This two-parter was written by the same person who wrote the Daleks in Manhattan two-parter, I believe. And unfortunately, this two-parter is no less mediocre than that ill-advised fare.
Not that this a "bad" episode but it's too average and campy to receive a good rating. Although it is nice to have Martha back :)
The Sontarans could have made for interesting villains, but for a race supposedly bred for war, they are surprisingly bad at it. Of course that's a relatively common shortcoming in sci fi (looking at you Star Wars). But I digress. The Sontarans were introduced well enough although a bit earlier than necessary and the mind control/ clone aspect was interesting but also a bit campy at times.
The real weakness of this two-parter is Rattigan. What a know-it-all crybaby! I know he is supposed to be disliked but the writers went out of their way to make him as irritating as possible. And a lot of the Doctor's attitudes seem a little contradictory to his character.
Donna and her grandad Wilfred are the real highlights of the episode. Donna is hilarious and down to earth as always and kindhearted and soft spoken Wilfred works as a wonderful foil to Donna and her mother. Without them, probably would have rated this episode even lower. 7/10
Not that this a "bad" episode but it's too average and campy to receive a good rating. Although it is nice to have Martha back :)
The Sontarans could have made for interesting villains, but for a race supposedly bred for war, they are surprisingly bad at it. Of course that's a relatively common shortcoming in sci fi (looking at you Star Wars). But I digress. The Sontarans were introduced well enough although a bit earlier than necessary and the mind control/ clone aspect was interesting but also a bit campy at times.
The real weakness of this two-parter is Rattigan. What a know-it-all crybaby! I know he is supposed to be disliked but the writers went out of their way to make him as irritating as possible. And a lot of the Doctor's attitudes seem a little contradictory to his character.
Donna and her grandad Wilfred are the real highlights of the episode. Donna is hilarious and down to earth as always and kindhearted and soft spoken Wilfred works as a wonderful foil to Donna and her mother. Without them, probably would have rated this episode even lower. 7/10