The Sontaran Ordeal

"One Sontaran... on his own."

Writer: Andrew Smith
Format: Audio
Released: 22nd July 2016
Series: Classic Doctors, New Monsters 1.04

Featuring: Eighth Doctor

Synopsis

An instant of the Time War brings centuries of conflict to the planet Drakkis, and the Eighth Doctor is there to witness the terrible results.

A Sontaran fleet, desperate to join the epic conflict, follows in its wake to take advantage of the fallout. But when Commander Jask is beamed down to the ravaged surface, there is more to his arrival than first appears.

Soon, an unlikely champion forces with the Time Lord to fight for the future of her world, and together they must face the Sontaran Ordeal...

Verdict

The Sontaran Ordeal was an excellent audio adventure that brought an end to what has been a wonderful Classic Doctors, New Monsters boxset! We've seen the Weeping Angels, Judoon and Sycorax all return alongside unfamiliar Doctors in eras that we would not usually expect them to find and as well as just being a bit of a culture shock, the stories have actually been of a very high standard which just makes things even greater. Now in terms of the name of this boxset, I feel like this audio has cheated quite a bit really by featuring the Sontarans. Yes, I know it's the modern show's version that is depicted here but despite the Eighth Doctor appearing, the Time War setting is something I would absolutely not associate with the Classic era of Doctor Who. It now kind of bridges the years between The Movie and Rose but I must admit that I will be hoping for a wholly new monster for the Eighth Doctor's story in next year's boxset, rather than just the modern take on an old villain. That being said, the story itself was actually brilliant and I enjoyed hearing the Eighth Doctor demonstrating his desire not to compete on either side of the Time War. As far as I am aware, this is the first story other than The Night of the Doctor to depict the eighth incarnation of our heroic Time Lord in the Time War and I do think it's about time we got something of the sort. It's such a wide event and from the Eighth Doctor's regeneration story we know that a lot went on before the Doctor gave up his name in his ninth incarnation and went to war. I thought it was very good that we saw directly the effects the Time War had on planets when it was fought in real time. Drakkis had its whole history rewritten from a planet of peace to one of constant war. Sarana was a fantastic little character and I didn't envy her position of being caught between a Time Lord and a Sontaran. Jask was a brilliant villain although he didn't quite turn out to be the enemy by the end of the story which was a really nice move. The Doctor's initial surprise at seeing Jask, stripped off all armour and weaponry, was good and his early scepticism was great. Sarana soon learned all about the Time Lords from the Sontaran though and that would provide quite a powerfully emotional scene at the conclusion of this story. The Doctor, Sarana and Jask working together was really interesting and it was actually quite shocking to see that trust was put into a Sontaran. The truth about Jask and his ordeal was very interesting and I loved the story behind it. General Stenk was seemingly a unique Sontaran as he sought after personal glory. He saw some of his squadron die a needless death and that was a great crime amongst the clone species. His report had actually gotten him eradicated and officially left to die. The trick between the trio back on the Sontaran ship to rekindle the name of Jask was superb and they even faked the Doctor's death! As far as the Sontarans were concerned, a troublesome foe of their past was dead and the General was horrified it had been broadcast! Stenk Sion had the truth about him revealed with his punishment ironically set to be ordeal. Jask had his honour restored which was good but just like in The Eternity Cage, the Time War remained free of Sontarans. The end scene with the Doctor and Sarana was quite sad as she saw what the Time War did and wanted no part with him or his people. Overall though, a brilliant story to conclude the boxset!

Rating: 9/10