TARDISWATCH: DOCTOR WHO FEATURE REVIEW- ‘THE POISON SKY’
EPISODE 5: THE POISON SKY
An independent, unofficial series of Doctor Who reviews and analysis from a lifelong fan of the show
Ending a two=part story with a bang and not outdoing the series finale is always a tricky thing to manage, but the Doctor Who team pull it off every time. The conclusion to this year’s Sontaran comeback tale works on many levels, and is a much more powerful second part than last year’s Evolution of the Daleks. However, the relentless pace of the story leaves me wondering whether or not the show would benefit from the odd three part or even four part story once in a while, to let things build even more. Last year we essentially had a three-part climax, which worked wonderfully. The events in ‘Utopia’ set the final two parts up perfectly, and left the audience wanting much more. Apparently the entire series this year is a big build up to the climactic final story, and with Daleks, Rose, all manner of companions and an enslaved Earth all rumoured to be playing their part, I hope the payoff is as satisfying as this week’s magnificent episode.
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After a first part that was crammed full of plot, there were concerns that the second half of the story wouldn’t be quite so dense. Those fears were gladly unfounded, as here, once again, we have a second episode that delivers massively on the promise shown in the first part. While everyone is given their screentime, the other characters this week took a back seat to the Doctor, who is on top form for the duration of the episode. The resolution to last week’s gripping cliffhanger is very satisfying too. There is a great sense of battling against massive odds in this huge scale climax, and the presence of the rejuvenated UNIT is a massive boon to the series. I wonder if they are due to return for the series finale? I was very pleased the the Brigadier got a mention too, even in passing. It is those little nods to the history of the series that keep the old fans grinning. The production values are once again incredible, with makeup, CG and sets all vying for the top spot. The cloned Martha is dealt with nicely, as is the character of Rattigan, who, naturally, redeems himself by the story’s end. The only way the episode suffers is from its even more frantic pace than the previous episode. The final moments, in which the Doctor stops the Sontraran’s plans and Rattigan sacrifices himself, are wonderfully exciting, and very, very Doctor Who. Oh, and leading the end of this episode into next week’s masterclass in science fiction was a stroke of genius. Here comes the Doctor’s Daughter…
Episode rating: 9 out of 10
DALEKS, DAVROS, ROSE, SARAH JANE AND ‘THE STOLEN EARTH’?
Speculation and tidbits of fact about the series finale are mounting up thick and fast. The Daleks will indeed return, apparently led by a revived Davros (rumoured to be played by Julian Bleach), and from the outlines that have surfaced for the finale episode, ‘Journey’s End’, is seems that not everyone wis going to get out alive…
NEWS- TORCHWOOD ON ITUNES
The Doctor Who spinoff phenomenon that is Torchwood is now available to download via Apple’s iTunes software. Unfortunately the iTunes rentals/TV service for the show is only available in the US! Hopefully this will change soon, as according to Apple, they are working on making the rental option a global thing soon.