The Unicorn and the Wasp

Dear Gary—

“Think about it. There’s a murder, a mystery, and Agatha Christie.”

Pure, unencumbered Doctor Who having fun. I love it.

The Unicorn and the Wasp is the obligatory historical in which the Doctor and his companion meet a famous person. Doctor Who seasons are becoming somewhat paint by number. However The Unicorn and the Wasp manages to rise above the formula and is a delight.

 “Agatha Christie didn’t walk around surrounded by murders. Not really. I mean, that’s like meeting Charles Dickens and he’s surrounded by ghosts at Christmas.” The script recognizes the Doctor Who blueprint and cleverly pokes fun, and that is its strength. With a serious tone this episode would have been a disaster.

The real Agatha Christie not only didn’t walk around surrounded by murders, she also didn’t walk around surrounded by aliens. Neither did Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria, or Shakespeare, for that matter. The show can get away with past luminaries meeting up with extraterrestrials only so many times before it becomes farcical. What better way, therefore, to handle this particular Doctor Who cliché than to turn the episode itself into a farce?

The plot is as preposterous as the characters are caricatured. A giant wasp creature hidden dormant for 40 years in the person of a country vicar only to be unleashed in a moment of sibilant rage and to play a murderous parlor game during a 1920’s dinner party being thrown by his secret mother.

The Doctor and Donna dive head first into the fun. Dressed for the occasion (“Flapper or slapper?”), the two crash Lady Eddison’s garden party which is replete with game board characters, locales, and situations. “I mean, Professor Peach, in the library, with the lead piping?” All the Doctor and Donna have to do is follow the clues.

Helping them is none other than Agatha Christie, played brilliantly by Fenella Woolgar. The key to Ms. Woolgar’s success is that even though the material is absurd she takes it seriously; similar to her character. “I’ll work with you, gladly,” Agatha tells the Doctor, “but for the sake of justice, not for your own amusement.” Shades of Queen Victoria from Tooth and Claw.

The Doctor and Donna are delighting in the romp, but their lighthearted approach is suited to the production, and if their humor is at the expense of anyone it is at themselves. (“Miss Noble is the plucky young girl who helps me out.” “I’ll pluck you in a minute.” “Go on; you’re ever so plucky.”)They realize the outlandish nature of the adventure and are going with the flow, much like Donna trying to talk posh with the rich and famous. Yet the sincerity remains, allowing for the moving scene of Donna consoling Agatha who is tortured by shame and self-doubt.

It is pure pleasure to watch it play out; I feel just like Donna munching on snacks while following the Doctor’s and Agatha’s interrogation of the guests; and the murder mystery framework is ideally suited to the episode—from the alibi flashbacks to the hunting for clues (complete with magnifying glass) to the gathering of the suspects. Everything is done with a feel for the fun. I love it. There are certainly flaws with the story, but so what? I’m not about to spoil things with criticism.

This is a Doctor Who that I can just sit and enjoy and not have to think too much, other than trying to pick out all of the Agatha Christie titles that are scattered throughout. Doctor Who needs episodes like this from time to time.

Next time I’m feeling depressed, Gary, I think I’ll invite the Doctor and Donna over for a game of charades. Or I suppose I’ll have to settle for watching The Unicorn and the Wasp over again.

“How is Harvey Wallbanger one word?”