Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past and forced to face the demons of his youth.

As much as we despise Scrooge’s awful behaviour, has there ever been as dark a reason for the businessman to so despise the Christmas season? Andy Serkis is great as the ghost of Christmas Past, milky-eyed and hairy, taking Scrooge back to his school days where we find out just what snapped the spirit of the young child. It isn’t Dickens, but it’s a horrific realisation for both the audience and Scrooge, who has understandably parked this awful time deep in his psyche.

But just as we’re beginning to feel sorry for Scrooge, particularly the revelation of how brave his sister had been in saving him, we’re shown the awful working conditions that his workers laboured under and the ruthless business methods employed by him and Stephen Graham’s Marley. Yes, he had an awful childhood, but there comes a point where you have to be the better person – Scrooge is not that man.

When the final twist in the tail reveals itself – Vinette Robinson’s Mrs Cratchit (Doctor Who’s Rosa) is beholden to Scrooge, making a deal with the devil to save her child’s life, any ounce of sympathy we had for the man is soon extinguished. And at the end of two hours we’ve only had a visit from one ghost – there’s a lot to wrap up.

Verdict: With appearances from the Ghosts of Christmas Present and Yet To Come still to pass, and satisfying penance from Scrooge, the final episode will need to get cracking. This middle section goes to the heart of the broken Scrooge, and it’s like watching a car crash in slow motion. Probably the least feelgood Christmas Carol to date, and yet it’s fascinating to watch as you’re drawn in to the misery. The Muppets it ain’t! 8/10

Nick Joy