When a Silurian plague virus goes missing, Kate and the team have to take desperate measures…

The brief description of this story gives away the returning foe featured, so if you want to go into this completely spoiler free, then go and listen to the episode now then return here…

If you’ve not heard the Sixth Doctor tale Static and intend to do so, then it would be sensible to listen to it before you dive into This Sleep of Death – this story picks up on the Doctor’s comment at the end of that tale, and the surprises you’ll get in that are pretty comprehensively spoiled by the events in this one. Jonathan Morris provides all the clues as to the Static’s presence, so it’s not too surprising when they arrive – but there’s a lot more to it than them simply wanting to break through.

Morris provides plenty of good material for all the regulars and Howard Carter maintains the very eerie atmosphere that Joe Kraemer produced for the original story, making you almost dread the sound of different mobile phones going off. Some people may have issues with parts of the final act but I think it’s a respectful and sensible way of using a core continuity element of the show (and this branch of it in particular).

Verdict: A very effective creepy opener. 9/10

Paul Simpson