Rutans vs. Sontarans: Betrayal at the House of Sontar kicks off a new range of audio dramas from Big Finish Productions and stars Jo Martin as the most dubious ideas of an incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who history. The Fugitive Doctor was introduced in the television series a couple of years ago and is apparently one of the versions of the Time Lord before the First Doctor all of the fans recognize.
John Dorney is the writer while Ken Bentley sat in the director’s seat for this one. The episode reveals the secret beginning of the unending war between the Sontarans and Rutans.
The guest cast is comprised of Abi Harris, Nigel Fairs, Jonathon Carley, and Anthony Howell.
The Doctor finds the Sontarans in their early days before they encounter the Rutans. The Doctor is apparently offering up the secrets of the Time Lords in exchange for sanctuary from her former employers known as the Division. Of course, something more dangerous is afoot, and the Doctor is at the center of what will become one of the most expansive wars in the universe.
This episode didn’t really convince me to appreciate this additional Doctor any more than I first encountered her on the television series. Martin is fine as a performer, but her version of the Doctor is not that unique or interesting compared to the other incarnations.
Actually, the story may have been more interesting without her.
There are some additional episodes with other more familiar and reliable Doctors so I will continue collecting this range. Dorney remains one of my favorite writers for this series, but Martin is going to have a tougher time earning my appreication.
