The Doctor and Donna arrive in 1926, and almost instantly they become involved in a murder mystery, in this near brilliant send-up of the whodunit genre.
We are introduced to many, many stereotypical characters and situations right out the genre, including the legedary Agatha Christie herself. Even Donna comments how its all seemly looks like a game of Clue. It's a smart and funny take on the classic set-ups that include the old country house, people with mysterious pasts, red herrings and a murder.
Writer Gareth Roberts, who also dealt with another historical writer in last years The Shakespeare Code, does a loving tribute to the Agatha Christie, with characters speaking titles to Christie's novels -like when the chef is killed, her employer said she had "an appointment with death." And he speculates on the real life disappeance of Agatha Christie in 1926, adding a dimension that helps sell the story.
The acting, as always, is superb with actress Fenella Woolgar coming off brilliantly as Christie. Then there's the little stuff, like the charade bit between the Doctor and Donna, which just made me laugh out loud and the CGI effects with the wasp. And in a typical Christie red herring, the Unicorn referenced in the title of the episode -a thief - really has little to do with the plot. And typically, as a historical piece, the BBC proves why its so brillant at doing them, as the costumes, the settings and the little set etails make you feel it is indeed 1926.
For those who've been watching Doctor Who for all these decades, this episode brought back Christopher Benjamin, who appeared in two classic serials in the 1970's, Inferno and The Talons of Weng-Chiang.
While the younger audience may be bored with the whodunit formula, it's a treat for us older fans who enjoy a little poking at what is a British construction: the stiff upper lip.
We are introduced to many, many stereotypical characters and situations right out the genre, including the legedary Agatha Christie herself. Even Donna comments how its all seemly looks like a game of Clue. It's a smart and funny take on the classic set-ups that include the old country house, people with mysterious pasts, red herrings and a murder.
Writer Gareth Roberts, who also dealt with another historical writer in last years The Shakespeare Code, does a loving tribute to the Agatha Christie, with characters speaking titles to Christie's novels -like when the chef is killed, her employer said she had "an appointment with death." And he speculates on the real life disappeance of Agatha Christie in 1926, adding a dimension that helps sell the story.
The acting, as always, is superb with actress Fenella Woolgar coming off brilliantly as Christie. Then there's the little stuff, like the charade bit between the Doctor and Donna, which just made me laugh out loud and the CGI effects with the wasp. And in a typical Christie red herring, the Unicorn referenced in the title of the episode -a thief - really has little to do with the plot. And typically, as a historical piece, the BBC proves why its so brillant at doing them, as the costumes, the settings and the little set etails make you feel it is indeed 1926.
For those who've been watching Doctor Who for all these decades, this episode brought back Christopher Benjamin, who appeared in two classic serials in the 1970's, Inferno and The Talons of Weng-Chiang.
While the younger audience may be bored with the whodunit formula, it's a treat for us older fans who enjoy a little poking at what is a British construction: the stiff upper lip.
No comments:
Post a Comment