns pornographic! Once inside Lilith's rooms, and then her transformation after the kiss, we are instantly aware of imminent danger. But why does she address the camera just before the opening credits? At this point, I would just like to say how much better the opening titles look with the 'proper' logo in them rather than the series 1 and 2 version. Is the TARDIS clockwork? The Doctor is doing a lot of winding with that handle. He's also using his left foot to fly the TARDIS too and he finally admits to failing his TARDIS flight test. Why am I not surprised! The whole butterfly and grandfather exchange is Doctor Who thumbing its' nose at all other time-travel films and shows. Brilliantly done. Enter Shakespeare: a flying kick and a huge insult to the audience. A truly different character than I believe anybody expected, and the Doctor is genuinely disappointed at his words. Throughout the production, the set design and costumes are stunning, emphasising just how expertly the BBC do historical drama. Is Martha's homeland of Freedonia a pun on Freema's name? Mr. Linley's death is particularly horrid. It's convincingly done and the little exchange with Martha about Witchcraft is really quite haunting, if you'll pardon the pun. Could this also be the first time we see the Doctor sharing a bed? Clearly, Martha really likes the Doctor but he manages to insult her and he doesn't even realise it, something that happens a few times in this episode. Lilith is surprisingly sexy, a strong characteristic for the weekly 'bad guy'. A necessary trait in making female villains seem far more deadly. I write this as I watch the episode and for an episode that seeks to play with words, I feel it just a little ironic that I haven't seen anything to comment on. My favourite scene in this episode is the confrontation with Lilith. The Doctor has no name? Nothing new to learn there but it's refreshing to hear it again. It's also quite convenient that Lilith doesn't know he has two hearts. It's rather a funny moment as Martha tries to restart his second heart before they both head off to the grand finale in the globe theatre. Finally, the Doctor gives way gain for someone else to save the day, this time it's Shakespeare. But, I'll award the point to the Doctor anyway as it is he that convinces Shakespeare that he can save the world. The final choice of word is also particularly amusing, a final nod to the modern wordsmith who gave us Harry Potter and co. Hamnet?? Brilliant! When Shakespeare figures out the Doctor and Martha's origins, it is surprising and expected. But it is nothing to the short chase back to the TARDIS when Queen Elizabeth arrives. Final Score: |
No comments:
Post a Comment