Reaction Post: Doctor Who 4.7 - The Unicorn and The Wasp
This is the Reaction Post for Doctor Who series 4, episode 7 - The Unicorn and The Wasp. It looks like Gareth Roberts is the new person in charge of writing the “The Doctor meets a famous person” episodes. What did you all think of this last episode for two weeks?
My usual brand of disjointed commentary lies within. Why not come and join the discussion? I’ll just go get the kettle on…
Does anyone else have the sudden urge to read everything Agatha Christie ever wrote? And…maybe a biography? Just me then? Well, I’ll just mention that it’s a good thing I work at a library and move on. Oh! And how cool was it to see Felicity Kendal? I was so happy to hear that she was going to be in this episode. Um…anyone up for a game of Clue?
How enthused was the Doctor to meet Agatha Christie? And he wasn’t even doing it on purpose. It was all pure chance. Well…pure chance and the TARDIS, no doubt. I wonder where they were aiming for, or if it was another random journey. I loved the interplay at the beginning there. Smells like mint, must be the 1920s. Or is it that vintage car driving by that led you to that date? Donna’s 1920s costume was lovely. Definitely Flapper rather than Slapper. The whole episode was like an Agatha Christie novel. I’ll bet that Gareth Roberts read a fair few of her books before he wrote this, don’t you?
How many people died in this episode? There was Professor Peach (not Plum) who was killed in the Library with a lead pipe. Poor Miss Chandrakala had a gargoyle dropped on her (and she didn’t dodge out of the way, choosing to stand there and scream instead.) Roger Curbishley was stabbed in the back during dinner. They tried to poison the Doctor, but all that produced was a bunch of manic behavior and a detoxing. Well shocked there Donna. And finally the death of Reverend Golightly a.k.a. Lady Eddison’s secret son a.k.a. the Giant Wasp-thing. It’s a darn good thing that Agatha Christie survived this whole adventure.
How many other episodes were referenced in this one? Well, there was The Unquiet Dead (Charles Dickens at Christmas with ghosts?) and a quick nod to Gareth Roberts’ “The Shakespeare Code.” So…the Doctor’s “Attic” is under the console room grating in a treasure chest and in somewhat alphabetic order? He did say that he’d be keeping the Carrionites in his attic.
This episode felt a bit unreal right up until the scene with the Doctor, wearing his serious face, and Agatha Christie alone together in a room right after Lady Eddison’s heir is killed. Okay, and also the part where Donna and Agatha are talking about heartbreak. Anyway, after that things got a bit more serious. Perhaps I only take danger seriously when the Doctor does? Ah well, either way I liked the episode. I particularly enjoyed all of the Scooby Doo-esque flashbacks. Especially the Doctor in his quest for Charlemagne.
And now I’m sure there is something that I’ve forgotten (rather like Dame Agatha at the end there), but that’s all I have for now. So, I’ll sit here sipping my tea and wait for your input.
Image Source: BBC Doctor Who Page
Reaction Post, Doctor Who, The Unicorn and The Wasp
May 18th, 2008 at 7:11 am
This episode was particularly weak. I miss the ninth doctor. His shows were a lot better. Hopefully the next few shows will be just as bad, and I will give up on this show.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Small fear of that, Ben. The next two episodes are by Steven Moffat.
May 18th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I have recently discovered Dr. Who, and am in love with the show. I loved this episode, it was like smashing Miss Marple, from Mystery, with Dr. Who together. I also like the character of Dona. I love how she is always slapping the Doctor around.
May 18th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Welcome to the Whoniverse, Danielle. I hope that you enjoy your stay.
June 1st, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I just figured out this afternoon that I missed this episode. Bad fan!
I liked it…this was a fan service episode…it was fun.