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Ghost Light Format Reviewed: DVD Review Ghost Light continues the last season in the classic television adventures of Doctor Who. Interestingly, due to the differences in filming and airing schedules, Ghost Light was the last Doctor Who story to be made for BBC television until the 1996 TV Movie. Ghost Light therefore should have a fond place in the hearts of all Doctor Who fans accross the globe. The story is indeed generally well regarded by fans, although there is some mixed opinion between those who say they either do or do not understand it. In Ghost Light, the Doctor takes Ace to Gabriel Chase, an ancient mansion in Perivale. There, they meet Josiah Smith who is trying to manipulate humans and aliens alike for his own ends. In the cellar is a space ship belonging to Light, a body taking a census of all things on Earth. Josiah eventually manipulates his own form into that of a Victorian male, and Light and his counterpart Control are released by the Doctor. Control wants to evolve into a Lady, Light wants to complete his census and Josiah wants to rule the British Empire. Eventually, Light decides he will set off a firestorm to stop change and evolution. Josiahs plan is foiled by big-game hunter Fenn-Cooper and Control, and Light is stopped by the Doctor convincing him that everything constantly changes, including light itself. Fenn-cooper and Control then set out to complete the census. Not really since Warriors Gate in the later part of Tom Bakers era has a story done more to confuse the viewer. There are several bizarre happenings and all under the guise of the Doctor showing Ace that she needn't be scared of her deepest fears. The action itself is somewhat slow-slow-quick-quick-slow however and this adds to the mystery created. The various plot threads all combine together well in the overall storyline of Light taking a universal census of species. This is an interesting concept and one that was explored well with the outcome being that such a census cannot be completed due to evolution. A very varied cast is employed in Ghost Light. We have the 'Addams Family' of Josiah (Ian Hogg), Mrs Pritchard (Sylvie Syms) and Gwendoline (Katherine Schlesinger), contrasted to Nimrod (Carl Forgione) and Control (Sharon Duce) as more primitive creatures. Alongside these you have the bluster of Redvers Fenn-Cooper (Michael Cochrane) and Reverend Matthews (John Nettleton) is neatly contrasted with the scheming of the Doctor and fear of Ace. None of these, or the other cast members let the side down, and all performances are strong. Sophie Aldred in particular comes to the fore here as the story is quite focussed on her character. A good cast selection all round though really advances the story. I think that for me, the reason I don't consider this story an excellent one is due to the fact that it doesn't completely grip my attention. Granted, I am far from bored whilst watching it, but it isn't compelling. I generally largely gloss over plot holes or unexplained storylines unless they are really distracting from the story, and the minor issues here can also be ignored. The only story issue I have with Ghost Light is that there are just too many things going on. Granted, they are all tied up very nicely at the end, but to a certain degree the viewer is presented with a bewildering array of intreague. This isn't entirely bad, but I feel one or two less strains would have been better. Overall, Ghost Light is a good storey that is in stark contrast to those that surround it in the schedule. The other stories of note in this era are largely action pieces, where as Ghost Light is more of a thoughtful story. It also has the dubious honour of being the last story recorded in the classic series. Rating:  |