puppetmaker (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
puppetmaker) wrote2007-07-18 09:05 am
puppetmaker) wrote2007-07-18 09:05 am
New Who Review for "The Shakespeare Code"
(A reminder about Spoilers: I will put my spoilers behind the cut and remind those who wish to stay spoiler free that I do allow spoilers in the comments)
This was a fun episode. It had a famous figure, a mystery to solve, and good villains. It may have sung to me more than most since I have, in my time, almost stage-managed my way through the War of the Roses. I always enjoyed doing a Shakespeare play because it felt like I was adding to the history of the piece. Also "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is where I have created a couple sets of puppets for Tatiana and Oberon so when they go small, they become puppets.
This was the second time that the Doctor has encountered Shakespeare on screen. The first was in "The Chase". Solid performances all the way around by the cast. The recreation of the Globe Theater was wonderful. The villains of the piece make logical sense by the end of the episode (or as logical as a Doctor Who episode can be)
Caroline Scare Factor: A couple of scenes were peeked at through her fingers. But over all she liked this one.
I am grateful for my knowledge of Shakespeare
I was so scared that this episode was going to kill a short story I have been working on for about 10 years in my head. I really need to buckle down and just write the doggone thing. But it doesn't.
I call this one "Shakespeare in Lust". It is the William Shakespeare of the film "Shakespeare in Love" meets the Doctor. Randy little bugger wasn't he? Martha gave as good as she got in witty repartee and Shakespeare saying that he is going to use lines that people give him in his plays (which is from his plays) gives that funny time circular logic.
I thought the idea that the three witches were actually aliens in disguise was kind of fun. And having Shakespeare write what they needed to release their brethren. And yeah, I was grooving on the poppet/puppet that was being used to make him write. (Sidenote: Christina Cole who plays Lilith in this was Cassie on the TV series Hex). The spell stuff was fun. And the title of the play "Loves Labors Won" is considered a lost Shakespeare play. We really don't know how many plays we have lost since we only find occasional references to other plays that were not published.
Overall it was one of my favorite episodes of the season. I have watched it a number of times now.
This was a fun episode. It had a famous figure, a mystery to solve, and good villains. It may have sung to me more than most since I have, in my time, almost stage-managed my way through the War of the Roses. I always enjoyed doing a Shakespeare play because it felt like I was adding to the history of the piece. Also "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is where I have created a couple sets of puppets for Tatiana and Oberon so when they go small, they become puppets.
This was the second time that the Doctor has encountered Shakespeare on screen. The first was in "The Chase". Solid performances all the way around by the cast. The recreation of the Globe Theater was wonderful. The villains of the piece make logical sense by the end of the episode (or as logical as a Doctor Who episode can be)
Caroline Scare Factor: A couple of scenes were peeked at through her fingers. But over all she liked this one.
I am grateful for my knowledge of Shakespeare
I was so scared that this episode was going to kill a short story I have been working on for about 10 years in my head. I really need to buckle down and just write the doggone thing. But it doesn't.
I call this one "Shakespeare in Lust". It is the William Shakespeare of the film "Shakespeare in Love" meets the Doctor. Randy little bugger wasn't he? Martha gave as good as she got in witty repartee and Shakespeare saying that he is going to use lines that people give him in his plays (which is from his plays) gives that funny time circular logic.
I thought the idea that the three witches were actually aliens in disguise was kind of fun. And having Shakespeare write what they needed to release their brethren. And yeah, I was grooving on the poppet/puppet that was being used to make him write. (Sidenote: Christina Cole who plays Lilith in this was Cassie on the TV series Hex). The spell stuff was fun. And the title of the play "Loves Labors Won" is considered a lost Shakespeare play. We really don't know how many plays we have lost since we only find occasional references to other plays that were not published.
Overall it was one of my favorite episodes of the season. I have watched it a number of times now.
no subject
I didn't realize that there had been a previous TV episode of Doctor Who where he met Shakespeare. Do you know of any details? I would hope the two episodes would not contradict each other.
no subject
That's where I knew her face from! I kept trying to figure it out and failing to make the connection. Thank you!
Terrific episode; one of the stronger episodes of the first half of the season, though it will be outshone by episodes that are yet to come. (Trust me on this!) I don't know who the actor was who played Shakespeare but—hello!—the Bard never looked so good! :-)
This episode is actually very similar to a novelette by Mark Bourne called "What Dreams Are Made On" that was published in Full Spectrum 5 many years ago. "The Shakespeare Code" includes elements so similar to Mark's story that, when we saw the episode together, we both sat there with our mouths hanging open wondering why he didn't get a story credit. I'm not impugning the reputation of the series writers, but it was remarkably odd. Still, it was a delight to see some of what Mark had written so well-realized, especially the storm at the end of the episode. And hey, it was Doctor Who so we couldn't complain too hard. Coolness.
no subject
Yup! Cassie! I was thrilled when I saw that. Another Hex actor is in the Sarah Jane Adventures pilot.
I winced at the Harry Potter references.
no subject