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Well. That certainly was a short 45 minutes, wasn't it? Even with moments of supposed quiet ("beauty shots" of Elizabethan England), this episode moved at what could be called a breakneck pace. It felt like a lot more happened this week than last, like the script was getting in as much as it possibly could. The story took place over three days (ultimately), but it felt like 45 minutes.
Gareth Roberts is no stranger to us; simply taking his Who tv credits, he wrote last year's interactive "Graske" game (which we poor non-Brits never got the chance to play, though I have seen a couple play-throughs) as well as co-writing (with RTD) the pilot for "The Sarah Jane Adventures." Still, this was his first shot at the "big time." I think he turned in a decent script with some very fine moments. I know his original was both longer and had some fun fan "easter eggs" (how appropriate a phrase!) which were cut by Russell as being too in-jokey. (For example, the script originally had a line from the Doctor about how he'd met Shakespeare twice before, just not yet, referencing the several mentions of meetings in the "classic" series.) So it's really difficult to tell how much was changed or cut and what the original shape of the script was. As it ended up, it was a decent episode. (With caveats.) And I'm babbling again.
One more note before the cut, and one I'll probably expand on below: Dean Lennox Kelly was simply superb as WS. He gave a nuanced performance that actually let you believe he was the genius that, well, Shakespeare was. (And yes, I don't believe there's real credible evidence that someone else wrote the plays.) Even in his off-the-cuff remarks, you could feel the intelligence, the wit and the humor that are evident in his actual writing. Certainly, the highlight of the episode and the strongest moments in Roberts' script.
Ok, it's time. ( Don't look if you don't want to know. )
Next week: New New York! (Will the Doctor and Martha meet Fry and Bender?) Martha kidnapped! Or something! Lots of scenes of flying cars! (Yes, the trailer was a touch confusing.) Russell T. Davies returns with "Gridlock!"
Gareth Roberts is no stranger to us; simply taking his Who tv credits, he wrote last year's interactive "Graske" game (which we poor non-Brits never got the chance to play, though I have seen a couple play-throughs) as well as co-writing (with RTD) the pilot for "The Sarah Jane Adventures." Still, this was his first shot at the "big time." I think he turned in a decent script with some very fine moments. I know his original was both longer and had some fun fan "easter eggs" (how appropriate a phrase!) which were cut by Russell as being too in-jokey. (For example, the script originally had a line from the Doctor about how he'd met Shakespeare twice before, just not yet, referencing the several mentions of meetings in the "classic" series.) So it's really difficult to tell how much was changed or cut and what the original shape of the script was. As it ended up, it was a decent episode. (With caveats.) And I'm babbling again.
One more note before the cut, and one I'll probably expand on below: Dean Lennox Kelly was simply superb as WS. He gave a nuanced performance that actually let you believe he was the genius that, well, Shakespeare was. (And yes, I don't believe there's real credible evidence that someone else wrote the plays.) Even in his off-the-cuff remarks, you could feel the intelligence, the wit and the humor that are evident in his actual writing. Certainly, the highlight of the episode and the strongest moments in Roberts' script.
Ok, it's time. ( Don't look if you don't want to know. )
Next week: New New York! (Will the Doctor and Martha meet Fry and Bender?) Martha kidnapped! Or something! Lots of scenes of flying cars! (Yes, the trailer was a touch confusing.) Russell T. Davies returns with "Gridlock!"
