The Time Warrior (1973/1974) Review

A warlord, an alien and a journalist walk into a bar...

The Time Warrior is a t'rrific callback to the Hartnell historicals and also a splendid introduction to the famous Sontarans(Sontar-ha!). Short, funny and oh yeah, Sarah Jane is leagues above her predecessor in terms of everything.

PLOT

Crashing on Earth in the 19th century, the Sontaran commander Linx establishes an alliance with the brutish thug Irongron and his cronies in an unnamed castle to repair his ship and return to the glory of war that is his destiny etc. 

His use of time travel to bring forth scientists from the 20th century, who for some reason can fix an alien craft that an alien can't attracts the attention of the Doctor, who arrives on the scene to put an end to Linx's efforts.

I just thought everything worked. The setting was atmospheric and interesting, the characters were very memorable and likable, the villains were awesome and even the special effects weren't shabby. Since it's a post-season 7 Robert Holmes script, it's also a given that it's exceptionally witty. 

CHARACTERS

The new team-up of the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane was worth the wait. Sarah's overzealous feminist attitude is presented as charming and inspiring instead of annoying(like that ultrafeminist scientist in The Time Monster and Jo in The Green Death), her naturally sweet persona also mellowing the Doctor. I mean seriously, Pertwee has never at least acted happier. These two are like bread and butter.

Whilst the heroic medieval people are a bit wet(minus sir Edward's professor McGonagall-ish wife), the villains are epic. It's great seeing Linx's and Irongron's relationship deteriorate and Bloodaxe, Irongron's "secretary" just spices things up a bit. 

My favourite of all though, was the clumsy, but endearing professor Rubeish, who would've made a unique and fun companion. Shame.

NOTES

*Why is the Doctor still hanging around UNIT? His exile is long lifted, Jo is gone, what's keeping him? Did the Brigadier promise him free jelly babies for life or something?

*Sarah Jane is absolutely gorgeous in that "tough on the outside, soft and clingy on the inside" kind of way. 

*I love that moment when both Linx and Irongron fantasize about cutting each other's head off.

*Because of technical issues, I watched the story with the awful CGI add-ons(though I rectified it somewhat later). NEVER USE CGI IN OLD DW STORIES. IT DOESN'T WORK.

*How did the Doctor not notice Sarah Jane hitching a ride in the TARDIS? I mean, he only followed less than a minute after her and by that point, I personally would still be wandering around the console room, dumbstruck.

*That robo-knight was a great LOL moment. It's like a giant Lego soldier!

*The reason why Linx wore his helmet for the first episode was really flimsy. Why would a Sontaran care if a primitive didn't find his appereance pleasing? Do Sontarans have self-image issues?

*Those cubicles looked very unprivate.

*Nice hairdo, Brigadier.

CONCLUSION

You can never have too many historicals.