30.05: The Poison Sky

[Lenny]

As the Sontarans choke the Earth, the Doctor battles to keep both Martha and Donna alive.

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You know, the new music has really grown on me... so much so, that I'm going to have to find an MP3 of it and use it in place as the old theme (2005-2007) for my Weekend Alarm.

As for the episode, I thought it was very good. A few things that seemed a bit strange (I mean, come on, how does the Earth not go up in a big fireball?), but overall the strange little bits pale into insignificance compared to the whole thing.

A few things I picked up:

- When the Doctor called the Sontarans, just before Donna picked it up in the TARDIS we saw Rose shouting "Doctor!"
- The Sontaran guns killed people. Yep, they killed them, rather than make them disintegrate!
- "Are you my mummy?"
- No mention of Medusa Cascade or Shadow Proclamation, but the Doctor did invoke some kind of article. If no-one can remember what it was specifically, I'll search for it when I watch the full two-parter again on iPlayer.

Oh, talking about that, I might as well link to both of them for people who might have missed either:

Part 1 - BBC iPlayer - Doctor Who: Series 4: The Sontaran Stratagem (available for 6 more days)
Part 2 - BBC iPlayer - Doctor Who: Series 4: The Poison Sky

EDIT: Was it Py who posted the possible spoiler that the Sontarans were looking for a Rutan on Earth? Don't give up your day job, mate. Though the Rutan's were mentioned, I'll give you that!

[Perpetual Man]

And there was a flash of Rose on the TARDIS screen...

And the return of the doctor's hand that Captain Jack had for so long...

Not to mention the trailer for next week!!!

[Lenny]

Damn, the short-term memory loss kicked in again! I saw the hand and was going to say something, but I think I can only retain four things at a time.

What was the mention of Captain Jack when the clone was aiming a gun at the Doctor? I missed it.

And talking about guns, poor Mr. Rattigan was disarmed rather easily.

[pyan]

Originally Posted by Lenny

EDIT: Was it Py who posted the possible spoiler that the Sontarans were looking for a Rutan on Earth? Don't give up your day job, mate. Though the Rutan's were mentioned, I'll give you that!

Not guilty, mate...I think it was Dave, quoting from his TV guide.

[PTeppic]

Originally Posted by Lenny

What was the mention of Captain Jack when the clone was aiming a gun at the Doctor? I missed it.

The Doctor was pointing out how obvious it was (to him) that Martha-clone was in fact a clone and not the real thing. He said she might as well be wearing a "I'm a clone" T-shirt... then verbally corrected himself, with "Not in front of Captain Jack though" (or words to that effect)

[PTeppic]

As for my thoughts, the series is getting better. From last week's discussions, Helen (screenwriter) has certainly redeemed herself after the "Daleks in Manhattan" thing.

I loved several little touches too numerous to remember (ahem!). I thought it looked like Rose on the monitor (looks like Rose is part of the series arc, as predicted/stated) and I loved the way that, against expectation, whilst Donna gets the phone in the TARDIS she can't do anything to help (initially). In a way she's the most realistic assistant. Did like that, ultimately, it wasn't the Doctor who saved the day (sort of).. I guess if your great masterplan has fallen apart, you either keep thinking it will all go right, or go off the tracks hard.

Biggest gripe for me: how do they explain away THIS one (on top of all the other alien activity in the last couple of seasons). Oh, and maybe the Sontarans idea of "glorious warfare" being a state where you get to fire at an enemy who you've disabled from firing back...?

[Talysia]

I enjoyed this episode, and I have to say that Catherine Tate's character is growing on me somewhat. The series is getting better as it goes.

[Ursa major]

Originally Posted by PTeppic

Biggest gripe for me: how do they explain away THIS one (on top of all the other alien activity in the last couple of seasons).

They'll blame it on the owners of Atmos rather than on the Sontarans that no-one (outside of UNIT, and the doctor's "crew") saw.

The flame effect wasn't that convincing, especially as it seemed (and I've only seen it in real time) that when the flames ceased, Earth's cloud patterns seemed to be back to normal. (And flames suggest some heat at least, even if the reaction doesn't involve oxygen.)


On the whole, this was a good episode - and it's also good to see another cliff-hanger ending (of sorts).

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Lenny

Was it Py who posted the possible spoiler that the Sontarans were looking for a Rutan on Earth? Don't give up your day job, mate. Though the Rutan's were mentioned, I'll give you that!

No, that was me but I didn't make it up, my TV guide said that the Sontarans were looking for a missing Rutan. I think I'll stop buying that TV guide; they obviously get their information from somewhere reliable like 'The Sun'.

We also laughed at "Are you my Mummy?" I can't think of anything not already covered, but if you want to start a thread on next week's episode, I thought the Trailer has something we might want to discuss?

[ctg]

I loved "Are you my Mummy?" joke as well, though I bet Tennant couldn't have the gasmask on his head and not be quiet about it. Great improvisation.

I noticed two inconsistencies that I have to voice, even though I know that I shouldn't be picking these things apart. First one was with Martha stealing the code, and the question is where the heck the General went as he was standing in that room all the bloody time. Second one was with the nuclear strike where they managed to get the North Korea to comply, leave out the Russia and name U.S. as the North America.

What comes to the Doctor's Daughter ... what a revelation ... they should have kept it wrapped.

[Tillane]

Originally Posted by Lenny

You know, the new music has really grown on me...

Me too! Actually found myself drumming my fingers along to it this evening.

As for the episode, I thought it was very good. A few things that seemed a bit strange (I mean, come on, how does the Earth not go up in a big fireball?)

Yep, I have to admit I had a problem with that, too - particularly when we saw the fireball rush through a cityscape at the level of at least one of the visible towers and do no damage whatsoever. I mean, puh-lease...

That said, I thought it was a really good episode. The Sontarans were great fun, I really liked the use of the Valiant, I loved the "Are you my mummy?" reference, and I think I actually might have punched the air when Rattigan redeemed himself at the end. Oh, and that ending was muchos intriguing.

As for the Doctor's daughter in the trailer for next week...who's her mummy?

[Lenny]

A cityscape? Come on, Tillane! It was New York!! I think...

Just touching on the Valiant - the special effects with the fog were very good. Particle effects such as that can be very hard to do properly, but the shot of the Valiant hovering over the factory with the fog dispersing from the area directly beneath it was very well done.

[Tillane]

Originally Posted by Lenny

A cityscape? Come on, Tillane! It was New York!! I think...

Was it? Um...mustn't have been paying attention closely enough.

[Rane Longfox]

I loved the "Are you my mummy?" moment

[pyan]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

The flame effect wasn't that convincing, especially as it seemed (and I've only seen it in real time) that when the flames ceased, Earth's cloud patterns seemed to be back to normal. (And flames suggest some heat at least, even if the reaction doesn't involve oxygen.)

Yes, that was my only real gripe as well...plus the diffence in the speed of the flame between the views of it from ground level and the ones from orbit.

Overall, though, very good. I agree that it's getting better and better, as Tal says.

Did I miss what Donna's grandfather didn't want her to tell her mother, or wasn't it actually said?