"The Knight of Jaffa" - Season 2, Episode 65

Written by David Whitaker | Directed by Douglas Camfield | Produced by Verity Lambert | Original air date 04/03/65

I find it interesting how much comedy is used in the historicals so far. The Aztecs really only had the "I made cocoa and got engaged" moment, and Marco Polo was pretty dry throughout, but the Reign of Terror had the comedy jailer and that bit in the second episode where the Doctor works a road crew for a while. The Romans was entirely a comedy farce (if some bits of it aren't exactly hilarious today), and here in The Crusade, the Doctor steals clothes from the comedy clothes salesman in the first episode, and Vicki acts as though she's Victor for no apparent reason other than the comedy of it (it's supposed to be a reference to the practice of Shakespeare actors crossdressing as women because back then women weren't performers). Near the end of this episode, the clothes salesman comes and accuses the Doctor of stealing his wares (which is true), but the Doctor gets out of it by talking the salesman in circles and shooing him out. It's an amusing scene, but it's absolutely not realistic at all (which is fine, that isn't the point, of course).

I point it out because, up to this point, the historicals are getting better and better. It's not entirely down to the comedy - I find it difficult to enjoy the last historical, The Highlanders, and that's a comedy - but the plots are getting better constructed and more interesting (devotees of Marco Polo - that story is eclipsed by both this and the three historicals in the third season - yes, including The Gunfighters). The historicals may not have been popular with kids (it's easy to see why), but as a 31 year old, they are quite enjoyable. I've never been the type of fan to complain about how the historical needs to come back, but I wouldn't be bothered if it did.

We're set up for some problems over the next two episodes, though. Joanna, Richard's sister, is to be married to Saladin to end the war, but she has no idea of the plan and will freak out. I remember really enjoying Joanna's character, so I look forward to seeing her try to get out of the deal (and Richard losing it at her when she refuses). The pleasures in this episode, despite it missing, are many - Ian is knighted by Richard (I wish I could see William Russell act it - he should have been thrilled and honored considering the fame of the King who's giving him the title). The Doctor and Vicki, while not up to much, mess about and have a few chuckles. El Akir schemes and steals Barbara away from Saladin to add her to his harem, but she escapes. Actually, the last few minutes of this episode would be a welcome return, as they're almost entirely visual as Barbara tries to escape the city. Other than that, though, I'm still enjoying myself quite a bit and am looking forward to Monday's post.

"Doctor Who" puns so far: 2 | Tomorrow: "The Wheel of Fortune"