Doctor Who 4x04 - "The Sontaran Stratagem"

Danny Stewart · #1 April 26, 2008, 12:24 PM

"The Sontaran Stratagem" by Helen Raynor
Martha Jones summons the Doctor back to present-day Earth, but with the mysterious ATMOS devices spreading across the world, Donna discovers that even her own family is not safe from the alien threat.

Danny Stewart · #2 April 27, 2008, 4:15 AM

Rawr! Why is nobody posting in here?

Ronnie Rowlands · #3 April 27, 2008, 4:36 AM

Ah, it's open now then. I watched it last night, but I can't remember much.

The soap opera like parts, with Donna coming home were a bit gay but all the scenes with Staal were magniff. There was once recurring piece of electronic music that I liked a lot, usually during the mystery-like scenes with the Sontarans.

That's really all I can remember, I'll have to watch it again tonight.

Josef Kenny · #4 April 27, 2008, 4:37 AM

Hi there! Ok, I'll post.

I thought the episode was good overall. It did have some faults, such as some of the acting of the Sontarans, but it wasn't really awful. I don't know how they compare to the 'classic' Sontarans so I can't really comment on that. UNIT could have had more character and uniqueness although I think the way it was depicted kind of suited its place in the story, with the Doctor protesting against the 'man with a gun'. The writing was good, and I particularly enjoyed the scenes with the Doctor and Rattigan. The 'In-tru the window' bit I found funny and the humour wasn't RTD-cringeworthy. All in all I gave it a 7/10.

Ronnie Rowlands · #5 April 27, 2008, 4:44 AM

One thing that definitely deserves credit is the fact that the 2 companions weren't arguing! I was really not looking forward to having the two characters argue over "who luvs tha docta mor, he luvs me da most!!" but it was nice to see them getting on!

Danny Stewart · #6 April 27, 2008, 6:11 AM

Brilliant episode. Very old series-like pretty much consistently. The portrayal of the Sontarans was good (didn't like Skorr's voice though), Murray's music was good for the most part (although there was a bit much of it). The Donna/family stuff was played as it should have been. Martha and Donna got along (and it was lovely seeing Martha again). UNIT's return was excellent -- I really like how UNIT has evolved. David Tennant was on top form as the Doctor, and the writing of his character really excelled. Can't really pick too many flaws with it, actually. Definitely a strong 9/10.

Although I considered giving it lower for the Adipose cameo. I have edited that scene out in my version.

Ronnie Rowlands · #7 April 27, 2008, 6:42 AM

I've never seen any full episodes with the Sontarans in. Was Christopher Ryan like the past Sontaran leaders? As in, did they too speak like old Army Generals during the great war?

Recurring Villain · #8 April 27, 2008, 6:45 AM

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

(and it was lovely seeing Martha again)

I thought you hated Martha...

Danny Stewart · #9 April 27, 2008, 6:47 AM

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

I've never seen any full episodes with the Sontarans in. Was Christopher Ryan like the past Sontaran leaders? As in, did they too speak like old Army Generals during the great war?

I recommend you check them out. Particularly "The Time Warrior." Christopher Ryan was in keeping with the past Sontaran leaders.

Originally Posted by Recurring Villain

I thought you hated Martha...

Love Martha. My favorite companion of the new series hands down.

Ronnie Rowlands · #10 April 27, 2008, 6:52 AM

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

I recommend you check them out. Particularly "The Time Warrior." Christopher Ryan was in keeping with the past Sontaran leaders.

I did spot a 'Sontaran' story on DVD in HMV yesterday, I might get it if I've got any money. Good lord, it's been over a year and a half since I got a new Doctor Who DVD. Must be because HMV started charging Â£20 per effing DVD! Parasitic bastards.

Oh and Danny, the One-man pods were back after all

Recurring Villain · #11 April 27, 2008, 6:52 AM

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

Love Martha. My favorite companion of the new series hands down.

More than Jack?

Danny Stewart · #12 April 27, 2008, 7:07 AM

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

I did spot a 'Sontaran' story on DVD in HMV yesterday, I might get it if I've got any money. Good lord, it's been over a year and a half since I got a new Doctor Who DVD. Must be because HMV started charging Â£20 per effing DVD! Parasitic bastards.

That's an awful lot. Doctor Who DVDs are between $18 and $25 here. And I thought that was expensive.

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

Oh and Danny, the One-man pods were back after all

I saw! It was excellent.

Originally Posted by Recurring Villain

More than Jack?

Hmm... To be fair, I put them in different leagues, really. I do prefer Jack, but he was never really a proper "companion." He was closer to being the Doctor's equal. He never fulfilled a real "companion" role like Rose, Martha, and Donna all did/do.

Ronnie Rowlands · #13 April 27, 2008, 7:29 AM

Although to be fair, I did spot a couple priced at Â£9 yesterday, like "Black Orchid". But that's probably for the shorter, 2 part stories

Would you say Jack was in the same 'Companion' league as the likes of the Brig?

Danny Stewart · #14 April 27, 2008, 8:11 AM

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

Although to be fair, I did spot a couple priced at Â£9 yesterday, like "Black Orchid". But that's probably for the shorter, 2 part stories

Generally the prices are measured by how much work is put into the release. Some stories only have one or two extras -- others have extensive documentaries and such. The ones with more extras are usually the more expensive ones. It usually doesn't come down to length (although sometimes the length dictates how much work they put into the extras).

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

Would you say Jack was in the same 'Companion' league as the likes of the Brig?

Closer, but still not quite. Bear in mind that Jack came from pretty far in the future. He understood a lot of stuff that the Doctor did -- far more than the Brigadier ever did.

Ben Dawson · #15 April 27, 2008, 8:22 AM

This was indeed a great episode, I found that all aspects (writing, directing, acting, make up...everything) of the show really came together and made this a really tight episode. The were a couple of parts I didn't like, like the Adipose scene, and especially the "Intruder Window" scene (which made me cringe horribly). But all in all, fantastic episode, I've rated it an 8/10, but if the second episode is anything like this one, then I'll rate the story possibly 10/10. This IS how Doctor Who should be, and it felt like I was watching a proper modernized version of the classic series with this episode.

Ronnie Rowlands · #16 April 27, 2008, 8:39 AM

S'pose you're right Danny. Sometimes the Brig was frustratingly ignorant to what was going on. And you'd think that a high standing figure in an organization that specializes in aliens would have more of an understanding.

Are you aware, Ben, that the aforementioned gag was also used in 'Dalek' in series 27/One?

Ben Dawson · #17 April 27, 2008, 8:44 AM

Yeah, I'm totally aware, that's why I totally hated it. They recycled a joke which was crap to begin with.

Jamie Minty · #18 April 27, 2008, 10:28 AM

I have a little spoiler concerning Ep 6. Not about the whole daughter thing. But the spoiler tags don't work.

Can I post it?

Danny Stewart · #19 April 27, 2008, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Jamie Minty

I have a little spoiler concerning Ep 6. Not about the whole daughter thing. But the spoiler tags don't work.

Here's a hint. The spoiler tags will work if you use them properly.

[spoiler=nothing]See? Magic.[/spoiler]

Originally Posted by Jamie Minty

Can I post it?

Not in this thread...

Jamie Minty · #20 April 27, 2008, 10:45 AM

Oh i though you enter the spoiler in the pop up box.

Anyway never mind. Its not worth its own thread.