NuWho Review: Series 1 Episode 3 “The Unquiet Dead”

By: Mark Gatiss

**Spoilers**

If you have not yet watched this episode, please go and do so before proceeding.

            The Beeb have always been wonderful when it comes to period costumes and settings and the beginning of this episode is no exception. From the frock coats and velvet drapery to the dim gaslights, the atmosphere of The Unquiet Dead is just perfect.


Favorite Moments & Random Thoughts:

- The episode begins, fittingly, in a funeral parlor where the undertaker is expressing all of the clichéd statements of sympathy to a mourner. It’s clear that Mark Gatiss (the writer of this episode) has been to more than one funeral in his time, because everything about this scene is so typical of people who don’t really know (or care about) what to say to those who are in mournin. It happens all the time with trite little sayings that sound good, but don’t really hold any weight. 

- It is also rather morbidly amusing to have an undertaker that is so obviously uncaring about the feelings of the families of the bodies he’s preparing (rather irreverently calling them ‘stiffs’).

- I do believe that this is the only time when the rather glaring problem of what companions are wearing is addressed (something Amy Pond and her miniskirts should hear about) and one must wonder if The Doctor was only using it as an excuse to get Rose into a Victorian dress. He certainly slips up and calls her beautiful! But anyway, they arrive in Victorian Cardiff (instead of Naples) thus showing us the first example (in NuWho) of the TARDIS’ rather loose definition of coordinates.

- As if this episode doesn’t have enough going for it with the ‘lively stiffs’ and Victorian vibe, we also get Charles Dickens reading A Christmas Carol. YAY!

- I believe The Doctor could identify with me, given his little fanboy moment while riding in Dickens’ coach. Dickens himself is beautifully portrayed by uncanny look-alike Simon Callow as a man who has lost his sense of inspiration. It is only the arrival of the Gelth that gets his imagination working again. Sadly this inspiration comes too late as, according to history, he dies not long after. 

- Now I’m going to talk about the Gelth. They are the gaseous creatures that are taking up residence in the dead and making them 'come back to life'. They are creepy creatures, particularly in their opening scene where the deceased granny walks away from the undertaker’s house. They are also revealed in later parts as creatures of beauty as well as fear, most notably during the séance scene and in the morgue. One can almost identify with The Doctor’s delight at finding them. Thanks to some very impressive CGI, they look marvellous. It’s almost a shame that they turn out to be the villain, though it is a very innovative way that they are introduced. Right up until Gwyneth is tricked and possessed, we the viewers are not entirely certain as to whether the Gelth are friend or foe.

- Oh poor overworked, brave Gwyneth! She’s presented as a bit of a mouse in the beginning of the episode and we don’t really get the chance to connect with her until her conversation with Rose in the scullery. Here is a chance for both of their characters to shine and is used to full potential as the two girls form a shaky friendship over boys, school, and Gwyneth’s psychic powers. 

- When watching this, I half hoped that Gwyneth would join the TARDIS crew as a companion. But, alas, ‘twas not meant to be. She agrees to help the Gelth (she calls them her angels) by opening the Rift in Time that is situated under an archway in Mr. Sneed (the undertaker)’s basement. But the Gelth are treacherous things and Gwyneth is killed as soon as she sets foot under that archway. It takes the sacrifice of the brave Gwyneth to stop the Gelth and save everyone. 

            I’m usually not an automatic fan of the stories where it’s someone other than The Doctor who saves the day. But, as evidenced by this story, when done tastefully and sparingly those very types of stories can be the most poignant. Between the beautiful special effects, well-formed characters, fine plot, and Charles Dickens – I give this episode an 4/5 and highly recommend it as a must-see.

         

What did you think? Do you agree with my rating? If not - what would you say differently?