**"Doctor Who: The Poison Sky" - Review**



"The Poison Sky" is the second part of the Sontaran story,

following "The Sontaran Stratagem." The Tenth Doctor

(David Tennant) faces the Sontarans' final phase of

their plan to poison Earth's atmosphere using the

ATMOS system. With Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and

Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) by his side, the Doctor

fights to save the planet from destruction.



**Plot Summary:**



The episode begins with Earth’s skies filled with

lethal gas, courtesy of the Sontarans' ATMOS system.

As UNIT scrambles to counter the threat, the Doctor

tries to disable the Sontaran ship. Meanwhile, Donna

returns to her family, where she faces the danger of

the poison sky firsthand. The Doctor devises a plan

to use a cloned Martha to infiltrate the Sontarans'

ranks, buying time to sabotage their operations.



The episode culminates in a showdown, as the Doctor

confronts the Sontaran leader, General Staal. He

offers the Sontarans a choice: leave Earth or face

obliteration. The Sontarans' refusal leads to

the Doctor's final, drastic solution to save humanity.



**Themes and Character Development:**



1. **Sacrifice and Responsibility:** The Doctor’s

willingness to make difficult choices highlights

his deep sense of responsibility. His attempt

to save even his enemies shows his aversion to

needless death, even in the face of warlike races.



2. **Donna's Strength:** Donna continues to evolve

as a companion, showing resilience and quick

thinking in the face of danger. Her relationship

with her family is also central, adding emotional

weight to her role.



3. **Martha’s Loyalty:** Martha, though briefly

compromised by her clone, shows her continued

dedication to UNIT and her growth since her

travels with the Doctor.



**Strengths:**



- **Tense Action:** The episode is filled with

high-stakes moments, from UNIT’s battle against

the Sontarans to the Doctor's final gamble to

save Earth. The pacing keeps the tension high

throughout.



- **Emotional Core:** Donna's return to her family

provides an emotional anchor, showcasing the

personal impact of the global crisis. Her bond

with the Doctor strengthens as they rely on each

other in moments of peril.



- **Sontarans' Strength:** The Sontarans remain

formidable enemies, embodying their militaristic

ethos and refusal to surrender.



**Weaknesses:**



- **Clunky Dialogue:** Some of the exposition

feels a bit forced, particularly during the

explanation of the Doctor’s plan and the

Sontarans' motives.



- **Simplistic Resolution:** The climax, though

dramatic, relies on a rather straightforward

resolution with the Doctor’s use of the TARDIS

to ignite the atmosphere. Some may feel it

resolves too quickly.



**Conclusion:**



"The Poison Sky" delivers an action-packed

conclusion to the Sontaran arc, balancing

tension and emotional stakes. While the plot

follows a fairly predictable course, the

strong character moments, particularly

Donna's, make it a satisfying watch.



**Rating: 7.5/10**

Strong in action and emotion, but predictable.