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Once again, I loved it, particularly the characterization of Shakespeare. A few more detailed spoilery comments:

- I loved all the comments and references to lines in Shakespeare's plays - and J.K. Rowling - and Dylan Thomas. Beautifully done. I also loved the sense of this being a certain place in time, with not all the familiar plays written yet.

- Loved Shakespeare flirting with both the Doctor and Martha. He was nicely personable, and, yes, the script did justice to him.

- Loved the way Shakespeare saw the Doctor as a kindred spirit, and vice versa.

- Loved the references to Rose - nicely intense.

- I generally loved the interplay between the Doctor and Martha, though this time the focus was more on the interplay between Shakespeare and the Doctor, and Martha and Shakespeare.

- The witches were not very scary, but they were nicely atmospheric and fit the times.

- I liked the way history was handled, especially the wrath of Queen Elizabeth at the end. It seems the Doctor doesn't get on very well with English monarchs, though he did just fine with Louis XV in "The Girl in the Fireplace".

- I still love Martha, though she didn't have quite so much to do this time. I like the way she catches on fast to what's going on.

- I fantasized a bit of dialogue with the Doctor saying something like "The lady doth protest too much," and Shakespeare saying, "I wish I'd said that," and the Doctor replying, "You will, William, you will."

Date: 2007-04-10 03:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] atheneunknown.livejournal.com
Wow. Good commentary.

I too loved the references to Rose. And Shakespear in general. I love that character so much.

Waiting patiently for Shakespear/Doctor smut to start popping up.

I liked the witches a lot. Though as you said they were not scary. I just liked them a whole lot.

And I utterly loved the bed scene between Martha and the Doctor. LOVED IT.

Date: 2007-04-10 12:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fajrdrako.livejournal.com
I love that character so much.

I did too. They made him larger than life, which is exactly what he should be, for maximum effect.

Waiting patiently for Shakespear/Doctor smut to start popping up.

I'd say I'm waiting not-so-patiently. I once wrote a story that slashed Shakespeare with Methos. Hmm...

I utterly loved the bed scene between Martha and the Doctor.

There was so much characterization there - so much of a contrast of characters, each so much their own person, with such different thoughts about what was happening. It was beautifully done.

Date: 2007-04-10 06:02 am (UTC)
msilverstar: (Default)
From: [personal profile] msilverstar
Yes to all of those things! But why do you think they went with the 70s hair? It looked really odd, compared to the usual BBC Elizabethan accuracy.

Date: 2007-04-10 12:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fajrdrako.livejournal.com
Interesting question. I have no obvious answer; possibly time contraints. With all that costuming, maybe they decided to spend less time on fixing hair. BBC aside, often movies and TV shows, however accurate they may be in other aspects, simply use the hair styles of the present, long with the make-up of the present. A weird effect.

Date: 2007-04-10 06:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kikibug13.livejournal.com
Such a sparkly episode! :) I really liked it, though I am not too keen on Harry Potter. Considering the fact that "Expeliarmus" was way misused, that helps me to take the fanship with a small grain of salt :D

I do love the brilliant quotes. Re your last point, I think it was a running joke of the Doctor quoting Shakespeare at the Bard, and him memorising the lines for future reference. Up to the 'I think I should be on ten percent' in the end.

Re Queen Elizabeth. My thought on finishing the ep was "Oh he definitely doesn't get along with queens! I wonder why!" Although the common drift might as well be British monarch, as you mention.

Another point. He never got to road testing using his sonic screwdriver in this episode. I wonder why about that one too (well, besides having Will demonstrate his genius...)

I like the soft, candle-lit light in this episode as well (definitely reminds me of the Girl in the Fireplace). So many nice quotes again... I loved it when Shakespeare asked, "How can a man so young have eyes so old?" (To which the Doctor replied, I read a lot *chuckles*).

And in the end a gratuitious icon insertion (JB): Image

Date: 2007-04-10 12:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fajrdrako.livejournal.com
Such a sparkly episode!

That it was!

I really liked it, though I am not too keen on Harry Potter.

Neither am I, though I confess to a late-blooming fondness for Barty Crouch, Jr. But I liked the Rowling references here: they were so light-hearted and appropriate.

Up to the 'I think I should be on ten percent' in the end.

Yup, that was lovely. As parody it works on a lot of levels.

Re Queen Elizabeth.

I'm wondering if they're planning an episode that will explain what happened... I mean, what will happen. I'd have thought Elizabeth I would have really liked the Doctor, as a sort of lively cross between the Earl of Essex and John Dee.

He never got to using his sonic screwdriver in this episode.

He had a few openings for it, too. (Doesn't he always?)

I like the soft, candle-lit light in this episode as well

Very atmospheric. That added a lot. The visual ambience was wonderful. The fact that they had to film so much at night might have contributed to this.

I loved it when Shakespeare asked, "How can a man so young have eyes so old?" (To which the Doctor replied, I read a lot

Beautiful moment! Perfect. Maybe my very favourite. But I'll have to watch again (a few times) to be sure.

I also liked Martha's self-possession. Even when she was all wide-eyed and excited.




Date: 2007-04-10 12:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kikibug13.livejournal.com
(sorry, can't get enough of this icon... I might have to replace it to get over it, maybe. *considers replacing with the Oncoming Shag one* or maybe not...)

Aaanyway.

I confess to a late-blooming fondness for Barty Crouch, Jr.
Oooh absolutely!!! oh dear oh dear... the one and only reason that actually made me see Goblet of Fire. *tries to clear head of images of mouth, teeth, and, especially, tongue*

I'm wondering if they're planning an episode that will explain what happened

I think somebody on the [profile] tennant_love came up with the idea that it was a proof that DT was going to be in series four - as there didn't seem to be another Elizabethan episode on S3, and she obviously recognised Ten as himself...

I rather like Martha, though I do think that a lot of the conflict in the fandom (Doctor/Rose vs. Doctor/Martha) is going overboard. I rather like the way the Doctor really hasn't gotten over Rose - and if he has, quite so soon, it'd have been, um... really sad, I think. A very different personality of the Doctor than the one I have in my mind. Two huge hearts and place in them for everyone, is what I think, and Rose filled them up to bursting. Rather hard to purge her off.

Besides, Martha had a devout admirer and all, at least in the episode ;)

Although I must admit my favourite non-Doctor line was, "Is that a promise, Doctor?" He. Heh heh hehehehehehe!

Date: 2007-04-10 12:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fajrdrako.livejournal.com
can't get enough of this icon... I might have to replace it to get over it, maybe.

Oh, don't! I still love it with an enduring passion, just as I loved that scene in the episode.

the one and only reason that actually made me see Goblet of Fire.

Well, yes, indeed. Possibly the best thing about Harry Potter. Though a few of my other favourite actors appeared in one or more of those movies - Jason Isaacs, Ralph Fiennes - they didn't shine.

it was a proof that DT was going to be in series four - as there didn't seem to be another Elizabethan episode on S3, and she obviously recognised Ten as himself...

A nice speculation, though they are perfectly capable of just never telling us the full story. I hope they do, though. Just the thing for season 4. Yes.

I do think that a lot of the conflict in the fandom (Doctor/Rose vs. Doctor/Martha) is going overboard.

I see no point to it. I love them both. The Doctor loved Rose, but she's gone, and now we have a whole different dynamic between Doctor and companion. I'm happy about it.

I rather like the way the Doctor really hasn't gotten over Rose -

I like that too. It isn't as if he has a bad memory, or that he's transient in his affections. She mattered to him: of course he is reminded of her all the time. And of course he will develop new relationships and life will continue, even while he remembers and loves her still. I have no problem with any of that. I love the way they're handling it.

Two huge hearts and place in them for everyone, is what I think, and Rose filled them up to bursting.

Well said! In the world of my imagination and interpretation, he hasn't forgotten Jack, either.

Martha had a devout admirer and all

So she did! And quite rightly, too.

I must admit my favourite non-Doctor line was, "Is that a promise, Doctor?"

Oooh yes. Loved it with a passion. It was adorable.





Date: 2007-04-10 05:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kikibug13.livejournal.com
Oh! Oh! One more thing I realised!

Martha at some point starts, "Forsooth, verily, egads..." and the Doctor tells her "No. Don't. Just don't."

Which very much reminds me of what he said to Rose in Tooth and Claw when she tried for the Scottish accent.

Which made me think of DT's Scottish accent... Which made me melt...

Date: 2007-04-10 05:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fajrdrako.livejournal.com
Yes - I wouldn't have liked that bit on its own, but its reference to "Tooth and Claw" was delightful.

I think I'm going to have to watch it again tonight. Just for the fun of it.

Date: 2007-04-10 11:27 am (UTC)
ext_57083: (Default)
From: [identity profile] majkia.livejournal.com
I loved the comment, right after he Will flirts with the Doctor, "Fifty seven academics are punching the air."

I was a great episode. I find it hard to believe I keep not being disappointed. Especially after Girl in a Fireplace. I thought that was the ultimate Doctor Who episode. So far, it is still my favourite, but even so this one was great!

Date: 2007-04-10 12:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fajrdrako.livejournal.com
"Fifty seven academics are punching the air."

I adored that. Laughed out loud. Yes! Brilliant moment.

I find it hard to believe I keep not being disappointed.

Good point. It not only exceeded my expectations and hopes - because I had sternly told myself not to expect too much from any TV show about Shakespeare - it kept up to its own high standard of wit and action throughout.

My very favourite episode is "The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances" but "The Girl in the Fireplace" and "Army of Ghosts/Doomsday" form a sort of trio of favourites. With four or five others not so far behind.

What a great show.

Date: 2007-04-10 07:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] raissad.livejournal.com
Ditto to everything said so far, plus an interesting casting FYI. Elizabeth I was played by Angela Pleasance, who played Henry VIII's doomed Teen Queen, Catherine Howard, in the BBC's The Six Wives of Henry VIII back in the day.

Date: 2007-04-10 08:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fajrdrako.livejournal.com
Really - ! Now, that is interesting. Funny where an actress will turn up.

Date: 2007-04-11 02:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] femme-slash-fan.livejournal.com
I have to admit I squealed with the "Fity Seven Acadmeics" bit... my mom looked at me like I was crazed lol

Date: 2007-04-11 02:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fajrdrako.livejournal.com
What, is your mother not into Shakespeare? Guess my perspective is a little skewed..... I'll be watching it this evening with people who should appreciate the reference.

Date: 2007-04-11 02:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] femme-slash-fan.livejournal.com
She's not used to me sqealing I think lol.

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