Doctor Who - The Sontaran Stratagem
I wasn't expecting my favourite episode ever.
The Sontarans are a really, really long way from the top ten of my favourite monsters, as I find them one note and a bit boring.
It was a Helen Raynor story after the Dalek two-parter last year.
I've not been missing Martha - it has only been three episodes after all -and wasn't really ready to share companion time with her and the inevitable wank in fandom over how she does or doesn't get treated.
This was not helped by the promo of her calling him back to Earth when we've Finally got out to Alien Planets.
And then the continuity announcer spoiled the Evil SatNav twist I didn't already know.
So I started with a grand 'meh' and for all the bits I did like, never did move beyond the state of meh.
It didn't help that I'm sure I've seen the Academy building in the SJAs, as well as the viewing deck of the planet.
They've changed the name of UNIT to Unified Task Force, and yes, I know that's not their fault but my old skool stompy foot itches.
There was another this could burn you potential anvil on Donna. Meeps. There will be no burninating Donna.
And that I don't think FA is a good enough actress to carry the double role.

So, what did I like?
UNIT Dating mess lantern is hung, which is the best that can really be made out of it. Plus it was done nicely lightly.
Donna didn't get enough to do but was her superbly competent and practical self as well as having some lovely character moments, especially with her grandad, mum, Martha and Colonel Mace.
The UNIT Soldiery is now a lot hotter - excepting the Brig who occupies a scale of hotness all his own.
UNIT now has a budget - and they hung a lantern on that change too.
We got competent on the job UNIT as opposed to Gitmo UNIT.
We got a lovely Doctor telling Donna what she means to him scene, beautifully undercut with screwball comedy.
UNIT gave as good as they from the Doctor got re the guns question, which as one of my all time fave stories is The Silurians makes me happy. I also like the impression that the Doctor being so anti-gun now is in reaction to his military role in the Time War.
Trap One call sign of happiness:)
Which we got a confirmation of from Stahl in this, as well as the info that the Sontarans weren't allowed to play in it.
Nice female bonding scene between the two companions, both of whom are in the credits.
And a nice grammar pedant moment, though not as cool as the Decimation one in TSoD, as nothing could top that.
The Sontarans golf ball ships and habits of torturing/testing their prisoners remain intact - though updated.
That the stratagem is different to their usual M.O. does maybe feel into the there is something big going on feel of the missing planets.
The Eighties got knocked (mostly fairly IMO) as another lantern.
Christopher Ryan did a good Sontaran.

It is one that I'm sure a lot of fanboys will love as its mostly plot and with a military monster.
But its not my favourite.


And in completely different news, my dad is out of hospital and doing really well, which is great.