The Shakespeare Code
- Episode aired Jul 13, 2007
- TV-PG
- 45m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
7.8K
YOUR RATING
The Doctor takes Martha to London in 1599, where William Shakespeare's new play is being used by three witches in an evil plan.The Doctor takes Martha to London in 1599, where William Shakespeare's new play is being used by three witches in an evil plan.The Doctor takes Martha to London in 1599, where William Shakespeare's new play is being used by three witches in an evil plan.
Paul Bateman
- Groundling
- (uncredited)
Martin Alexander Colton
- Juliet
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Sydney Newman(uncredited)
- Gareth Roberts
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- Trivia"Love's Labours Won" is an actual lost William Shakespeare play, the text of which has never been located. Some scholars believe that it is not really lost, but is simply a working title for one of his romantic comedies such as As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, or All's Well That Ends Well, all of which have interchangeable titles which don't describe the play's content very well. Or even The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Twelfth Night, or The Taming of the Shrew, which all revolve around exhaustive efforts in pursuit of love.
- GoofsBecause of poor lighting, among other things, in William Shakespeare's day plays were performed during the day. That was why theaters like The Globe had no roofs, so that the sun could light up the stage. It wasn't until much later that performances became a night-time affair.
- Quotes
Martha Jones: So, magic and stuff? It's a surprise, it's all a bit Harry Potter.
The Doctor: Wait till you read book seven. Oh, I cried.
- Alternate versionsOn Disney XD, edits for content were made: Martha Jones using the word "hell" is muted and her race concerns about being in 1599 - "I'm not going to get carted off as a slave or anything?" "Why ever would you think that?" "Well, not exactly white, in case you hadn't noticed." - are completely cut.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Doctor Who Confidential: Meet Martha Jones (2007)
- SoundtracksDoctor Who Theme
(uncredited)
Written by Ron Grainer
Arranged by Murray Gold
Performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Featured review
A visually stunning episode of the series
"The Shakespeare Code" marks the lovely Martha Jones' first trip in the TARDIS. Rather than a trip to a space station or a faraway planet, the Doctor and his companion go back to Shakesperean England where they meet the bard himself. Dean Lennox Kelly plays Shakespeare like a Tudor rock star, including high-kicks and Noel Gallagher-like comments to the audience. Kelly's performance is excellent and his Shakespeare is a very likable fellow.
The beautiful Christina ("Hex") Cole plays the youngest of three "witches" who set out to destroy earth. Cole is always watchable and she does a great job here. The pre-titles intro will have many older male viewers grinning at the suggestion of naughty goings-on with Ms. Cole. Meanwhile, kids will run for cover behind their nearest settee as the considerable "fright factor" is introduced.
This episode is truly impressive in the visual effects department. Filmed partly in the re-built Globe theatre and on location, there's a real sense of scale. Everything is lit beautifully and the effects are gorgeous to look at. The CGI-produced Carrionites are a great design, reminding me a little of the terrifying Reapers from Eccleston's "Father's Day".
The script is superb and will have schoolchildren throughout the land rummaging through Shakespeare plays for a reference to a Sycorax. Here's a clue...they should start with "The Tempest". Thankfully, the episode doesn't try sticking to continuity with previous stories where the Doctor's meetings with Shakespeare have been mentioned. This would have simply made things messy and unnecessarily confusing.
Despite its strengths, there are one or two areas where the episode didn't gel as well as it could have done. Perhaps I'm being unsympathetic but I'm growing a little tired of the Doctor's references to Rose. Hopefully, these will soon become a thing of the past. Also, Tennant can be just a tad annoying at times. Having said this, he's a great Doctor and every incarnation of the Time Lord has had the ability to be a little annoying in certain situations.
Overall, an enjoyable episode and a strong 8 out of 10. This is big-budget television and proper family entertainment.
The beautiful Christina ("Hex") Cole plays the youngest of three "witches" who set out to destroy earth. Cole is always watchable and she does a great job here. The pre-titles intro will have many older male viewers grinning at the suggestion of naughty goings-on with Ms. Cole. Meanwhile, kids will run for cover behind their nearest settee as the considerable "fright factor" is introduced.
This episode is truly impressive in the visual effects department. Filmed partly in the re-built Globe theatre and on location, there's a real sense of scale. Everything is lit beautifully and the effects are gorgeous to look at. The CGI-produced Carrionites are a great design, reminding me a little of the terrifying Reapers from Eccleston's "Father's Day".
The script is superb and will have schoolchildren throughout the land rummaging through Shakespeare plays for a reference to a Sycorax. Here's a clue...they should start with "The Tempest". Thankfully, the episode doesn't try sticking to continuity with previous stories where the Doctor's meetings with Shakespeare have been mentioned. This would have simply made things messy and unnecessarily confusing.
Despite its strengths, there are one or two areas where the episode didn't gel as well as it could have done. Perhaps I'm being unsympathetic but I'm growing a little tired of the Doctor's references to Rose. Hopefully, these will soon become a thing of the past. Also, Tennant can be just a tad annoying at times. Having said this, he's a great Doctor and every incarnation of the Time Lord has had the ability to be a little annoying in certain situations.
Overall, an enjoyable episode and a strong 8 out of 10. This is big-budget television and proper family entertainment.
helpful•4112
- DVD_Connoisseur
- Apr 7, 2007
Details
- Runtime45 minutes
- Color
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