The Unicorn and the Wasp
- Episode aired Jun 13, 2008
- TV-PG
- 45m
With a 1926 dinner party turning into a murder mystery, The Doctor and Donna Noble get the chance to meet Agatha Christie on the eve of her well-known 9-days disappearance.With a 1926 dinner party turning into a murder mystery, The Doctor and Donna Noble get the chance to meet Agatha Christie on the eve of her well-known 9-days disappearance.With a 1926 dinner party turning into a murder mystery, The Doctor and Donna Noble get the chance to meet Agatha Christie on the eve of her well-known 9-days disappearance.
- Christopher
- (uncredited)
- Footman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Gareth Roberts
- Sydney Newman(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBecause of Agatha Christie appearing as a central character in the story, references are made throughout the dialogue to her works. Donna and others drop the names of several of Agatha's works: Why Didn't They Ask Evans, Murder on the Orient Express, N or M, Nemesis, Cards on the Table, Cat Among the Pigeons, Dead Man's Folly, They Do It With Mirrors, Appointment with Death, Sparkling Cyanide (also known as Death Remembered), Endless Night, Crooked House, and Murder at the Vicarage. Also, the book that Lady Eddison reads in a flashback is another Agatha Christie work, 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.'
- GoofsThe story does not accurately depict what happened to Agatha Christie in 1926. However, The Doctor tells Donna that time is "in flux" due to the alien presence. This excuse is often used to explain minor alterations to history within the Whoniverse.
- Quotes
[the Doctor makes muffled noises while making a shaking motion]
Donna Noble: I can't understand you! How many words?
[the Doctor holds up one finger]
Donna Noble: One! One word! Shake, milk-shake, milk! Milk! No? Not milk! Um, shake, shake, shake! Cocktail shake! What, d'you want a Harvey Wallbanger?
The Doctor: Harvey Wallbanger?
Donna Noble: Well, I don't know!
The Doctor: How is Harvey Wallbanger one word?
Agatha Christie: What do you need Doctor?
The Doctor: Salt! I was miming salt! I need salt! I need something salty!
[Donna grabs a bag from the counter]
Donna Noble: What about this?
The Doctor: What is it?
Donna Noble: Salt!
The Doctor: That's too salty!
Donna Noble: Oh, that's too salty!
Agatha Christie: What about this?
[Agatha hands the Doctor a jar and he upends it, eating the food]
Donna Noble: What's that?
Agatha Christie: Anchovies.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Doctor Who Confidential: Nemesis (2008)
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.
- Prismark10
- Jan 26, 2019
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Filming locations
- Llansannor Court, Court Drive, Llansannor, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, UK(Eddison Manor - exterior, drawing room, sitting room and staircase)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime45 minutes
- Color