DOCTOR WHO-SMITH AND JONES, THE SHAKESPEARE CODE, and GRIDLOCK

November 28, 2022

Three of the very best stories of the entire canon and beyond canon. Let’s say you didn’t like THE RUNAWAY BRIDE much (I sure didn’t the first time around), you just had to wait till the first episode of this season (three) and you get, well, no BS. A strong companion with a strong family background, all introduced. A hospital moved to the Moon. Rhino men police who aren’t too smart and use extreme and swift justice (I loathe the Judoon for killing in their justification mode). Martha is probably the best new series companion and under rated and SMITH AND JONES is probably one of the most under rated stories, I’ve done it myself, at least with SMITH AND JONES. Always loved Martha.

SMITH AND JONES is very enjoyable. The Doctor’s acting like a show off which he admits in GRIDLOCK and he’s also not very nice to Martha’s co worker, who at least, later on, is shown caring for a patient while Martha chases the Doctor around. I also love the sub plots here…both colliding with each other: Martha has a crush on the Doctor which goes unrequited (forever) AND the Doctor shutting himself off from all mention of Rose (and of his own people and the Time War and the planet Gallifrey), avoiding talk other than the current problem and/or joking around.

And despite flaws (again ABOUT TIME), these three stories show why RTD’s first era is stronger and more important and meaningful and fun than Moffat’s: a fun relatable companion who is not full of herself, a Doctor who can look at things other than just being a child like jokester or a god like all solver, the occasional popping up classic series villain, used well (the Macra in GRIDLOCK), history and a historical figure (Shakespeare) used as more than just a comedy goofball, and a supernatural enemy (the Carrionites) and a fast pace, good direction, and solid music used throughout.

The young man that kidnaps Martha will go on to play the New Adventures companion when Big Finish adapts two or so of the stories with Chris, a bi sexual sexy companion. Not sure I’d cast him as Chris but he did do a great job. The girl playing his “mate” or “wife” was fantastic in the UK BEING HUMAN (especially in season one). RTD pointed out that the song, religious in origin, brought him to tears. This episode, GRIDLOCK brought me to tears as it’s emotional in all the right places, what with the Face of Boe saving everyone and then copping it, with Sister Hame saving everyone and asking for forgiveness.

True, some of the New Adventures did the whole vampire thing and the Doctor’s being bitten stopping the vampire but SMITH AND JONES did it so much better. Some of this also resembles an inferior OUTER LIMITS episode from the original OUTER LIMITS.

Having the Moon, a brief statement about the Doctor having had a brother once, capping off the beginning and the end with a small time loop thing (the Doc meets Martha and takes off his tie and then put it on later after they’ve had their first adventure), and Martha’s conflicted family was a wonderful way to start but there’s also chases, fights, jokes, double bluffs and Martha being kissed by the Doc in a genetic exchange. That’s what he called it. SMITH AND JONES.

SHAKESPEARE CODE has a strong actress from HEX, who was a witch there, playing what seems to be an evil version of Samantha from BEWITCHED and playing it just right, not over the top or under playing it but just perfect a villain. That words have the power is amazing and the JK comments are still not out of place and welcome. The climax, which is the strong part of all three of these stories, is wonderful and the music catchy and BIG and epic movie stuff.

BTW, THE SHAKESPEARE CODE also contains a lot of references to other DW novels, audios, books, and other stories (see ABOUT TIME for ALL of them). It also contains the planetary system from THE TOMORROW PEOPLE-THE BLUE AND THE GREEN as well as what might be part of the popular 1970s song 876309 (though there's also this, which others might understand better than I: #761390 Color Hex (color-hex.com)

And a bunch of other stuff. Shakespeare has been in DW before, too, in audios, comics, and books. He's mentioned in past TV stories, too. Also see the Pertwee Era MIND OF EVIL (for a time when the Doctor HAS seen a death by drowning on land) and MASQUE OF MANDRAGORA.

GRIDLOCK has that "avoid the Macra stuff" and the first time that ALL THE STRANGE STRANGE CREATURES music is used but not in full or in a slightly different version. Did they ever solve how to take care of the Macra or was that part just left open?

How long have the Carrionite three been here? Oh and this reminds me of HOCUS POCUS---it can't be a coincidence, can it? I guess the trio have been here since Shakespeare's grief over his son's death?

No matter. You can’t find three better examples of DOCTOR WHO, classic or modern than these three fab stories. In hindsight, RTD knew how to plan, organize, and execute a great season and here it’s off to a great start. Pity about the next two episodes but maybe I’ll change my mind after seeing the next two: what I considered a mess of a two part “story”. There are still some great ones ahead in this and next season as well as two two part clunkers (Sim as the Master and the Donna/Doctor Earth moving shite). But for now, enjoy!

Oh and the Macra being back after SO long gave me chills of happiness.