History Recap / DoctorWhoNSS4E4TheSontaranStratagem

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/The_Sontaran_Stratagem_7648.jpg]]

-> '''The Doctor:''' Martha, Donna. Donna, Martha. Please don't fight. I can't bear fighting.

Paging the Doctor! When Martha [[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS3E13LastOfTheTimeLords gave the Doctor her old phone]], this is the kind of situation she had in mind.

Since he left, remarkable strides have been made in environmental engineering: in particular Atmos, a gizmo installed in half the cars on Earth which neutralizes exhaust, with only the [[MayContainEvil tiny side detail of being completely evil and a front for alien murders]]. Atmos is the creation of a teenage genius by the name of Luke Rattigan, who is secretly working for the Sontarans, a [[{{proud warrior race guy}} warrior race]] of militaristic short guys who look a bit like potatoes. (Though the Doctor would like to remind you that to a Sontaran, ''you'' look like a shaved pink weasel-thing.)

Martha and Donna are introduced and, to the Doctor's great relief, get on really well. Martha's now a proper doctor, and with UNIT. The Doctor's a little bit uncomfortable with how well she fits into a military organisation. She retorts that he's the one who got her the job in the first place. [[Recap/TorchwoodS2E6Reset He wisely doesn't respond to that.]]

The Doctor teams up with UNIT, but he doesn't like the way things have changed since the old days, and the reunion is an uneasy one. The Brigadier (now knighted) is a few continents away and unable to help out. Also, Martha is kidnapped by the Sontarans, and they create an evil clone of her.

Meanwhile, Donna goes back home to get another earful from her mum, and to see Wilfred, her dear old grandad, again. The Doctor turns up to fetch her (and meets a delighted Wilfred and a ''highly apprehensive'' mum), just in time for all the Atmos-equipped cars in the world to begin emitting clouds of poison gas! How can the Doctor stop an alien attack that's occurring in 400 million places at once?

!Tropes
* AbsenceOfEvidence: "The first thing I noticed is an empty file."
-->'''Doctor:''' Why, what's inside it? Or, what's ''not'' inside it?\\
'''Donna:''' Sick days. There aren't any. Hundreds of people working here and no one's sick. Not one hangover, man flu, sneaky little shopping trip, nothing. Not ever! They don't get ill.
* AndStarring: Creator/FreemaAgyeman is credited with an "And".
* ArcWords: Another reference to the Medusa Cascade.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: The 10th Doctor's notorious loathing of guns at its least justified. The Doctor is openly snotty and dismissive to Colonel Mace all through this and the next episode for no other explained reason than because Mace carries a gun. Mace does nothing this or the next episode to deserve this snottiness.
** FridgeBrilliance here; given how often the Doctor is held at gunpoint, a gun's tendency to induce a more violent outlook, and that they, unlike many other weapons, have almost no utility beyond "kill/destroy something", is it any wonder the he assumes "gun-wielding = untrustworthy"?
* BluntMetaphorsTrauma: "Is the temperature significant?"
* TheBrigadier: Colonel Mace. The actual Brigadier doesn't appear.
* TheBusCameBack: Martha returns for a few episodes.
* ContinuityNod
** To "Voyage of the Damned" and "The Runaway Bride".
** And "Dalek" (the "In-tru-da window" pun made by Henry van Statten).
** Donna's mother complaining about Donna [[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS4E1PartnersInCrime disappearing for days]].
* CoveredInGunge: In a distinctly non-humorous manner though.
* CursedWithAwesome: The Sontarans' armour has only one weak point, in the back of their necks. For the Sontarans, retreat is not only dishonourable, but impractical.
* DefeatingTheUndefeatable: Staal introduces himself as "Staal the Undefeated". The Doctor comments on the nickname's lack of foresight, pointing out that if he was defeated, he would have to be called Staal the Not-Quite-So-Undefeated-Anymore-But-Never-Mind.
* DittoAliens: Though there are minor differences between Staal and Skorr, despite them being clones. Like Luke Rattigan's reaction when Skorr removes his helmet:
-->'''Luke Ratigan:''' How... do you tell each other apart?\\
'''General Staal:''' We say the same of humans.
* EveryCarIsAPinto / OverclockingAttack: {{Subverted|Trope}} when the Atmos system in the Land Rover suffers from the LogicBomb, the Doctor and Ross Jenkins run for cover... then the sat nav system fizzles and sparks a little bit.
-->'''The Doctor:''' (''disappointed'') [[WheresTheKaboom Is that it?]]
* FailedAttemptAtDrama: Donna says she's going home. The Doctor gives her the big speech about everything he wanted to show her, how she's saved his life, how he was so very grateful for her company and... [[CrowningMomentOfFunny you're just popping home for a visit, aren't you?]] Also a stellar example of TheDayTheMusicLied.
-->'''Donna:''' You ''dumbo''. You great, big, outer space ''dunce''.
* {{Foreshadowing}}
** The ATMOS Sat Nav repeatedly saying [[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS4E11TurnLeft "Turn Left"]].
** There's also the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS32E5TheRebelFlesh cloned copy of a person animated by the still-living person's memories.]]
* FunWithAcronyms: Both ATMOS and UNIT use the "using letters from within the words" cheat.
** Although that cheat was somewhat enforced for UNIT -- they didn't before, but then the UN started being much more sensitive about its name being used.
* GodwinsLaw: One of the UNIT soldiers compares Rattigan's followers to Hitler's youth.
* GrammarNazi
** The Doctor:
--->'''Luke:''' If only that was possible.\\
'''The Doctor:''' If only that ''were'' possible. (''{{glasses pull}}'') Conditional clause.
** Later...
--->'''Luke:''' You can't say ATMOS system 'cos it stands for Atmospheric Omission System. So you're saying [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment Atmospheric Omission System System]].
* IKnewIt: Donna's grandfather knew aliens would come but didn't expect any to be in a blue box.
* ImmuneToBullets: Sort of... The Sontaran's new AppliedPhlebotinum prevents guns from being fired in their presence. TechnoBabble explains that it's because of the bullets' copper jackets. Once UNIT figures that out in the next episode, they switch to a different kind of bullets, and... well, let's just say [[CurbStompBattle it doesn't end well for the Sontarans]].
* InsufferableGenius: See GrammarNazi for just one example of it.
* InsultMisfire: Don't call Ross a grunt.
* MagicalComputer: The ATMOS system reduces emissions and works as a sat-nav system. Also, it can completely take over your car.
* MotorMouth: Rattigan, ''all the time''.
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Skorr The Bloodbringer.
* NerdInEvilsHelmet: Luke Rattigan
* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Largely averted. The Sontarans initially think the Doctor is dead, but when they get proof that he's not, they accept it without question. Of course, they know the Doctor, so obviously they'd know how hard it is to kill him.
* OutOfCharacterAlert
* ProudWarriorRaceGuy: All the Sontarans. Also Colonel Mace.
* {{Pun}}: "We have an intruder." The Doctor responds with: "How did he get in? Intruder window?"
* RealityEnsues: Sorry, Doctor. Not every LogicBomb results in an explosion; just the system shorting out.
* RecursiveAcronym: The episode takes the "use letters from within the words" cheat to its logical conclusion with ATMOS, which stands for "[=ATMOSpheric=] Omissions System". Yes, we know you don't spell 'emissions' like that, but it's written on all the stickers on the car windows... and the final S has to come from System, or Rattigan's whining makes no sense.
** Considering what the device is supposed to do (disregarding the Sontarans' plans), "Omissions" does make sense, as it does omit the emissions on the vehicle the device is installed on.
* [[RedShirt Red Hats]]
* StuffBlowingUp: The Doctor's actually disappointed when EveryCarIsAPinto ''doesn't'' happen in.
* TakeThat: To TheEighties in one way or another.[[note]]Really, though, the Doctor's response is so vague that it could reference ''any'' person involved with a negative 1980s event; it could be Creator/JohnNathanTurner, Creator/EricSaward or Creator/MichaelGrade in relation to the DWU; hell, it could even be a UsefulNotes/ColdWar joke, or a joke about [[DeaderThanDisco the fashion and music]].[[/note]]
-->'''Doctor:''' Getting a little too close to the 1980s.\\
'''Donna:''' What am I gonna do, put a dent in them?\\
'''Doctor:''' Well, someone did.
* TeenGenius: Luke Rattigan
* WhatTheHellHero: Martha, who's grown to know and like Colonel Mace, calls out the Doctor for his [[BlueAndOrangeMorality attitude towards Mace.]]
* WheresTheKaboom

----

* TakeThat: To TheEighties in one way or another.[[note]]Really, though, the Doctor's response is so vague that it could reference ''any'' person involved with a negative 1980s event; it could be Creator/JohnNathanTurner, Creator/EricSaward or Creator/MichaelGrade in relation to the DWU; hell, it could even be a ColdWar joke, or a joke about [[DeaderThanDisco the fashion and music]].[[/note]]

* {{Foreshadowing}}
** The ATMOS Sat Nav repeatedly saying [[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS4E11TurnLeft "Turn Left"]].
** There's also the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS32E5TheRebelFlesh cloned copy of a person animated by the still-living person's memories.]]

* MagicalComputer: The ATMOS system reduces emissions and works as a sat-nav system. Also, it can completely take over control of your car.

* {{Foreshadowing}}
** The ATMOS Sat Nav repeatedly saying [[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS4E11TurnLeft "Turn Left"]].
** There's also the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS32E5TheRebelFlesh cloned copy of a person animated by the still-living person's memories.]]

* DefeatingTheUndefeatable: Staal introduces himself as "Staal the Undefeated". The Doctor comments on the nickname's lack of foresight, point out that that would result in Staal-the-Not-Quite-So-Undefeated-Anymore-But-Never-Mind.
* DittoAliens: Though there are minor differences between Staal and Skorr, despite them being clones. Like Luke Ratigan's reaction when Skorr removes his helmet:

** Although that cheat was somewhat enforced for UNIT -- they didn't use to, but then the UN started being much more sensitive about its name being used.

* ImmuneToBullets: Sort of... The Sontaran's new AppliedPhlebotinum prevents guns from being fired in their presence. Once UNIT figures that out in the next episode... well, let's just say [[CurbStompBattle it doesn't end well for the Sontarans]].

The Doctor teams up with UNIT, but he doesn't like the way things have changed since the old days, and the reunion is an uneasy one. The Brigadier (now knighted) is a few continents away and unable to help out. Also, Martha is kidnapped by the Sontarans, and they create an evil clone of her using white stuff called The Flesh. (This will become important MUCH later.)

--> '''Doctor:''' Why, what's inside it? Or, what's ''not'' inside it?"
--> '''Donna:''' Sick days. There aren't any. Hundreds of people working here and no one's sick. Not one hangover, man flu, sneaky little shopping trip, nothing. Not ever! They don't get ill.

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Colonel Mace.
* BigDamnGunship: The USS ''Valiant'', making a return appearance, accompanied by the necessary RousingSpeech.

* TheBrigadier: Colonel Mace, again. The actual Brigadier doesn't appear.

* CloningBlues: Martha's EvilTwin.
* ContinuityNod to "Voyage of the Damned" and "The Runaway Bride".

* CoveredInGunge in a distinctly non-humorous manner though.

-->'''Luke Ratigan:''' How... do you tell each other apart?
-->'''General Staal:''' We say the same of humans.
* EveryCarIsAPinto & OverclockingAttack: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]], when the Atmos system in the Land Rover suffers from the LogicBomb, the Doctor and Ross Jenkins run for cover... then the sat nav system fizzles and sparks a little bit.
-->'''The Doctor:''' ''[disappointed]'' [[WheresTheKaboom Is that it?]]
* FailedAttemptAtDrama: Donna says she's going home. The Doctor gives her the big speech about everything he wanted to show her, how she's saved his life, how he was so very grateful for her company and... [[CrowningMomentOfFunny you're just popping home for a visit, aren't you?]]

** Also a stellar example of TheDayTheMusicLied.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: The ATMOS Sat Nav repeatedly saying "[[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS4E11TurnLeft Turn Left]]".

* FunWithAcronyms: Both ATMOS and UNIT use the "using letters from within the words" cheat.
* GrammarNazi:
--> '''Luke:''' If only that was possible.
-->'''The Doctor:''' "If only that ''were'' possible. (GlassesPull) Conditional clause."
** Later...
-->'''Luke:''' You can’t say ATMOS system 'cos it stands for Atmospheric Omission System. So you’re saying [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment Atmospheric Omission System System]].

* HostileTerraforming: Weakened by their eternal war with another race of ScaryDogmaticAliens, the Sontarans hatched an uncharacteristically circuitous plan to bathe the earth in gas which is poisonous to native life but nutritious to themselves, so that they can use it to spawn more soldiers.

* IncrediblyLamePun: "We have an intruder." The Doctor responds with : "How did he get in? Intruder window?"
* InformedAbility: The Sontarans being the 'universe's greatest soldiers' when their tactics appear to mostly consist of walking forward and shooting people. And unlike say, Daleks with powerful shields, these guys get cut down by bullets pretty easily when their copper-expanding gimmick fails.
** considering this was coming from a TechnicalPacifist who views the word "soldier" as an insult and that Sontarans are obviously a MartyrdomCulture that believes WarIsGlorious this actually may have been a bit of FridgeBrilliance

* NerdInEvilsHelmet: Luke Rattigan.

--> '''Doctor:''' Getting a little too close to the 1980s.
--> '''Donna:''' What am I gonna do, put a dent in them?
--> '''Doctor:''' Well, someone did.
* TeenGenius: Luke Rattigan.

* TheWorfEffect: Expecting the sonic screwdriver to work on the ATMOS? No such luck.

** considering this was coming from a TechnicalPacifist who views the word "soldier" as an insult and that Sontarans are obviously a race that believes WarIsGlorious this actually may have been a bit of FridgeBrilliance

* GoodwinsLaw: One of the UNIT soldiers compares Rattigan's followers to Hitler's youth.