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   From: doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca   
      
   Here's a review of *Doctor Who: The Shakespeare Code*:   
   ---   
      
   *The Shakespeare Code* is an adventurous and witty episode   
   of *Doctor Who* that blends time travel, history,   
   and the supernatural. The Doctor (David Tennant)   
   and his new companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman)   
   journey to Elizabethan England, where they meet   
   the legendary playwright William Shakespeare.   
   The episode manages to fuse historical fiction   
   with a fantastical, alien threat, all while paying   
   homage to the iconic writer and his works.   
      
   The story opens with Martha still adjusting to her   
   new role as the Doctor’s companion. Having just been   
   introduced in *Smith and Jones*, Martha is eager to   
   explore the universe and prove herself as a capable traveler.   
   The Doctor, still somewhat grieving over the loss of Rose,   
   is reluctant to fully embrace Martha as a companion,   
   but their chemistry starts to develop naturally   
   in this episode. The setting of Elizabethan London   
   immediately captivates, with the period costumes,   
   bustling streets, and famous Globe Theatre providing   
   a richly detailed backdrop.   
      
   At the heart of the episode is Shakespeare himself,   
   played with great charisma by Dean Lennox Kelly.   
   His portrayal is a blend of genius and charm,   
   depicting Shakespeare as a flamboyant, quick-witted   
   figure whose brilliance attracts admiration but also   
   hides a complex emotional side. The relationship   
   between the Doctor, Martha, and Shakespeare   
   is central to the plot, with the Doctor's   
   admiration for the playwright's talent coming through   
   in several moments. Shakespeare's character is given life,   
   not just as a historical figure but as an integral part   
   of the story's unfolding mystery.   
      
   The central conflict revolves around the Carrionites,   
   a race of witches who use words as a form of science   
   to manipulate reality. The Carrionites aim to use   
   Shakespeare's as-yet-unwritten play *Love's Labour's Won*   
   to open a portal and unleash their kind upon the world.   
   This clever blending of historical fiction   
   and *Doctor Who's* usual alien adversaries works well,   
   with the Carrionites representing a fusion of folklore   
   and extraterrestrial menace. Their ability to twist   
    words and manipulate reality through language ties   
    directly into the themes of Shakespeare's work,   
    making the plot both engaging and fitting.   
      
   One of the episode’s strengths is how it intertwines   
   Shakespeare's writing with the narrative. The use of   
   words as a tool for both creation and destruction plays   
   into the power of language, a theme that resonates   
   throughout the episode. The Doctor frequently references   
   Shakespeare's iconic lines, and the plot even allows   
   Shakespeare himself to create some of his famous phrases   
   on the spot, further adding to the playful tone of the episode.   
   For example, the Doctor's playful jabs at famous lines,   
   such as quoting "to be or not to be"   
   before Shakespeare's time, serve as humorous moments   
   for fans familiar with the playwright's work.   
      
   Martha’s role in this episode is particularly interesting.   
   As a modern woman of color, she faces prejudice in Elizabethan   
   society, though she handles it with intelligence and resilience.   
   Her interactions with Shakespeare add depth to her character,   
   as she is clearly fascinated by him yet remains grounded   
   in her sense of self-worth. There's also an underlying   
   romantic tension between Martha and the Doctor,   
   which she wrestles with throughout the episode.   
   However, the Doctor's lingering feelings for Rose prevent   
   him from fully reciprocating, creating a subtle emotional   
   layer in their relationship.   
      
   Visually, *The Shakespeare Code* impresses with its period-accurate   
   sets and costumes. The Globe Theatre, a significant location   
   in the story, is beautifully recreated, and the scene where   
   the Doctor and Martha attend a live performance feels lively   
   and authentic. The episode's visual effects, especially   
   the design of the Carrionites, strike a good balance   
   between creepy and otherworldly, with their grotesque   
   appearance and eerie powers adding to the tension.   
   The final battle inside the Globe, where the Doctor,   
   Martha, and Shakespeare work together to banish the Carrionites,   
   is a standout moment, filled with energy and suspense.   
      
   One of the episode's key moments comes in the form   
   of the Doctor and Shakespeare’s collaboration to defeat   
   the Carrionites. Using their combined intellect   
   and Shakespeare's command of language, they are able   
   to seal the portal and stop the alien invasion.   
   The scene cleverly highlights Shakespeare's genius   
   while allowing the Doctor to take a backseat in the solution,   
   giving the historical figure agency in saving the day.   
      
   Murray Gold's musical score, as always,   
   enhances the atmosphere of the episode.   
   The score complements the action, particularly during   
   the dramatic climax, and adds a layer of excitement   
   and tension to the story. The balance of humor   
   and drama is handled well, with moments of levity   
   between the Doctor and Shakespeare contrasting   
   with the darker, more intense scenes involving the Carrionites.   
      
   While the episode is mostly light-hearted, there are hints   
   of deeper themes, particularly regarding the power of   
   words and the legacy of Shakespeare. The episode acknowledges   
   Shakespeare's lasting influence on culture and language   
   while also having fun with the idea that his genius might   
   have been inspired by his encounters with the Doctor.   
   The episode ends on a playful note,   
   with Queen Elizabeth I arriving and seemingly recognising the Doctor,   
   setting up an unresolved mystery that will carry over into future episodes.   
      
   In conclusion, *The Shakespeare Code* is a delightful episode   
   that successfully blends history, science fiction, and humour.   
   The chemistry between Tennant's Doctor, Agyeman's Martha,   
   and Kelly's Shakespeare drives the story forward,   
   while the Carrionites provide a suitably eerie threat.   
   The episode's exploration of language and its power ties neatly   
   into Shakespeare's legacy, making this not just a fun adventure   
   but a clever homage to one of history’s greatest writers.   
      
   ---   
      
   Rating: 8.5/10   
      
   *The Shakespeare Code* is a witty, engaging episode that highlights   
   the Doctor's admiration for Shakespeare and showcases Martha's   
   growing potential as a companion. Its blend of history and sci-fi   
   is entertaining, with strong performances and a clever plot that   
   keeps the viewer hooked from start to finish.   
   --   
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