The Shakespeare Code

It's funny how this weeks episode was atypical in actually being better than it looked on the trailer. Perhaps it was because, like 2005's "The Unquiet Dead" (the 'celebrity historical' now a tradition of the opening weeks of the season), the storyline behind "The Shakespeare" code was the key, being wisely very simple and blindingly original at the same time. The concept of using witches has certainly never been done in Doctor Who before (It's a mystery why not, it's such an obviously great idea) and their 'science of words' was inspired. Chuck in a hip version of The Bard and some gorgeous period detail and the game is practically won. The season continues (with yet another "event" episode) the work of last weeks great start.

Martha Jones, here kept away from her concerning family and any obvious evidence of the rumoured "thing" she has for the Doctor, made even more of an impression this week. I worry about what will happen when her brood (Reggie Yates, her from "Casualty" and all) descend upon us with their shouting and conflict later in the season, and I worry that this companion will be yet another sacrificed to a huge emotional "hang up". Why not leave Martha as she is here? Refreshingly, well, NORMAL. This way, Freema doesn't have to act too hard and we can enjoy being in the company of someone who is just enjoying the ride. If Martha Jones ever turns into a plaything for writers desperate to foist their tackling of emotional issues onto every script, then remember her as she is in "The Shakespeare Code". It's better that way.

Elsewhere, while the 'Doctor gives Shakespeare ideas' gag was used at least twice more than it should have been, this was a script bristling (but not overcrowded) with good ideas and witty one-liners - the "you're Bard" gag at the end, for example, or the genius plot device of the lost play. Even the sexuality was suggested but not intrusive - if this had been Stephen Moffatt then the Doctor and Shaky would surely have bedded down together.

There would be more to say if the episode had thrown up more problems - but it didn't. The pacing was just right (even if the sequence in 'Bedlam' and the diversion of tracking down the Globe's architect was a little superfluous), the witches made memorable (and scary) villains, the make-up just skating on the right side of 'embarrassing things in bits of latex' and there was, you'd hope, just enough comedy and adventure to balance the historical setting and keep the kids watching. Like in 1963, this was Doctor Who being educational as well as entertaining. Hell, even Tennant is becoming one of the best Doctors, slowly and surely, this season.

I wasn't WOWED by "The Shakespeare Code", despite the glowing report you have almost finished reading. It didn't strike me as spectacular - filmisation robs a little of the sheen from what the Production team called "their most lavish production yet". But on second viewing, what emerges is a solid and beautifully made adventure that will surely rank alongside the new series most fondly remembered, if not most cherished, episodes.