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The Poison Sky Format Reviewed: TV Review The Poison Sky concludes the first two part story of the series. This is a big set piece of an adventure, featuring as it does the Sontarans, popular returning monsters from the classic series. With the returning character, and former companion, Martha Jones here, and a small but credited cameo from Billie Piper we have a near full-house of nostalgia for this episode. All we're missing really is a Dalek popping up to add complications, but you wouldn't get any odds on them returning later in the series. Wilf is rescued from the car by Donna's mother with an axe, and The Doctor and Donna make their way back to UNIT. There, Donna is put in the TARDIS and The Doctor goes into UNIT to try to help, and realises that Martha is not herself. Luke Rattigan goes to his institute, and tells his students of his plans, and they abandon him. It is then revealed that the gas is aimed at turning the Earth into a clone world for the Sontarans, and once the gas reaches 80% density, everyone will die. He is then betrayed by the Sontarans, but escapes back to his institute. Having been previously beaten out of the Atmos factory, UNIT fight their way back in and The Doctor takes the Martha clone into the basement and discovers the real Martha. She is awoken, triggering the death of the clone. A terraforming device in the Rattigan institute, modified by The Doctor, ignites the gas in the atmosphere and saves the Earth. The Sontarans are then eventually defeated by Rattigan, who takes the decision to replace The Doctor in the destruction of the Sontaran ship with the atmospheric terrorforming device. Martha, Donna and The Doctor are then in the TARDIS when it takes off of its own accord, trapping all three on board. The same problems exist with this episode that existed in the first part. It is as if the Sontarans have been captured well, but then had some bizarre elements added. It was possibly revealing that in the companion show, Doctor Who Confidential, Russel T Davies revealed that he thought the chanting etc. was very 'Sontaran', so it may have been that Helen Raynor, the writer, captured the Sontarans well but Davies added his take to the story. If this is the case, Russel should leave well alone. The magic element of any adventure is here again though, and that is fun and tension. There are many criticisms I can level at the story, but when you actually enjoy watching it these failings fade into the background. With The Doctor and Donna separated for much of the episode, despite talking on the phone, and they do very well apart. I think Tennant is at his best when with Tate though, but Tate is equally adept with or without Tennant. Freema Agyeman does another good job as both the Martha clone and Martha herself. The principal Sontarans deserve special mention, and Dan Starkey and in particular Christopher Ryan are excellent as Commander Skorr and General Staal respectively. Another special mention should go to Bernard Cribbins as Wilfred Mott. Cribbins is a joy to watch, and hopefully will play a more active part in the future. Elsewhere, Rupert Holliday Evans is again too understated as Colonel Mace, but Ryan Sampson is better this time as Luke Rattigan. There are some shamefully poor performances amongst the speaking roles of the Rattigan institute students, but thankfully they are short lived. Despite being small roles, surely people who can act should have been hired? It is worth talking about the dynamic of having a returning and current companion together with The Doctor. In some ways it was hard to judge, because of DOnna being on the Sontaran ship for a good part of the story, but it certainly changed the dynamic between the main protaganists. In some ways, Donna is much better on her own with The Doctor, where as Martha's larger than life personality will fit into any situation well. I also think in the current format, that having two female companions does not fit in as well as having a male and female companion, or just one of either sex. Concerning the story itself though, judging the story over this and the previous episode, it can be seen as a successful reintroduction of the Sontarans. Quite why they chose Earth, as it was always referred to as 'out of the way' of most of the intergalactic issues, but the race themselves are a good imposing foe, and now have much better guns than they ever did in the classic series! Overall, The Poison Sky cannot be considered on its own, as it is the concluding part of a two episode story. It does successfully reintroduce the Sontarans to Doctor Who. Their essence appeqars to have been captured magnificently, even if there have been some ludicrous additions to their collective personalities. There are a lot of criticisms that can be levelled at the story, but above all the episode is fun to watch and full of tension, the main ingredient of any successful Doctor Who adventure. Rating:  |