Dr. Who 29/3, Episode 2, The Shakespeare Code

[selenak]

Fun!



Though I wish they'd have used one of the "right" sonnets at the end. "Shall I compare thee to a summers day" isn't one of the Dark Lady sonnets, it's one of the Fair Youth ones. Will quote the ideal Dark Lady sonnet to have been used below.

Still: that's not a genuine nitpick, nor am I going to complain about Shakespeare the hot guy as opposed to Will looking like a grocer (see portraits) - that's movie tradition! And it's not like the man himself and the other Elizabethans didn't commit outrageous anti historical stuff, what with clocks striking in Julius Caesar and the lot. No, my only real complaint is that the Rose references are starting to feel gratitious. Not the second one, which does tie with the overall subject of names and the power of words, but the first one, which I really could have done without.

Now, on to the squee: the Doctor confirms what's been blindingly obvious for the last 40 plus years, that he failed his driver's licence test for the TARDIS. *g* Aw, the old girl loves him anyway. londonkds was wondering whether or not the show would ignore Martha's race, and behold, they address the question right away. What's more, they also answer the question as to whether only villainous characters would show the attitude of their times. No. Thank you, Dr. Who. (This always annoys me in tv shows and novels alike: somehow, the sympathetic characters are all magically advanced to show all the modern sensitivities when it comes to racism, sexism, etc.)

The quote game (including the Dylan Thomas one!), Shakespeare not falling for the psychic paper, Shakespeare flirting with Martha and the Doctor (though 57 scholars? Gareth Roberts, you're seriously underestimating your numbers here!), Martha saying no at the end due to the Elizabethan bad breath, Martha continuing to use her medical training, Martha questioning stuff and coming up with not-obvious suggestions and knowledge as the fact a sonnet has 14 lines - oh, I loved it to bits. The witches-as-aliens was predictable, given the show, of course, but that was just part of the game. And did I mention I adored that the power of words and imagination was the key?

Ending: was a Blackadder homage if ever I saw one, complete with Elizabeth-as-Queenie.

Lastly: I so hope J.K. Rowling was watching this one. The Doctor as a Harry Potter fan (and Martha as same) was precious enough, but Expelliarmus? Oh, let me count the ways, indeed.


In honour of the episode, because it's still poetry month and because I wished they'd used it, here's Sonnet CXXX, my favourite of the Dark Lady sonnets:



My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red:
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask'd, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound.
I grant I never saw a goddess go:
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

Comments

[settiai]

though 59 scholars? Gareth Roberts, you're seriously underestimating your numbers here!

It was 57, actually. *cough* And I'm pretty sure it was a reference to Shakespeare's Sonnet 57, since it's one of the ones that's always brought up during the discussions on Shakepeare's sexuality.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

'edits'

And ohhh, yes, I can see that.

[kathyh]

The Doctor as a Harry Potter fan (and Martha as same) was precious enough, but Expelliarmus? Oh, let me count the ways, indeed.

Delicious wasn't it. I absolutely loved this episode and the fact that Martha knew there 14 lines to a sonnet was the icing on the cake. I laughed out loud at the 57 scholars line and now I'd love to know what the Doctor did to piss off Elizabeth I *g*.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Well, she has been known to curse her physicians.*g* Or maybe he was his know it all self, and that didn't wash?

I so loved this episode. *hearts*

[lcsbanana.livejournal.com]

I--I'm trying to imagine Shakespeare telling Martha that her breath reeks, and the SLAPPING which would ensue. *hee hee hee* You're quite right though, if one is going to be geeky enough to make a dark lady joke one ought to go ALL THE WAY.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Well, they did give her the bad breath line, which is as good a lead-in as any.*g*