The Time Warrior

The Time Warrior
by Robert Holmes
Originally Broadcasted: December 15th, 1973-January 5th, 1974

Scientists are disappearing at a rapid rate from a UNIT research facility. The Doctor, along with a stowed-away Sarah Jane Smith land in medieval England and he discover the scientists have been taken by a Sontaran. This Sontaran is giving advanced weapons away to medieval men, and Sarah Jane seems to think The Doctor is behind it all...

The Time Warrior is an important Doctor Who story, as it introduces one of the most memorable companions and one of the most memorable villains of all time. This is the first story for investigative reporter Sarah Jane Smith. Many Doctor Who companions before her were popular, but if you ask any fan of classic Doctor Who, they'll probably say Sarah Jane is their favorite companion. She brought a feminist spunk that the show had never really gotten that into before. It was interesting how in Episodes Two and Three she was shown to not really trust The Doctor. In fact, she thought he was doing all the evil things that Linx was. Only when she captured The Doctor (with the help of Boba Fett...) did she realize that The Doctor is really a great man. Sarah Jane went on to star in a further two seasons and two episodes with Tom Baker, then came back in 1983 for The Five Doctors, and even returned in new Who, in four episodes with David Tennant. In fact, her character was popular and enduring enough to spawn two spin-off shows (although K9 and Company heralded nothing more than a pilot). Behind the Daleks, the Cybermen, and The Master, I think the Sontarans are the next greatest Doctor Who enemy. Even back in 1973, they were so brilliantly realized. The costume worn by actor Kevin Lindsay is one of the most convincing alien species ever seen in classic Doctor Who. Their love of war and their weak spot at the back of the neck were all invented by Robert Holmes for their first story. Another important part of The Time Warrior was the first mention of The Doctor's home planet, Gallifrey. His race, the Time Lords had been created in 1969's The War Games, but this was the first time a name was given to his home planet. And I'd love to mention just how much I love Jon Pertwee's Doctor. He's one of the most instantly likable Doctors to me. Everything about his performance in this story just made me smile, which is especially poignant considering this was the first story of his last season as The Doctor. Robert Holmes created a wonderful script for The Time Warrior, bringing new elements to Doctor Who, while also bringing new life to the scarcely touched upon historic genre.

Luke's Rating: 8/10