History Recap / DoctorWhoS1E7TheSensorites

* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: This being the show's one year anniversary, there's a part where the companions all talk about how they've all changed since they set out with the Doctor, and he agrees "It all started as a mild curiosity in a junkyard, and now it's turned out to be quite a spirit of adventure."

* HumansAreTheRealMonsters: This is a zigzag as while humans were guilty of the poisoning, they were actually driven mad by the sensosphere, so their vilainy status is left ambiguous, while the speciesist City Administrator was, in the end, the true villain (though as far as sensorites go, he was an exception). The first elder even notes that sensorites have much to learn from "the people of Earth", because he mistook Susan for a human. She points out that she is ''not'' from Earth but her home planet is very much like Earth.

* DittoAliens: Bizarrely, invoked by the Sensorites on ''themselves''. They themselves cannot effectively tell the differences between each other without first having become familiar with them, and relies on sashes and other decorative garb to identify important individuals. It allows the City Administrator to steal the Second Elder's identity before and after killing him. The City Administrator at least takes the effort to avoid getting close to the First Elder or any other Sensorites who regularly interacted with the Second Elder and expositions that the disguise only fools those Sensorites who only see the Second Elder at a distance or in passing.

It transpires that a fatal disease is spreading like wildfire among the Sensorites, and immediately, Ian comes down with it as well. The Doctor realizes that the planet's water supply is tainted with deadly nightshade. He investigates despite the interference of the City Administrator (and a lot of political intrigue), and ''eventually'' manages to convince the Sensorites that he's safe to trust. However, by that time, the entire Sensorite government is in uproar because of the scheming City Administrator realizing that he can fool everyone simply by switching clothes. To make matters worse, the Doctor actually suggests that the City Administrator be promoted. Luckily, Barbara rejoins the plot on the planet, immediately realizes what's going on and starts setting everything straight by establishing a psychic link with Susan (using Sensorite telepathy technology).

* ActingForTwo: Several of the Sensorite actors play what are clearly intended to be different characters in different episodes.

[[http://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x1jop6_matrixarchive_the-sensorites Watch it here.]]

* DangerouslyGenreSavvy: The City Administrator, which allows him to avoid being found as a villain for most of the episode, and his plan only fails due to factors he could never have anticipated.

* WrongGenreSavvy: The City Administrator managed to be this and DangerouslyGenreSavvy. His final plan to kill the Doctor and his companions was when they went to investigate what was the source of the poisoned water, knowing that there was something down in the caves killing any Sensorites who went down there, makes sure they are given inaccurate maps and their weapons are sabotaged before entering, certain that whatever is down there will kill them. This likely would have worked, except what was hiding down there turned to be humans.

* ContinuityNod: One of the first clear signs of continuity in the series is that near the beginning, the Doctor and companions mention nearly all of their previous adventures together and how they've developed during the journey. Makes sense for an episode near the end of the first season.

* FailedASpotCheck: John amazingly fails to see Barbara and Susan to his immediate left. And then kindly insists on looking in the opposite direction of them on his way out.
* HumansAreTheRealMonsters: Ultimately, averted ,as while humans were guilty of the poisoning, they were actually driven mad by the sensosphere, so their vilainy status is left ambiguous, while the speciesist City Administrator was, in the end, the true villain (though as far as sensorites go, he was an exception). The first elder even notes that sensorites have much to learn from humans.
* HypocriticalHumor:

* GenreSavvy: Ian ''very'' briefly is this when he says he doesn't like splitting up because it always leads to trouble. But, he very quickly changes his mind due to lack of better options at the time.

* NeverSplitTheParty: Ian is GenreSavvy about it at this point, but acknowledges that they have no choice in the matter.

It transpires that a fatal disease is spreading like wildfire among the Sensorites, and immediately, Ian comes down with it as well. The Doctor realises that the planet's water supply is tainted with deadly nightshade. He investigates despite the interference of the City Administrator (and a lot of political intrigue), and ''eventually'' manages to convince the Sensorites that he's safe to trust. However, by that time, the entire Sensorite goverment is in uproar because of the scheming City Administrator realising that he can fool everyone simply by switching clothes. To make matters worse, the Doctor actually suggests that the City Administrator be promoted. Luckily, Barbara rejoins the plot on the planet, immediately realises what's going on and starts setting everything straight by establishing a psychic link with Susan (using Sensorite telepathy technology).

* WaterSourceTampering: The Sensorites are being affected by a disease that the good guys later trace to a human expedition,maddened by the sensosphere, poisoning their water supply.

'''WARNING! THERE MAY BE UNMARKED SPOILERS!'''

Due to the similar design of the Sensorites to the Ood in the new series, in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS4E3PlanetOfTheOod Planet of the Ood]]", [[AscendedFanon Sense-Sphere is shown to be in the same system as Oodsphere.]]

!!Tropes

* HumansAreTheRealMonsters:Ultimately,averted,as while humans were guilty of the poisoning,they were actually driven mad by the sensosphere,so their vilainy status is left ambiguous,while the speciesist City Administrator was, in the end, the true villain (though as far as sensorites go, he was an exception). The first elder even notes that sensorites have much to learn from humans.

* HumansAreTheRealMonsters:Ultimately,averted,as while humans were guilty of the poisoning,they were actually driven mad by the sensosphere,so their vilainy status is left ambiguous,while the speciesist City Administrator was,in the end,the true villain (though as far as sensorites go,he was an exception).The first elder even notes that sensorites have much to learn from humans.

* WeaksauceWeakness: The Sensorites are terrified of the dark (Due to there eyes working like the OPPOSITE of a cat's eyes). and physically pained by raised human voices.

* WaterSourceTampering: The Sensorites are being affected by a disease that the good guys later trace to [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters a human expedition poisoning their water supply.]]

* HumansAreTheRealMonsters

Going back into the sewers with Ian, the Doctor eventually discovers the deranged survivors of a previous Earth expedition, who have been poisoning the water supply, believing that they're at war with the Sensorites. The ''ApocalypseNow'' enactment group is swiftly arrested, the Doctor whips up a cure and all is well. The humans of the spaceship decide to head home -- and when Ian comments that they at least can ''steer'' their ship, the Doctor throws a bit of a hissy fit and tells Ian that he and Barbara will be unceremoniously dropped off at the next destination for insulting his piloting skills.

-->'''Doctor:''' I learned not to meddle in other people's affairs years ago... There's not an ounce of curiosity in me, my dear boy. Tell me, why are you in danger?

* DittoAliens: Bizarrely, invoked by the Sensorites on ''themselves''. They themselves cannot effectively tell the differences between each other, and relies on sashes and other decorative garb to identify important individuals. It allows the City Administrator to steal the Second Elder's identity after killing him.

* GenreSavvy: Ian ''very'' briefly is this when he says he doesn't like splitting up because it always leads to trouble. But, he very quickly changes his mind