The Unicorn and the Wasp

After being poisoned the Doctor runs into the kitchen and shouts "Ginger beer" at the male member of staff previously heavily hinted at as being gay. Either everyone is being too PC or polite or maybe it's lack of American knowledge but in rhyming slang "ginger beer" means queer.The servant reacts in a startled manner thinking he has been uncovered when in fact the Doctor is demanding actual ginger beer/ale in order to counter the effects of the poison. The scene is another little dig at the way in which those of high status in "polite" society at the time would cover up what would be seen to be unacceptable, not only because of the sexual nature but also because of the fraternisation with a "lower" class.

To be honest there's not much of a story here . It's just a 40 minute whodunnit with the novelty of Agatha Christie making an appearance . Having said that it's something of a pleasure to watch a story that isn't an explosion driven runarounds like we saw with the dire Sontaran rubbish and the " not really the doctor's daughter but we thought the title sounded good " we saw in the preceding weeks . The sedate pace and the wonderful location filming makes it a very worthwhile episode

There are a couple of flaws . One is the lack of internal continuity where a giant killer wasp is unable to break through an internal door in one scene but manages to break through a heavier external door in a later scene when the script demands it . Another flaw is a zany scene with the Doctor and Donna which seems to jar with the rest of the story but it's thankfully not enough to ruin the episode

All in all this is a rather enjoyable episode . It's by no means a classic but a very watchable 45 minutes of television in a season that with hindsight is somewhat mediocre

I remember a time when Gareth Roberts was well-regarded by Who fandom. His New Adventures novels were well-liked and his Missing Adventures efforts were seen by many as some of the best of the 90's Who novels (including myself). Granted Roberts didn't help his dwindling reputation (a result of silly revisionist thought when fans decided to be pretentious and ignore these fun romps in favor of the 'challenging drama' of some of the NA's) with last year's extremely disappointing "The Shakespeare Code", but he has matched some of his finest work such as "The Romance of Crime" and "The English Way of Death" with "The Unicorn and the Wasp", a fun and exciting little adventure reminiscent in several ways of Doctor Who's other television murder-mystery, "Black Orchid".

The only real flaw in this episode was essentially the plot and the way it was executed. This has always been a flaw in Gareth Roberts' writing but he more than makes up for it (again) by injecting ample wit and style into his dialogue, which the actors really do justice here. I did think Catherine Tate slipped into her comedy routine a bit here which does injustice I think to the fantastic way she's developed her character over the last few episodes, but that's a minor complaint.

This is possibly one of the best-directed Doctor Who stories, well... ever. Graeme Harper first directed Doctor Who in 1984, debuting with the truly legendary "The Caves of Androzani" and following that up with the excellent "Revelation of the Daleks". Returning for the revived series of Who with "Rise of the Cybermen", Harper has proved to be one of the best and most unjustly ignored television directors out there. "The Unicorn and the Wasp" succeeds largely thanks to his direction of the episode, as he creates fantastic atmosphere and chooses his shots very carefully and very well.

Fenella Woolgar is terrific here as Agatha Christie herself and the story is just excellent, fun, humorous entertainment all the way through. The CGI effects in series four thus far have been miles ahead of what we've seen previously and the very, very well-done wasp(s) are proof of this. What a memorable and fun tale.

8.5/10

I'll admit to three of my pleasures in life, Agatha Christie, Starbucks coffee and of course Doctor Who. While 2 out of 3 are a frequent to have all three seemed like a dream come true!! but was it?

It's England 1926, mint and lime fill the air, Lady Eddington is giving a party to a range of socialites, where one guest turns out to be none other then Agatha Christie. We learn a jewel thief, the Unicorn is at large.

The Doctor informs Donna that it's the actual date that Agatha Christie did indeed disappear, and what was to follow would explain how she landed up in a Hotel in Harrogate.

There is some wonderful humour, The Doctor referring to Donna as the plucky young girl is so funny, I loved her reaction, and her referral to Dickens. The recollections of where the cast were too, The Captain's recollection is side splitting. The number of her books they reference is a nice feature too.

Stunning production, the house itself, the cars, the outfits, right down to the Royal Worcester Howard Blue china and Stuart Crystal Beaconsfield glasses. The attention to detail is glorious.

I've mentioned Catherine Tate's performances in each episode and had nothing but plaudits for her, again she's glorious. However, the plaudits in this one go to Fenella Woolgar, I've always been a huge fan of hers, and she is ridiculously good, so stiff upper lipped and British. Her summing up of the crime is just delightful.

I love the Unicorn and the Wasp, it's a total one off, it's clever, it's funny, it's different, it tries to answer a true life mystery, it's just glorious. It literally feels like a BBC Agatha Christie production which has been invaded by Doctor Who. Impossible to watch without smiling. The little acknowledgement of her brilliance was welcome 9/10

Gareth Roberts was RTDs 'GoTo' man for the celebrity historicals. Roberts could inject the right amount of wit, literary references and alien presence in a fun romp.

It is lovely to see so many NuWho stories that have actors who went on to become Oscar nominees or go on to be well known on US television and movies. Here we have Felicity Jones and Adam Rayner.

The Doctor and Donna arrive at a country house in 1926 where the hosts are waiting for the arrival of Agatha Christie (Fenella Woolgar) as the main guest of honour. The only thing to worry about is a notorious burglar called the Unicorn might be about.

However celebrations are marred as Professor Peach is found dead in the library hit with a piece of lead piping. Other deaths follow and there is this strange buzzing noise. It all leads to Agatha Christie's real life disappearance for nine days.

The Doctor, Donna and Agatha Christie are involved in a murder mystery that is somehow linked to Christie's own books. There is imminent danger, even the Doctor ends up getting poisoned.

The episode is so well made, really atmospheric and has a great cast that also includes Felicity Kendal and Christopher Benjamin.

There is also a lot of cheekiness and risque humour. Roger Curbishley having an eye for the young male porter, Davenport. 'Some of these young boys deserve a decent thrashing.' The Doctor shrieking ginger beer to Davenport when he has been poisoned. Colonel Hugh reading a saucy magazine.

It all leads to the remaining suspects being rounded up by Agatha Christie and the Doctor as they try to work out who did it. It is a wonderful send up of Cluedo, an enjoyable frolic that will leave you with a buzz.