Chasing the Doctor

[shewhomust]

The current series of Doctor Who started while we were in France, so we are lagging behind, but fast catching up.

The initial two-parter took me by surprise, but, thanks to poliphilo, we were prepared for the next one, and made time last night to watch episodes three and four (Before the Flood / Under the Lake) back to back. I enjoyed this story a lot, especially the first three-quarters, after which it collapsed into the sort of unearned emotionalism which had spoiled the first two-parter for me. Genuinely unexpected developments and lots of smart lines, plus fun with time paradoxes, for this I'll forgive any number of plot holes.

Two questions, though:

If we need to be reminded that the TARDIS takes care of translation, and that its failure to translate the sigils is mysterious and significant, what are we to make of its failure to translate sign language?

And the Fisher King? Really, we (the writers? no, the characters, surely?) have decided to call him the Fidher King? Because why, exactly?

Comments

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

If we need to be reminded that the TARDIS takes care of translation, and that its failure to translate the sigils is mysterious and significant, what are we to make of its failure to translate sign language?

That is an excellent point! And one that I am ashamed to say passed me by entirely.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

I suspect that the skill of the writing can be measured by how skilfully it persuades us to to notice things.