This is yet another decent two parter where the second half gets a bit too action heavy and drifts from the themes that have been established. Any interesting tidbits about the soldiers and the environment kind of get tossed out the window. It’s certainly fun to watch. There’s some gems: Ten in the gas mask, Donna navigating the Sontaran ship, all of Wilf, and other little moments. Also, Rattigan doesn’t get enough development to have his sacrifice be weighty. He’s shown as a whiny child who tantrums when he doesn’t get what he wants, and besides the fact that he learns that he was simply a pawn, it doesn’t seem like enough for a person like him to change on a more sympathetic level as opposed to pedantic.

This is big, silly, popcorn-Who. If you don't like manic, improbable, Earth shattering events followed by swift, improbable solutions then you might find it difficult to get on board with this. It is at this point, after having a big returning villain each year across new who, that they started to get into the B-list menaces (Macra notwithstanding). At the time of transmission, for the the average viewer over 30, Sontarans were one of those "you might remember these guys" threats. They are served adequately, fulfilling their own little niche in the show - the war mongers with a taste for honourable death.

There are pandering inclusions including mentions of the Rutans and the first of many ham-fisted nods to the Brigadier that the 21st century run offers up. At this point in time, it would have been a much more satisfying route just include Nicholas Courtney in the show. A missed opportunity now. But then you have Martha's return(!), Donna fighting aliens solo(!), Wilf being a sweetie(!), the fully fledged return of UNIT(!) All engaging sugary treats.

In retrospect, the most ahead of its time aspect that this two-parter serves up is a secondary human villain who is built in the mould of Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk. He is a t-shirt wearing, tech company owner who wields serious power which he puts to dubious use - something the show could do with revisiting.

New Who Review #47

The Poison Sky

The second part to this story was ok. Its not my fave 2 parter of tennants run but it definitely isn't my least fave (that goes to the series 3 Dalek 2 parter). The whole idea of the sontarans trying to make Earth a clone breeding ground isn't exactly the most entertaining of things to watch. When ten was wearing the gas mask and referenced the empty child it made me laugh. This story does have some funny moments which saves it from being completely boring. Overall its a story that's necessary to the series but it's definitely not my fave at all. 5/10

cool epsiode, crazy end, evil kids sacrafise was insane