New to Who The Unquiet Dead E3



Snared by the first episode.

Engrossed by the second.

The third? The third episode sold me on the relationship between Rose and Nine AND convinced me that I would watch them go anywhere - do anything - together.



Episode Three - The Unquiet Dead

It's time, once again, for me to gush about how amazing it is to be a new Whovian. Doctor Who combines the best of science fiction, horror, adventure, and goofy British humor. What's not to love?

Rose has just come out of an episode where she nearly dies a fiery death watching the end of the planet she calls home. Does that stop her? Does it give her second thoughts? Not really. Nine jumps her into the past this time... to the 1860s. (I'll confess to some Americentric thoughts here, I anticipated some Civil War action. Then I remembered that this is the BBC!) Instead, we get to see an old and worn out Charles Dickens, performing for a crowd. He's sure he'll have no more good ideas, and he's lost his spark.


What is the spark within us? 

A thirst for knowledge, a passion for adventure. 
Rose is amazing, and Nine can't get enough of her enthusiasm.
  • Rose Tyler: Think about it, though. Christmas 1860. It happened once. Just once, and it's... gone, it's finished. It'll never happen again. Except for you. You can go back and see days that are dead and gone, a hundred thousand sunsets ago. No wonder you never stay still.
This is the reason we went to the moon. This is the reason we'll - someday - stand on the surface of Mars. This is why we have archeologists, paleontologists, and deep sea explorers. We want to see, to know, to be the first.


Rose insists that she take the first step out of the TARDIS into the snow of Cardiff.

Does this shot remind you of anything? I had flashes of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the moon.


A need to laugh, even in the darkness

This is a downright creepy episode. The dead walk, attacking the living. Dickens is depressed. The undertaker is willing to murder to hide his dirty little secrets. Even so, laughter weaves its way through the story. Rose and Gwen have an adorable scene where they connect with one another through laughter over boys.

The bit that really made me laugh was when Dickens exclaims, "What the Shakespeare?!?" I jumped back to watch that over and over. Classic!


Our personal history helps define us

What we bring with us influences our sense of right and wrong. You can see this clearly in the conflict between Rose and Nine in this episode. The Gelth, the spirits possessing the corpses, claim to have lost their home in the Time War. This fact, and the guilt Nine appears to feel, blinds him to every warning signs. Rose, with her background, is horrified by his nonchalant attitude about allowing the alien race to use our corpses for their needs. 




The Power of Partnership


Nine is an alien with technology beyond humanity's wildest dreams. You would expect that this fact would make it difficult for him to accept Rose as an equal partner. Instead, he consistently delights in her zest for life and feisty attitude. Look at his grin as Rose gives the undertaker a piece of her mind.


Death looms before our heroes. They don't see a way out. Rose may die before she was even born. There is no panic, no anger over their fate. Instead, they clasp hands and declare, "I'm so glad I met you." 


(Thursdays are my "Fandom" days - I also have a post go live each Thursday at The Fandom Post celebrating my love of all things Star Wars.) 


I'm participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge, hosted by the amazing educators at Two Writing Teachers. Stop by to see what others are posting!

Also - if you stop by and comment, and you are also slicing - PLEASE feel free to include your URL in the comments. With over 200 people slicing, it is often hard to go find your specific link on the Two Writing Teachers page, and I'd love to come read YOUR slice too!






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