N.B. there might (or might not) be spoilers in this article!

Doctor Who and the Ghosts of N-Space finds Sarah Jane Smith trying her hand at being a novelist. Set some time after the ‘Dalek thing’, it also appears to offer a sci-fi explanation for the afterlife.

“If you want to know the time, ask a Time Lord.”

Doctor, The Ghosts of N-Space: Episode Four

Unfortunately, it’s waaaaay too long. Lop a couple of episodes off and it might have been more bearable, but as it is, you’re looking at your watch by the time you’re half-way through.

It’s also plagued with some excruciating accents. The Italian ones put me in mind of Captain Bertorelli from ‘Allo ‘Allo!

But less convincing.

And not played for laughs.

“When we do get back … we’re going to find as big a mess as ever.”

Doctor, The Ghosts of N-Space: Episode Five

Which is a shame, as this was Jon Pertwee’s last contribution to Doctor Who. Sadly, he passed away a few months after its broadcast.

So yes, the accents are ropey. Yes, Jeremy is as annoying here as he was in The Paradise of Death. And yes, the whole solving death storyline is a bit overcooked and underwhelming, but because The Ghosts of N-Space was the last adventure together for Pertwee’s Doctor, Sarah Jane Smith and the Brigadier, it’s still worth a listen.