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The Unquiet Dead Format Reviewed: TV/DVD Review This is an episode I really looked forward to as it is written by Mark Gatiss of the League of Gentlemen. The story does not disappoint and is resplendant with ghosties in an alien context and a wonderful guest cast. This story is somewhat reminiscent of some of the most critically acclaimed and loved stories of the Tom Baker era, such as The Talons of Weng Chiang. The tone is dark and moody, but a strong sense of humour shines through in the Doctors dialogue with Charles Dickens. Rose shows great compassion towards Gwynneth, although given the situation her unfortunate demise couldn't have been foreseen. This story also sets up a plot element for a later story, the dimensional rift used as a backdrop to explain the presence of the Tardis in the story Boom Town! The guest cast is is truly awesome in this story, lead by the irrepressable Simon Callow as Charles Dickens. The performances given for the characters of Snead and Gwynneth are also impressive, as is the CG realisation of the aliens. The technology now available to Doctor Who is in stark contrast to the original series, and in this story is impressive with the ghost-like Gelth being well realised. It is really a testiment to Gatiss that Simon Callow took the part of Dickens in this story. He stated in an interview that he had been the role of Dickens on numerous occasions before but had always turned it down due to the lack of real understanding of what Dickens was all about. I don't claim to know this, but Gatiss clearly does and it is to the great benefit ofthis story and the series that Callow has taken a role. We also get a glimpse into the fears and insecurities of the Doctor in this episode. When trapped by the Gelth inhabited corpses in the cellar of the morgue, the Doctor appears inconsolable and helpless as he fails to find a solution to their plight. The day is saved though by Dickens, as he appears to gain a new sense of what life is and floods the house with gas thus drawing the Gelth out of their human corpse hosts. This is not unwelcome as the Doctor is often portrayed as an expert on anything, and often has all the answers. To have a conclusion to a story where the Doctor doesn't know the answer and is rescued by someone else is a positive thing. No being can be completely invulnerable as the Doctor often appears to be. So, the new series of Doctor Who has begun in earnest with a truly memorable story that is well realised and supported by a fantastic cast. Rating:  |