it was the same reason he got into the car, to get it away from people and put people at less risk, it’s a consistent character trait of wilf always wanting to do the right thing and protect people, even saying his life was worth less than the doctors in 'the end time part 2' they were both selfless acts
Who told you it was supposed to be badass? I've always interpretated it as a bit of ironic humour, with a chant of Sontaran pride being said right before they get blown up. There's literally no indication that it was "supposed to be badass".
It's not really supposed to be badass, it's him flipping their war cry back around on them and having it be the thing that happens right before they're obliterated
I actually quite love that wilf is saved so quickly by just smashing the window, it's another example of humans thinking of human solutions that the doctor never considers. (it also reminds me of Donna trying to smash the window in partners in crime, so that instinct is something she and her mother share)
I'm surprised this two-parter is received so poorly by some, I remember thoroughly enjoying the story as a kid when it aired, and on rewatches it feels like a great mid-season(ish) filler and character development. Personally I would have ranked it a solid B overall. I cannot wait to see the review of "The stolen Earth" and "Journey's End" though!
Just because something is arguably the weakest of series 4 doesn’t mean that the episode is bad. In fact despite it being low down I still return to this story a lot, it’s one of my comfort episodes.
Honestly if this was produced as a series 12 episode it would be acclaimed but because it’s in an incredible series with no bad episodes it’ falls a little short against them
At the time it aired I considered these 2 of the best series 4 episodes just for the inclusion of Sontarans, but as Harbo says the plot kinda suffers in pacing, it focusses more on the pollution threat than it does gun toting baked potatoes,
So do, I love all the subtle links between the shows which makes it even cooler when you watch all alongside each other because you’re like yay and it makes the universe seem more interwoven together
@@mr.person4050 he keeps saying he has fond childhood memories of SJA and doesn`t want to ruin them by watching it with adult critical eyes. I think we should respect that
Finally, someone else appreciating Ross. It doesn't happen very often in Doctor Who that you care about a one-off character like him. Ross and the 'space pig' from season 1 will be forever in my heart.
I didn’t know “Daleks in Manhattan”, “Evolution of the Daleks”, “The Sontaran Stratagem”, “The Poison Sky”, “The Doctor’s Daughter”, and “The Unicorn and the Wasp” were hated by the fandom. I always enjoyed all of those episodes. “The Doctor‘s Daughter” was an especially interesting episode. Also the old who done it mystery in “Unicorn and the Wasp” is always fun to rewatch.
Maybe we'll even get a story with pale pink weasel aliens that say tanned humans look like baked potatoes as a vice versa to the Sontaran's visual perception of humans.
This is one of those Doctor Who stories best described as "perfectly fine." Nothing special but enjoyable with no horrible, story-breaking flaws. A perfectly fine episode.
13:59 Between this and the conversation Jack had with Gwen in Torchwood S2 about being traumatised by seeing the "end of the world", it's interesting that for a finale that had one of the biggest deus ex machinas it had it's effects felt the most by the characters
me to me before watching: how could harbo possibly go on about this mediocrely-remembered story for almost 40 minutes straight? martha: *appears* me: ah, right.
I feel like Rattigan's sacrifice isn't an act of redemption, he just wanted to get the last laugh over the Sontarans, since they hurt his fragile ego by betraying him
Sadly if it's popular enough, it has those kind of fans. Makes me wonder how many people have turned down big roles just to save themselves the hassle.
@@mayotango1317 No one said that. Disliking the direction the show is going (I myself really hate the timeless children storyline and much of Chibnall's run) is not the same thing as throwing a fit and harassing the people who worked on it. It's okay to express dislike, but people should be mindful how they do it. Doctor Who fans aren't entitled to have their every whim catered to.
@@AkumaKristian yhh but I feel like too many people blame jodie. It's not rly her fault cuz she's literally just reading off chibnalls script. People judge her too fast before watching her other works such as broadchurch, which she was absolutely amazing in (David tennant also stars in it!!)
The Sontaran's were a nice return from a classic monster. Like you could say its one of the top 4 known classic who monsters alongside the Daleks, Cybermen and Ice Warriors. I do think they needed a return but perhaps with a little more oomph to them and it was a bit of a weak return. Theres also a Sarah Jane Adventures episode that follows on from this two parter which is a fun episode giving the sontarans a little more of a threat although not for too long. Anyways I really like Donna in this episode and how she is portrayed. A smart lady who looks in the places you wouldnt expect to find anything like sick days. I also do like her and Martha although there isnt too much to it. Its also a nice line about turning Martha into a soldier and at the end of the series a character mentions everyone The Doctor has his humans (Spoiler). The clone was quite cool looking and very alien before becoming Martha clone. I also didnt realise how many references to older doctor episodes there were and heres another one to when he was in UNIT, The Empty Child reference and the Valiant from series 3. These little references really did make the Whoniverse really connected with each other something thats been lost nowadays.
@@zeallust8542 it didnt belong in series 4 at all lol it was more of a series 2 type episode this specific episode would of suited doctor/rose well more then a doctor/donna if you get me
(justice for ross) when i was younger i never realised how good this episode was with the humour, emotional scenes, dynamics between donna and martha, the reintroduction of unit, sontarans and the iconic joke ‘in-truder window’
I just love how at the end, when the Doctor gets sent back through the transporter, His past & present companions act so in character ie. Martha grabs his arm & cuddles up to him; while Donna smacks him on the arm before sitting down next to him. I like these episodes & would definitely rank them higher; at least a solid B.
Martha and Donna are my two favorite companions (it's a tie), so I naturally love this two-parter. I go full fan-girl whenever I rewatch it. Oh, and I love Wilfred too, my heart melts whenever he's on screen.
Oh wow, idk if you talked about it in your Evolution of the Daleks review because I hadn't watched that one, but that's so heartbreaking...that Helen Raynor was bullied so much for the story it drove her to tears. Good Lord, shows that even before Twitter and shit fandoms could be cruel. I can't blame her for her initial reluctance, and I'm sure it didn't help that fans went on to consider the Sontaran two-parter one of the weaker parts of Series 4. I'll say this wasn't one of my favorite episodes from the series but it's still really solid. I really liked Martha's return and how concerned the Doctor was about her & Donna fighting, obviously reminded of how Rose & Sarah Jane's introduction originally went down. And Martha's warning to Donna about what happened to her family felt very cryptic and honestly heartbreaking, since she's one of the only companions who left on her own accord during New Who so it was interesting to see her warning Donna of the potential consequences that can come from associating with him. Only of course to end up thrown back into otherworldly danger and adventure against her wishes when the TARDIS whisks the trio away to join the plot of The Doctor's Daughter.😆 (Also I love the way she says "Doctor, it's Martha, and I'm bringing you back to Earth," before the opening credits. The smile, the emphasis on "back;" it packs *such* a satisfying punch).
I do not understand people not liking this episode, it's on the top half of episodes, and as the video shows, it's a great reintroduction of a classic Who villian. There are a few weak things with it, but for the most part, it's a pretty good episode. Season four is probably one of the strongest seasons of New Who (and what I consider to be the weak episodes--- Midnight and The Unicorn and the Wasp-- are actually pretty well liked (well at least Midnight is)) I don't think there is an actual not very good episode in the entire season. With pretty much every other season you can find one episode that isn't 'good'.. but when the worst episode of your season is the Unicorn and the Wasp, that is a pretty decent bar.
Agreed, season four is a solid one, one of the best, really. Although I personally adore both 'Midnight' and 'The Unicorn and the Wasp', so I disagree with you here. The one I don't like much is "Turn Left' because that beetle just looks fucking stupid.
I think it was a squash ball that the Doctor used against Stal, rather than a tennis ball. At least based on the size and texture that we can see of it.
I would’ve so easily watched an entire series of Wilf as the Doctor’s main companion. He’s so giddy about space travel and aliens that he’s like a little kid when he sees the things The Doctor shows him, which contrasts brilliantly with his history as a soldier in WWII as its alluded to in Turn Left and End of Time. Showing that one of the oldest companions who’s seen the most war and tragedy is still one of the most childlike companions just knowing that he gets to meet an alien. Something that, now that I describe it outright, is very fitting to a lot of what Matt Smith’s Doctor is like in Series 5 and 6. Returning to being whimsical and childish because that’s part of the magic of The Doctor. I know it’ll never happen, but I’d really be happy if we get to see Wilf again. Even if it’s just a Big Finish audio.
With regard to the Doctor recommending Martha for UNIT (mentioned at 7:17, 7:28) while detesting it in this episode - he probably did it at a later point in his personal timeline. (“You were just talking to me. I know. I’m a time traveler, figure it out.”)
Is Strax a Moffat creation? Because I feel like he has all the hallmarks. "What if there was this one Sontaran who wasn't a soldier, but still talked in a soldiery way?" "Ha, that sounds fun. So he'll contrast with the other Sontarans in the show!" "Uh... sure, if we ever use them again. Which we probably won't."
in the Davies era I tended to feel that the first two parters of a series were the weaker ones. The Slitheen, Cyberman and Dalek two parters from series 1, 2 and 3 were decent, solid, passable but kind of average and not great. This is the first series where I like the first 2 parter story in the series. Its I solid, engaging, interesting, I like Martha so it is great to see her back and an interesting and engaging story that I want to keep watching. I genuinely like this story. Series 4 has maybe 1 weaker episode in the whole series. everything is brilliant. Catherine Tate and David Tennant are a magnetic pairing. I genuinely, truly and unironically love this two parter. Series 4 is a gem of a series. It sparkles.
I know, right? Series 4 is almost a perfect season with really solid episodes throughout. Which one would you say is the weaker one do you think? (Though, judging by what I've seen, I may have an idea).
The first two-parter in RTD's era was always the bombastic, action-packed two-parter set on Earth that concluded the first part of the season. Both this and Aliens of London are the companion's first trip back home. Rise of the Cybermen saw Mickey leave, and Evolution of the Daleks was the final journey on Martha's "one trip". It's a fun romp that cements the relationship between the Doctor and his companion. The second two-parter on the other hand is the darker, more horror/drama oriented episode which explores much deeper themes, and excluding The Empty Child, usually has a much more bittersweet ending, (half the crew and all the Ood dead, John Smith's identity death and the Family of Blood trapped in twisted punishments for all eternity, River dying and Donna thinking that her husband was simply a construct). It's an emotional gut-punch that lays the character groundwork in preparation for the finale (Capt. Jack's arrival, "She will die in battle", Martha saving the day on her own without The Doctor, Donna forgetting who she is and her adventures with The Doctor). The finale is the finale so it usually falls between the two, with the bombast and explosions of the first part, and the emotional gut punches of the second. The second two-parters have always been my favourites because they're just so well made and so emotionally intense, but for the same reason it can be difficult to watch them too frequently! The first two-parter I don't get as engrossed, but I can enjoy at any time with some popcorn. I do agree that this is probably the best first two-parter. I can't choose between The Impossible Planet, The Family of Blood, or Silence in the Library for the second two-parter, because they are all stellar in different ways. The Empty Child is still great but for me it's not quite on the same level. I refuse to choose a finale!
Always loved this one, especially Martha's return although I wish there was a scene where Martha stodgy up to the doctor for treating her poorly . Thought the sontarans where great villains too . I liked delving into Donna's family and the plan the sontarans conducted . Rating: 8/10 overall . A tier overall .
I hate how RTD gave them catchphrases. They're gonna come back in S13 and I prefer this over Strax. If I have a sat-nav in my car, I'd pack a brick so I'd be able to smash the window and swim out(unless the Atmos company stole Miss Opener nurse's window protector). I flippin' hate the UNIT Dating Controversy.
11:05 I believe the term you're looking for there is "uncanny valley" - something that is very close to what we know as normal and take for granted, yet is _just wrong enough_ to tip our instincts as it being wrong or unnatural without being immediately identifiable as such to our thinking minds. It's when you go "there's something _wrong_ here, something creepy, but I can't quite put my finger on it."
They're used beautifully in big finish I think and show they're real power, like they had a story with their weapons taken from them and they still destroyed the rutans with their hands.
However here it wasn't Ten's decision, it was Luke Rattigan in the last sec switching places. Whereas in Timeless Child it was the Doctor deciding to swap places which gives a whole different meaning to the timelord's character.
no, it's not. the doctor didn't agree to the boy saving him, it was done against his will. 13th on the other hand was like - yeah, ok, die instead of me, thanks. bye! 10th would have never done anything like that
1:04 I liked evolution of the daleks😢 I think my only complaint is that sek was the only “humanoid dalek” the rest were just humans with dalek brains. And then he wanted them to be more human.
I've never had a problem with Rattigan's sacrefice, it seems like something he'd do. Not to redeem himself, but out of spite/revenge. He just frames it like that to make himself look better.
I don't think that Ratigan's sacrifice was an attempt to redeem the character. He did what he did out of *Spite* and it's the single most in-character moment he has even beyond his meltdown. He has nothing left and he views the jacketed potatoes as having taken it from him, so he wanted to get revenge. He may have presented it as redemption [though I can't remember if he even did that] but really it was just a 'screw you, you've ruined everything!' to them.
Did harbo just change the video title from "Possibly the best Sontaran episode" or something like that to "When Doctor Who Fought Baked Potatoes To Stop Pollution".... best title change i've ever seen
It basically had this title to begin with, then I changed it because it was underperforming, then that didn't fix it so I just changed it back again lol
I always really enjoyed this story as I always felt it cleverly used the idea of pollution to advance an alien plan, made the sontarans a threatening species again as I felt it had been lacking in their later appearances in the classic era, brought a modern adaption of UNIT that showed how it had slowly become a more militaristic organisation that with some help from people like the Doctor, Martha and Donna could see that other methods could be used but also still allowing to show they are soldiers so will fight the sontarans once they are armed with the copperless bullets.
I actually find Rattigan an at least slightly sympathetic character. He's clearly incredibly naive and desperate to be truly a part of a community, even siding with the Sontarans in order to achieve this. When he's on the teleport floor crying after being betrayed by the Sontarans, I felt really bad for him
we need more UNIT stories that show a more mutual outlook towards the military. It doesn't always work out but has its moments. It's always awesome to see an evenly matched fight over the futile attack like in most stories. And Colonel Mace, for me, is the perfect character replacement for The Brigadier. An competent and determined leader, albeit out of his depth. Who essentially is in the shadow of Lethbridge Stewart but doesn't try to imitate him. He just tries to do the job and follow the Doctor even if they but heads.
The mallet should be nominated for a future Harbo Award: best props of the Russell T Davies era. The mallet has been used in previous stories like Aliens of London and The Runaway Bride to help fly the Tardis, but this two part story gives the mallet its time to shine and bash away at things outside of the Tardis like knocking a Sontaran out, and helping make an atmospheric converter.
To be honest I quite like these episodes as they’re just a fun (ish) story that I can just enjoy. It’s just an easy watch, even if they were not going for that and trying to do a high stakes drama, I just enjoy it.
The Sontarans have always been woefully underused in Doctor Who, 4 Classic stories all with varying degrees of quality. This was one of the few times they felt like full on threats despite their more cat and mouse like behaviour. It’s a shame that once Strax appeared it became incredibly hard to take them seriously again.
22:16 He acted on impulse to move the car pumping dangerous gas off the road It's exactly what he does in the finale. He acted on impulse to save someone
Helen Raynor may not have been the best writer but she was the best Davies era writer to produce the doctor moments we all love. The moment when the plan is unveiled and the doctor knows just what to do. She was really great at making the doctor intelligent but not patronizing towards the audience.
4:05, well I think that anybody that wasn't on the ship during Last of the Time Lords when time rewinded had their memories set back 1 year, but the people on the ship kept their memories which would include the Doctor, Martha, Jack, Master, and the Jones family, and although Master is dead and Jack is back at Torchwood, the rest are still in modern day London during these 2 episodes
The classic Sontarans are way better in my opinion, they come off as more of a threat and the world building is amazing. It’s still wonderful to see them in the modern series and I hope we see them in series 13.
The Sontaran-ha! Line from Ratigan made me spit out my tea when I first watched it. I know it’s supposed to be dramatic and heroic, but it is so dumb and I can’t help but love it.
Saying Ross was the best companion is Wilf erasure and I won’t have it. Also anybody else think Sylvia might be the worst ‘good’ character of the Davies era?
I never saw Strax as a detriment to Sontarans. I look at him as an individual. That is like saying that Silurians are sword fighting leabians who get together with humans because of the actions of one Silurian.
How The Doctor resolves the atmosphere issue is certainly anti-climactic, but I think it was a good call to have Luke decide to sacrifice himself. Even having spent only moments with The Doctor, he finally did something good with his life. The Doctor allowed him to be the best version of himself. It was also somewhat of a surprise. Given these points, it didn't feel anti-climactic, but poetic instead. Furthermore, it adds another sacrifice that The Doctor can count in the series finale. This sacrifice is completely different to the one in series 12...The Doctor doesn't decide to allow the sacrifice to happen - Luke did. As always, context matters.
I quite liked how the Doctor's sanctimonious dismissal of UNIT is undermined by them saving the day by turning up and shooting all the aliens with some slightly modified ammunition.
Has to be my favourite Sontaran story (Other than the Gunpowder Plot ;)), it really shows how war mongering the Sontarans are instead of just running through corridors and going solo
I personally always felt Luke Rattigan's sacrifice always was more significant when you remember how young he's portrayed, being 18 to 19 years old, after he basically invented an early internet search engine to rival Google at the age of 12 in 2002, the events of the story taking place in 2009. He's not some experienced businessman, the implication is that he's basically been groomed by the sontarans into being a genius they can use.
I love how angry the 10t doctor gets for ross getting sacrificed but the 12th doctor did the same thing later on in the flood story where its arguably worse cause he sacrifices someone he knows is in love with someone else and still lets them die
This was the very first Doctor Who story I saw as a teen and I absolutely adore the Sontarans because of it For me a single Sontaran is better than an army of Cybermen and they are second only to the Daleks
![DID IT SUCK? | Doctor Who [SONTARAN STRATEGM/POISON SKY MEGA REVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/sq7hlfx5bRw/mqdefault.jpg)
Patreon go brmm brmm
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UA-cam comments: "tOm ElLiS iS tHe GuY fRoM lUcIfEr"
me, an intellectual :Tom Ellis is the guy from Miranda
@@sovoho7502 Gary > Lucifer any day of the week
Um, does it? How?
Helen Raynor wrote two of my favourite serials , i dont get the hate, i LOVE Daleks in manhatten and sontaran 2 parter
I hope you've learnt what genocide means now?
There’s also the Easter Egg of the Doctor wearing a gas mask saying “are you my mummy” always loved that moment.
Same!
OH GOD RIGHT, I DIDN'T NOTICED THAT HAHA
MY SISTER TOLD ME TODAY THAT HE IMPROVISED THAT LINE AFTER HE FORGOT HIS REAL LINE, MAKES IT EVEN BETTER
Wouldnt really call that an Easter Egg. More like a refrence
@@robbiesmith8055 that was a great myth. But Georgia Tennant said it`s not true. It was scripted.
22:30 - that is the biggest insult to wilf. He didn’t “blunder into” the chamber. He entered it so that someone else could escape.
Thank you! He saved someone else's life without hesitation.
it was the same reason he got into the car, to get it away from people and put people at less risk, it’s a consistent character trait of wilf always wanting to do the right thing and protect people, even saying his life was worth less than the doctors in 'the end time part 2' they were both selfless acts
Wilf is amazing. I love him so much.
Exactly.
@@hubbybubby7867 It makes sense why he's so willing to jump into action to save others too, him being a former soldier and all.
Sontarans: Boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew.
Some nice tarans. S O N T A R A N S!
_WHAT DID YOU SAY_
Most edible dr who villain
Samwise.. What's a Sontaran?
That final Rattagan line “Sontar... Ha!” makes me laugh every time. It’s supposed to be badass but it just comes off as super goofy.
Not to mention he says "Sontaran-ha!" as apposed to Sonta-ha.
Sonta - Ha!
@@tinykemper2561 Does he? I've never noticed that.
Who told you it was supposed to be badass? I've always interpretated it as a bit of ironic humour, with a chant of Sontaran pride being said right before they get blown up. There's literally no indication that it was "supposed to be badass".
It's not really supposed to be badass, it's him flipping their war cry back around on them and having it be the thing that happens right before they're obliterated
I actually quite love that wilf is saved so quickly by just smashing the window, it's another example of humans thinking of human solutions that the doctor never considers. (it also reminds me of Donna trying to smash the window in partners in crime, so that instinct is something she and her mother share)
i never thought about it connecting to partners in crime! that’s a good observation!
I'm surprised this two-parter is received so poorly by some, I remember thoroughly enjoying the story as a kid when it aired, and on rewatches it feels like a great mid-season(ish) filler and character development. Personally I would have ranked it a solid B overall. I cannot wait to see the review of "The stolen Earth" and "Journey's End" though!
I think he already has done that
Agreed, I actually quite like these episodes.
I agree it was a really good two parter and I didnt think it was a bad story at all. Very good watch.
Just because something is arguably the weakest of series 4 doesn’t mean that the episode is bad. In fact despite it being low down I still return to this story a lot, it’s one of my comfort episodes.
This is like my third favourite in S4 :)
Honestly if this was produced as a series 12 episode it would be acclaimed but because it’s in an incredible series with no bad episodes it’ falls a little short against them
At the time it aired I considered these 2 of the best series 4 episodes just for the inclusion of Sontarans, but as Harbo says the plot kinda suffers in pacing, it focusses more on the pollution threat than it does gun toting baked potatoes,
I love how even the worst episodes in season 4 are still better written and more interesting than any episode in Chibnall's run.
Ive always thought that wasp/agatha christie episode was the worst of series 4
I also like how this story was followed up in the Sarah Jane Adventures.
So do, I love all the subtle links between the shows which makes it even cooler when you watch all alongside each other because you’re like yay and it makes the universe seem more interwoven together
I really want Harbo to do a series on the SJA
@@mr.person4050 Maybe he might after doing Torchwood?
@@mr.person4050 he keeps saying he has fond childhood memories of SJA and doesn`t want to ruin them by watching it with adult critical eyes. I think we should respect that
“I can’t believe he doesn’t pay for basically killing the best companion.”
Racks shotgun*
“Oh believe me he will.”
The two Marthas scene is almost like an early version of The Rebel Flesh
I recently rewatched and thought the exact same thing!
I think Rattigan's is end is less redemption for him and more the Sontaran's betrayal coming back to bite them in the arse
i agree but when I first saw it I didn't see it coming so Rattigan's death did take me by surprise. It, to me is an awesome moment for the episode.
Sonta- Ha
donna denting the 1980s is what caused the UNIT dating controversy.
Why does hearing "UNIT dating controversy" always make me think of some millitary-based office romance?
@@GeriatricFan1963 oh I actually thought it was that. I'm dumb lol
@@GeriatricFan1963 jo and seargeant yates lol
@@GeriatricFan1963funnily enough, there is a big finish audio called UNIT dating which is basically that😂
Finally, someone else appreciating Ross. It doesn't happen very often in Doctor Who that you care about a one-off character like him. Ross and the 'space pig' from season 1 will be forever in my heart.
YOU DIDNT MENTION THE ARE YOU MY MUMMY BIT THATS ILLEGAL
Plot twist: The doctors regeneration at the End of Time Part 2 was so powerful, it caused Russel T Davies to regenerate into Steven Moffar.
No, he is just a crybaby.
I agree, this is now canon
And then traveled back in time to 2006 and 2008 to write Girl in the Fireplace and Silence in the Library respectively
@@JyujinPlus yes
@@mayotango1317 Definitely not
I didn’t know “Daleks in Manhattan”, “Evolution of the Daleks”, “The Sontaran Stratagem”, “The Poison Sky”, “The Doctor’s Daughter”, and “The Unicorn and the Wasp” were hated by the fandom. I always enjoyed all of those episodes.
“The Doctor‘s Daughter” was an especially interesting episode.
Also the old who done it mystery in “Unicorn and the Wasp” is always fun to rewatch.
their all my favourite episodes from series 3 and 4
Take out evolution of the darlex And you'll get some of my favorite episodes to rewatch The pig people freaked me out when I was younger
tbh the fandom pretty much hates everything except heaven sent
i adore fear her and sometimes i think i’m the only one in this fandom who does
The "herd of sheep" of fandoms are always the worst things about these shows
you know, one day I hope we have an actual story which features a baked potato so we can get a reverse sontarans look like a potato joke
Maybe we'll even get a story with pale pink weasel aliens that say tanned humans look like baked potatoes as a vice versa to the Sontaran's visual perception of humans.
This is one of those Doctor Who stories best described as "perfectly fine." Nothing special but enjoyable with no horrible, story-breaking flaws. A perfectly fine episode.
13:59 Between this and the conversation Jack had with Gwen in Torchwood S2 about being traumatised by seeing the "end of the world", it's interesting that for a finale that had one of the biggest deus ex machinas it had it's effects felt the most by the characters
Idk if I can back saying Martha is "just a medic" cos despite medics having the training to save lives, they're soldiers first and foremost
Theyre soldiers, yes, but they arent in as much direct combat.
It is for normal soldiers, maybe UNIT work differently.
Not a single “Are you my Mummy?” joke huh?
"If you could focus!"
me to me before watching: how could harbo possibly go on about this mediocrely-remembered story for almost 40 minutes straight?
martha: *appears*
me: ah, right.
YES
I feel like Rattigan's sacrifice isn't an act of redemption, he just wanted to get the last laugh over the Sontarans, since they hurt his fragile ego by betraying him
0:57 A reason I laugh when people say the fandom only became toxic after Whittaker was cast.
Sadly if it's popular enough, it has those kind of fans.
Makes me wonder how many people have turned down big roles just to save themselves the hassle.
So you like The Timeless Children?
@@mayotango1317 No one said that. Disliking the direction the show is going (I myself really hate the timeless children storyline and much of Chibnall's run) is not the same thing as throwing a fit and harassing the people who worked on it. It's okay to express dislike, but people should be mindful how they do it. Doctor Who fans aren't entitled to have their every whim catered to.
@@AkumaKristian yhh but I feel like too many people blame jodie. It's not rly her fault cuz she's literally just reading off chibnalls script. People judge her too fast before watching her other works such as broadchurch, which she was absolutely amazing in (David tennant also stars in it!!)
The Sontaran's were a nice return from a classic monster. Like you could say its one of the top 4 known classic who monsters alongside the Daleks, Cybermen and Ice Warriors. I do think they needed a return but perhaps with a little more oomph to them and it was a bit of a weak return. Theres also a Sarah Jane Adventures episode that follows on from this two parter which is a fun episode giving the sontarans a little more of a threat although not for too long.
Anyways I really like Donna in this episode and how she is portrayed. A smart lady who looks in the places you wouldnt expect to find anything like sick days. I also do like her and Martha although there isnt too much to it. Its also a nice line about turning Martha into a soldier and at the end of the series a character mentions everyone The Doctor has his humans (Spoiler).
The clone was quite cool looking and very alien before becoming Martha clone. I also didnt realise how many references to older doctor episodes there were and heres another one to when he was in UNIT, The Empty Child reference and the Valiant from series 3. These little references really did make the Whoniverse really connected with each other something thats been lost nowadays.
the fact that this is the worst of the season shows how strong the season is
Ill always say that wasp/agatha christie episode is the worst of series 4
@@joelkanamuli227 i agree i acc love this episdode and the agatha christie is defo the last one id choose to rewatch
@@mjh-xp2ez 100%
@@joelkanamuli227 idk why that episode is so lame but it is
@@zeallust8542 it didnt belong in series 4 at all lol it was more of a series 2 type episode this specific episode would of suited doctor/rose well more then a doctor/donna if you get me
(justice for ross) when i was younger i never realised how good this episode was with the humour, emotional scenes, dynamics between donna and martha, the reintroduction of unit, sontarans and the iconic joke ‘in-truder window’
I just love how at the end, when the Doctor gets sent back through the transporter, His past & present companions act so in character ie. Martha grabs his arm & cuddles up to him; while Donna smacks him on the arm before sitting down next to him.
I like these episodes & would definitely rank them higher; at least a solid B.
Martha and Donna are my two favorite companions (it's a tie), so I naturally love this two-parter. I go full fan-girl whenever I rewatch it. Oh, and I love Wilfred too, my heart melts whenever he's on screen.
Oh wow, idk if you talked about it in your Evolution of the Daleks review because I hadn't watched that one, but that's so heartbreaking...that Helen Raynor was bullied so much for the story it drove her to tears. Good Lord, shows that even before Twitter and shit fandoms could be cruel. I can't blame her for her initial reluctance, and I'm sure it didn't help that fans went on to consider the Sontaran two-parter one of the weaker parts of Series 4.
I'll say this wasn't one of my favorite episodes from the series but it's still really solid. I really liked Martha's return and how concerned the Doctor was about her & Donna fighting, obviously reminded of how Rose & Sarah Jane's introduction originally went down. And Martha's warning to Donna about what happened to her family felt very cryptic and honestly heartbreaking, since she's one of the only companions who left on her own accord during New Who so it was interesting to see her warning Donna of the potential consequences that can come from associating with him. Only of course to end up thrown back into otherworldly danger and adventure against her wishes when the TARDIS whisks the trio away to join the plot of The Doctor's Daughter.😆 (Also I love the way she says "Doctor, it's Martha, and I'm bringing you back to Earth," before the opening credits. The smile, the emphasis on "back;" it packs *such* a satisfying punch).
Why have we never had a Sontarans vs Rutans story? Closest that I know of is an Adventure Game
Rutans only ever even showed up once in the tv series no less, which is a shame- they're pretty cool villains who could easily return
I do not understand people not liking this episode, it's on the top half of episodes, and as the video shows, it's a great reintroduction of a classic Who villian. There are a few weak things with it, but for the most part, it's a pretty good episode. Season four is probably one of the strongest seasons of New Who (and what I consider to be the weak episodes--- Midnight and The Unicorn and the Wasp-- are actually pretty well liked (well at least Midnight is)) I don't think there is an actual not very good episode in the entire season. With pretty much every other season you can find one episode that isn't 'good'.. but when the worst episode of your season is the Unicorn and the Wasp, that is a pretty decent bar.
Agreed, season four is a solid one, one of the best, really. Although I personally adore both 'Midnight' and 'The Unicorn and the Wasp', so I disagree with you here. The one I don't like much is "Turn Left' because that beetle just looks fucking stupid.
Me and my sister always act along to the SONTAR-HA! part
Also we love the Tommy Zoom cameo
I think it was a squash ball that the Doctor used against Stal, rather than a tennis ball. At least based on the size and texture that we can see of it.
I would’ve so easily watched an entire series of Wilf as the Doctor’s main companion. He’s so giddy about space travel and aliens that he’s like a little kid when he sees the things The Doctor shows him, which contrasts brilliantly with his history as a soldier in WWII as its alluded to in Turn Left and End of Time. Showing that one of the oldest companions who’s seen the most war and tragedy is still one of the most childlike companions just knowing that he gets to meet an alien.
Something that, now that I describe it outright, is very fitting to a lot of what Matt Smith’s Doctor is like in Series 5 and 6. Returning to being whimsical and childish because that’s part of the magic of The Doctor.
I know it’ll never happen, but I’d really be happy if we get to see Wilf again. Even if it’s just a Big Finish audio.
Honestly, we needed at least an episode where Wilf went travelling with the Doctor.
R. I. P. Ross Jenkins
With regard to the Doctor recommending Martha for UNIT (mentioned at 7:17, 7:28) while detesting it in this episode - he probably did it at a later point in his personal timeline. (“You were just talking to me. I know. I’m a time traveler, figure it out.”)
Is Strax a Moffat creation? Because I feel like he has all the hallmarks.
"What if there was this one Sontaran who wasn't a soldier, but still talked in a soldiery way?"
"Ha, that sounds fun. So he'll contrast with the other Sontarans in the show!"
"Uh... sure, if we ever use them again. Which we probably won't."
I absolutely love the fact your videos are nearly as long as some Doctor Who episodes! 👏
in the Davies era I tended to feel that the first two parters of a series were the weaker ones. The Slitheen, Cyberman and Dalek two parters from series 1, 2 and 3 were decent, solid, passable but kind of average and not great. This is the first series where I like the first 2 parter story in the series. Its I solid, engaging, interesting, I like Martha so it is great to see her back and an interesting and engaging story that I want to keep watching. I genuinely like this story. Series 4 has maybe 1 weaker episode in the whole series. everything is brilliant. Catherine Tate and David Tennant are a magnetic pairing. I genuinely, truly and unironically love this two parter. Series 4 is a gem of a series. It sparkles.
I know, right? Series 4 is almost a perfect season with really solid episodes throughout. Which one would you say is the weaker one do you think? (Though, judging by what I've seen, I may have an idea).
The first two-parter in RTD's era was always the bombastic, action-packed two-parter set on Earth that concluded the first part of the season. Both this and Aliens of London are the companion's first trip back home. Rise of the Cybermen saw Mickey leave, and Evolution of the Daleks was the final journey on Martha's "one trip". It's a fun romp that cements the relationship between the Doctor and his companion.
The second two-parter on the other hand is the darker, more horror/drama oriented episode which explores much deeper themes, and excluding The Empty Child, usually has a much more bittersweet ending, (half the crew and all the Ood dead, John Smith's identity death and the Family of Blood trapped in twisted punishments for all eternity, River dying and Donna thinking that her husband was simply a construct). It's an emotional gut-punch that lays the character groundwork in preparation for the finale (Capt. Jack's arrival, "She will die in battle", Martha saving the day on her own without The Doctor, Donna forgetting who she is and her adventures with The Doctor).
The finale is the finale so it usually falls between the two, with the bombast and explosions of the first part, and the emotional gut punches of the second.
The second two-parters have always been my favourites because they're just so well made and so emotionally intense, but for the same reason it can be difficult to watch them too frequently! The first two-parter I don't get as engrossed, but I can enjoy at any time with some popcorn. I do agree that this is probably the best first two-parter. I can't choose between The Impossible Planet, The Family of Blood, or Silence in the Library for the second two-parter, because they are all stellar in different ways. The Empty Child is still great but for me it's not quite on the same level. I refuse to choose a finale!
@@BambiTrout thats why i like the second 2 parters usually. They are darker and sometimes pull from horror conventions and are usually works of art.
This is my favourite Sontaran story as I always felt the classic ones were a bit weak
I can't believe you left out the Empty Child call-hack!
So glad you did both parts in one go, dont think I could wait a whole week for it!
12:38 you 1000% nailed the strengths of both Martha and Donna as companions. They are so freaking amazing!!!
In what? Martha is so usseles in Series 4.
Always loved this one, especially Martha's return although I wish there was a scene where Martha stodgy up to the doctor for treating her poorly . Thought the sontarans where great villains too . I liked delving into Donna's family and the plan the sontarans conducted .
Rating: 8/10 overall .
A tier overall .
I hate how RTD gave them catchphrases. They're gonna come back in S13 and I prefer this over Strax. If I have a sat-nav in my car, I'd pack a brick so I'd be able to smash the window and swim out(unless the Atmos company stole Miss Opener nurse's window protector). I flippin' hate the UNIT Dating Controversy.
11:05 I believe the term you're looking for there is "uncanny valley" - something that is very close to what we know as normal and take for granted, yet is _just wrong enough_ to tip our instincts as it being wrong or unnatural without being immediately identifiable as such to our thinking minds. It's when you go "there's something _wrong_ here, something creepy, but I can't quite put my finger on it."
He's not the guy from Lucifer, he's the guy from Miranda.
Ya'll are clearly uncultured.
OH MY GOD I HAVE FOUND ANOTHER LIKE ME. I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE
Yes someone mentioned it, he’s Gary from Miranda guys,
@@rosellastar468 yes he is!
No one picked up on Grumio from Plebs (Ryan Sampson)? Must be the wig and the gurning....
They're used beautifully in big finish I think and show they're real power, like they had a story with their weapons taken from them and they still destroyed the rutans with their hands.
Just realised that the ending of the timeless child with ko sharmus is the same as the ending of this pretty much. Not sure how i feel about that tho.
doctor really should stop the whole 'i can't commit genocide, but this person can, so i'll just go save my arse ig' shebang
Ah yes another thing chibnall copied from previous eras
However here it wasn't Ten's decision, it was Luke Rattigan in the last sec switching places. Whereas in Timeless Child it was the Doctor deciding to swap places which gives a whole different meaning to the timelord's character.
@@MigoLinden so, 13 is an аsshole.
no, it's not. the doctor didn't agree to the boy saving him, it was done against his will. 13th on the other hand was like - yeah, ok, die instead of me, thanks. bye! 10th would have never done anything like that
One of my faverouite stories from this series. Then again, nearly all the stories are one of my faverouites of the series.
I enjoyed the beginning
Very accurate
They’re pronounced sand ta run
This is actually my favourite story from Season 4!
Loads of people dislike it but it’s really really good
1:04 I liked evolution of the daleks😢 I think my only complaint is that sek was the only “humanoid dalek” the rest were just humans with dalek brains. And then he wanted them to be more human.
Staal-the-not-so-undefeated-anymore-but-never-mind!
Love it! LOVE IT!
personally think this is one of the better two parters of nu who.
I've never had a problem with Rattigan's sacrefice, it seems like something he'd do. Not to redeem himself, but out of spite/revenge. He just frames it like that to make himself look better.
I don't think that Ratigan's sacrifice was an attempt to redeem the character. He did what he did out of *Spite* and it's the single most in-character moment he has even beyond his meltdown. He has nothing left and he views the jacketed potatoes as having taken it from him, so he wanted to get revenge. He may have presented it as redemption [though I can't remember if he even did that] but really it was just a 'screw you, you've ruined everything!' to them.
Did harbo just change the video title from "Possibly the best Sontaran episode" or something like that to "When Doctor Who Fought Baked Potatoes To Stop Pollution".... best title change i've ever seen
It basically had this title to begin with, then I changed it because it was underperforming, then that didn't fix it so I just changed it back again lol
Honestly I love this two-parter.I love the Sontarans as a concept and I think they're portrayed excellently in these episodes.
I always really enjoyed this story as I always felt it cleverly used the idea of pollution to advance an alien plan, made the sontarans a threatening species again as I felt it had been lacking in their later appearances in the classic era, brought a modern adaption of UNIT that showed how it had slowly become a more militaristic organisation that with some help from people like the Doctor, Martha and Donna could see that other methods could be used but also still allowing to show they are soldiers so will fight the sontarans once they are armed with the copperless bullets.
I like to think when the sky burned, it was an endothermic reaction, which would have cooled things down, instead of heating things up.
I actually find Rattigan an at least slightly sympathetic character. He's clearly incredibly naive and desperate to be truly a part of a community, even siding with the Sontarans in order to achieve this. When he's on the teleport floor crying after being betrayed by the Sontarans, I felt really bad for him
we need more UNIT stories that show a more mutual outlook towards the military. It doesn't always work out but has its moments. It's always awesome to see an evenly matched fight over the futile attack like in most stories. And Colonel Mace, for me, is the perfect character replacement for The Brigadier. An competent and determined leader, albeit out of his depth. Who essentially is in the shadow of Lethbridge Stewart but doesn't try to imitate him. He just tries to do the job and follow the Doctor even if they but heads.
The mallet should be nominated for a future Harbo Award: best props of the Russell T Davies era. The mallet has been used in previous stories like Aliens of London and The Runaway Bride to help fly the Tardis, but this two part story gives the mallet its time to shine and bash away at things outside of the Tardis like knocking a Sontaran out, and helping make an atmospheric converter.
To be honest I quite like these episodes as they’re just a fun (ish) story that I can just enjoy. It’s just an easy watch, even if they were not going for that and trying to do a high stakes drama, I just enjoy it.
The Sontarans have always been woefully underused in Doctor Who, 4 Classic stories all with varying degrees of quality. This was one of the few times they felt like full on threats despite their more cat and mouse like behaviour. It’s a shame that once Strax appeared it became incredibly hard to take them seriously again.
Please Chibnall u have done good with the Cybermen the Daleks and the master hopefully he can do good with the Sontarans
@@nathanielfarkas746 Yeah, like turn the Doctor into a God from another universe.
@@nathanielfarkas746 Oh no, please don't, Chibnall don't touch the Sontarans, I SAID BACK AWAY FROM THE SONTARANS
Bro when he mentioned birds and planes being in that atmosphere fire thing i litrerally never thought of that wow thanks man
I can't believe you didn't mention Ryan Sampson's brilliant performance! The guy has so much range (especially seeing him as Grumio in Plebs)
I Rewatched Partners In Crime A Few Months Ago And Noticed That, On A Few Of The Cars, You Can Actually See The Atmos Stickers!!
I really enjoyed this 2 parter. I like Martha and Donna both being with The Doctor. Great breakdown as always man!
*Harbo uploads
Me: Haven`t seen you for days
i love 29:20 where harbo goes on to say human two completely different ways in the space of 10 seconds
I like the interpretation that it was actually Harriet Jones that got Martha the job at UNIT
22:16 He acted on impulse to move the car pumping dangerous gas off the road
It's exactly what he does in the finale. He acted on impulse to save someone
Helen Raynor may not have been the best writer but she was the best Davies era writer to produce the doctor moments we all love. The moment when the plan is unveiled and the doctor knows just what to do. She was really great at making the doctor intelligent but not patronizing towards the audience.
Can’t believe Grumio from Plebs is so clever!
4:05, well I think that anybody that wasn't on the ship during Last of the Time Lords when time rewinded had their memories set back 1 year, but the people on the ship kept their memories which would include the Doctor, Martha, Jack, Master, and the Jones family, and although Master is dead and Jack is back at Torchwood, the rest are still in modern day London during these 2 episodes
Fitting to do the video about the Sontarans as they have recently been spotted filming for series 13
Intruda Window is still one of the best jokes of the show
The classic Sontarans are way better in my opinion, they come off as more of a threat and the world building is amazing. It’s still wonderful to see them in the modern series and I hope we see them in series 13.
Have you not seen the set photos?
16:51 - David's got a filling in the same tooth I do.
(although mine's only silver, his is gold, rich bugger...)
I appreciate that both launching nukes and negotiations are equally panned as not always working out.
The Sontaran-ha! Line from Ratigan made me spit out my tea when I first watched it. I know it’s supposed to be dramatic and heroic, but it is so dumb and I can’t help but love it.
One of the things I like about Wilf is, he was portrayed by Bernard Cribbens, who was also in the 1966 Doctor Who film "Dalek Invasion of Earth"
the 3 dislikes are from offended potatoes
We LOVE your content!
Saying Ross was the best companion is Wilf erasure and I won’t have it. Also anybody else think Sylvia might be the worst ‘good’ character of the Davies era?
No, Sylvia is a worst character. A Jackie clone.
@@mayotango1317 how dare u compare the great jackie to sylvia apologise now !!!!
@@mayotango1317 yeah apologise 😤😤 jackie slander will not be tolerated
@@aziza1707 Why not? Both are mothers who hate the Doctor.
I never saw Strax as a detriment to Sontarans. I look at him as an individual. That is like saying that Silurians are sword fighting leabians who get together with humans because of the actions of one Silurian.
How The Doctor resolves the atmosphere issue is certainly anti-climactic, but I think it was a good call to have Luke decide to sacrifice himself. Even having spent only moments with The Doctor, he finally did something good with his life. The Doctor allowed him to be the best version of himself. It was also somewhat of a surprise. Given these points, it didn't feel anti-climactic, but poetic instead. Furthermore, it adds another sacrifice that The Doctor can count in the series finale.
This sacrifice is completely different to the one in series 12...The Doctor doesn't decide to allow the sacrifice to happen - Luke did. As always, context matters.
I’m so tired I genuinely thought this was a video about alien flying potatoes
I quite liked how the Doctor's sanctimonious dismissal of UNIT is undermined by them saving the day by turning up and shooting all the aliens with some slightly modified ammunition.
Has to be my favourite Sontaran story (Other than the Gunpowder Plot ;)), it really shows how war mongering the Sontarans are instead of just running through corridors and going solo
I personally always felt Luke Rattigan's sacrifice always was more significant when you remember how young he's portrayed, being 18 to 19 years old, after he basically invented an early internet search engine to rival Google at the age of 12 in 2002, the events of the story taking place in 2009. He's not some experienced businessman, the implication is that he's basically been groomed by the sontarans into being a genius they can use.
"Doctor, it's one of those Sonteran things!"
"SontAran!"
I love how angry the 10t doctor gets for ross getting sacrificed but the 12th doctor did the same thing later on in the flood story where its arguably worse cause he sacrifices someone he knows is in love with someone else and still lets them die
This was the very first Doctor Who story I saw as a teen and I absolutely adore the Sontarans because of it
For me a single Sontaran is better than an army of Cybermen and they are second only to the Daleks
Bernard Cribbins and Wilfred Mott are wholesome af. I love it.
1:00 When your class makes the substitute teacher cry