| THE TIME WARRIOR by Robert Holmes |
| Story 70 Synopsis: In modern-day England, prominent scientists are disappearing. The Doctor is brought in, and is soon able to track down the source of the problem. Someone in the 12th century is using amateur time technology to entrap smart thinkers. With the help of Professor Rubeish, the Doctor manages to follow the time track to Wessex Castle, under threat from a local rogue, Irongron. The Doctor also has to contend with a journalist, Sarah Jane Smith, who has impersonated her aunt to get in on the story. Irongron has help from a mysterious figure, but when it removes its helmet, the Doctor identifies it as a Sontaran. Linx is stranded in this time, and trying to use future scientists to find a way off the planet. Linx is also helping Irongron is his feud. The Doctor backs Lord Wessex, using materials to hand to thwart Irongron's attacks. A local archer, Hal, defeats Linx, by shooting him in his weakpoint with an arrow, killing him. His spaceship blows up. The Doctor returns Sarah and Rubeish to the modern day. |
| Review:- So the final season for the 3rd Doctor begins with a story split in two time zones, and a new companion leading to a new side to the Doctor. The new feel stretches to the introduction of a new monster, one who would become one of the most fearsome of all... The Middle Ages is a time period rich in possibility, and little-visited by the series, so Robert Holmes has plenty to play with. But the setting is merely the backdrop to the first appearance for the Sontarans, who would justly be seen as the 3rd greatest monsters, behind the Cybermen and Daleks. Here, there is just one, and yet that is enough for the drama, and nearly puts an end to history as we know it! As well as new monsters, there is the new companion, Sarah Jane Smith. In contrast to Jo, Sarah seems more level-headed and practical, and also more mature. She has some brains to show off, and is quickly allowed to demonstrate her feminist bent, by comparing the Middle Ages to her own time. Fortunately, she is not so assured when faced with aliens, and not as smart as the Doctor. But they are soon considered friends. The Middle Age locals are charming, and well created. Lord and Lady Wessex are nobles, whereas Irongron and his lieutenant, Bloodaxe, are clearly cruder, more violent figures. The location work is very nice, too. Linx, our lone Sontaran, is soon convincing, and formidable, both through its usage of time technology, and brute force. It is given the honour of first revealing the name of the Doctor's home planet - a subtle way of showing its knowledge of other races. It seems impervious to weaponry, and with low-level technology to hand, it is hard to know how Linx can be stopped. Thankfully, the Doctor has a way. Indeed, it is almost too convenient. The probic vent is a literal Achilles' heel. Unfortunately, rather like the Cybermen's increasing problems with gold, such a silly plot device is over-used from the off, and to the detriment of the overall success of the Sontarans. Professor Rubeish and the other scientists are quite bland and silly stereotypes, which doesn't seem to serve any creative point. The Doctor is slightly different now. The happy UNIT days are gone, and it's a slow march to his own final destiny. The defeat of Linx and destruction of his spaceship seem rather lacklustre, although the Sontarans are impressive enough to not be demeaned by this. Overall, it's an average story, but worth it for the debuts of Sarah Jane and the Sontarans. |
| Disclaimer: I've read the book, and seen the telly version. |