It is 1869, the Doctor and Barbarella Rose materialise in Cardiff on Christmas Eve where those passed are reanimating, leaving Charles Dickens hyperventilating, and a little bit flustered and confused. What are the gas light spectral forms that raise the dead from their coffin box dorms, enlivening cadavers into zombified forms. Friend or foe, we just do not know, until Gwyneth starts to radiate and glow, breaching the rift to set up the flow, a torch to a darker side woodn't you know.
33 Reviews
"It's not Naples. It's Cardiff!"
MaxBorg8930 October 2008
The Unquiet Dead doesn't quite live up to to the first two episodes of the new Doctor Who series (especially the superb The End of the World), but it does feature ghosts, wit and the first example of a recurring gimmick throughout the series: the Doctor's interaction with historical figures.
The interaction is actually caused by accident: the Doctor wanted to take Rose to Naples for Christmas, but somehow the TARDIS has something to say about it and the two find themselves, much to the Doctor's dismay, in 1860 Cardiff. Trouble isn't very far away, either, since corpses have been mysteriously revived in the past few weeks, and the only people who can do something about it are the Doctor, a girl with psychic powers and a certain Charles Dickens (Simon Callow), who now makes a living performing magic tricks and hosting public readings of his body of work.
The main fascination of The Unquiet Dead is its postmodern approach to Dickens, something that was entirely to be expected from writer Mark Gatiss, given his experiences on The League of Gentlemen (the TV show, not the Sean Connery-starring nonsense): the great writer is depicted as a mixture of A Christmas Carol's Scrooge and Hard Times' Gradgrind, i.e. a man who has lost all faith in the magic he used to write about and now believes firmly in scientific facts. And all that goes without mentioning his wonderfully clever comment on the supernatural incidents in the story: "What the Shakespeare is going on here?". That line might also be a reference to the fact that Callow, always reliable for these parts, appeared in Shakespeare in Love and reportedly made a provocative statement about Hamlet in the original version of Four Weddings and a Funeral (Richard Curtis subsequently removed that scene, along with the back-stories of all the other characters as well).
On the flip-side, the episode has a darkness to it (given the zombie-style premise) that doesn't really sit well with the general tone of the show (Steven Moffat's two-part story later on in the season shows how to use that darkness in a good way), the (inevitable) gallows humor being more suitable for a Monty Python sketch or, given Gatiss' involvement, a League of Gentlemen story than Doctor Who. However, Eccleston's charisma manages to lighten up the mood when necessary, and Piper's natural warmth contributes hugely, too.
So no, it's not really good as the episodes written by Davies or Moffat, but what the heck, it's got Charles Dickens - that ought to be enough.
The interaction is actually caused by accident: the Doctor wanted to take Rose to Naples for Christmas, but somehow the TARDIS has something to say about it and the two find themselves, much to the Doctor's dismay, in 1860 Cardiff. Trouble isn't very far away, either, since corpses have been mysteriously revived in the past few weeks, and the only people who can do something about it are the Doctor, a girl with psychic powers and a certain Charles Dickens (Simon Callow), who now makes a living performing magic tricks and hosting public readings of his body of work.
The main fascination of The Unquiet Dead is its postmodern approach to Dickens, something that was entirely to be expected from writer Mark Gatiss, given his experiences on The League of Gentlemen (the TV show, not the Sean Connery-starring nonsense): the great writer is depicted as a mixture of A Christmas Carol's Scrooge and Hard Times' Gradgrind, i.e. a man who has lost all faith in the magic he used to write about and now believes firmly in scientific facts. And all that goes without mentioning his wonderfully clever comment on the supernatural incidents in the story: "What the Shakespeare is going on here?". That line might also be a reference to the fact that Callow, always reliable for these parts, appeared in Shakespeare in Love and reportedly made a provocative statement about Hamlet in the original version of Four Weddings and a Funeral (Richard Curtis subsequently removed that scene, along with the back-stories of all the other characters as well).
On the flip-side, the episode has a darkness to it (given the zombie-style premise) that doesn't really sit well with the general tone of the show (Steven Moffat's two-part story later on in the season shows how to use that darkness in a good way), the (inevitable) gallows humor being more suitable for a Monty Python sketch or, given Gatiss' involvement, a League of Gentlemen story than Doctor Who. However, Eccleston's charisma manages to lighten up the mood when necessary, and Piper's natural warmth contributes hugely, too.
So no, it's not really good as the episodes written by Davies or Moffat, but what the heck, it's got Charles Dickens - that ought to be enough.
A Traditional Tale With Fantastic Production Values
Theo Robertson18 April 2007
DOCTOR WHO is considered as something of a horror series and it's true to say that the most fondly remembered stories feature Cybermen walking down London streets , monsters coming out of the sea , giant spiders and that one with the mummies but this horror imagery was very much absent and didn't really feature in the show until the mid to late sixties . But it's fair to say that that DOCTOR WHO is summed up as the show that made children go running behind the sofa
The Unquiet Dead by THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN actor/writer Mark Gatiss is very much in the vein of the traditional type of story . It's atmospheric and features zombies and ethereal spirits and instantly reminds the fans of the golden era of the early Tom Baker stories though with even better production values and it's something of a pity that thescheduling of the series meant that it was broadcast on a spring evening . This would have been excellent to watch on a cold December Saturday night
It should be pointed out that in some ways that The Unquiet Dead mirrors the structure of a Hartnell tale in that The Doctor is something of a catalyst and that it's not The Doctor who saves the day while at the same time we're treated to a line that wouldn't have been broadcast in the original series : " First you drug me , then you kidnap me and don't think i didn't feel your hands having a quick wander you dirty old man "
The Unquiet Dead by THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN actor/writer Mark Gatiss is very much in the vein of the traditional type of story . It's atmospheric and features zombies and ethereal spirits and instantly reminds the fans of the golden era of the early Tom Baker stories though with even better production values and it's something of a pity that thescheduling of the series meant that it was broadcast on a spring evening . This would have been excellent to watch on a cold December Saturday night
It should be pointed out that in some ways that The Unquiet Dead mirrors the structure of a Hartnell tale in that The Doctor is something of a catalyst and that it's not The Doctor who saves the day while at the same time we're treated to a line that wouldn't have been broadcast in the original series : " First you drug me , then you kidnap me and don't think i didn't feel your hands having a quick wander you dirty old man "
The Stiffs are getting lively again, cracking episode
Sleepin_Dragon11 August 2015
I think the first two episodes were very good, but this is the early one I remember most fondly, this was an excellent episode. We get good value out of the unquiet dead, a bit of Gothic horror, corpses coming to life and bursting out of coffins, Simaon Callow's excellent interpretation of Dickens, the pluses continue. It is visually stunning, I love lots of the glorious filming locations, especially the streets of Swansea. The production values are extremely high, everything looks quality. Eccleston continues his brilliance. Billie Piper continues to impress as Rose, I didn't appreciate at the time how good Billie was and how much I liked Rose's character. Alan David is glorious as Sneed, and it's a good first Who related outing for Eve Myles. The Gelth are a great invention, Gwyneth gives us another reference to the bad Wolf.
What really goes on in Cardiff after dark!
ShadeGrenade4 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
When first broadcast in Britain, Mark Gatiss' 'The Unquiet Dead' attracted complaints from some viewers for its content which they felt unsuitable for Saturday peak-time viewing. Had Mrs.Mary Whitehouse still been around this time, its fair to assume she might have had something to say about it too.
Set in Victorian era Cardiff, the story has dead people coming back to life, their bodies filled with a strange energy force. The Doctor and Rose ( who had planned to go to Naples ) have arrived by chance, and at a theatre where author Charles Dickens ( Simon Callow ) is performing, witness said energy force leaving the corpse of an old woman and terrifying the audience. The corpse is retrieved by undertaker Gabriel Sneed ( Alan David ) whose funeral parlour it escaped from. The Gelth can only exist in gas pipes, and need to inhabit dead people in order to have corporeal form. The Doctor is tricked into thinking the Gelth are benign, but a séance involving a young maid ( Eve Myles ) with psychic powers reveals the truth...
This is spooky stuff alright, directed with great style with Euros Lyn ( arguably the best director of post-2005 'Who' ). The period detail is wonderful. Simon Callow makes an appealing 'Dickens'; when the Doctor tells Rose that he is soon to die it is a genuinely sad moment. He seems glad to know his books will endure in popularity though. Other historical figures the Doctor would meet on his travels in future seasons included William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, and Vincent Van Gogh.
The episode features the first mention of 'Bad Wolf' ( which became a recurring motif throughout this season ), and the time rift in Cardiff ( later to figure prominently in the 2006 spin-off 'Torchwood' ). Eve Myles played 'Gwen Cooper' in that show.
Gatiss wrote two more stories - 'The Idiot's Lantern' and 'Victory Of The Daleks' - but neither lived up to his first.
Set in Victorian era Cardiff, the story has dead people coming back to life, their bodies filled with a strange energy force. The Doctor and Rose ( who had planned to go to Naples ) have arrived by chance, and at a theatre where author Charles Dickens ( Simon Callow ) is performing, witness said energy force leaving the corpse of an old woman and terrifying the audience. The corpse is retrieved by undertaker Gabriel Sneed ( Alan David ) whose funeral parlour it escaped from. The Gelth can only exist in gas pipes, and need to inhabit dead people in order to have corporeal form. The Doctor is tricked into thinking the Gelth are benign, but a séance involving a young maid ( Eve Myles ) with psychic powers reveals the truth...
This is spooky stuff alright, directed with great style with Euros Lyn ( arguably the best director of post-2005 'Who' ). The period detail is wonderful. Simon Callow makes an appealing 'Dickens'; when the Doctor tells Rose that he is soon to die it is a genuinely sad moment. He seems glad to know his books will endure in popularity though. Other historical figures the Doctor would meet on his travels in future seasons included William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, and Vincent Van Gogh.
The episode features the first mention of 'Bad Wolf' ( which became a recurring motif throughout this season ), and the time rift in Cardiff ( later to figure prominently in the 2006 spin-off 'Torchwood' ). Eve Myles played 'Gwen Cooper' in that show.
Gatiss wrote two more stories - 'The Idiot's Lantern' and 'Victory Of The Daleks' - but neither lived up to his first.
Great Expectations
southdavid27 February 2020
The third episode of the returning Doctor Who was a key one in many ways, not only was it the first historical recreation and the Doctors first interaction with a famous character, but it was the first one written by Mark Gatiss, is a universe debut for Eve Myles and provides the cornels of the idea behind "Torchwood".
After the far future last time, The Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose (Billie Piper) head to Earths past, not exactly where they were planning on heading too, but they land in Cardiff in 1869. The inhabitant fo the local funeral parlour are, alas not staying as inactive and their death would have suggested, which is much chagrin to the Undertaker Mr Sneed (Alan David) and his assistant Gwen (Eve Myles). The city is also preparing for the celebrated Charles Dickins (Simon Callow) to give a reading of his "A Christmas Carol".
One thing that's struck me, but I haven't mentioned before, is how much I like this version of the theme, with its string section supporting the classic Theremin tune. I don't hate the current version, or any of the ones that have come in between, but this is my favourite.
This is a really strong episode. There's very little CGI, with most of it used to enhance practical or make up effects - so it hasn't aged . . . questionably . . . like elements of the previous two have. The plot is a lot tighter and makes more sense than the last one. Though perhaps it could have done with a little more genuine peril in the middle to keep the story running. I like how much this Doctor loves a good pun (or a bad pun even) but it doesn't effect that pervading dangerousness about this character.
After the far future last time, The Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose (Billie Piper) head to Earths past, not exactly where they were planning on heading too, but they land in Cardiff in 1869. The inhabitant fo the local funeral parlour are, alas not staying as inactive and their death would have suggested, which is much chagrin to the Undertaker Mr Sneed (Alan David) and his assistant Gwen (Eve Myles). The city is also preparing for the celebrated Charles Dickins (Simon Callow) to give a reading of his "A Christmas Carol".
One thing that's struck me, but I haven't mentioned before, is how much I like this version of the theme, with its string section supporting the classic Theremin tune. I don't hate the current version, or any of the ones that have come in between, but this is my favourite.
This is a really strong episode. There's very little CGI, with most of it used to enhance practical or make up effects - so it hasn't aged . . . questionably . . . like elements of the previous two have. The plot is a lot tighter and makes more sense than the last one. Though perhaps it could have done with a little more genuine peril in the middle to keep the story running. I like how much this Doctor loves a good pun (or a bad pun even) but it doesn't effect that pervading dangerousness about this character.
"We don't want your pity! We want this world and all its flesh!"
tlfirth17 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Reminiscent of the Doctor's previous jaunts through the history of Earth, this time the Ninth Doctor accidentally takes Rose to Cardiff, 1869. It's amazing the writers haven't had the Doctor meet Charles Dickens or Shakespeare yet (something that comes later - he is also mentioned cheekily in the episode), but here it is, that auspicious meeting after all. There's also a bit of mystery and scares to enjoy as well.
Apart from The Crimson Horror, this is probably Mark Gatiss' best contribution to Doctor Who alongside his previous stories for audio and novels. It's a concise tale of ghosts attempting to inhabit the dead in order to survive, but as this is Doctor Who, there's a little more exposition to uncover first.
One of Gatiss' greatest strengths is his character profiles. From the portrayal of Charles Dickens to Gwyneth, there's a depth that is both empathetic to the audience and interesting enough to keep us hanging on their every word. Dickens' dilemma with understanding how the Gelth work is wonderful and it gives Gatiss a chance to explore the great author's possible reaction to this phenomenon. Not to mention his stressful interactions with the Doctor. Mr. Sneed may be a one-dimensional character, but his presence gives something for the Doctor to bounce off, and a little comedy. But it's Gwyneth who has the best exposition, with that wonderful scene between her and Rose as their contrasting perspectives on the world give them something to talk about. The information behind Gwyneth's childhood may be vague, but it is assumed that she is the true link to the Gelth.
Due to the typical cliché of horror stories, I though the seance was a throwaway scene and the Gelth lost a bit of their "alien" presence. Nevertheless, as previously in the season, we learn the Gelth have lost their home planet because of the Time War and require bodies to survive. It all seems harmless, until the final moments where the Doctor realises he's made a terrible mistake to trust them. The final scenes in the morgue are wonderfully terrifying, with Dickens arguing with himself about the nature of the Gelth and the reality of his situation. The fact that it's Dickens himself who saves the Doctor and Rose from their fate is a nice touch, but it doesn't help Gwyneth who's ending is incredibly heartbreaking.
For a purely historic story, it is superbly done, with the atmosphere and feel of old Britian seeping out of the production, but even with the bittersweet ending that's so wonderfully done by the writer and actors alike, the whole thing feels a little too neat, despite Gwyneth's heroic sacrifice. It's no doubt a great episode all the same, with some great performances from Eve Myles and Simon Callow.
Favourite Quotes:
"Now, don't antagonize her. I love a happy medium!" - The Doctor
"I saw the Fall of Troy! World War Five! I pushed boxes at the Boston Tea Party! Now I'm gonna die in a dungeon... in Cardiff!" - The Doctor
"Stop it. Can it be that I have the world entirely wrong?" "Not wrong. There's just more to learn." - Charles Dickens and the Doctor
"You're from London. I've seen London in drawings, but never like that. All those people rushing about half naked, for shame. And the noise, and the metal boxes racing past, and the birds in the sky, no, they're metal as well. Metal birds with people in them. People are flying. And you, you've flown so far. Further than anyone. The things you've seen. The darkness, the big bad wolf. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, miss." - Gwyneth
Apart from The Crimson Horror, this is probably Mark Gatiss' best contribution to Doctor Who alongside his previous stories for audio and novels. It's a concise tale of ghosts attempting to inhabit the dead in order to survive, but as this is Doctor Who, there's a little more exposition to uncover first.
One of Gatiss' greatest strengths is his character profiles. From the portrayal of Charles Dickens to Gwyneth, there's a depth that is both empathetic to the audience and interesting enough to keep us hanging on their every word. Dickens' dilemma with understanding how the Gelth work is wonderful and it gives Gatiss a chance to explore the great author's possible reaction to this phenomenon. Not to mention his stressful interactions with the Doctor. Mr. Sneed may be a one-dimensional character, but his presence gives something for the Doctor to bounce off, and a little comedy. But it's Gwyneth who has the best exposition, with that wonderful scene between her and Rose as their contrasting perspectives on the world give them something to talk about. The information behind Gwyneth's childhood may be vague, but it is assumed that she is the true link to the Gelth.
Due to the typical cliché of horror stories, I though the seance was a throwaway scene and the Gelth lost a bit of their "alien" presence. Nevertheless, as previously in the season, we learn the Gelth have lost their home planet because of the Time War and require bodies to survive. It all seems harmless, until the final moments where the Doctor realises he's made a terrible mistake to trust them. The final scenes in the morgue are wonderfully terrifying, with Dickens arguing with himself about the nature of the Gelth and the reality of his situation. The fact that it's Dickens himself who saves the Doctor and Rose from their fate is a nice touch, but it doesn't help Gwyneth who's ending is incredibly heartbreaking.
For a purely historic story, it is superbly done, with the atmosphere and feel of old Britian seeping out of the production, but even with the bittersweet ending that's so wonderfully done by the writer and actors alike, the whole thing feels a little too neat, despite Gwyneth's heroic sacrifice. It's no doubt a great episode all the same, with some great performances from Eve Myles and Simon Callow.
Favourite Quotes:
"Now, don't antagonize her. I love a happy medium!" - The Doctor
"I saw the Fall of Troy! World War Five! I pushed boxes at the Boston Tea Party! Now I'm gonna die in a dungeon... in Cardiff!" - The Doctor
"Stop it. Can it be that I have the world entirely wrong?" "Not wrong. There's just more to learn." - Charles Dickens and the Doctor
"You're from London. I've seen London in drawings, but never like that. All those people rushing about half naked, for shame. And the noise, and the metal boxes racing past, and the birds in the sky, no, they're metal as well. Metal birds with people in them. People are flying. And you, you've flown so far. Further than anyone. The things you've seen. The darkness, the big bad wolf. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, miss." - Gwyneth
A solid historical episode with fantastic production values
pjgs2001 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The Unquiet Dead another solid entry to Series One's list of episodes. The first time I watched this episode I didn't like it as much as the previous two stories, but now I really enjoy it. As the audience's first venture into history, there were some really nice touches that help distinguish this episode from the End of the World and Rose. It really feels like you traveled to 1869 when Rose first steps out of the Tardis and onto the fresh snow. The production values were also fantastic: all of the sets and locations looked awesome, and I loved how it was set during Christmas. Another thing i noticed was how accurate the dialogue felt for the time and place of the story, and the inclusion of Charles Dickens was great. I liked all of the characters, the laugh out loud humor (especially "Nobody calls me Charlie") and the poignant ending. The first 15 minutes of The Unquiet Dead were fantastic. The chase scene with the Doctor and Charles Dickens in the carriage was fast paced, funny, and it kept the adventurous feel going from the past two episodes, and the pre-titles sequence was creepy and jumped right into the action. While the Gelth and the zombies were unsettling villains and they fit the episode well, I thought they dampened the fun of the first 15 minutes. Some of the plot twists were great, and the moment when Gwenyth sacrifices herself was done well, but this episode felt a bit darker than it needed to be. The directing was mostly good, but varied from great to lackluster. One moment that stuck out was when the Doctor, Rose, and Charles Dickens were contemplating what had happened after the explosion, and then they all looked up at the camera in unison. Something like that would never really happen, but it doesn't affect the episode too much. I like how the Doctor and Rose helped Dickens out of his boredom with life and showed him a new world, and the ending when he says "God Bless us all" was a nice way to round off his character.
Overall, the Unquiet Dead gets a 7/10 from me. It wasn't as impressive as the previous two installments, but as a historical it worked very well, and there was definitely more good than bad.
Overall, the Unquiet Dead gets a 7/10 from me. It wasn't as impressive as the previous two installments, but as a historical it worked very well, and there was definitely more good than bad.
The Doctor and Rose go to 1869, to witness ghosts.They also see Charles Dickens, the legendary novelist.
mrityunjaythakur10 July 2015
Classic episode! Very good show, and cool episode."The Unquiet Dead" is the third episode of the first series of the British science-fiction television programme Doctor Who, first broadcast on 9 April 2005 on BBC One. It was written by Mark Gatiss and directed by Euros Lyn.
In the episode, alien time traveler the Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and his companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) travel to Victorian Cardiff on Christmas, 1869 where there have been sightings of strange gas-like creatures. The Doctor and Rose team up with Charles Dickens (Simon Callow) to investigate Mr Sneed (Alan David), a man who runs a funeral parlor where it seems that corpses have come to life. It is revealed that the gaseous Gelth (voiced by Zoe Thorne) have entered Cardiff through a Rift, and wish to survive by taking over the corpses.
"The Unquiet Dead" is the first episode of the revival to be set in the past, and was intended to show the series' range. The original brief and script included a focus on mediums and was grimmer in tone, but it evolved into a story about zombies and became more of a "romp". Callow, who had researched Dickens as well as portraying him on multiple occasions, accepted to guest star in "The Unquiet Dead" because he felt the historical figure was written accurately. The episode also features a guest appearance by actress Eve Myles; Myles would go on to play Gwen Cooper in the Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood from 2006. As contemporary Cardiff, location of the Doctor Who production, did not have enough Victorian architecture, the episode was filmed in Swansea. Computer generated imagery (CGI) was used as the main visual effect for the Gelth. "The Unquiet Dead" was seen by 8.86 million viewers in the United Kingdom on first broadcast. It attracted generally positive reception, although some reviewers criticized some plot points and lack of moral dilemma. In addition, Doctor Who spin-off author Lawrence Miles accused the episode of having a xenophobic subtext, which caused a controversy. The direction and production are both amazing. The idea is out-of-the-box, and the writers of this show are brilliant.Good show. Thanks for making such an epic show, guys!!!
In the episode, alien time traveler the Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and his companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) travel to Victorian Cardiff on Christmas, 1869 where there have been sightings of strange gas-like creatures. The Doctor and Rose team up with Charles Dickens (Simon Callow) to investigate Mr Sneed (Alan David), a man who runs a funeral parlor where it seems that corpses have come to life. It is revealed that the gaseous Gelth (voiced by Zoe Thorne) have entered Cardiff through a Rift, and wish to survive by taking over the corpses.
"The Unquiet Dead" is the first episode of the revival to be set in the past, and was intended to show the series' range. The original brief and script included a focus on mediums and was grimmer in tone, but it evolved into a story about zombies and became more of a "romp". Callow, who had researched Dickens as well as portraying him on multiple occasions, accepted to guest star in "The Unquiet Dead" because he felt the historical figure was written accurately. The episode also features a guest appearance by actress Eve Myles; Myles would go on to play Gwen Cooper in the Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood from 2006. As contemporary Cardiff, location of the Doctor Who production, did not have enough Victorian architecture, the episode was filmed in Swansea. Computer generated imagery (CGI) was used as the main visual effect for the Gelth. "The Unquiet Dead" was seen by 8.86 million viewers in the United Kingdom on first broadcast. It attracted generally positive reception, although some reviewers criticized some plot points and lack of moral dilemma. In addition, Doctor Who spin-off author Lawrence Miles accused the episode of having a xenophobic subtext, which caused a controversy. The direction and production are both amazing. The idea is out-of-the-box, and the writers of this show are brilliant.Good show. Thanks for making such an epic show, guys!!!
Creepy Victorian Gas Ghosts and Charles Dickens
maxglen13 November 2019
I feel like stories and serials set in the past are always a very mixed bag with who but this is definitely one of the better ones. We get the first proper horror episode of the revival and I remember being genuinely unnerved and frightened by it when I first watched it back in 05. The whole idea of setting it at Christmas and having Charles Dickens who at the time is touring A Christmas Carol mixed in with the Ghost/Aliens is a stroke of genius and really makes this one stand out. The episode isn't without fault by any means, the pacing is a wee bit strange among other things but I'd definitely recommend this one for fans of the back in time stories. I'm going to give "The Unquiet Dead" a 7.7 to a 7.8
The Doctor and Rose encounter 'ghosts' and 'zombies' in Victorian Cardiff
Tweekums16 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
After a trip to the future the Doctor decides to show Rose somewhere in the past, in this case Naples in 1860... it doesn't quite go to plan as they end up in Cardiff in 1869. Inevitably they are still in for an adventure; a dead woman at a local funeral parlour has got up, left and headed to a hall where the author Charles Dickens is reading from 'A Christmas Carol'; her ghostly appearance causes a panic just as Rose and The Doctor arrive. While The Doctor searches the building Rose sees the undertaker and his assistant, Gwyneth, bundling the dead woman into their hearse; he drugs her and bundles her into the hearse. The Doctor and Dickens pursue them back to the funeral parlour. Here it emerges that the 'ghosts' are actually aliens called Gelth who claim to need help passing through a rift so they can return home. Gwyneth, who appears to have real spiritualist powers, agrees to help.
This was a rather fun episode with some genuinely spooky moments, impressive special effects and an enjoyably 'guest appearance' by an historical figure. Simon Callow does a fine job as Dickens, a role he has played so many times it would seem wrong to have anybody else play him, and Eve Myles is really good as Gwyneth... she obviously impressed the producers as she later returns as a main character in spin-off series 'Torchwood'. The Gelth are an interesting alien; it is far from clear whether they are malevolent or just trying to survive until near the end. Once again the creators don't shy away from killing off a good single-episode character who the audience have been encouraged to like; this leads to an impressive bittersweet ending to the story. Overall an impressive episode; so far this new series has given us good stories in the present, future and past.
This was a rather fun episode with some genuinely spooky moments, impressive special effects and an enjoyably 'guest appearance' by an historical figure. Simon Callow does a fine job as Dickens, a role he has played so many times it would seem wrong to have anybody else play him, and Eve Myles is really good as Gwyneth... she obviously impressed the producers as she later returns as a main character in spin-off series 'Torchwood'. The Gelth are an interesting alien; it is far from clear whether they are malevolent or just trying to survive until near the end. Once again the creators don't shy away from killing off a good single-episode character who the audience have been encouraged to like; this leads to an impressive bittersweet ending to the story. Overall an impressive episode; so far this new series has given us good stories in the present, future and past.
Mixed Feelings Keeping The Dead From coming Back
sixshooter50021 January 2020
I do not believe that this is a bad episode, but I do believe it isn't near as exciting as the previous episodes or the ones coming.
Pros More Time War Speak Unique approach to aliens as the ghosts/zombies being aliens Charles Dickens
Cons Uneven pacing Limited investment into the character that plays a pivotal role in the end
I give it a slight 6. It's fun, and it's probably the weakest episode of a season that has no truly bad episodes in my view.
Pros More Time War Speak Unique approach to aliens as the ghosts/zombies being aliens Charles Dickens
Cons Uneven pacing Limited investment into the character that plays a pivotal role in the end
I give it a slight 6. It's fun, and it's probably the weakest episode of a season that has no truly bad episodes in my view.
Not quite as good
studioAT23 April 2020
After two rip-roaring episodes this is a bit of a step down for me.
It's an episode with some nice moments, with the chemistry between Eccleston and Piper shining through, but the story isn't as rich as what had gone before.
Though full of 'watch behind the sofa' moments, it's not a favourite episode of mine.
It's an episode with some nice moments, with the chemistry between Eccleston and Piper shining through, but the story isn't as rich as what had gone before.
Though full of 'watch behind the sofa' moments, it's not a favourite episode of mine.
Pure Doctor Who fun
robertmooring-139025 April 2018
Whilst I would consider this episode marginally superior to the episodes that precede it, it still has that same quality to it. It is slightly more fantastical and scary, although it is still child friendly, and it is a very entertaining episode.
Rewatching from 2018
Otter_13 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Loved it! Eve Myles is fantastic as always, and it's always lovely to see Wales and history in Doctor Who. The aliens were fantastic and even though I've seen it before, the twist took me by surprise. Unfortunately the aliens were a bit difficult to understand once that twist happened.
Unusual....Not bad, Not great either
warlordartos5 April 2020
I had higher hopes than i should have for this episode. While it has the potential to scare the younger viewers like the Classic Who did; for the adult viewers it drags on a little too long and so loses some of the grip.
Still an above average episode however, as it does have a catching ending
Still an above average episode however, as it does have a catching ending
"Aliens disguised as the supernatural" fun romp
dkiliane9 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I do love when the Doctor takes us back in time. This episode's take on Charles Dickens with gaseous aliens posing as ghosts thrown in is a fun little adventure that I quite enjoyed. This formula of going back in time to find aliens disguised as something supernatural is an oft repeated and eventually overused formula in Doctor Who, but this first one is mostly enjoyable. The chemistry between the Doctor and Rose is obvious and fun to watch. That a 900 year old alien such as the Doctor is such a huge fan of Charles Dickens is hilarious (in a good way) to behold.
The moral dilemma presented in the episode (mercy to the Gelth and the potential sacrifice of a human being to show that mercy) is a little understated, and how gullible the Doctor is regarding the Gelth' intentions is a little annoying. Also, the fact that the episode completely glosses over how Mr. Sneed is completely comfortable with murder to cover up the strange occurrences at the morgue is unsettling. The only one who addresses it is Rose (as the potential victim) but then later she doesn't seem phased, either.
But overall the characters were fun and the acting was good and held the episode together quite nicely. A fun little adventure but not particularly profound. 7/10
The moral dilemma presented in the episode (mercy to the Gelth and the potential sacrifice of a human being to show that mercy) is a little understated, and how gullible the Doctor is regarding the Gelth' intentions is a little annoying. Also, the fact that the episode completely glosses over how Mr. Sneed is completely comfortable with murder to cover up the strange occurrences at the morgue is unsettling. The only one who addresses it is Rose (as the potential victim) but then later she doesn't seem phased, either.
But overall the characters were fun and the acting was good and held the episode together quite nicely. A fun little adventure but not particularly profound. 7/10
Dr Who's casting is on point as usual
MrFilmAndTelevisionShow17 March 2021
I can't think of anyone who could have played Dicken's better.
Just like the the future Matt Smith episode with Van Gogh, absolutely perfect casting.
This episode was very intriguing indeed, I thought it was brilliant.
A bit mixed
ossie856 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The Unquiet Dead is a decent addition to the series. While it has some enjoyable and exciting moments, there are aspects that detract from the overall experience.
The plot centres on the Doctor and Rose, visiting Victorian Cardiff, only to discover that the dead are returning to life. The creature responsible for the resurrection turns out to be the Gelth, a race of gas-like entities seeking a physical form. The episode explores themes of greed, betrayal, and redemption, as the Gelth strike a deal with the undertaker, Mr. Sneed, for a chance at a new life.
The highlight of the episode is the Doctor's interactions with Charles Dickens, played by Simon Callow. Callow's portrayal is fantastic, bringing the famed author to life and making him a vital part of the plot. The back and forth banter between the two characters is enjoyable, and their chemistry is excellent.
However, the pacing of the episode is uneven, with some scenes feeling rushed or underdeveloped. The plot itself is somewhat predictable, with few surprises or twists. The Gelth, while an interesting idea, are not fully utilized, and their motivations are not always clear.
Additionally, some of the special effects are dated, which can detract from the experience. The ghostly apparitions look more like actors in makeup than spirits, which is a disappointment.
Overall, The Unquiet Dead is a decent episode of Doctor Who. While it has some enjoyable moments and performances, it is not without flaws. The predictable plot, uneven pacing, and dated special effects hold the episode back. Still, it is a solid addition to the series and worth a watch for Doctor Who fans.
The plot centres on the Doctor and Rose, visiting Victorian Cardiff, only to discover that the dead are returning to life. The creature responsible for the resurrection turns out to be the Gelth, a race of gas-like entities seeking a physical form. The episode explores themes of greed, betrayal, and redemption, as the Gelth strike a deal with the undertaker, Mr. Sneed, for a chance at a new life.
The highlight of the episode is the Doctor's interactions with Charles Dickens, played by Simon Callow. Callow's portrayal is fantastic, bringing the famed author to life and making him a vital part of the plot. The back and forth banter between the two characters is enjoyable, and their chemistry is excellent.
However, the pacing of the episode is uneven, with some scenes feeling rushed or underdeveloped. The plot itself is somewhat predictable, with few surprises or twists. The Gelth, while an interesting idea, are not fully utilized, and their motivations are not always clear.
Additionally, some of the special effects are dated, which can detract from the experience. The ghostly apparitions look more like actors in makeup than spirits, which is a disappointment.
Overall, The Unquiet Dead is a decent episode of Doctor Who. While it has some enjoyable moments and performances, it is not without flaws. The predictable plot, uneven pacing, and dated special effects hold the episode back. Still, it is a solid addition to the series and worth a watch for Doctor Who fans.
What the Dickens is going on?
A_Kind_Of_CineMagic4 December 2018
The opening of this episode has a nicely scary horror moment that will have had children hiding behind the sofa as they had with classic Doctor Who stories. The whole story harks back to the gothic horror elements of great stories of Tom Baker's era and it works really well.
The plot is that the Doctor and Rose are in Victorian era Cardiff where they meet Charles Dickens and encounter the Gelth, an alien race who are causing dead bodies at a funeral parlour to become ghostly zombies.
Simon Callow as Charles Dickens is a class act who imbues the part with pathos, dignity and humour. He acts brilliantly throughout and the exchanges between Dickens and the Doctor provide some of the highlights. Rose is great in this episode and Eve Myles shines as an intuitive maid. Mr. Sneed the funeral director is well acted and the period setting is effective in its realisation.
The script and the concept of the story are high standard and very enjoyable with funny lines, moving drama and strong characterisation.
I think this is a great episode and it was the episode that first made me really feel Doctor Who was properly back!
My rating: 9.5/10.
The plot is that the Doctor and Rose are in Victorian era Cardiff where they meet Charles Dickens and encounter the Gelth, an alien race who are causing dead bodies at a funeral parlour to become ghostly zombies.
Simon Callow as Charles Dickens is a class act who imbues the part with pathos, dignity and humour. He acts brilliantly throughout and the exchanges between Dickens and the Doctor provide some of the highlights. Rose is great in this episode and Eve Myles shines as an intuitive maid. Mr. Sneed the funeral director is well acted and the period setting is effective in its realisation.
The script and the concept of the story are high standard and very enjoyable with funny lines, moving drama and strong characterisation.
I think this is a great episode and it was the episode that first made me really feel Doctor Who was properly back!
My rating: 9.5/10.
Light-hearted Victorian melodrama with a surprise helping of horror
RewatchReviewer5 January 2023
From my rewatching perspective 18 years on I found The Unquiet Dead to be a bit too cheesy lightweight horrordy for my tastes. The Victorian melodrama of the story was fun though and a perfect match for the lovely wintery Victorian setting. The episode provided plenty of space for Rose's character development, whilst introducing the idea that we'll be seeing a lot of historic character cameos in future. Amongst all the harmless melodrama and mild ghosty scares it was somewhat jarring to see the undertaker violently murdered on screen, the showrunner must have wanted to see how far he could push the "children's TV" thing early doors!
Was it good?, Or bland
rohanumpleby-3405712 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Nice use of color I have to say. Christopher Eccleston's performance is amazing as always, he Excells at being a fun, but mysterious figure like. And Eccleston always does a fantastic job. For me this was the downfall of Rose, don't get me wrong Billy piper is a talented actress but after this episode I don't think she was as good as she was in Rose, and don't get me started on Siries 2 because that's even worse. She has a teenager vibe to her, likes the winge and complain even if it was the littlest of things, and in this episode I just don't think it worked. A reason for that, is this was primarily a light hearted episode, so her complaining and moaning is out of context really. The villains were also weak. They didn't have an interesting storyline, and the design was nice on them though. Does Lead to one of my favorite lines of dialogue at the end though, buy Christopher Eccleston, line of delivery was funny but also you really got a sence that are characters where in danger, which is a great part. Sets up the Bad Wolf storyline briefly and abruptly, but was nice for it to be continued further down the lines. Charles was also a great audition leading to some fun moments with him and the Doctor, with layers that added to his character. So whilst I think this episode gets a lot wrong, it gets a lot right, solid Who episode.
So,
Was it good?, Or Bland?
It's fine
5.5/10.
So,
Was it good?, Or Bland?
It's fine
5.5/10.
Now We're Talking!
elvirammomo19 December 2023
Upon rewatch, this is definitely the first iteration of the type of Doctor Who episode I've found to be the best and most enjoyable (yes, there's only three so far but walk with me here). It has all the build up and intrigue of a proper Steven Moffat episode. I want ten minutes of background story of the characters the Doctor and Rose will meet, I think that makes the story more engaging and creepy because the situations always seem impossible until the Doctor shows up right. And once he does show up, it's fun to watch them catch up to what we the audience already know. All in all, if I had to sit down and play an episode for someone who's never seen the show, I think this one would be a great intro into the madness.
A haunting good time....
stevenjlowe8217 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
So as I continue my revisiting of the new Who era I find myself thoroughly enjoying it just as much as I did back then. I have vague recollections of some eps but for the most part it is like watching it for the first time.
This episode I remembered the ghost story/alien rift storyline but forgot completely about the foreshadowing and character driven moments that really made this episode excel in my eyes.
We get the first mention of bad wolf which I know ties into the overall season arc and finale but I cannot remember how exactly.
We get more glimpses of the Doctors darker side and his almost disdain of humanity. He has dropped a few lines alluding to this aswell as his attitude towards the villains death in the previous episode. But no wonder when you've witnessed all the crap humanity pulls over the time of it's existence.
I loved the performances of Simon Callow and Eve Myles as Charles Dickens and Gwyneth. Callow was a hoot but brought tremendous depth and sincerity when required. Eve was also excellent as the timid but strong Gwyneth and I really liked how she called Rose out for thinking less of her due to their completely world views. She unfortunately met a tragic end and this would also foreshadow the many other individuals who come into contact with the Doctor and not to survive it. I do remember the new Who era back in the day was excellent for it's side characters and the actors who came on board really delivered and were memorable for all the right reasons. The previous episode the unfortunate wee blue plumber and tree lady really stood out to me.
Overall a ghostly good time is to be had and it does some great world/character building moments.
This episode I remembered the ghost story/alien rift storyline but forgot completely about the foreshadowing and character driven moments that really made this episode excel in my eyes.
We get the first mention of bad wolf which I know ties into the overall season arc and finale but I cannot remember how exactly.
We get more glimpses of the Doctors darker side and his almost disdain of humanity. He has dropped a few lines alluding to this aswell as his attitude towards the villains death in the previous episode. But no wonder when you've witnessed all the crap humanity pulls over the time of it's existence.
I loved the performances of Simon Callow and Eve Myles as Charles Dickens and Gwyneth. Callow was a hoot but brought tremendous depth and sincerity when required. Eve was also excellent as the timid but strong Gwyneth and I really liked how she called Rose out for thinking less of her due to their completely world views. She unfortunately met a tragic end and this would also foreshadow the many other individuals who come into contact with the Doctor and not to survive it. I do remember the new Who era back in the day was excellent for it's side characters and the actors who came on board really delivered and were memorable for all the right reasons. The previous episode the unfortunate wee blue plumber and tree lady really stood out to me.
Overall a ghostly good time is to be had and it does some great world/character building moments.
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