TV Retrospective - The Sarah Jane Adventures series 2 part 3 - The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith/Enemy of the Bane

We continue our look at the second series of the Sarah Jane Adventures with the final episodes of series 2

The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith part 1

In a creepy, not auton-filled warehouse a portal opens and a boy walks through. Sarah Jane and crew are already there and quickly after him. Sarah Jane and Luke stop near the time ‘fissure,’ Clyde and Rani successfully grab the kid. The kid won’t go through on his own so Sarah Jane helps him, she looks back and sees the village is called Foxgrove, in July 1951, which has Sarah Jane spooked. She heads back to the present but the kid, as it turns out, was working with the Trickster. If there’s any fault in this episode, I think the Trickster’s hand should’ve been revealed later, and yes, that means he should've been left out the next time tease from the last episode.

Sarah Jane closes the portal and they head home, but Sarah Jane is noticeably distracted. It’s up to Luke to find out why. Even Mr Smith notices as he exposits about the village. It was built on the ruins of an old Abbey and was demolished to make way for an A-road. The Abbey bit is kind of a plot point. Sarah Jane brings out a picture of her parents, she tries to deny the temptation as Luke comes in.

Luke finds the picture, of her parents, who died when she was a baby. She was abandoned by the side of the road as her parents drove into the side of a broken-down tractor. That sounds incredibly contrived, no doubt it’ll be another plot point. Luke helps the temptation but Sarah Jane remarks that it does seem a bit convenient, it could be a trap. Again, this would’ve been better if we didn’t know that it was.

Anyway, Sarah Jane decides when she thinks Luke is asleep to go anyway. She dresses up in the period fashion but Luke was awake and wants to come with her. He mocks her style. They head to the portal, rationalising it by saying she can find out who set the trap. She leaves Luke behind but the portal starts closing and he jumps through after her. More of the Trickster being behind everything is shown. Seriously, with the Trickster, less can be more.

The next morning, Clyde comes around and they’re not in. Worried, he alerts Rani and they both break in, again. Sarah Jane really needs to change her locks. Mr Smith suggests that Sarah Jane may have gone back to her birth town and time, he then detects an energy pulse from the conveniently in plain view cube. Seriously, it’s not even on a shelf or anything. Clyde explains what he knows about the Trickster, which is very little since he was completely memory-less for the entire thing. They head back to the time fissure.

Sarah Jane keeps questioning herself as they enter the village fete, she can hear her mother and eventually sees her and decides to question her, which Luke in his not exactly time-appropriate clothing repeated says is a bad idea. Luke has a go at guessing the number of gobstoppers in a jar, he gets it right and throws in modern coin, also using metric in a time where imperial measurements were used.

Sarah Jane’s father arrive, having had issues parking their car. They call themselves Victoria and David Beckham because apparently, that’s supposed to be funny. Sarah Jane’s looks could easily be viewed on as suspicious. Sarah Jane volunteers to help her mother whilst Luke ends up in pursuit of the boy from the beginning. He takes a newspaper.

Sarah Jane confuses her mother suggesting that in the 50's you could adopt kids without being with someone. You know, this kind of thing comes under ‘knowing what you’re doing.’ She plans to have other kids, so Sarah Jane won’t be alone. She and Sarah Jane’s father met at a cantina and they began leaving each other notes, and still do even though they’re married. It’s stupid in a charming sort of way.

Rani and Clyde arrive but find the fissure closed, the box starts flashing red. After some talk becomes too much for Sarah Jane she decides to leave. She finds a bench, Luke arrives and shows her the paper, it’s today that they die, the kid was lying. Sarah sees the car which Eddie had said he’d parked by the monument. Sarah Jane, in a moment of weakness, disables the car with her sonic lipstick. They head to the fissure and find the chapel cracks. Thunder claps but there are no clouds

It's revealed to Clyde and Rani that the kid is in fact the Graske. They run and hide as they feel time begin to shift. Sarah Jane and Luke head through the fissure and find London in ruins. Clyde and Rani are now in the ruined world. Sarah Jane finds himself face to face with the Trickster. He has the power to walk the world now.

This is a strong episode but it would’ve been stronger still if they weren’t as blatant. I realise it’s a kids’ show but sometimes there’s a need to keep things a surprise.

Rating 8/10

The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith part 2

The Trickster reveals that Foxgrove is on time version of a fault-line and Sarah Jane changing the past smashes through it and allowed the Trickster to ascend through the Abbey. Sarah Jane vows to change the past and for some reason the Trickster allows her to.

Sarah Jane arrives in the past with Luke but is reluctant to just fix the car and order her parents to their deaths. The storm and the thunder means that the Trickster is already coming through. With the storm, the fete is moved into the village hall.

Clyde and Rani spot the Graske and decide to chase after him. Sarah Jane and Luke talk about fixing the problem with Sarah Jane wanting the help of the Doctor. And you know damn well what he’d do, you’re already doing it. The spot a police box that looks like the TARDIS but it’s actually a police box, despite the fact most police boxes don’t look much like the TARDIS. Since when do policeman actually stay in them?

Rani spots her mother as a slave to the Graske, unable to help herself she goes after her, unable to comprehend the idea that her mother wouldn’t recognise her. You’re an idiot, Rani. Anyway, Gita explains that there’s a legend that Sarah Jane was tricked by the Trickster, her changing the past left a hole in the world. The Trickster rose through the Abbott’s gateway.

Time for the awkward bit of time-travel novices where someone asks if they’ve seen anything strange and they just get awkward looks. Sarah Jane’s mother goes to help, much to the chargin’ of her husband. It’s revealed the human slaves are mining minerals to give the Trickster the power to leave Earth. I’m pretty sure he draws strength from chaos.

Rani and Clyde confront the Graske, who reveals that he became an agent of the Trickster after his life was saved from the events of the computer game. He wants freedom and the box can do that, they offer him the box if he agrees to open the fissure, he does so but demands Clyde stay to ensure he gets the box. Rani kisses Clyde on the cheek and heads off through the fissure.

Sarah Jane, Luke and Barbara (Sarah’s mother) arrive at the chapel, Sarah Jane has detected something with the watch which now must look suspect to her mother. Insert character bit here and… Rani enters the village hall and Is met by odd looks, being not white would do that to you. Idiotically she asks for Sarah Jane Smith, not guessing that she would use a code name in the town where she’s a baby. Maybe I’m being harsh, it’s Rani’s first experience of Time Travel. With the village people being no help whatsoever, Rani heads off with Eddie (Sarah Jane’s father) in pursuit.

Rani meets up with Sarah Jane and she calls her by her real name again. You know, I doubt she’s the only person in the universe called Sarah Jane. The Trickster begins to manifest. Eddie pulls Barbara away from the chapel, back at the village hall they realise anything they touch dies. Sarah Jane tries to use her sonic to try and send him back but fails. Luke reminds her there’s really only one way to stop him.

Sarah Jane begrudgingly repairs the car but she won’t send their parents to their deaths. But Barbara and Eddie have figured it out (well, Barbara did) and do it on their own. They give the baby to Sarah Jane, and they give some parting wisdom before parting ways, with the inevitable crash now inevitable. The filter begins to change and the Trickster loses his power. They say goodbye to the baby and head back as Clyde delivers the box to the Graske. She closes the fissure and destroys the device to ensure she can’t re-open it. Rani faces the ‘scorn’ of her parents but is too happy to see them alive to care.

It’s a good episode but I’m a little on the fence of calling it great. The problem with the Trickster is you don’t feel him as a physical presence, something this episode in particular relied on him being. He’s a great psychological menace and there’s no denying it but with this episode, he needed to be more and it didn’t quite get there.

Rating 7.5/10

Enemy of the Bane part 1

Gee, I wonder who Sarah Jane’s up against this time, some new foe, perhaps? I jest.

The episode opens at the flower shop Gita works t. She’s been asked to work late for a client whose previous florist hadn’t worked out. Someone arrives at the door, it’s the client, who offers a substantial amount of money. Turns out it’s Mrs Wormwood, ready for one more round with our heroes. How does she know Gita has ties to Sarah Jane anyway? She was not living in Ealing when her first invasion plans failed. Gita is knocked out by Wormwood’s ring.

In Bannerman road, Luke is having a nightmare. Rule of thumb, that’s always a bad thing, this nightmare is about Mrs Wormwood. Luke doesn’t normally dream, there’s a frantic knock at the door, Gita’s gone missing. Sarah Jane promises to do what she can, she breaks into the flower shop and Luke discovers the check. You know, she probably isn’t the only Mrs Wormwood that exists, just sayin’.

Sarah Jane suspects the cheque may harbour a clue and she’s correct, the account number and sort code are a code to an address. Sarah Jane asks Luke and Clyde to stay behind as Rani insists on coming with her.

Sarah Jane gives Rani a recap of the opening as they head into the unlocked building. They find Gita, entranced but very much alive. Mrs Wormwood reveals she’s been watching and knows about Rani, hence finding Gita so easily. She wants Sarah Jane’s help and knew knocking on her front Door was hardly an option. She claims to have no interest in Luke, something which we’ll see plenty of evidence to the contrary as this episode goes on. They’re soon surrounded by Bane, wanting Mrs Wormwood. She stuns them with her ring and they make their escape. Sarah Jane is grabbed and Mrs Wormwood comes in to save her.

They head back home and Gita is awakened. They head into the attic and awaken Mr Smith. Sarah Jane tells Mr Smith to put Mrs Wormwood in a containment vortex should she cause trouble. Mrs Wormwood explains that the Bane have the consciousness of a god-like being known as Horath, who conquered a large portion of the Galaxy before he was stopped. His body is on Earth. Mr Smith says the Tunguska Scroll tells the story of Horath and his final resting place. It’s kept in UNIT’s Black Archive because… because… hey look, a kitten!

Mrs Wormwood is contained and Sarah Jane is anxious about involving UNIT without them becoming suspicious of Luke. She and Rani head to see a friend. It’s time!

It’s Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge Stewart! Aka the Brigadier. Nicholas Courtney’s only appearance in Doctor Who related material in the modern era before he sadly passed away. He mocks the current UNIT structure; especially given the Bane Agent he’s talking to. Sarah Jane interrupts and it’s a glorious reunion. The Bane Agent is named Kilburn, we’ll see him later obviously.

Sarah Jane wants his help breaking into the Black Archive. Clyde tries to relate his family situation to Luke, who wants to talk to Mrs Wormwood. He eventually does so and they talk and we get a bit of a look into Luke’s psyche, it’s interesting. Rani and Sarah Jane arrive with Sir Alistair at the Black Archive, which surprisingly is not near the Tower of London, it also doesn’t have memory technology, so there’s a bit of a continuity error between this show and Doctor Who.

They enter the area; Sir Alistair goes to check the coast is clear and Kilburn is not far away. 

He claims to be writing some a memoir, now there’s no denying aliens, a thing from back in the Christmas Invasion, not that aliens have ever been subtle. Kilburn analyses his chin in the security room. Sarah Jane and Rani find the Tunguska scroll as fitting music plays but they’re caught on camera because Sarah Jane didn’t think to check.

The Bane arrive at Bannerman road for Sarah Jane. The containment vortex drained power of the ring so even released Mrs Wormwood isn’t much use. 2 Bane arrive and Luke and Clyde end up separated from Mrs Wormwood, so she can get help from Kaagh. He has the consciousness of Horath.

It’s a great start, and Kaagh’s appearance was a genuine surprise.

Rating 8.5/10

Enemy of the Bane part 2

Clyde and Luke use a hose to briefly distract the Bane but Mrs Wormwood arrives with a recharged ring to help them, giving us this season’s slime, it’s the only time of the season too. Anyway, Sarah Jane arrives with Rani and Sir Alistair. They need to move, as they were hardly stealthy and UNIT may be on their tail. They head to the flower shop to avoid detection.

Sarah Jane thanks her for saving Luke and Clyde but is immediately suspicious of her now powered ring. Kaagh arrives and destroys her sonic lipstick. Kaagh was the Bane’s agent, went briefly after Mrs Wormwood and was driven to realise they could help each other have their revenge. They surrender the scroll, as opposed to having them all die, Luke stands his ground as Mrs Wormwood offers him a chance to join them, sparing the others. She uses the ring to knock them out.

Gita is knocking on Sarah’s door for some reason but instead comes across Major Kilburn, who for some reason claims to be Sarah’s Nephew. Luke, Kaagh and Mrs Wormwood head to random abandoned place #639 and we get more psyche conversation. They insert the consciousness of Horath into the scroll and it begins to guide them.

Sarah Jane wakes up, more determined than ever to stop them now they have Luke in their grasp. The scroll is not so much a map as a computer responding to a satellite. Horath is apparently a living computer that can command the physical laws of the universe, Mrs Wormwood promises a lot to Luke and it’s basically the Darth Vader talk. She doesn’t really think Kaagh is a suitable ruler. She gives Luke the scroll and he takes off with it. With Kaagh not caring about bringing him alive, Mrs Wormwood transforms

Kaagh captures Luke but Mrs Wormwood stops him being killed with her sonic disruptor. The scroll has established contact with Horrth’s body. Clyde goes to do recon as UNIT didn’t see him. It seems to be all clear but Clyde is missing, the house has been broken into and see Kilburn with a gun and Clyde in a headlock, Clyde is released and Kilburn regrets that move when he’s quickly disarmed. Apparently, Sir Alistair’s cane is also a gun. It’s stupid, but awesome and it’s nice for what’s really an extended cameo, that they do put him in the action, where he belongs.

Sarah Jane has some energy readings from the scroll she can use to track it. Kilburn, as I said earlier, is a Bane Agent and he transforms. They scroll is going toward Whitebarrow, home of a burial site similar to Stone Henge. Sir Alistair shoots the major and ends his cameo by saying he’ll stay at the house until the UNIT chaps take him away.

Luke, Kaagh and Mrs Wormwood arrive and find the sight surrounded by a force-field. It can keep out aliens, but since Luke is human, he can enter. He places the scroll at the heart of the circle, beginning the process of awakening Horath. Horath wasn’t buried on Earth, a portal opens to take them to where he was buried. Now that Kaagh is no longer useful, Mrs Wormwood betrays him. Sontarans are really only threatening as part of the empire, with a battle and a strategy, when he lost all of that he’s really weak.

Mrs Wormwood continues the Darth Vader talk, fortunately Sarah Jane arrives in time and Luke runs back to her. He rejects Mrs Wormwood finally and Sarah Jane goads Mrs Wormwood into revealing her true self. Kaagh asks Clyde to give him his gun, Kaagh charges Mrs Wormwood into the portal before it closes. Sarah Jane uses her spare sonic to destroy the scroll, closing the portal for good.

So, time for the closing narration again as we say Goodbye to Sir Alistair for sadly the final time. He apparently was supposed to be in episode in the next season but he sadly fell ill.

It’s a great conclusion to a good story and leaves things completely open for the next series with next to no baggage.

Rating 8.5/10

We’ll be taking a break until we're done with Doctor Who, but after that we’ll be back to look at the third season.