Doctor Who at 10 - The Unquiet Dead (S1E3)

"You've seen the future, how about I show you the past?" The Doctor proclaims to Rose as the opening credits conclude. Following a little mingling with the rich businessmen of the future, the two decide to go back to the 19th century and experience Christmas - a usually happy time of year unless you live in a soap opera. But as the first foray for new Who writer Mark Gatiss, and indeed the first non-Davies episode thus far, it's interesting to see how someone else takes on Christopher Eccleston's Doctor. But does Gatiss do a good job?

Arriving in Cardiff 1869 - a bit off from the original destination of Naples - the Doctor and Rose (Billie Piper) inadvertently bump into the great writer Charles Dickens (played by Simon Callow) after the recently passed Mrs Peace turns up at his reading of A Christmas Carol. What the three discover is that ghost-like creatures from a lost world - one destroyed by the Time War - currently haunting a funeral home run by Mr Sneed and his maid Gwyneth (Alan David and a pre-Torchwood Eve Myles), which sits on a rift in time and space. When given the chance to save their race by sacrificing the dead's bodies, will the Doctor do it or will Rose be against him?

There's a classic feel to this story, what with the TARDIS arriving far from the intended destination (see Hand of Fear for a key example), which does go to show that Gatiss is right for a role in the Doctor Who team  - a long-time proclaimed fan of the show, he knows how to handle the show well in this excellently written adventure. It's witty at the right moments, adds a new angle to this incarnation of the Doctor's comedic sense without going as out there as he was in last week's End of the World and also appears to be a little more grown up by going on about body donations. The argument the Doctor has with Rose by asking if she has a donor card is a small but memorable moment which puts the whole thing into perspective, and for that Gatiss deserves credit. 

It's not all Gatiss though, as the TARDIS team is still going well. There's another small bit of conflict between the two, but both get along like a house on fire with superb chemistry between Eccleston and Piper. Simon Callow, the Jabe for this episode, is delightful as the infamous author who comes across as sceptic-turned-saviour, with his character going through his own little arc; starting off as tired with the world and with what he does for a living, and later being re-energised and teeming with life once more. Eve Myles is also a lovely addition as the psychic maid who's later sacrifice is a touching one, whereas master Alan David is played more for laughs as he tries to make do with the situation at hand. Not the most memorable character from the series, but he does leave a small if insignificant impact on the characters. 

The Unquiet Dead is a forgotten little gem within the series. It has some wonderful performances and a great story. It may pad out a little in the middle and the Gelth aren't perhaps the great menace Gatiss may have expected, but it's certainly an enjoyable story. 8/10.