Celebrating fifty years of Doctor Who, we delve into the vast archives of this iconic science-fiction series to revisit standout stories. This week, our focus lands on “The Sontaran Stratagem,” a 2008 two-parter that marked the return of the clone-warrior Sontarans to the revived era of Doctor Who. Originally airing as the opening act of Russell T. Davies’ era’s season, it carries specific expectations – and largely exceeds them.
The opening two-part stories under Davies were traditionally designed to be accessible and thrilling, aimed at capturing the imaginations of younger viewers. Think big monsters, grand set pieces, and clear-cut scenarios. While this approach sometimes resulted in misfires, “The Sontaran Stratagem,” coupled with its conclusion “The Poison Sky,” stands out as a remarkably successful example of this formula. It might not reach the thematic depths of later episodes like “The Fires of Pompeii” or “Planet of the Ood,” but in terms of delivering sheer, unadulterated Doctor Who spectacle, it hits the mark perfectly. It’s a bombastic, visually engaging, and thoroughly entertaining adventure that does exactly what it sets out to do – reintroduce the Sontarans with a bang.
What’s fascinating about “The Sontaran Stratagem” and “The Poison Sky” is how it manages to feel simultaneously grand in scale yet somewhat low-stakes in tension. The Sontarans, those potato-headed clones from Sontar, are plotting nothing less than global domination, intending to wipe out humanity. Yet, the narrative never quite achieves a truly palpable sense of dread. Even the cliffhanger of the first episode, while technically leaving the Earth in peril, feels somewhat manufactured. Wilf, Donna Noble’s grandfather, ends up trapped in a car filling with toxic gas – a predicament that feels more like a personal inconvenience than a planet-wide catastrophe.
The resolution in “The Poison Sky,” with Sylvia Noble wielding a fire axe, underlines this slightly farcical tone. It’s not that the danger isn’t real, but the storytelling leans into the fun and adventure aspects, rather than dwelling on the potential horror of planetary suffocation. Much of “The Sontaran Stratagem” feels like a checklist of classic Doctor Who elements: alien invasion, UNIT involvement, a returning monster, and a perilous situation for the Doctor and his companions.
This approach, surprisingly, works in the episode’s favor. Writer Helen Rayner, who previously penned the less-favored “Daleks in Manhattan” and “Evolution of the Daleks,” manages to juggle a multitude of high-concept ideas with far greater success here. Where those earlier Dalek stories felt overstuffed and tonally inconsistent, “The Sontaran Stratagem” finds a smoother, more enjoyable rhythm.
Martha Jones looking concerned during the Sontaran attack in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem.
A key reason for this success is that “The Sontaran Stratagem” seems to have finally nailed the formula for these opening two-part adventures. Previous attempts, like “Aliens of London”/”World War Three,” “Rise of the Cybermen”/”The Age of Steel,” and “Daleks in Manhattan”/”Evolution of the Daleks,” while aiming for bombastic, monster-driven spectacle, often became bogged down trying to incorporate heavier, more adult themes. Subplots felt tacked on, emotional payoffs missed their mark, and sometimes, the core monster concept (farting aliens, anyone?) overshadowed everything else. While visually striking at times, these stories struggled to balance the grand scale with genuine emotional resonance.
These early season two-parters are undeniably geared towards a younger audience, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Doctor Who thrives as a family show, enjoyed across generations. Different episodes will resonate differently with various age groups, and that’s part of its enduring appeal. The genius of the Davies era was in understanding this dynamic and playing to it effectively.
The second two-parter in a Davies season typically shifted towards more mature themes. Where the first offered running pig men and potato-headed aliens, the second often delved into sexuality, abandonment (“The Empty Child”/”The Doctor Dances”), morality, identity (“Human Nature”/”The Family of Blood”), or the complexities of imagined lives and loss (“Silence in the Library”/”Forest of the Dead”). “The Sontaran Stratagem” and “The Poison Sky,” with their focus on alien invasions and murderous GPS systems, firmly reside in the former category. Neither approach is inherently superior, they simply cater to different facets of the Doctor Who audience.
General Staal overlooking the Earth invasion plan in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, showcasing Sontaran strategic thinking.This tonal difference is often reflected even in the episode titles. The first two-parters boldly announce their monster focus: “Rise of the Cybermen,” “Evolution of the Daleks,” “The Sontaran Stratagem.” The second two-parters tend towards more ambiguous, intriguing titles: “The Doctor Dances,” “Forest of the Dead.” This subtle cue prepares the audience for the shift in thematic weight.
It’s understandable why online Doctor Who discussions often gravitate towards episodes like “Silence in the Library” over “The Sontaran Stratagem.” However, judging “The Sontaran Stratagem” on its own terms, acknowledging its specific goals, reveals a very well-crafted piece of television.
The central element of “The Sontaran Stratagem” is, of course, the reintroduction of the Sontarans. This episode is a clear indicator of the revived series becoming more comfortable mining its own rich history. Having already brought back the Daleks, Cybermen, and the Master, the show was now delving into the “second-tier” villains – antagonists recognizable to long-time fans but perhaps not as deeply ingrained in the broader public consciousness.
Sontaran Commander Staal demands action in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, highlighting their aggressive nature.It’s fair to say the Sontarans aren’t as iconic as the Daleks or Cybermen. They occupy a space alongside Davros or the Silurians – villains that older viewers might recognize but struggle to name. Interestingly, these “second-tier” villains would become increasingly prominent in the revived series, demonstrating a commitment to exploring all corners of Doctor Who lore.
The Sontarans possess a distinctive, memorable visual design, but their defining characteristic might be their inherent lack of memorability as truly terrifying villains. Their debut in “The Time Warrior” is more celebrated for introducing Sarah Jane Smith. Their appearance in “The Two Doctors” is overshadowed by other elements. Even in “The Invasion of Time,” the Sontaran invasion of Gallifrey feels like a letdown compared to the potential of Dalek or Cybermen involvement.
Sontarans engaging in combat training in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, showcasing their military discipline.“The Sontaran Stratagem” smartly plays into this perception. It never tries to force the audience to accept the Sontarans as a world-ending, top-tier threat on par with the Daleks. In “The Poison Sky,” it’s even revealed that humanity could have potentially defeated the Sontarans with nuclear weapons, but the Doctor intervenes to prevent global nuclear war. The Sontarans’ advantage primarily stems from their copper excitation field, which neutralizes UNIT’s weaponry. Once that advantage is removed, the tide turns.
Throughout the two-parter, the Doctor’s apparent frustrations and concerns are often revealed to be a calculated performance. He admits to knowing Martha was a double agent, playing into his plans all along. Moments of seeming desperation are fleeting or later revealed to be staged. The overall impression is that the Doctor is in control, not truly breaking a sweat against these potato-faced invaders.
Donna Noble perplexed by Sontaran technology in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, contrasting human and alien understanding.“The Sontaran Stratagem” also places the Doctor in a less emotionally taxing situation compared to other opening two-parters. There’s no “do it!” breakdown like in “Evolution of the Daleks,” no terror like in “Rise of the Cybermen,” and none of the uncertainty about protecting his companion seen in “World War III.” His concern for Martha’s kidnapping is minimized by his knowledge of her survival. His worry about Donna leaving is quickly dismissed. Even a moment of potential self-sacrifice is understated.
This lighter emotional tone is a strength of “The Sontaran Stratagem.” Like “Partners in Crime,” it offers a welcome lightness amidst the heavier narratives surrounding it. Episodes like “The Fires of Pompeii” and “Planet of the Ood” place a far greater emotional burden on the Doctor. “The Sontaran Stratagem,” in comparison, is relatively breezy and enjoyable.
Sontaran soldiers in formation in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, emphasizing their clone army aspect.The Sontarans themselves are integral to this lighter tone. Part of the problem with “Evolution of the Daleks” was the attempt to reconcile the Daleks’ inherent gravitas with a fun, run-around adventure. The Daleks, due to Davies’ earlier use of them and their connection to the Time War, carry a significant weight. Using them in a lighter opening story felt dissonant. “Evolution of the Daleks” seemed intended as a fluffy historical romp, but the Dalek presence created an awkward clash.
In contrast, the Sontarans are inherently a bit absurd, and the episode embraces this. “He’s like a potato,” a UNIT officer observes. “A baked potato. A talking baked potato.” Commander Staal, upon his introduction, is almost comical. “Is that a reference to my height?” he demands, reacting to disparaging remarks about his stature. Drawing on Bob Holmes’ original portrayal, the Sontarans are presented as overcompensating, militaristic jocks. They even enlist a nerdy human to do their tech work.
The Doctor examining Sontaran technology in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, showcasing his investigative skills.The Sontarans are certainly competent. They easily overpower UNIT soldiers, demonstrating a clear threat. However, the episode never tries to elevate them to the level of truly terrifying villains. While their design is updated, it lacks the drastic overhaul given to the Cybermen to make them more menacing. The script doesn’t strain to emphasize their terrifying nature, unlike “Dalek,” which went to great lengths to establish the Dalek as a formidable foe.
While the Daleks and the Master gained gravitas through their Time War connection, and the Cybermen and Nestene were linked by association, the Sontarans are deliberately excluded from Davies’ expansive Time War mythology. “The finest war in history and we weren’t allowed to be a part of it,” Staal laments, feeling somewhat slighted. The Sontarans are not invited to the “big boys’ table” of Time War veterans.
Sontaran transport ship arriving on Earth in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, signifying the start of their invasion.Balancing humor and threat with a villain like the Sontarans is a delicate act. Star Trek: The Next Generation famously struggled to achieve this with the Ferengi. Doctor Who‘s strength lies in its ability to present the Sontarans as both joke characters and a genuine planetary threat.
“The Sontaran Stratagem” contributes to the celebratory atmosphere of the fourth season. Beyond the Sontaran return, the episode consciously brings UNIT to the forefront. While UNIT had appeared before in the Davies era, they take on a more significant role in this final run of episodes. They are more central here than in “Aliens of London” or “The Christmas Invasion,” and they feature prominently in “Turn Left,” “The Stolen Earth,” and “Planet of the Dead.”
UNIT soldiers investigating a mysterious incident in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, highlighting UNIT's role in Earth defense.The Doctor’s history with UNIT is fully embraced, even acknowledging the UNIT dating controversy. When Donna asks if he used to work for them, the Doctor quips, “Yeah, long time ago. Back in the seventies. Or was it the eighties?” The episode emphasizes the connection to the classic era, with Colonel Mace referencing events from “The Terror of the Zygons” and noting, “Technically speaking, you’re still on staff. You never resigned.”
Mace himself is depicted as a Doctor Who fan, admitting, “I’ve read all the files on you.” It’s a shame the character didn’t reappear, even as a clear Brigadier stand-in, who receives a direct mention in “The Poison Sky.” “The Sontaran Stratagem” and “The Poison Sky” are not just about the Sontarans’ return, but also about a partial rehabilitation of UNIT, an organization frequently depicted as being outmatched.
Martha Jones briefing UNIT personnel in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, showcasing her expertise.
The episode also catches up with Martha Jones. Continuity is a strong theme in this season. “Partners in Crime” featured a Rose Tyler cameo, and Freema Agyeman’s Martha returns for a three-episode arc, building towards a grand companion reunion in “The Stolen Earth” and “Journey’s End.” The episode’s teaser ends not with a shocking murder, but with Martha’s reveal, banking on audience recognition and appreciation for the character.
Martha remains a somewhat problematic companion in the revived series, often defined in contrast to Rose. Stepping into Rose’s shoes was always going to be a challenge, especially with Davies portraying her relationship with the Doctor as a somewhat unhealthy rebound. She was invested; he was, perhaps, less so.
UNIT operatives coordinating efforts in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, emphasizing teamwork.
“The Sontaran Stratagem” attempts to give Martha more depth and agency. After Rose’s impactful departure in “Doomsday,” Martha’s farewell in “The Last of the Time Lords” felt rushed. Here, we see how traveling with the Doctor has shaped her for the better – a theme echoed with Donna in “The Runaway Bride.”
However, Martha still feels like a Rose-adjacent character. Rose worked for Torchwood after leaving the Doctor. Martha also spent time at Torchwood (albeit briefly in the Torchwood series). Martha now works for UNIT, a more family-friendly version of Jack Harkness’s Cardiff operation. Martha Jones, “Defender of the Earth.”
Martha Jones and the Doctor in a tense moment in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, highlighting their complex relationship.The decision to engage Martha is also somewhat cliché. Davies has a tendency to write out significant female characters through marriage. Martha is engaged to Tom Milligan, and “The End of Time, Part II” reveals her eventual marriage to Mickey Smith – a detail almost an afterthought in “Journey’s End.” Rose gets her “perfect man,” and Donna’s memory wipe is presented as a substitute for adventure.
It feels like a simplistic way to signal that Martha is “over” the Doctor. Marrying one doctor figure and then quickly another suggests the opposite. Could Martha not have moved on without immediately becoming engaged to someone resembling (or connected to) the Doctor?
Sontaran weaponry and technology in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, showcasing their advanced military capabilities.Martha, in this story, often fulfills the archetypal companion role. She even gets the obligatory “scream” scene. While Donna interacts with her family and her pre-Doctor life, Martha is primarily focused on plot functions – investigating, getting captured. Her personal life is only mentioned in passing.
“The Sontaran Stratagem” touches on the internal conflicts that Davies explores throughout season four. The Doctor is a complex character, and his anti-authority stance clashes with his UNIT affiliations. He scolds Harriet Jones for preemptive defense but misses the Master’s subtle coup. He wouldn’t ask Martha to kill but subjected her to a horrific ordeal as a maid in the past.
Martha Jones with a worried expression in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, emphasizing her vulnerability.The Doctor approves of Rose using Torchwood on “Pete’s World” but criticizes Martha’s UNIT involvement. “People with guns are usually the enemy in my books,” he tells her, with a hint of disdain. Martha rightly challenges him: “It’s all right for you. You can just come and go, but some of us have got to stay behind. So I’ve got to work from the inside, and by staying inside, maybe I stand a chance of making them better.”
This is a sharp critique of the Doctor, echoing his obliviousness to the Ood’s suffering in “The Planet of the Ood.” Davies’ era excels at presenting the Doctor as brilliant and morally principled, but also flawed, short-sighted, and often unaware of the broader consequences of his actions. This sets the stage for the Tenth Doctor’s eventual downfall.
The Doctor examining a car engine in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, highlighting his problem-solving approach.Donna, in contrast to previous companions, is presented differently. She learns to fly the TARDIS, a rare feat since the Fifth Doctor’s era. The last companion to do so was Romana, who shared similarities with Donna. Donna’s dynamic with Martha is also distinct.
Martha and Donna are immediately friendly, unlike Sarah Jane Smith and Rose Tyler’s initial rivalry in “School Reunion.” Donna and Martha aren’t rivals; they occupy different companion roles. They are companions, but not in a directly comparable way like Rose and Martha or Rose and Sarah Jane were.
The Doctor answering a call in Doctor Who Sontaran Stratagem, indicating his ever-present responsibilities.Despite some minor character stumbles with Martha, “The Sontaran Stratagem” is a well-constructed and entertaining episode. It’s arguably the strongest opening two-parter of the Davies era, achieving its aims with clarity and precision. While not a profound artistic statement, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable Doctor Who adventure that successfully reintroduces the Sontarans to a new generation.
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