Doctor Who Club of Australia

dave · Last edited by dave on Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:21 pm; edited 1 time in total

I enjoyed this third in the line of 'Historical Celebrities' stories, although I don't think it was quite as good as The Unquiet Dead or Tooth and Claw.

I'm not a big fan of the supernatural in DW, and never have been. But I guess these Carrionites had psychic powers a little like Azal did in The Daemons, the reason I dislike supernatural stuff in DW. Their use of their powers was interesting, and Lilith I could watch all day. So now we've had zombies, a werewolf and witches (in the historicals), what's coming next year?

I guess I felt somewhat let down with the ending, which had similarities to both Unquiet Dead and, more particularly, Doomsday. The bad guys just get sucked back to wherever they came from, thanks to Shakespeare's 'spell'.

I'm hoping the references to Rose will end pretty soon. Martha's a great companion, and I'd rather not see the Doctor moping like a lovesick teenager.

All in all it was pertty good, I guess. As always with new DW, it looked great, but the story left a little bit to be desired. Quite amusing the number of lines the Doctor gives Will. And we get an explanation for the mention of the Sycorax in 'The Tempest'.

meglos · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 670 Location: Perth

I thought it was good, some funny moments mixed with the scary witches(at least my 6 year old son thought so from the other room Smile

) and good acting all round. I was slighty curious about the thing with the queen, What's all that about then?

Greg · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:47 am Post subject:

Not so keen on this one. Why is it that the second story of each season has become 'Doctor Who in an exciting adventure with a well-known figure for British history'?

The whole shtick with Shakespeare being keen use bits of what the Doctor said in future plays wore a bit thin, though luckily it lent itself to more variations than trying to get Queen Victoria to say 'We are not amused'. And I'm afraid that the voodoo doll, pin through the heart thing played out just the way that I expected from its first appearance.

On the other hand, the cast were good and put in strong performances, the production values were high, and (where the writing stayed away from the predictable) much of it was enjoyable.

In summary: less meaty than Smith and Jones, which makes it mostly amusing fluff.

arturo · Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 78 Location: Toowoomba

I reckon there's a great drinking game to be played with this episode. Everytime a line from a Shakespeare play is uttered everyone should drink.

I kinda liked this although like Dave I think the witches were a little too supernatural. Fine they have psychic energy but why do they look the way they do??

Awesome production values, some sparkling dialogue, great humour but ultimately i was left a little underwhelmed.

Tegan · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:14 pm Post subject:

I liked this better than Smith & Jones, one reason being there was no need for all the family exposition necessary in the first episode.

Like Dave, I don't much like supernatural themes in Dr Who, though they handled it well enough here. So long as there is a plausible scientific explanation for the hoodoo, I can let them get away with it.

I personally like that the Doctor hasn't entirely got over Rose, just so long as they don't labour the point in every story. It annoys me when a companion leaves and everyone just forgets about them!

Martha's scene on the bed with the Doctor was perfect. She fancies him, but he sees her as a traditional companion, an assistant and a sort of muse. I think this is going to work out really well.

I bet she has a hissy fit at some stage that puts the Doctor in the usual "grave danger".

The quote from Dylan Thomas was good, it sort of broke up the constant hagiography of Shakespeare, and the bit where the Doctor says that "...57 academics just punched the air" when Shakespeare tried to flirt with the Doctor gave me a chuckle.

I also liked the way Shakespeare was portrayed. Not as the usual studious old duffer, but as a sort of 16th century movie star.

The Globe theatre was used well and looked good. Must get over there one day.

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4566

A solid formal debut for Gareth Roberts in televised Doctor Who. The topic of Shakespeare is obviously something that he is familiar with as he also appeared in his Ninth Doctor comic strip A Groatsworth of Wit

Very delighted to see Christina Cole who I am familiar with from her starring role in the supernatural series Hex. Here she played another supernatural role.

A very good climax to the episode and what a surprising end.

Todd · Site Admin Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 60

Oh my goodness, Christina Cole is from Hex!!! She was great!!! I new I knew her from somewhere

I found this story highly enjoyable, with strong performances all round, a great location, lots of witty dialogue. And I love all the hocus pocus stuff and the fact that its an hysterical..err...historical. Smile

Perhaps the story does lack some depth underneath all the jokes and set pieces, but only time will tell.

As good as ep1 but in different ways.

And Freema is fab!!!

losthopes · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 3 Location: SYDNEY

eek the beggining was gory but there was some funny bits like when the last word to the spell as expelliarmus
LMAO

Ickabod · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 593 Location: far far away

I loved this episode and Will was fantastic....loved the mentioning of J.K.Rowlings and Harry Potter.....any moment I was expecting Blackadder to "pop in" and give Will a trip and a biro pen.....was and still am curious about Queenie and her beef with the Doctor....I loved it and so did my 7 year old....Fantastic!!!

g,uest · Joined: 17 Feb 2006 Posts: 362

http://drwhoaustralia.org/board/viewtopic.php?p=19170#19170

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4566

The SMH Guide has given The Shakespeare Code the thumbs up with reviewer Keith Austin saying that it is a great story and that the tongue is firmly in cheek.

Ickabod · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 593 Location: far far away

Ickabod · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 593 Location: far far away

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4566

Thanks Ickabod.

Just as The Shakespeare Code will be on tonight comes news reported at Outpost Gallifrey that David Tennant is in negotiation with the Royal Shakespeare Company to play Hamlet.

What an amazing coincidence.

Ickabod · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 593 Location: far far away

I bet he'll look good in a hose.....reminds me of a skit with the Goodies and Bill's got his hose but it's a rubber one

montypython · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:03 pm Post subject:

Many months ago, I wrote a fic with 9 and Rose where they went to Tudor England. They stepped out of the TARDIS, and the Doctor quickly pulled Rose out of the way as the contents of a chamberpot fell to the ground.

I thought this was a great episode. It was very funny, especially the Harry Potter references.

I liked that Shakespeare was speaking in a manner that I could understand, but found it a little weird that he knew basically everything about the Doctor.

Even though I'm a huge Rose lover, even I am getting sick of the constant mention of her.

No sonic screwdriver!

Next week looks promising, though I do hope they'll stop having a constant episode set in the far far future. At least the Face of Boe will be gone for good now.

Tegan · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:04 pm Post subject:

Odnet · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 61 Location: Mudgee

I found the Shakespeare lines a bit overplayed. It's funny once or even four times but it gets a bit old after a while and the ending was just a bit too "Shakespeare Fan-boy". The Doctor being the fan-boy and Shakespeare being the all conquering hero, fighting evil with words. It would be different if those words were truly heroic but they were not (or maybe it's just me). Why can't we have better endings!
The best bit as usual is watching The Doctor and Martha. The energy from that relationship could dispel witches!

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4566

From Phantom at knowfirst.info:
Ratings for The Shakespeare Code was 806000 (Sydney), this is down from 928000 for Smith and Jones. The Shakespeare Code still managed to be in the top ten coming in at 9th place for the July 7 viewing, which is a couple of places down for Smith and Jones at 7th place the previous week.

Like Smith and Jones the previous week, The Shakespeare Code was beaten in the ratings by the Harry Potter movie that was shown at the same time (bit of an irony that the episode itself had Harry Potter references).

Somehow I don't think Gridlock this coming Saturday July 14 will fare any better against the third Harry Potter movie scheduled on the same night.

Firestarter · Joined: 18 Sep 2006 Posts: 20

I rated this episode. Good to see some historic themese again. I agree on the Rose thing tho. I personally never liked Rose so all the references are like finger nails on a chalkboard to me.

One thing though. WHile it's nice to see somehting a little different I'd like to see the Dr travel outside of the UK for once.