Doctor Who 3x02 -- The Shakespeare Code

[butterfly]

That was partly good (all the character stuff and all the Shakespeare stuff) and partly silly (the witches plotline).

First, to get the silly out of the way -- the witches held absolutely no fear to me. I think it was the make-up, because they really did look like parodies of the 'witch' stereotype. And there was the, you know... cackling. I just couldn't take them seriously.

But pretty much everything else was gold.

Shakespeare was fantastic. I had so much fun watching him get his flirt on. And Martha was really great in this episode, very willing to ask questions and get into the spirit of things. And I loved her turning down Shakespeare's attempt at a kiss because he lacked modern hygiene. Splendid! Lovely grace note, that.

Ten continues to be absolutely wonderful -- geeking out over Shakespeare, getting to know and like Martha better, and keeping Rose alive in his heart.

I adored the Rose references so much.

I also adored all the more subtle references to how the Doctor's relationship with Rose was simply different than his relationship with Martha. With Rose, when they go historical the first time, he tells her to go change, because she'll "cause a riot". But because he doesn't think of Martha the same way, it doesn't occur to him to tell her. He doesn't look at Martha the way he looked at Rose.

Sharing a bed with Martha doesn't even make him the slightest bit uncomfortable, because a) he's not interested (and she knows that) and b) he thinks that she isn't interested ("I only go for humans."). And she'll all "tongues will wag" and he doesn't even notice, he's so consumed by the problem of the episode.

Which all led up so beautifully to the first Rose reference! "There's something I'm missing, Martha. Something really close. Staring me right in the face and I can't see it. Rose'd know. That friend of mine, Rose, right now she'd say exactly the right thing."

The first reason that it's so lovely is because it's true. Rose was always the one to notice the thing that was too obvious for the Doctor to notice. Starting with the Eye of London in Rose, continued in S2 with such examples as her noticing all the new television gear in The Idiot Box.

The second reason is the way he says it, with that touch of wistful longing. God, he misses her as much as I do (much as we both like Martha... oh, we miss Rose).

And the other direct reference was so perfect! Rose is the name that he carries in his heart, and she gives him strength to fight on. That just may be the most romantic thing ever. It might even be better than the "I believe in her" speech from Satan's Pit.

Just... love. So much love for the Doctor.

Comments

[solitude-82.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with everything you just said. I was so so glad that they didn't totally forget about Rose after "Smith and Jones" and I hope that trend continues. Rose was a force to be reckoned with in The Doctor's life and that'll never go away. I LOVE that he misses her just as much as we do. It tears my heart out everytime he mentions her though. I want her back, even though I am now enjoying Martha. I just totally agree with everything you said. Rose/The Doctor will always be one of my alltime OTPs. That'll never change.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with everything you just said. I was so so glad that they didn't totally forget about Rose after "Smith and Jones" and I hope that trend continues.

I'm hopeful. The Face of Boe was in the preview and if they're on New Earth, they just have to mention Rose. Well, I'd like it if they did.

Rose was a force to be reckoned with in The Doctor's life and that'll never go away.

She really was. And, damn it, she was special. She was special to the Doctor, acknowledged so on the show. And I'm not going to let other fans of the show succeed in guilting that feeling away from me. 'Special' doesn't mean that she was the Best! Companion! Ever! and that everyone must love and adore her. It just means that she occupied a place in the Doctor's hearts that other companions hadn't touched.

Susan was his granddaughter -- and no one else who has traveled with him has touched that place in his heart again. Susan will always be special. Rose can always be special, too.

I LOVE that he misses her just as much as we do. It tears my heart out everytime he mentions her though. I want her back, even though I am now enjoying Martha. I just totally agree with everything you said. Rose/The Doctor will always be one of my alltime OTPs. That'll never change.

Exactly, yes.

[katesutton.livejournal.com]

And, damn it, she was special. She was special to the Doctor, acknowledged so on the show. And I'm not going to let other fans of the show succeed in guilting that feeling away from me. 'Special' doesn't mean that she was the Best! Companion! Ever! and that everyone must love and adore her. It just means that she occupied a place in the Doctor's hearts that other companions hadn't touched.

Yes! Exactly! I love Rose Tyler and I think she *was* special and I refuse to feel bad about that. If the Doctor wants to miss her and think about her, that's fine. It's normal. I don't see why that has to devalue other companions, I really don't.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Especially after Ten's pride and love for Sarah Jane in School Reunion. He doesn't normally mention past companions because it's easier for him not to look back. Hearing from Rose and Sarah about how that hurts them, though, would make a difference.

And the memory of Rose is still very obvious dear to him. I suppose I can understand people who hated Rose being disappointed, but I'm not all that fond of their version of the Doctor in the first place. Since Nine, the Doctor has allowed to have more depth of character. For me, it would be a shame to lose that.

[amalthia]

I also loved that Rose is still on his mind and I kind of feel for Martha because I think she may have a crush on the Doctor and he keeps mentioning this other woman!!!

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I do feel a bit bad for Martha, but it isn't as though the Doctor has been anything but honest with her. He told her not to seriously flirt with him. She said she only went for humans, and so now he's relaxed in the knowledge that everyone involved isn't interested.

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

First, to get the silly out of the way -- the witches held absolutely no fear to me.

I think what helped me here is that I went into the episode with no expectation whatsoever of taking the witches seriously, so I was all, "Whee! Campy Macbeth-ian fun!" ... and didn't pay much attention to how ridiculous they were or (apparently) how bad their makeup was.

He doesn't look at Martha the way he looked at Rose.

Ten is kind of oblivious about Martha in a way that he never was about Rose. This is not to say that there weren't things about Rose that went over his head, but they were different things.

That just may be the most romantic thing ever.

God, yes. I just ADORED that. Awww, Ten, let me give you a hug since Rose isn't here.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I think what helped me here is that I went into the episode with no expectation whatsoever of taking the witches seriously, so I was all, "Whee! Campy Macbeth-ian fun!" ... and didn't pay much attention to how ridiculous they were or (apparently) how bad their makeup was.

The second time I watched, I was prepared for the over-the-top witchness and it didn't bother me as much. Campy Macbeth fun seems to be the position to take.

Ten is kind of oblivious about Martha in a way that he never was about Rose. This is not to say that there weren't things about Rose that went over his head, but they were different things.

Right. He didn't always understand the things that Rose cared about, but he just always seemed aware of her. It's that physical awareness that sold the Doctor's early attraction to her, before the deeper feelings kicked him in the ass.