Sunday, April 10, 2005

Outstanding

Doctor Who - Episode 3 - The Unquiet Dead Just watched Episode 3 - The Unquiet Dead of the new Doctor Who and can honestly say that's one of the finest three quarters of an hours of TV entertainment I've seen in years. The very fact I felt inspired to write about it here should be testament enough, given how little I write (or even care) about TV (partly down to how little TV I watch.)

In 45 minutes of prime-time family entertainment slot we got a heady brew of zombies, sly wit, literary jokes, ethereal gas creatures, séances, Charles Dickens - alien killer and genuine moments of spine creeping uncanny. All the sweeter as it was set in Cardiff in 1869 and as lavishly dark and gothic as mainstream television is likely to get at 7.00pm on a Saturday night.

It's very hip to be dissin' the new Doctor, but so far I've thoroughly enjoyed every episode. There have been a few wince inducing moments, but more often than not it's hit the spot. This one hit it and sent it into orbit. The writing was sharp, the story was engrossing, fast moving and entertaining. So far this new series has had a really disquieting air of melancholy under-pinning the drama - and hints at a lot of backstory yet to come out.

I was never a massive fan of the old Doctor - I watched lots of them, even read a few of the books. But I've not watched it regularly since Peter Davidson gave up the Tardis. It was always a good watch, but I really don't remember it ever being this good. The trailer for next weeks one looks superb as well. Finally Saturday nights have a reason to turn the TV on, shame there's sod all else on after it.

Posted by Dio Bach at 00:19

2 Comments:

bodge said...: The third episode is the only one I've managed to see so far (don't watch much TV either). But yeah, I agree, it was very good. Just the right blend of horror and humour.; 10:01 AM
Dio Bach said...: Indeed - it seems it may have been too much for some though:

Too Scary; 12:06 PM