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Sontaran classic moments - April 2008 |
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Patrick Mulkern looks back at the warlike aliens' appearances in Doctor Who.
"Debuting in 1970s Doctor Who, the memorably spud-headed Sontarans were the brainchild of Robert Holmes, then arguably the programme's foremost writing talent.
Holmes saw his creations as a race of warriors, obsessed with military glory, who could be cloned at a rate of one million every four minutes. Their only weak spot is a "probic vent" at the back of the neck: they must always face their enemies. As well as being perpetually at war with green blobby Rutans, the Sontarans have set their sights on Earth and Gallifrey…"
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The Time Warrior (1973-4)
After crash-landing in medieval England, Sontaran Commander Linx steals scientists from the 20th century to help repair his spaceship. The Doctor (Jon Pertwee) investigates - with Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen in her debut story) a stowaway aboard the Tardis.
Classic scene
In the episode one cliffhanger, the Doctor ducks for cover as Linx emerges into a castle courtyard. Believing he's alone, Linx removes his helmet and reveals his ghastly head for the first time. He sticks out his tongue. Gross.
(Potato variety: mouldy baked tattie)
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The Sontaran Experiment (1975)
The Doctor (Tom Baker) and his companions arrive on a barren future Earth (Dartmoor!) where a Sontaran is conducting torturous endurance tests on a group of male humans, prior to an invasion.
Classic scene
Lassoed by a robot, Sarah is hauled along to meet the villain of the piece. "Linx!" she gasps in revulsion, believing this to be the same Sontaran she met in The Time Warrior. This is Field-Major Styre, however, and he's delighted to have a "female of the species" to torture.
(Potato variety: blanched King Edward)
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The Invasion of Time (1978)
The Doctor (Tom Baker) has become President of the Time Lords in a plot to outwit the Vardans - beings that can "travel along any wavelength" and want to invade Gallifrey.
Classic scene Four episodes in, the Doctor, Leela (Louise Jameson) and their Time Lord buddies celebrate ridding the planet of Vardans, when suddenly the true force behind them is revealed. The Sontarans invade Gallifrey en masse (well, four of them do). Their leader, Stor, has an East End accent.
(Potato variety: steamed Maris Piper)
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The Two Doctors (1985)
Two Doctors, two companions, two Sontarans and two Androgums (one of them Blake's 7's Jacqueline Pearce) enjoy a convoluted runaround in space and Spain.
Classic scene This so-so Sontaran saga is chiefly memorable for uniting the sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) with the second (Patrick Troughton). And pity the two actors playing Sontarans, who had to wear padded costumes and masks while filming in sweltering Seville.
(Potato variety: microwaved Romano)
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The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky (2008)
Dr Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), now assigned to Unit, summons the Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna (Catherine Tate) back to Earth, where the Sontarans are planning a devious global assault.
Classic scene Wait and see…
(Potato variety: organic Jersey Royal)
**
Now take a look at our full Doctor Who guide.
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