angelophile | And on this week's Who

Not a bad showing at all. After the weak Dalek two-parter last year from the same writer, I expected this years Sontaran two parter to go the same way in the second half. However, things nicely wrapped up.

For starters, at least one person in Donna's family showed they had the brains they were born with.

Likewise, some good stuff emerged throughout. Catherine Tate continued to amuse and surprise by being a worthwhile companion and showing that she has far more range than shouty yob, when given the opportunities. Unfortunately, Freema Agyeman held no surprises, once again given opportunities to test her acting chips and show a real emotional range and, instead, just managing her standard doe-eyed, mildly stunned expression that she sports under all circumstances. It's sad that she's just so damn average all the time.

Still, the relative weakness of Freema Agyeman's performance aside, there was plenty to enjoy. Although Christopher Ryan got less to do this time, he and the other Sontarans had their chances to show off their prosthetics. Likewise, I suddenly warmed to the new UNIT. Although the Colonel isn't fit to hold Lethbridge-Stewart's hat (a fact he, himself, acknowledges), he showed that he, too, could have his moments. And bloody great moments too.

And the plotline was developed to make a little more sense than the "cars used to take over the world" stuff that it initally seemed to be. Heavy handed message there, but at least the plan had more than one layer.

Good pacing throughout and a lot less superpowered, infallible Doctor, using his smarts instead of his magical wand and superpowers pulled out of his ass. This was old school stuff, the Doctor living on wit and smarts, sometimes wrong and a climax that was far more old school Doctor than we've seen in a long long time.

A treat that should appeal to the old fans and new alike.

Thumbs up from me.