Picking up immediately after the atmospheric cliffhanger of The Sontaran Stratagem, The Poison Sky (aired 3 May 2008) launches the second half of this Sontaran two-parter into full-on action territory. Written once again by Helen Raynor and directed by Douglas Mackinnon, the episode balances spectacle with resolution, offering large-scale conflict, moral questions, and some notable turning points for key characters. Rewatching in 2025, The Poison Sky retains much of its urgency and entertainment value, though a few of its plot beats resolve with more convenience than clarity.
With the Earth choking on ATMOS-produced gas and cars weaponised into tools of war, UNIT goes into full military mode. There’s a satisfying escalation from the quieter infiltration of the first part to an all-out alien assault. The Sontarans, portrayed with unwavering zeal by Christopher Ryan and his clone troops, revel in the chaos, reminding us why they’re one of the most unique recurring enemies in the show’s rogues’ gallery. They’re brutal and militaristic, yet oddly amusing in their strict devotion to honour and strategy.
The Doctor spends much of the early episode trapped aboard the TARDIS as it’s caught in a Sontaran tractor beam. It’s a neat moment of vulnerability for him, especially when paired with Donna’s solo venture aboard the alien ship. Donna’s arc here is crucial—her fear, her resourcefulness, and ultimately her strength all come to the fore. Catherine Tate is brilliant in these moments, especially during her call home to Wilf as she describes the horrors she’s witnessed. It’s a performance grounded in emotional reality, anchoring the sci-fi madness.
Meanwhile, Martha’s role becomes more intriguing as she faces her own doppelgänger—a clone created by the Sontarans to undermine UNIT. The clone-Martha is given surprising depth, with hints of inner conflict and empathy. It adds a philosophical wrinkle: what makes a person who they are? Freema Agyeman does a great job differentiating the two, especially in her scenes with the Doctor and Donna.
The action sequences in The Poison Sky are well staged. UNIT finally feels like a global military force rather than just a handful of soldiers, and the battle scenes with Sontarans and flamethrower-equipped troops lend the episode a cinematic energy. However, it’s the Doctor’s cleverness that ultimately turns the tide. His confrontation with General Staal is classic Tennant—righteous, brilliant, and just a bit mad. His use of the cloned Martha and a bit of sonic trickery to turn the Sontarans’ own technology against them is satisfying, if a little convenient.
One of the strongest moments comes near the end, when the Doctor prepares to sacrifice himself to ignite the ATMOS control device. It’s a moment of high drama that reinforces his willingness to face danger alone. But it’s also a scene that offers redemption: Luke Rattigan, the misguided young genius who helped the Sontarans, chooses to make the sacrifice himself. His character arc, from arrogant collaborator to remorseful hero, is one of the episode’s quieter successes.
In hindsight, The Poison Sky doesn’t rewrite the Doctor Who playbook, but it doesn’t need to. It delivers solid payoffs to the mysteries set up in the first half, maintains strong character work (especially for Donna and Martha), and reintroduces the Sontarans to a new generation with energy and flair. The clone subplot adds some unexpected emotional nuance, and the final moments, as the Doctor and Donna depart once more, leave a door open for what’s coming next.
Rewatching in 2025, The Poison Sky is a satisfying conclusion to a bold two-parter that mixes old-school alien invasion tropes with modern themes and strong performances. It’s not perfect, but it plays its cards with confidence and keeps the momentum rolling through Series Four’s impressive run.
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