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Doctor Who Series 3, Episode 2 Review: The Shakespeare Code

What did you think of this episode?

  • Sonic!

  • Good!

  • Bumpy-wumpy!

  • Exterminate!


Hey nonny nonny it's Mr Shakespeare! I'm filing this one under enjoyable fun.


Until you watch things in order you forget how much RTD sticks to a certain formula. This may have been one of the major issues with the newest series, as although the stories seemed bolder, that same old formula is running through the entire series. Basically the opening three episodes run the same in all five series, but maybe second and third episodes are slightly jumbled.


Fun, slightly whacky opening episode: Rose, New Earth, Smith and Jones, Partners in Crime


Historical: The Unquiet Dead, Tooth and Claw, The Shakespeare Code, The Fires of Pompeii, The Devil's Chord


Future: End of the World, School Reunion (exception to the rule), Gridlock, Planet of the Ood, Boom


I'm not here to discuss that though. I'm talking about William Shakespeare, Martha Jones and the Doctor, oh and some witches.


"Tell you what then, don’t step on any butterflies. What have butterflies ever done to you?"


As I said, enjoyable fun! The witches look great and I know sometimes it is not always great but I love things like witches, werewolf's and vampires being explained as something alien. I am sorry, I know not everyone agrees.


I try not to talk too much about things I know nothing about. But I am aware the writer of this and a few other episodes doesn't have great views regarding certain things. I don't know enough about him to know his exact views, but I can guess.


Sometimes I like to play a guessing game, usually someone tweets or says something a tad on the controversial side. This is usually about trans rights/issues. Once the tweet or words are out in the open I like to guess will they apologise and say it was a one off and not their view, or will they go on the all out attack and end up supporting Tommy Robinson and Donald Trump?!? It seems to go one way or the other which I find utterly bizarre. Is this just me?


Anyway, as much as I enjoy my guessing game this is just another reason I hope our American friends own the shit out of Trump in November and send him packing for good. I know he will kick up a stink for a while, but hopefully once the dust settles the Republicans will bin the two time loser off and he will be old news - hopefully somewhere in a cell.


There is almost something poetic that JK Rowling gets a mention as well. Almost as if they planned to lose the plot together. I bet David NEVER watches this one back. I do enjoy a pop culture reference in the show now and again though, I can't deny it.


There is also a throwaway line about Martha being black and the Doctor brushing it off that probably doesn't play out that well in this day and age. You could look at it another way and think that the colour of Martha's skin doesn't matter to the Doctor and therefore won't matter to the people they meet because why should it?


"And you, Sir Doctor. How can a man so young have eyes so old?"


I loved the Globe shots, it looked really good and it made the episode quite magical in that setting.


How come there was one sexy witch and two witch witches?


Dean Lennox Kelly gave a very fun portrayal of Shakespeare, his constant ooh I like that's and attempts at pulling Martha are great.


What did the Doctor end up doing with the witches? Did I miss that bit? Is he just keeping them in the globe thing for all eternity? Ten can be a right cruel bugger.


"There’s something I’m missing, Martha. Something really close. Staring me right in the face and I can’t see it. Rose would know. A friend of mine, Rose. Right now she’d say exactly the right thing. Still. Can’t be helped. You’re a novice, never mind. Take you back home tomorrow."


I love Martha, Doctor please stop treating her like shit!!


Good episode - nice steady start to the third series. Bring on the traffic jam!!


RATING: Good!

BEST LINE: "Made me question everything. The futility of this fleeting existence. “To be or not to be.” Ooh. That’s quite good."


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