In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: Sontarans vs Rutans: The Children of the Future

Synopsis: The war between the Sontarans and the Rutans has been going on for millennia. It’s a terrible conflict with no care for consequences or collateral damage. Billions have died with no end in sight.

The Brigadier is used to the Doctor acting strangely. However, this time there’s something decidedly different about the whole affair. 

He looks into the Time Lord’s odd activities outside of UNIT. There’s a mystery that’ll take Lethbridge-Stewart to a site very familiar to Sarah Jane Smith.

Can the Brigadier trust his old friend? Who are his mysterious new allies? A Sontaran threat could spell the end of their long-standing friendship and the entire planet!

Review: Doctor Who: Sontarans vs Rutans: The Children of the Future is an excellent mystery. Moreover, it’s a heartwarming showcase for the friendships of the Pertwee era.

Story

Before discussing character dynamics, though, I need to touch on callbacks. Doctor Who: Sontarans vs Rutans: The Children of the Future is a direct sequel to “The Time Warrior.”

Indeed, the location is the same. Furthermore, the location is named for an actor in the original story.

Additionally, Sarah Jane has reason to question the Doctor’s allegiances, as she did when they first met. The story diverges through the Brigadier’s role.

Writer Tim Foley clearly loves the relationship between the Doctor and the Brigadier. All the layers and nuances are there.

I also appreciate the dynamic Foley wrote between the Brigadier and Stanley. Their interactions were a lovely counterpoint to his friendship with the Doctor.

Foley had a difficult task with this story. He had to balance the need for mystery with the need for internal logic that would telegraph the solutions to the mystery. Personally, I thought he found the right blend, but mileage will vary.

Acting

The entire cast is perfection. That said, I must single out Jon Culshaw. His performance as the Brigadier remains preternaturally accurate.

Overall

Thanks, Big Finish. Doctor Who: Sontarans vs Rutans: The Children of the Future is an all-around entertaining installment. I’m looking forward to the third chapter next month. 

You can purchase Doctor Who: Sontarans vs Rutans: The Children of the Future here.