The Time Warrior - Episode 3

We have a fairly long reprise of the last cliffhanger but this time there are a few new shots thrown in. I don’t think that it added anything because if it were that relevant then it would have been included in the cliffhanger. That minor issue aside the story progresses at a decent pace which sees Linx’s plan take shape. Sarah Jane still thinks that the Doctor is working for Irongron though it doesn’t take long for her to change her opinion (sort of).  I like how there’s a bit of fiery dialogue between Sarah and the Doctor. There is a sense that the Doctor is trying to wind up Sarah which works. Jon Pertwee has had a couple of episodes to get over losing Katy Manning and seems to have adapted quite well. Elisabeth Sladen’s also settled into the role because she has got past the fact she’s not in 1974 and just dealing with things as they are. Once the Doctor and Sarah Jane seem to be on the same page it feels like Sarah is becoming more likeable and it happening whilst she’s still standing up for beliefs.

The battle scene where Irongron’s men try to storm the castle but are held back by ‘stink bombs’ is quite good and it’s the first time for some time that there has been a scene of this calibre in Doctor Who. It was fun to watch and it was good that the Doctor seemed to be treating it with a sort of enjoyment though was quick scene where the Doctor tells Edward of Wessex that it was more of delaying tactic as opposed to a definitive way of ending the problem. The ‘friendship’ between Irongron and Linx hasn’t exactly been the strongest in this story and it seems to go downhill even more after the aborted invasion. The reaction of Irongron is funny because he has ago at his men for fleeing whilst doing the same himself.

The Doctor and Linx have a great scene towards the end of the episode and always the Doctor gives Linx a chance to leave without causing more harm to the cause of earth’s history. This leads to a rather ordinary cliffhanger which is just of the Doctor being targeted by Linx’s ray. Its not terrible by any stretch of the imagination but considering how much of this story is working for me, its just a bit disappointing when the cliffhanger doesn’t have the desired effect. I think that the show is getting there as far as the transition from one companion to another but for me there is a strange feeling as far as this show is concerned and that strange feeling is that it’s like the wind has been taken out of its sail after Katy Manning’s departure but I am sure that it will return soon.