A brief but atmospheric two-parter works as a fine change of pace between two classic serials, but it's not the strongest story of Tom Baker's first season.
Story: 8
Unlike The Edge of Destruction and The Rescue, both two-parters that are nothing but fillers, this serial feels like a proper story. It's short and sweet, but it's a fully-fledged adventure.
The first episode is pretty tense but the second doesn't go anywhere. The build-up to the ending leads to a wholly anti-climactic resolution, which is a shame.
Acting: 9
In a story this brief, there isn't much room for a large cast or very well-developed characters. The regulars are great, Baker and Sladen in particular and the guest cast does a fine job with the material they've been given.
Kevin Lindsay is back behind the Sontaran mask, this time as Styre. Despite his different appearance (he is supposed to look the same) he plays the character exactly in the same way.
The Doctor: 10
By now it's apparent that the Doctor owns every situation he finds himself in, even when he's caught or clearly in trouble. He usually talks himself kit if every situation. No Venusian Aikido here!
The Companions: 7
This story puts a major focus on Sarah in particular in terms of plot progression. Harry and the Doctor both end up in trouble. Part Two is Harrys time to shine when Sarah and the Doctor have passed out. Both companions are put to good use, which feels like a change from the norm at the time.
The Monster/Villain: 10
Sonatarans are supposed to be a clone species, meaning that every Sontaran should look the same. That being said, Styre is much uglier and paper compared to Linx. He's also just as villainous, but at least he's put to good use.
Production: 10
Shot on just one location, and with very little model work or visual effects, The Sontaran Experiment is fairly straightforward. The direction keeps it together, the Sontaran mask is realistic and the serial utilizes its landscape effectively for the right effect.
Pacing: 9
This two-parter is better paced than any two-parter before it. It's still slower than any modern-day Doctor Who episode and there's quite a lot going back and forth.
Atmosphere: 8
This one has quite a flat atmosphere. It's not creepy or scary, not is it particularly exciting, except for the end. It is fascinating in a sense, though.
Impact:
Thanks to this story, the Sontarans cemented their place among Doctor Who's rogue's gallery.
Replay Value: 7
This is probably one of the better stories to rewatch if you have 50 minutes to spare.
Random Observations: 10
What's fascinating about this story is that it is technically the same length as a revival era episode, yet it's been written in the typical style of a Classic Who story, with a twist in the middle. Modern-day Who would not be paced this way.
From the file marked "Writers Who've Performed On Who": Glyn Jones, who plays Krans, scripted the First Doctor serial The Space Museum (1965) and is one of only five people to have both written for and acted on Doctor Who.
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParent2020-06-22T14:55:30Z
A brief but atmospheric two-parter works as a fine change of pace between two classic serials, but it's not the strongest story of Tom Baker's first season.
Story: 8
Unlike The Edge of Destruction and The Rescue, both two-parters that are nothing but fillers, this serial feels like a proper story. It's short and sweet, but it's a fully-fledged adventure.
The first episode is pretty tense but the second doesn't go anywhere. The build-up to the ending leads to a wholly anti-climactic resolution, which is a shame.
Acting: 9
In a story this brief, there isn't much room for a large cast or very well-developed characters. The regulars are great, Baker and Sladen in particular and the guest cast does a fine job with the material they've been given.
Kevin Lindsay is back behind the Sontaran mask, this time as Styre. Despite his different appearance (he is supposed to look the same) he plays the character exactly in the same way.
The Doctor: 10
By now it's apparent that the Doctor owns every situation he finds himself in, even when he's caught or clearly in trouble. He usually talks himself kit if every situation. No Venusian Aikido here!
The Companions: 7
This story puts a major focus on Sarah in particular in terms of plot progression. Harry and the Doctor both end up in trouble. Part Two is Harrys time to shine when Sarah and the Doctor have passed out. Both companions are put to good use, which feels like a change from the norm at the time.
The Monster/Villain: 10
Sonatarans are supposed to be a clone species, meaning that every Sontaran should look the same. That being said, Styre is much uglier and paper compared to Linx. He's also just as villainous, but at least he's put to good use.
Production: 10
Shot on just one location, and with very little model work or visual effects, The Sontaran Experiment is fairly straightforward. The direction keeps it together, the Sontaran mask is realistic and the serial utilizes its landscape effectively for the right effect.
Pacing: 9
This two-parter is better paced than any two-parter before it. It's still slower than any modern-day Doctor Who episode and there's quite a lot going back and forth.
Atmosphere: 8
This one has quite a flat atmosphere. It's not creepy or scary, not is it particularly exciting, except for the end. It is fascinating in a sense, though.
Impact:
Thanks to this story, the Sontarans cemented their place among Doctor Who's rogue's gallery.
Replay Value: 7
This is probably one of the better stories to rewatch if you have 50 minutes to spare.
Random Observations: 10
What's fascinating about this story is that it is technically the same length as a revival era episode, yet it's been written in the typical style of a Classic Who story, with a twist in the middle. Modern-day Who would not be paced this way.
From the file marked "Writers Who've Performed On Who": Glyn Jones, who plays Krans, scripted the First Doctor serial The Space Museum (1965) and is one of only five people to have both written for and acted on Doctor Who.
Score: 88/120