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"THE UNQUIET DEAD: A GOTHIC GHOST STORY WITH A DOCTOR WHO TWIST"

The Unquiet Dead delivers the revived series’ first celebrity historical, blending horror, history, and heart with a ghostly Victorian setting and an intriguing alien mystery. Mark Gatiss crafts an atmospheric tale that leans into Doctor Who’s Gothic horror roots, proving that the show can be just as eerie as it is adventurous.

CHARLES DICKENS, GAS MONSTERS, AND GHOSTLY CHILLS

The episode makes excellent use of its 1869 Cardiff backdrop, embracing the cobbled streets, gaslit gloom, and eerie séances that define classic ghost stories. The Gelth—ethereal aliens that reanimate corpses—serve as the perfect villains for such a setting, adding an extra layer of unease to an already chilling atmosphere.

Simon Callow’s Charles Dickens is a highlight, portrayed as a skeptical man of reason forced to confront the impossible. His scenes with the Doctor are a joy, especially as Christopher Eccleston plays the role of an unabashed Dickens fanboy, bringing a fun energy to their interactions. Callow’s performance gives Dickens depth beyond a simple historical caricature, making his character arc one of the episode’s most satisfying elements.

ROSE, GWYNETH, AND THE HUMAN HEART

Rose once again provides the human perspective, grounding the more fantastical elements of the story. Her friendship with Gwyneth, played by Eve Myles in her first Doctor Who appearance, adds emotional weight to the narrative. Gwyneth’s psychic abilities and tragic fate make her one of the more memorable supporting characters of the era, even if her potential isn’t fully explored. Knowing Myles would later return as Gwen Cooper in Torchwood adds a fun layer of continuity.

ATMOSPHERIC HORROR, BUT A SLIGHTLY UNEVEN TONE

The BBC’s period drama expertise is on full display, with detailed costumes, candlelit interiors, and an authentic Victorian aesthetic bringing the story to life. The slower pacing allows the atmosphere to build, creating an effective sense of unease before the alien threat fully reveals itself.

However, the episode’s tone wobbles at times. Some of Murray Gold’s lighter musical cues feel out of place, and while the Gelth are creepy, their role in the climax feels a little rushed. Their connection to the Time War is an interesting addition, but their predictable villainous turn prevents them from becoming truly iconic foes.

📝VERDICT: 6/10

While not as action-packed or humorous as its predecessors, The Unquiet Dead is a strong early entry in the modern era, embracing a Gothic horror aesthetic with solid character work and eerie atmosphere. Simon Callow’s Dickens, Gwyneth’s tragic arc, and the Doctor’s increasing moral dilemmas add layers to a story that, while not the most thrilling, is an enjoyable ghostly adventure.

A hauntingly good time that lays the foundation for many more historical adventures to come.

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

• Remember the times the Doctor used to insist on their companions changing their attire to fit the tile period? Those were good times!
• That "I'm going to die in a dungeon in Cardiff" bit could've been a great cliffhanger!
• This is 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 my memory serves me correctly, Gwyneth is 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, as well as the reason Torchwood establishes a base in the city later.