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“UNIT DATING – OGRONS, OLD LOVES, AND TEMPORAL MISCHIEF”

A charming blend of timey-wimey romance, classic UNIT nostalgia, and gentle humour in a deceptively light episode.

UNIT Dating is the second episode in Stranded 2, and true to its punny title, it’s all about relationships—romantic, professional, and temporal. What initially presents as a low-stakes temporal romp soon reveals itself to be one of the more emotionally rich and character-driven entries in the Stranded saga. A tale of love across time, of UNIT oddities, and of one very polite Ogron, this episode is as sweet as it is slyly smart.

This story cleverly weaves together the past and present, with the Doctor and Andy off on a test flight into the 1970s while Helen, Liv, Tania, and Robin remain in the present. Fitton uses this divide to his advantage, giving the episode a structure that plays with cause and effect in ways that remain unseen until the final act.

RON & TONY: A LOVE WRITTEN IN TIME

At the heart of the story are Ron and Tony, the elderly couple who were previously intriguing background figures in Stranded 1. Here, they become the emotional core, with the narrative peeling back layers of their past to show how they met while working for UNIT—and how their relationship formed in the margins of a very different era.

The story gently explores their romance, subtly highlighting the contrast between attitudes towards same-sex relationships in the '70s and today. The emotional weight hits hardest in a beautifully executed final scene between Liv and Helen, drawing a touching parallel between past love stories and present-day acceptance.

BRIGS, OGRONS, AND TIME LOOPS

Jon Culshaw turns in another uncanny performance as the Brigadier, helping the 1970s setting feel vivid and nostalgic without descending into mere pastiche. Fitton’s script has fun teasing the audience’s expectations—especially with a cheeky gag that sees the Doctor’s big reunion with the Brig completely skipped over with a throwaway joke.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of an Ogron is a delightful nod to Doctor Who's colourful UNIT era. This particular Ogron, rather endearingly friendly and misunderstood, adds levity and warmth to the story. He’s a simple presence, but memorable—less a villain and more a charming plot device caught in a loop of accidental destruction.

That time loop itself is classic Doctor Who—a modest riff on Groundhog Day that mixes slapstick with sincere character development. The repeating days become a vehicle for Tony and Ron’s romance, their frustrations, their regrets, and ultimately their connection.

DOCTOR, ANDY, AND THE CHAOS OF GOOD INTENTIONS

Paul McGann’s Doctor is once again test-driving the partially functional TARDIS, this time dragging Andy into the past with him. Andy remains the lovable blunderer—never quite in control of anything, yet deeply earnest in his desire to do good. His stress and confusion are a perfect foil to the more composed Doctor, and their fish-out-of-water routine in the past is played to gentle comedic effect.

Back in the present, Helen, Liv, and Tania piece together the mystery from their side, giving the companions an active role even while separated from the Doctor. It's a nice reversal of the usual dynamic, and keeps the narrative engaging across both timelines.

UNITED ACROSS DECADES

The strength of UNIT Dating lies in its ability to balance whimsy with heart. It’s a small-scale story that never feels inconsequential thanks to the emotional weight it lends its characters—especially Ron and Tony. The title proves a clever double entendre, referencing both the chaotic continuity of UNIT’s timeline and the literal romantic entanglements of its personnel.

While the resolution to the plot sneaks in quietly and resolves itself with minimal fuss, it’s in keeping with the episode’s understated charm. This isn’t about blowing up timelines—it’s about honouring the people who lived through them.

📝VERDICT: 99/100

UNIT Dating is a lovely breather between the heavier instalments of Stranded, but don’t mistake it for filler. With warm-hearted character work, a touch of retro Who flair, and a poignant look at love across time, it’s a deceptively rich entry in the saga. Fitton’s script deftly juggles comedy and emotion, giving long-standing background characters the spotlight they deserve—and reminding us that in the midst of killer robots, time loops, and future extinctions, the small human moments are often the most powerful.