Doctor Who review: Ghost Light is a rich and multi-layered story

Rich, atmospheric and multi-layered, Ghost Light is certainly one of Doctor Who’s more complex stories. It may also be one of its best.

While not the final story broadcast, Ghost Light was the last story ever produced from the classic era of Doctor Who. And that’s a cruel twist, as it highlights exactly why the series was getting better when it was canceled. In fact, it was probably the best it had been in years.

Set entirely inside a large Victorian mansion called Gabriel Chase, there’s a lot to unpack with Ghost Light. Writer Marc Platt includes so much in his script, not just in terms of plot, but also in terms of themes and character. It’s extremely bold, especially as this story is only three episodes long!

However, while so much does happen, it never feels rushed. It may take repeat viewings to absorb everything – every key plot detail or significant piece of dialogue – but that’s not exactly a bad thing. An analysis of the story in David J. Howe’s and Stephen James Walker’s guide Doctor Who: The Television Companion perhaps described it best:

"Ghost Light is Doctor Who for the video age; a story that can be truly appreciated only after multiple viewings, as the subtleties and nuances contained within are legion."

The story presents us many distinctive characters and a rich atmosphere, as well as interesting themes, like the nature of change.

Image Courtesy BBC Studios, BritBox

Change and evolution

One thing that does come across extremely clearly throughout Ghost Light is its key theme: change, in so many different forms. It’s something that’s central to the story, as it explores both evolution and a fear of change – particularly with the character of Light. There’s something almost comedic about the idea of someone trying to catalog everything, only for evolution to continually get in the way, and yet Light still stands out as a highly effective and dangerous villain.

In fact, the characters in general experience some kind of metamorphosis, either on a physical or psychological level. By the end, no one is the same as they were at the beginning. This is especially true of Control, whose journey is fascinating to watch.

Even Ace herself experiences change in this story. As Ghost Light unfolds, there’s a sense that she’s maturing as a companion, as she faces one of her childhood fears. It may not have been a fear that she wanted to face, thanks to the Doctor taking her to Gabriel Chase on a surprise trip. But there is a sense that she does grow from it.

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A darker Doctor

The depiction of the Seventh Doctor here is fascinating to watch. There were hints of his darkness in the previous season, particularly in Remembrance of the Daleks. This is a Doctor who likes to keep secrets and not give too much away.

But in some crucial ways, Ghost Light has become even more definitive in terms of his character. The fact that he deliberately takes Ace somewhere that he knows she’s afraid of highlights why he stands out as a Doctor. He’s not afraid to push his companions, to make them face their fears, no matter how much they might hate him for it. Even worse, he isn’t even upfront about what he’s doing, preferring to let his friend find out for herself what he’s up to.

All of these elements make Seven a very unique incarnation. You certainly couldn’t imagine Five or Ten making those kinds of choices. It’s why the Seventh Doctor is in some ways a personal favorite in terms of character, a truly fascinating and alien Doctor, one that was just getting started when the TV series finished. It’s unsurprising that the darker elements of his character have been explored in many books, comics, and audios since the Classic Series ended.

Of course, while I’m grateful for all the development that Seven’s been given in the expanded universe, it’s truly a shame that it had to be done entirely off the screen due to the show’s cancellation. Everything about Ghost Light shows that Doctor Who was truly finding its feet again. It’s rich, atmospheric, multi-layered and filled with excellent performances. The final story ever produced for the Classic Series, Ghost Light may also be one of its best.

What are your thoughts on Ghost Light? Is it one of your favorites? Do you think it still holds up as a serial? Let us know in the comments below.