The Unicorn and the Wasp

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

Even with the legendary Graeme Harper at the helm, "The Unicorn and the Wasp" fails to excite. In fact, some viewers may find events distinctly underwhelming and the humour a little tired.

Having already encountered giant wasps in "Torchwood" this year, the alien in this episode left me feeling a case of deja vu.

The cast is excellent, as you'd imagine from this series, but even the talent on display can't save a rather uninteresting script. Fenella Woolgar, last seen in "Jekyll", plays Agatha Christie. Woolgar is rather splendid in the part but the performances aren't enough to save this one.

7 out of 10. The series started well but seems to be in a bit of a slump at the moment. Perhaps next week will bring a return to form.

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

There once was an author called Agatha, crime fiction was what really caught her, till a Vespiform arrived, vicariously alive, now it's the wasp, with the sting, in the cloister.

Unlike most filler episodes, this will not leave you scratching your head, maybe a little, as the Doctor and Donna investigate a hive of activity in 1926 with the assistance of the one and only Agatha Christie.

My Series 4 Review: Episode 7

The Unicorn and the Wasp

This story has the Doctor and Donna attending a garden party in the 1920s and meeting Agatha Christie just prior to her famous real life temporary disappearance. Then there is a murder mystery involving a giant wasp from outer space! It sounds ridiculous but the unbelievable nature of events and the coincidences are all deliberately used to great comedic effect.

Writer Gareth Roberts tends to write comedy episodes and this one is exceptionally witty and knowing in its humour. Tennant and Tate are hilarious. The idea of a murder mystery involving Agatha Christie is very cleverly made to work and it is quite inspired and fun.

The giant wasp is done well in terms of effects but is perhaps an idea a little bit too far. The wasp aspect, especially the buzzing of the human side of the character, is the only little thing in the episode I wasn't so keen on. But this is still an excellent entertainment with many great features.

It reminds me of the 5th Doctor story Black Orchid which is probably not a total coincidence.

It is lovely to get an appearance from Christopher Benjamin who had appeared brilliantly more than once in the classic series so many years earlier plus Felicity Kendal of The Good Life fame and Felicity Jones of Star Wars Rogue One fame. The period setting is lovely too.

David Tennant and Catherine Tate are superb as usual.

My Rating: 8.5/10.