History Recap / DoctorWhoS29E742

** The Doctor finally gives Martha the MagicCellPhone upgrade and a key to the TARDIS.

The Doctor and Martha land the TARDIS aboard a spaceship, only to have the room they landed in rise to unbearable temperatures, trapping them aboard the ship, which is being pulled into a nearby sun. Martha and the Doctor have only forty-two minutes to save the ship, the crew and themselves. Meanwhile, a member of the crew has contracted a mysterious illness. His body temperature rises to an impossible height just before he opens his burning-white eyes and absolutely fries a fellow crew member to a scorch on the wall.

The Doctor dons [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E8TheImpossiblePlanet a familiar orange spacesuit]] and saves Martha's ass, but as he's clinging to the side of the spaceship he gets a very clear view of the sun -- and the sun gets a very clear view of him. Apparently the sun is alive, and it's angry. The Doctor, succumbing to the same possession by the sun that claimed the other two crew members, reveals that the only way the sun will let them go is if they return the stolen sun particles the ship has been using for fuel. Martha takes care of it and saves the day, because the Doctor's a bit preoccupied with going batshit insane.

* {{Homage}}: [[Recap/DoctorWhoS13E2PlanetOfEvil A sentient celestial body has its substance stolen for use as fuel. In revenge, it possesses the thieves, giving them Glowing Eyes Of Doom, and makes them kill others. It also starts drawing the ship towards it. The only way to avoid a collision is to jettison all the stolen material.]]
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: The Captain tries this with her (now deceased) husband. It works for a little bit -- long enough for the Captain to jettison herself and her former husband into the sun.

* ItsAllMyFault: [=McDonnell=], after running into the possessed Korwin for the last time admits that mining the sun for cheap fuel was indeed her fault, but that she honestly didn't know the sun was alive.
* JustInTime: The ship's impact with the sun is averted with two seconds left.

* LastNameBasis: [=McDonnell=] and Scannell are primarily referred to by their surnames. Their respective first names are Kath and Orin.

%%* MotorMouth: The Doctor during his explanation of happy primes.

** The Doctor's facial expression when he's staring at the sun and discovers "It's ''alive''".

* RealTime: 42 is 42 minutes long.

* SinisterSentientSun: The Sun of the Torajii system, which has a mind of its own and tries to pull a spaceship into it and destroy it. Subverted, as it doesn't try to destroy the spaceship for malicious purposes, but because its crew had stolen its core, and it wanted it back.
* TakingYouWithMe: [=McDonnell=] ended up jettisoning herself with her possessed husband.
* TemptingFate: Erina, annoyed with being the one asked to fetch tools, also asks aloud for somebody to "Kill [her] now", a request the infected Ashton is more than willing to grant.
* ThrownOutTheAirlock: At the end, [=McDonnell=] does this deliberately to herself and Korwin, apologising to Riley and Scannell over the intercom, giving a DyingDeclarationOfLove to Korwin, then embracing him before they are ejecting into space. Riley and Scannell look on in horror when they realise what [=McDonnell=] just did.

* UsedFuture: This space ship is old, failing and has to resort to an illegal method of fueling itself up.

* WhatTheHellHero: The agonised and semi-possessed Doctor gives one to [=McDonnell=] for not checking they were stealing from a life form. Martha refuses her help to treat him, snapping coldly that she's done enough.
* WritersCannotDoMath: Averted with the "What's the next number in the sequence?" puzzle -- happy primes are a thing, as mentioned in ShownTheirWork above. But also invoked, as there are simpler solutions to this puzzle (421 if the differences between the numbers go up by 18 each time and 439 if the differences double each time), and with this kind of puzzle, the right solution should always be the simplest one, or else the puzzle is no longer fair.

* WritersCannotDoMath: Averted with the "What's the next number in the sequence?" puzzle -- happy primes are a thing, as mentioned in ShownTheirWork above. But also invoked, as there are simplier solutions to this puzzle (421 if the differences between the numbers go up by 18 each time and 439 if the differences double each time), and with this kind of puzzle, the right solution should always be the simplest one, or else the puzzle is no longer fair.

* SinisterSentientSun: The Sun of the Torajii system, which has a mind of it's own and tries to pull a spaceship into it and destroy it. Subverted, as it doesn't try to destroy the spaceship for malicious purposes, but because it's crew had stolen it's core, and it wanted it back.

* {{Leitmotif}}: The aforementioned "The Master Vainglorious", which foreshadows the oncoming Saxon revelation. Also "All the Strange, Strange Creatures", the main action theme of Series 3, culminates in this episode; seeing as how it's one of the most dangerous adventures of the season. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc6GH865Ndo The synth beat and howling choir simply own the last third of the episode]].

* It'sAllMyFault: [=McDonnell=], after running into the possessed Korwin for the last time admits that mining the sun for cheap fuel was indeed her fault, but that she honestly didn't know the sun was alive.

* SinisterSentientSun: The Sun of the Torajii system, which has a mind of it's own and tries to pull a spaceship into it and destroy it. [[spoiler:Subverted, as it doesn't try to destroy the spaceship for malicious purposes, but because it's crew had stolen it's core, and it wanted it back.]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Aka. "[[Music/TheBeatles Here Comes the Sun]]"]]

The only way to save the ship is to pass through a security system, which the crew inconveniently programmed while they were drunk, and decided that it would be a good idea to make it a series of obscure trivia questions. It's like the Pub Quiz from Hell. Martha phones her mum, her own VoiceWithAnInternetConnection, and gets some answers . . . unaware that Mrs. Jones' phone is being tapped by the mysterious people from [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E6TheLazarusExperiment "The Lazarus Experiment"]], the ones with sinister music cues; they are revealed to be government agents working for Mr. Saxon.

Before Martha and the other guy make it to the finish, though, another crew member gets infected with the mysterious burning illness and corners Martha and another crew member in an escape pod. The Doctor confronts the infected crew member who passes him by and leaves the area. The Doctor rushes to the escape pod controls but it is too late, the escape pod has already been released. Martha and the crewman are falling into the sun, and the escape pod retrieval controls are on the outside of the ship . . . Fat lot of good they'll do there.

* ConvectionSchmonvection: As per [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E2TheEndOfTheWorld "The End of the World"]], the one thing that stops everyone aboard from getting fried is heat shields.

** "''Burn with me . . .''" triggers this in everyone and it's dialled UpToEleven near the end with ''"Burn with me, Martha . . ."''

The one with the living sun.

The one that has nothing to do with Douglas Adams.

* {{Leitmotif}}: The aforementioned "The Master Vainglorious", which foreshadows the oncoming Saxon revelation. Also "All the Strange, Strange Creatures", the main action theme of Series 3, culminates in this episode; seeing as how it's one of the most dangerous adventures of the season. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ejiGU_3rmc The synth beat and howling choir simply own the last third of the episode]].

* {{Leitmotif}}: The aforementioned "The Master Vainglorious", which foreshadows the oncoming Saxon revelation. Also "All the Strange, Strange Creatures", the main action beat of Series 3, culminates in this episode; seeing as how it's one of the most dangerous adventures of the season. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ejiGU_3rmc It simply owns the last fifteen minutes (thanks in no small part to the badass choir)]].

The only way to save the ship is to pass through a security system, which the crew inconveniently programmed while they were drunk, and decided that it would be a good idea to make it a series of obscure trivia questions. It's like the Pub Quiz from Hell. Martha phones her mum, her own VoiceWithAnInternetConnection, and gets some answers . . . unaware that Mrs Jones' phone is being tapped by the mysterious people from [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E6TheLazarusExperiment "The Lazarus Experiment"]], the ones with sinister music cues; they are revealed to be government agents working for Mr. Saxon.

** Mr Saxon sent people to listen to Martha's mother's phone.

The only way to save the ship is to pass through a security system, which the crew inconveniently programmed while they were drunk, and decided that it would be a good idea to make it a series of obscure trivia questions. It's like the Pub Quiz from Hell. Martha phones her mum, her own VoiceWithAnInternetConnection, and gets some answers . . . unaware that Mrs. Jones' phone is being tapped by the mysterious people from [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E6TheLazarusExperiment "The Lazarus Experiment"]], the ones with sinister music cues; they are revealed to be government agents working for Mr. Saxon.

* FantasticAesop: Remember kids, always check to make sure that the star you're using as a fuel source isn't sentient . . .

** Mr. Saxon sent people to listen to Martha's mother's phone.

** "''Burn with me . . .''" triggers this in everyone and it's dialed UpToEleven near the end with ''"Burn with me, Martha . . ."''
** The Doctor's facial expression when he's staring at the sun and discovers "It's ''alive''."

** After Martha asks the Doctor about Elvis and the Beatles, he says, "Here comes the sun" . . . which is a song by the Beatles. Suspiciously appropriate.

* UsedFuture: This space ship is old, failing, and has to resort to an illegal method of fueling itself up.
* VoiceWithAnInternetConnection: Martha calls her mother for help with the password questions.
* WhatTheHellHero: The agonised and semi possessed Doctor gives one to [=McDonnell=] for not checking they were stealing from a life form. Martha refuses her help to treat him, snapping coldly that she's done enough.

** The Doctor once again exhibits his ability to withstand extremely cold temperatures, as he tells the crew to put him in the stasis pod and set it to its lowest temperature when he's possessed by the sun, telling them he'll survive.

** The Doctor once again exhibits his ability to withstand extremely cold temperature, as he tells the crew to douse him in freezing liquid when he's possessed by the sun, telling them he'll survive.

** Also marks the first appearance of Master's {{Leitmotif}} and the drumbeat.

The only way to save the ship is to pass through a security system, which the crew inconveniently programmed while they were drunk, and decided that it would be a good idea to make it a series of obscure trivia questions. It's like the Pub Quiz from Hell. Martha phones her mum, her own VoiceWithAnInternetConnection, and gets some answers... unaware that Mrs. Jones' phone is being tapped by the mysterious people from [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E6TheLazarusExperiment "The Lazarus Experiment"]], the ones with sinister music cues; they are revealed to be government agents working for Mr. Saxon.

Before Martha and the other guy make it to the finish, though, another crew member gets infected with the mysterious burning illness and corners Martha and another crew member in an escape pod. The Doctor confronts the infected crew member who passes him by and leaves the area. The Doctor rushes to the escape pod controls but it is too late, the escape pod has already been released. Martha and the crewman are falling into the sun, and the escape pod retrieval controls are on the outside of the ship... Fat lot of good they'll do there.

** The Doctor finally gives Martha the MagicCellPhone upgrade and a key to the Tardis.

%%* EldritchAbomination: The sun itself
* FamousLastWords: "Kill me now."
* FantasticAesop: Remember kids, always check to make sure that the star you're using as a fuel source isn't sentient...

* OhCrap: "''Burn with me...''"triggers this in everyone and it's dialed UpToEleven near the end with ''"Burn with me, Martha..."''

** After Martha asks the Doctor about Elvis and the Beatles, he says, "Here comes the sun"... which is a song by the Beatles. Suspiciously appropriate.

* TemptingFate: Erina, annoyed with being the one asked to fetch tools, also asks aloud for somebody to "Kill [her] now", a request the infected crew member is more than willing to grant.

The only way to save the ship is to pass through a security system, which the crew inconveniently programmed while they were drunk, and decided that it would be a good idea to make it a series of obscure trivia questions. It's like the Pub Quiz from Hell. Martha phones her mum, her own VoiceWithAnInternetConnection, and gets some answers... unaware that Mrs Jones' phone is being tapped by the mysterious people from [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E6TheLazarusExperiment "The Lazarus Experiment"]], the ones with sinister music cues; they are revealed to be government agents working for Mr. Saxon.

** As he's being put into stasis, the Doctor tries to tell Martha [[TheNthDoctor what happens to Time Lords who are near death]], having obviously learnt from the confusion [[Recap/DoctorWho2005CSTheChristmasInvasion Rose]] (as well as [[Recap/DoctorWhoS4E3ThePowerOfTheDaleks Ben, Polly]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS7E1SpearheadFromSpace the Brigadier]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS12E1Robot Sarah]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS19E1Castrovalva Tegan, Nyssa, Adric]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS21E7TheTwinDilemma Peri]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS24E1TimeAndTheRani Mel]], and [[Recap/DoctorWhoTVMTheTVMovie Grace]]) went through way back when.

* ConvectionSchmonvection: As per "The End of the World", the one thing that stops everyone aboard from getting fried is heat shields.

** Mr Saxon sent people to listen to Martha's mother's phone.

* GeniusLoci: The Sun is ''pissed off'' about the solar scooping.

* InTheStyleOf: The entire episode is in real time, complete with a handy timer describing how much time is left until the ship crashes into the sun, just like [[Series/TwentyFour a certain suspense show that moves forward in real time and has an ever-present timer.]]
* KarmaHoudini: The team do not defeat the sun, they merely give it what it demands. True, the crew took part of its substance first, but they had no idea it was alive.

* RedemptionEqualsDeath: [=McDonnel=] atones for stealing the sun's energy by tossing herself and her infected husband into the sun.

* TakingYouWithMe: [=McDonnel=] ended up jettisoning herself with her possessed husband.

* VoiceWithAnInternetConnection: Martha calls her family for help with the password questions.
* WhatTheHellHero: The agonised and semi possessed Doctor gives one to [=McDonnel=] for not checking they were stealing from a life form. Martha refuses her help to treat him, snapping coldly that she's done enough.