The Time Warrior · Classic Who S11 • Serial 1 · (4 episodes)

When scientists start to go missing in the 20th century, the Doctor is called in by the Brigadier to investigate. His investigations lead him to deduce that they are being kidnapped through time, and he sets off in pursuit, unknowingly kidnapping journalist Sarah Jane Smith in the process.

Arriving in the middle ages, the Doctor and Sarah find themselves caught up in the machinations of the robber baron Irongron and his "star warrior". The alien, a Sontaran named Linx, is arming him with modern weapons in return for helping him repair his damaged ship, and it's up to the Doctor and Sarah to stop him from ruining the Earth's timeline.

England, the 12th century. Robber baron Irongron is recruited by Linx, a Sontaran warrior whose starship has been forced down on Earth. Linx is forced to use a time-travel device to steal resources and scientists from the future to repair his ship, but in doing so involves UNIT and the Doctor...

The Doctor tracks the missing scientists to Irongron's castle, where Linx is using them to repair his spaceship and construct advanced weapons for Irongron.

The Doctor escapes the castle with Sarah and Hal and must persuade Sir Edward to trust him before Irongron launches an attack on them.

The Doctor attempts to return the scientists to their own time, before Linx tries to use his spaceship and destroys the entire castle.

Sarah Jane is a stand-out in this story, such energy and gusto in her character, especially in a male-heavy cast
Side cast often felt like they were chewing the scenery, bit on the nose for me
I do love a medieval setting, so I do have a soft spot for it
This being the first Sontaran story is interesting, I think I prefer them whilst they're on solo missions
I will never understand the cliffhanger to the 2nd episode and how that was orchestrated, just run in a straight line to the exit duh?

KieranCooper

View profile

Like 0

Review last edited on 19-03-25

Link to review page Flag

It's no wonder that the Sontarans became such popular monsters after this. They feel like such a breath of fresh air compared to the usual Doctor Who villains. Extremely well utilized antagonist.

Also Sarah Jane!

A+. #KirbyDW

Azurillkirby

View profile

Like 1

Review last edited on 14-03-25

Link to review page Flag

I adore Sarah Jane and I am very happy to see her first appearance. She has attitude, she is so clever and stands on her own two feet. It's also very funny to me her reaction to time travel and how she has no idea what's happened.

The mouldy hairy potato (as my partner pointed out) sontaran Linx also appears and is great.

I also want to give a shout out to 3's impeccable dress sense - that velvety green jacket with that bowtie, gorgeous! I probably need to watch more of this martial arts, action hero doctor, he seems pretty cool!

I deduct half a star because my brain didn't always 100% keep up with the middle ages drama and what was going on with people attacking each other's castles? But nonetheless, the characters were good and I very much enjoyed this story!

katherinestar1

View profile

Like 1

Review last edited on 2-03-25

Link to review page Flag

This review contains spoilers!

Jo was a main stay of the show, and with her departure, it was certainly an uncertain time.

However, the introduction of Sarah Jane, and her chemistry with the Third Doctor, made sure that this was smooth. From the off, the pair work perfectly, and even from this story alone, Sarah Jane's impact on the show will be evident. A strong character, not afraid to speak her mind - and she was given plenty of agency in this story.

The story itself is another Holmes triumph - he just got the show, and what made it special, and this story was certainly full of it. A great use of a historical setting, leading the way for the blueprint of pseudo-historical stories to come, and Linx the Sontaran ensured another entry into the pantheon of great villain species.

A proper classic story.

joeymapes21

View profile

Like 2

Review last edited on 16-02-25

Link to review page Flag

There's so much I adore about The Time Warrior. At a time I'm sure was uncertain for the show - what would it be like with Jo gone, Sarah Jane comes in and very much steals the show. She's a lot of fun and I love how her introduction is handled with her role as a journalist. It's very well done. It feels like this story breathes in some new air into the series, especially since this is the first time we've done any sort of actual time travelling in a good, long while. It feels like a shame the show would often skirt away from exploring Earth history, as it is one of the more interesting aspects of the series.

This is also a very fun introduction for the Sontarans. They work really well here in the historical setting and I like some of the characters such as Professor Rubeish and Irongon. They were a memorable bunch and added a lot to the story. Overall these episodes are a great start to what would be Pertwee's final season. It does feel like production kind of saw the writing on the wall. With Delgado's death and producer Barry Letts soon to be leaving, Pertwee would follow, and so in many ways it feels like they went all out this season starting with Time Warrior. It didn't always work out, but a lot of these episodes have a certain energy I can really appreciate.

dema1020

View profile

Like 0

Review last edited on 8-12-24

Link to review page Flag

Part One

[Irongron's hall]

(As a spaceship streaks through the inky black void, an axe smashes into a table in the great hall. Two men wearing heavy fur cloaks are seated.)

IRONGRON: This sheep has been dead a year. Are they trying to poison me?
BLOODAXE: It is salted.
IRONGRON: Salted? It stinks! Wine! Must I perish of thirst? Bring me wine!

(A serving woman pours from a pitcher into his tankard.)

Example Header

Content

Overview

4 Episodes

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Characters

How to watch The Time Warrior:

Reviews
Add Review Edit Review

Statistics

Trakt.tv

Member Statistics

Quotes
Add Quote

Transcript Needs checking

Part One

[Irongron's hall]

Sign in to your TARDIS

Example Header

View All Stories

Character Tracker

View Stories by Set

Doctor Who

Other Visual Media

The Classic Series Audios

The New Series Audios

Torchwood

The Worlds of Doctor Who

Specials

Novels by Range

Anthologies & Short Stories

Prose by Publisher

Comics by Range

Comics by Publisher

My Stories

TV Guides

Big Finish Guides

Cross-media Guides

Overview

4 Episodes

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Characters

How to watch The Time Warrior:

Reviews Add Review Edit Review

Statistics

Ratings Distribution for: The Time Warrior

Trakt.tv

Member Statistics

Related Stories

Other adaptations of this story:

Related Sets

Quotes Add Quote

Transcript Needs checking

Part One

[Irongron's hall]

Reviews
Add Review Edit Review

Quotes
Add Quote