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Episode recap: "The Poison Sky"
Picking up from the cliffhanger, ATMOS systems would-wide are out of control and spewing forth the Sontaran poison gas. Donna's grandfather is rescued by Sylvia via an ax to the windshield. Back at UNIT, the clone of Martha has been busy helping the Sontarans with the gas attack. The Doctor asks Donna to head back to the TARDIS for refuge and she receives her very own key to the time machine. Unfortunately for Donna, the Martha clone has the TARDIS teleported onto the Sontaran spaceship with Donna inside! During a communication with General Staal, the Doctor secretly signals Donna about the TARDIS's phone. Luke Rattigan's students decide to abandon ship —apparently, they'd rather be with their families than starting a new civilization with Rattigan. Against the Doctor's wishes, UNIT orders a world-wide nuclear strike against the Sontaran vessel; however, again, the Martha clone secretly intervenes and shuts down the launch via her hacked PDA and repeats the process every time the nukes come back online. Sontaran troops arrive in the factory and massacre every UNIT troop in sight. Rattigan reports back about his failure to General Staal only to have the Sontaran reveal that they were only using Rattigan for the ATMOS implementation. Rattigan escapes via teleport at the last second. The Doctor finally uses his secret weapon, Donna, by asking her to re-activate the teleports on the Sontaran ship. On the ground, Colonel Mace comes up with a plan to strike back at the Sontarans in the factory: bullets that are not rendered inactive by the aliens and the flying carrier, Valiant's engines are used to clear away the gas in the area. With this new firepower, UNIT is able to take back control of the factory. The Doctor finds and recovers the real Martha, which ends up mortally wounding the clone. They discover that the ATMOS gas is not poison but rather food for future Sontaran clones. Donna enables the teleports just as two guards find her. The Doctor teleports her and the TARDIS back to Earth then all three port over to the Rattigan Academy. Using the devices at the Academy, the Doctor is able to ignite and burn up the gas that blankets the planet. He then teleports up with the equipment to the Sontaran vessel with the intention of offering them a choice: leave or be destroyed. Of course, this means it would be a one way trip for him if they refuse. Rattigan fiddles with the teleport and exchanges places with the Doctor, then he activates the device, destroying the spaceship and saving Earth. Later, Donna says her goodbyes to her family, actually, just her grandfather as her mother would be upset. When she gets back to the TARDIS, Martha is there, saying her goodbyes as well. Suddenily, the TARDIS activates itself to cries of the familiar, “What? What?” from the Doctor.
Commentary:
Hmmm. Meh. I dunno. Yuck. Why? Ha! OoooK. Hmmmm. Yep, I really don't have much to say about this episode (other than what I mumbled to myself while watching it). There were small little moments that were classic; but the some of the whole just didn't cut it. I don't want to really harp on this anymore as it will turn out to be a rant like the previous blog. I will say this though: the main storyline could had been more thought out. Nothing more to really say... moving on.
I am beginning to think that Donna does have a crush on the Doctor. Granted, she considers him a friend... a space alien friend, but I think when she gets emotional (like being saved via the teleport or when Rattigan switches places with the Doctor), her true feelings emerge. I think the Donna this entire season might end up being an alternative Martha/season three. She can't get close to him (or cannot admit to herself that she wants to). A perfect example of this is when after she hits the Doctor because he tried to sacrifice himself at the end, she holds his arm but at a distance. Martha on the other hand is squatting right next to him in the teleport pod. Is Donna pining but she just doesn't know it?
Anyone else surprised at how violent the episode gets once the UNIT troops start a counteroffensive on the factory? I personally do not mind; however, it is shocking (in this series) to see Sontarans mowed down or shot repeatedly on-screen (I think the Doctor's complaints about guns is a way for the producers of saying, 'See? We didn't really want to use those weapons in the episode). On the other hand, I really did like that one special effect shot of the Sontaran laser weapons traveling down the hallway, striking the UNIT troops (the scene during which Ross is killed). Also, the special effects of the world-wide fireball and the Sontaran ship exploding were top notch. Hmmm. Apparently, I like visual effect violence rather than (fake) but realistic depictions of violence. Tee hee!
Ha! Pakistan and North Korea are part of the worldwide UNIT/NATO alliance as they participate in the nuclear strike. Interesting...
I did say I wouldn't complain anymore but.... ugh! It continues! I cannot stand the cheesy music in this episode! Case in point: listen up when Rattigan pulls a gun on his students (this section is from the previous episode as well as repeats at least twice in this episode). Make it stop! Please!
OMIGOD MOMENTS: The hilarious reference by the Doctor to the episodes, “The Empty Child” and “The Doctor Dances';” they mention of the frakkin Brigadier (was half expecting him to pop up at the end of the episode); and of course... ROSE! The Doctor's third hand makes an appearance but my reaction was, “Oh, that's what became of it.”
Nitpicking:
I must preface this by saying that I know this is a science fiction television program that has wonky science to begin with. That's fine and I accept that, after all, I don't want a science lesson from the show; however, this should never be an excuse for sloppy writing and storytelling. My nitpicking is over the poison gas cloud that blankets the Earth. The Sontarans did not want any missiles to be launched at them in space because there was the possibly of the missiles igniting the gas cloud. Well, could not any type of vehicle on the ground... no wait... those were converted to ATMOS... could not any aircraft engines (or a flying warship like the Valiant) cause the gas to ignite? What about someone smoking? A forest fire? If those are all too small, they what about a lightning storm? It's a pretty big planet, so there are multiple storms raging at any one time -some high up in the atmosphere Even forgetting that, would not a world-wide fireball (as depicted via the special effects) burn up all the oxygen in the atmosphere?
I admit they might be very debatable nitpicks. Some could even claim I was just looking to to nitpick since I disliked the episode. OK, I'll give those folks that much. But... I do not believe that anyone will be able to disagree with me on this final one: since the gas cloud was depicted throughout the entire episode as being at ground level, would not everyone on the ground be burned up as well? Examples: we see the streets covered with the cloud; the Noble family has gas all throughout the interior of their house, all of London was blanketed with the gas. How did all those people survive? Billions should had died since the entire world was covered in it, right? Even if you still do not agree with me, then I must ask you why igniting a similar atmosphere within the Sontaran space ship caused it to explode? I rest my case.
Quotes:
Doctor: “So tell me, General Staal, since when did you lot become cowards?”
General Staal: “Doctor, you impugn my honor.”
Doctor: “I'm really glad you did not say 'belittle' then I'd have a field day.”
General Staal: “The bravery of idiots is bravery none-the-less.”
The Doctor: “Are you my mommy?”
Martha: “'Never do tomorrow what you can do today' my mom always says because...”
Martha clone: “...you never know how long you got.”
Donna (happily): “Did I ever tell you how much I hate you?”
Doctor: “Here we go! The old team back together... well, the new team.”
Wilfred Mott: “Now you go with him, that wonderful Doctor, you go and see the stars.”
Until next time! Sontar-ha!
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Jun 1, 2008 8:33 PM
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I chuckled a bit when the Doctor did the "Are you my mommy" bit as a throwback to "The Empty Child" episode.
Rose on the Tardis monitor!
Like most Dr Who 2 parters, the second part just didn't finish as well as it started. I took that when the gas was on fire that since it started so high in the air, it pulled the gas from the ground towards it rather than burning down to the ground. I also didn't understand how igniting the air on the Sontar vessel caused it to explode, other than that the fire was so intense that it caused everything to erupt at once.
I was half expecting Martha to kiss Clone Martha. Not in a sexual way, but in a comforting way, like as a goodbye, since Clone Martha "was" Martha.
Although I wouldn't have been opposed to it in a sexual way too. Sorry. Ok, I'll go hide in shame now.
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Jun 2, 2008 8:19 AM
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Well, the Doctor did say something about recalibrating the converter to a Sontaran atmosphere, so perhaps that is more volatile? And the settings for the "clone feed" atmosphere might be different and therefore not as likely to ignite the Earth's nitrogen/oxygen atmosphere? Or, you can accept the dramatic license along with a show about an alien time traveler with two hearts that has its roots in some rather cheesy stuff and just enjoy it!! If you didn't have a problem with the Sontarans in the Tom Baker days, then anything with the new series is just nitpicking.
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Jun 2, 2008 10:18 AM
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Ahh yes, another brief glimpse of Rose, and she appeared to be urgently trying to communicate with the Doctor. This could be a very interesting season-long thread, maybe resolved at the end when Captain Jack makes his return again?
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Jun 2, 2008 10:36 AM
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This was my least favorite episode of the season so far. Granted, I have never watched one episode of the original series; but it seems every major "enemy race" of the Time Lords is a war-like, out-to-conquer-the-world race. (Daleks, Cybermen, etc.) It's getting a bit old. Although I'm sure the die-hard fans of the original series were happy to have the Sontarans back on their screens; they were droll and boring to me.
I am torn because while I can't wait for the new episode each week, I am sad because each episode brings us closer to the end of the season and the possibility that David Tennant won't return for season 5. Sigh.
Will Sci-fi even air the specials coming in 2009?
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Jun 2, 2008 11:21 AM
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I hope that was a guess and not a spoiler about Capt. Jack, Celt...Really don't want to know what's coming!
I thought this 2-parter was only okay, and thought that it was kind of a waste of Martha. For some reason, there just wasn't the sense of imminent peril we get in other episodes, although clearly, it was supposed to seem scary. Even the terror of the impending nuke attack was blunted by Martha just touching her keypad, over and over. Is the actor playing Luke American? He sounded okay until he said "Rattigan." Too crisp to be a Yank.
I did love seeing Rose and can't wait til the Doctor is aware that she's trying/able to communicate w/ him.
Edited to add: Just checked and Ryan Sampson who plays Luke Rattigan is British.
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Jun 2, 2008 11:26 AM
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Robert - great recap & commentary, as always. Thank you. One thing I've learned from your comments, though - being aware of the music is great, but so is being able to ignore it. I've always pretty much ignored it until you showed me how great some of it can be, but I think I'm going to try to shoot for the middle.
As for the rest, I've already said my piece about Martha in part one, and will leave it at that. I, also, was put off by the concept of burning the atmosphere without killing everybody, but really liked the concept posited by Ðarclyte - i.e. the most volatile part being at high altitude & pulling the flames up.
And yes, AStef, I can accept the dramatic license of this show, which is often silly, but when the writers are not being silly, they need to be careful of bits that jar us out of our suspension of disbelief. Overall, Dr. Who is pretty good about this. A great example was the Dalek/Hoovertown episodes last season. A great deal of that was extremely silly, but I never felt jarred by it. In this episode, there were two things (aside from the issue with Martha) - one was the burning atmosphere, and the other was hello-o-o - the North Koreans were participating but the Israelis weren't?!? I suspect there are political reasons why the writers were not allowed to mention Israeli nukes, but still...
One last thought - I got a kick out of the way Donna smacked the Doctor, then held his arm. I didn't feel any need to over-analyze this, possibly because that is exactly how I would react. I have a number of male friends that I love dearly, and have absolutely no romantic feelings for whatsoever. I've smacked more than one of them when they did something that worried or scared me. I know it is unfathomable to most women, but this is the way men frequently interact with each other, and they take it with the affection intended. At least, my friends do.
Enough rant for one day.
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Jun 2, 2008 1:17 PM
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mostlyareader, I'd've been just as happy if they'd avoided naming [most of] the nuclear capable (not sure if they can all be considered "powers") altogether. I'll agree it seemed a little too political and didn't have much place here.
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Jun 2, 2008 2:29 PM
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wendyo,
The news was announced a while ago that John Barrowman was doing another multi-episode arc at the end of this season just like he did at the end of last season. It's not a spoiler when it's publicly announced ahead of the episodes even being shot. I have no idea what's going to happen, just that he'll be back, just like I knew Freema would be back as Martha, just like some of us knew ahead of time Billie Piper was coming back as Rose this season in some form or another...if it's in the news, it's fair game to mention anywhere. Do you read TV Guide? There are actually articles in there that discuss guest appearances on future episodes of shows. And you happen to be on the TV Guide website. This stuff does get discussed.
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Jun 2, 2008 3:34 PM
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Frenchypelt- Do you live in the UK? Because maybe Capt. Jack being in the final episodes isn't considered a spoiler over there but in America it is most definitely a spoiler. I had no idea he was going to be on and frankly I didn't want to be warned of it ahead of time. As you say it is public knowledge. Ya but public knowledge to who, you? Sorry anyway. Robert as always the effort you put into your recaps is astoundingly awesome. Keep it up! Love when the Doctor said are you my mummy definitely a highlight. I am finding Donna getting more and more annoying though. She seemed like a tepid little girl in the Tardis not wanting to help. Jeez its only the world at stake!
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Jun 2, 2008 4:12 PM
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Use my username correctly or don't use it at all. I find Frenchypelt pretty offensive.
Public is public. In the Internet Age, do you really think national boundaries matter? If TV Guide breaks that Britney Spears is doing an episode of How I Met Your Mother, it's not a spoiler, but if some Brit mentions it on a British website that other Brits should consider it a spoiler? Inane!
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Jun 2, 2008 4:31 PM
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FrenchCelt-anything about future shows that is not referenced in a current show is considered a spoiler. Period. That includes future casting, plotlines, dialogue and even costume choices. This blog is to discuss the current episode. The fact that spoiler information appears somewhere on the internet is irrelevant. I and many others avoid articles in tvguide or anywhere else that reference future casts or plots. Is that so hard to understand? Some of us Do Not Want To Know and wish to be surprised. You spoiled this surprise for several of us when you could easily have used a spoiler warning, so please use one in future. Just a friendly request.
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Jun 2, 2008 5:01 PM
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'Are you my mommy?', funniest line of the episode. I agree it was not one of the strongest ones this season, but it had it's moments. Donna got a chance to be a lone hero as others had in the past. For once it would be great though if one of his companions wouldn't have a mother so against her traveling.
I'd like to refer readers to a post I made last week on the blog for the previous episode on a subject that briefly showed up on this one, and that was the blink and you missed it shot of Rose. Last season they seemed to set up all through the season the finale with the master, from cryptic comments (You are not alone), to Martha's mom talking about Saxon. In brief I theorized last week that the master would be back, and that Rose has something to do with it. I also thought that the person we saw may not be the same Rose who was with the Doctor. The panicked look on her face in the view screen could be that she is trying to get through to warn him. Since there seemed to be a double for everyone (well almost) on the alternate Earth, I always wondered if there would also be an alternate Doctor as well? The point is, from the last conversation Doctor had with Rose it was no small feat to make contact across the parallel universe lines. She would need someone like the Doctor I would think to get a signal through.
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Jun 2, 2008 5:05 PM
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wendyo,
No, I don't accept that expanded definition of a spoiler that includes future casting info. I hate spoilers, but I operate on a tighter, narrower definition--only anything PLOT related that hasn't been aired yet. If what actually will happen storywise hasn't been revealed, I don't consider it a spoiler. For all I know, some people are going to be upset about finding out in advance who wrote or directed an episode. Oh no, spoiled! Some people get mad if you mention the title of an upcoming episode, even though that info is often right there in either the TV Guide listing or on the cable or satellite onscreen program guide. People get upset over all kinds of unreasonable things and I can't paralyze myself wondering what might offend someone...I'll stick to what's considered reasonable by the majority.
Again, I use How I Met Your Mother as an example. Over on that TV Guide blog, the blogger herself mentioned Britney's guest appearances in upcoming episodes before they aired. Was there even one person who complained about having that spoiled? No. Why? Because it was public knowledge that she was coming. We even speculated on what her second appearance might reveal, plotwise, and at least one person ended up guessing correctly that Britney would turn out to be the mysterious woman who was warning women about Barney from a previous episode. All of this falls under reasonable discussion and I'm going to stick to that.
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Jun 2, 2008 6:51 PM
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FrenchCelt,
Why you think that stunt-casting Britney Spears on How I Met Your Mother is somehow relevant to a returning character on Doctor Who is a mystery to me, but whatever. If you cannot see that revealing the re-emergence of a major character on a show is a spoiler to those who didn't know of it, well, then you really don't know what a spoiler is. And as for your distinguishing between plotline and casting, please... even you have to agree that in this case, the one insinuates the other, since he is presumably coming back to play the same character. But bottom line: you are not willing to use spoiler warnings to discuss future plots and character returns. Pity.
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Jun 2, 2008 7:16 PM
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