Doctor Who and Gothic Victoriana have always suited each other and with Mark “League of Gentleman” Gatiss penning this episode we had high hopes. They weren’t misplaced.
This episode felt less rushed than the previous two, maybe Gatiss coming from a comedy sketch writing background rather than a mini-series background like Davies is more comfortable the time limits, or maybe there was simpler fewer concepts and characters to introduce this time around.
Simon Callow was superb as Dickens, as one would expect. I was pleasantly surprised at how little of Callow himself came through in the performance. Ecclestone and Piper continue to delight – so different to what’s been done in the past but still without any of doubt Doctor and companion.
But how post-coital was the scene where the Doctor and Rose, laughing, picked themselves up off the floor as the TARDIS made a bumpy landing? Hmmm.
I was surprised that the Gelth’s plight was tied to the Time War. Will there be any episodes not tied to the arc? Would the Doctor have been less quick to trust them if they hadn’t been refugees from “his” war?
The scene with Dickens and the Doctor in the coach, a not at all subtle dig at the relationship between creators and fans? Oh yes. 🙂
Not quite as “fantastic” as is humanly imaginable but very, very close. 8/10