I didn't care for the "Daleks in Manhattan", which mostly failed because it didn't quite grasp the nature or paradigm of the Daleks themselves.

I thought the Sontaran Strategem with solid Who fare, neither terribly bad nor inspiringly good. A reasonable story.


I felt we'd missed the chance with UNIT and the Sontarans there to have a proper military engagement, playing to both sides' strengths - although I admit we saw some of that in the closing confrontation. I can live with the addition of another villain catchphrase, although we've never seen such exhuberent Sontarans before.

I was disappointed with the Sontarans' appearance. Unlike other redesigns of classic series baddies, this one felt a step too far. The space-worn silver and black leather look was much superior to the Mattel-blue plastic armour they appeared in this time. And while the Sontarans have sometimes been shown before to be of short stature it's never been emphasised as in these episodes.


I thought that was a good character arc for Rattigan, and the actor did well with the part.


He's the latest in a series of "could-be companions" who seem to be a thematic staple of recent episodes.


She mamaged to hold her own very well, not just in the story but onscreen opposite Tennant. The respective reactions of Martha and Donna to the Doctor not dying were pitch-perfect.


I think we were expected to be more invested with Martha-as-clone-enemy. Martha did get one shining scene, though, at the clone's death.


I think the Doctor's always had a prickly relationship with the military side of UNIT, and this current incarnation seems more military than ever.


I'm also fond of Rose's mum. By the way, a couple of years ago there was a special episode of the quiz show The Weakest Link, with Anne Robinson quizzing the actors who play the Doctor (Tennant), Mickey, Martha, K9, Jackie, Rose's dad, Hartmann, plus monster-actor Paul Casey. Jackie won.


There was a fine page of speculation in the Doctor Who Magazine about hints to come. My favourite was linking "There is something on your back" to Planet of the Spiders and the Racnoss.