This is the first celebrity historical, a concept that becomes a staple in the revived series. The Victorian Cardiff setting, ghosts made of gas and Charles Dickens create a dark but exciting atmosphere and RTD cherishes in portraying Dickens per the history books while making the Doctor a big fan of him. The main story tries to show us how the Doctor, sick of seeing death all around him, chooses to help an alien race without taking into consideration the fact that he might be mistaken about their true intentions. It also allows Rose to question the Doctor's choices yet again. I also love how Dickens is pivotal to the solution.
Eve Myles is great, even though it's difficult to imagine her as somebody else than Gwen. Simon Callow also captures Charles Dickens very well, even looking a lot like him. I don't know how accurate the depiction of Dickens is here, but he seems a lot like his character Scrooge from A Christmas Carol.
The Doctor is unusually curious and excited here, which leads him straight into trouble. It's also great how he persuades both Gwyneth and Dickens to see the world in new ways and perhaps do the best they can with the life they've got.
Rose gets into trouble (as usual) but also allows the viewers to take in the period feel by having casual conversations with the characters.
The Gelth isn't the most original idea for an alien species - there are several stories in different media with similar concepts, but the idea of combining them with dead bodies to create zombies is a fine one.
As per usual, the BBC convincingly re-creates the period look and feel, and The Unquiet Dead is no exception. The sets and costumes are impeccable. The special effects are used sparingly and the Gelth look fine.
The pace is once again slightly slower, as the story puts focus on Dickens and the setting, trying to cram in as much as possible to make the episode feel like its set in the past.
The Victorian setting is an effective one to create a creepy atmosphere, which the gas aliens help to strengthen. This episode isn't as funny as the previous one and the excitement relies more on the creepy factor than in both previous episodes.
This is a successful start of the modern era historical, which feels somewhat worn-out and devoid of fresh ideas by 2020.
The Unquiet Dead has a special place in my heart, mostly due to its fascinating setting and creepy atmosphere. It's not one that deserves a lot of rewatches, but now and then should be fine.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:
Eve Myles makes her Doctor Who debut here. She is best known for portraying Gwen in the spin-off series Torchwood.
The first script by Doctor Who and Sherlock writer and actor Mark Gatiss, who had already written audio plays for Big Finish (such as Phantasmagoria, 1999), and has a special knack for writing historical episodes.
If I'm not completely mistaken, Gwyneth is supposed to be a descendant of Gwen, who will later join Torchwood in Cardiff in the 21st century.
The rift in Cardiff is the reason so many alien invasions take place there and the reason Torchwood establishes a base in the city later.
The Doctor: "Now I'm gonna die in a dungeon! In Cardiff!"
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParentSpoilers2020-07-16T18:20:52Z
This is the first celebrity historical, a concept that becomes a staple in the revived series. The Victorian Cardiff setting, ghosts made of gas and Charles Dickens create a dark but exciting atmosphere and RTD cherishes in portraying Dickens per the history books while making the Doctor a big fan of him.
The main story tries to show us how the Doctor, sick of seeing death all around him, chooses to help an alien race without taking into consideration the fact that he might be mistaken about their true intentions. It also allows Rose to question the Doctor's choices yet again. I also love how Dickens is pivotal to the solution.
Eve Myles is great, even though it's difficult to imagine her as somebody else than Gwen. Simon Callow also captures Charles Dickens very well, even looking a lot like him. I don't know how accurate the depiction of Dickens is here, but he seems a lot like his character Scrooge from A Christmas Carol.
The Doctor is unusually curious and excited here, which leads him straight into trouble. It's also great how he persuades both Gwyneth and Dickens to see the world in new ways and perhaps do the best they can with the life they've got.
Rose gets into trouble (as usual) but also allows the viewers to take in the period feel by having casual conversations with the characters.
The Gelth isn't the most original idea for an alien species - there are several stories in different media with similar concepts, but the idea of combining them with dead bodies to create zombies is a fine one.
As per usual, the BBC convincingly re-creates the period look and feel, and The Unquiet Dead is no exception. The sets and costumes are impeccable. The special effects are used sparingly and the Gelth look fine.
The pace is once again slightly slower, as the story puts focus on Dickens and the setting, trying to cram in as much as possible to make the episode feel like its set in the past.
The Victorian setting is an effective one to create a creepy atmosphere, which the gas aliens help to strengthen. This episode isn't as funny as the previous one and the excitement relies more on the creepy factor than in both previous episodes.
This is a successful start of the modern era historical, which feels somewhat worn-out and devoid of fresh ideas by 2020.
The Unquiet Dead has a special place in my heart, mostly due to its fascinating setting and creepy atmosphere. It's not one that deserves a lot of rewatches, but now and then should be fine.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:
Eve Myles makes her Doctor Who debut here. She is best known for portraying Gwen in the spin-off series Torchwood.
The first script by Doctor Who and Sherlock writer and actor Mark Gatiss, who had already written audio plays for Big Finish (such as Phantasmagoria, 1999), and has a special knack for writing historical episodes.
If I'm not completely mistaken, Gwyneth is supposed to be a descendant of Gwen, who will later join Torchwood in Cardiff in the 21st century.
The rift in Cardiff is the reason so many alien invasions take place there and the reason Torchwood establishes a base in the city later.
The Doctor: "Now I'm gonna die in a dungeon! In Cardiff!"
Score: 86/120