Suffers in the first 3/4 and over the closing credits from an abysmal, ineffectual score which misses every opportunity to create suspense or a creepy atmosphere. In fact it is so sedate it creates the opposite effect: the air of a mellow British country drama rather than an MR James ghost story.
However, the episode is well redeemed in the last eight or ten minutes, during which it is very creepy, with an effective accompanying score, and rendering in fine fashion the sense of camaraderie and shared goal that characterizes the original story, when the lead characters come together in fear to solve the mystery. Despite the shortcomings of much of the first part of the episode, Number 13 is well worth watching if only for the denouement.
However, the episode is well redeemed in the last eight or ten minutes, during which it is very creepy, with an effective accompanying score, and rendering in fine fashion the sense of camaraderie and shared goal that characterizes the original story, when the lead characters come together in fear to solve the mystery. Despite the shortcomings of much of the first part of the episode, Number 13 is well worth watching if only for the denouement.