The Sarah Jane Adventures: Series 1

INVASION OF THE BANE ★★★★
What a difference 20+ years make! Back in 1981, Sarah Jane Smith starred in a pilot for Doctor Who's first spin off series, K9 and Company. Independent and self-assured, Sarah received K9 as a gift from the Doctor and foiled a plot by local cultists to sacrifice her Aunt Lavinia's ward Brendan to the pagan goddess Hecate. Despite high ratings, a full series never materialized due to a regime change within the BBC, and Sarah and K9 would only be seen together again during a brief scene in The Five Doctors. Then, the New Series came along and gave both characters an opening for the spin off they deserved. Some time after School Reunion, Sarah Jane Smith has busied herself defending the Earth from alien invaders and helping those in need. With K9 occupied sealing an artificial black hole, Sarah only has an alien supercomputer, Mr. Smith, and a few gadgets (sonic lipstick, sexist much?) to rely on. That is until Maria Jackson and her recently divorced dad move in next door. Through Maria's eyes, viewers are introduced to Sarah's dangerous world, which Sarah tries her best to keep secret from the curious teenager. Yasmin Paige makes for an instantly likeable sidekick, with Maria becoming a surrogate daughter for Sarah as Maria's own mother, Chrissy, could be described as Jackie Tyler 2.0 (only worse). Sarah also finds herself an adopted son in Luke, a human archetype created by the alien Bane. Tommy Knight plays the role beautifully, innocent and clever without being an annoying know-it-all. Another fine performance is Samantha Bond as the deliciously villainous Mrs. Wormwood, who devours every scene she's featured in. The CGI Bane creatures are amazing, particularly the Bane Mother which looks suspiciously like the Nestene Consciousness featured on the cover of the Terror of the Autons novelization. The only weak link in an otherwise hearty pilot is Maria's friend Kelsey. It's not difficult to understand why the character would be dropped once the series proper started. Although it is a bit odd Kelsey's absence isn't mentioned. One can imagine that Kelsey—unable to keep a secret—freaked her parents out with stories of aliens and the family promptly moved.

REVENGE OF THE SLITHEEN ★★
After a strong pilot, the series decided to wander into juvenile territory with a workmanlike script that pales in comparison to those around it. The Slitheen make an unwelcome return, armed with even more fart "jokes" than ever before. And every one of the actors portraying the baddies give other-the-top performances as if they know they're acting in a show aimed at a younger audience. It makes for uncomfortable viewing to say the least, especially when Elisabeth Sladen—looking more gorgeous than ever—is taking things seriously and acting her socks off trying to make the ridiculous Slitheen a potent threat. In Kelsey's place, we're introduced to Clyde Langer who starts out as something of a Mickey Smith clone but would vastly improve as the series progressed. My favorite moment of the story: Maria pointing out to Luke that Sarah Jane wants him to call her "Mum" even though she said she didn't want him to.

EYE OF THE GORGON ★★★★
Now we're back on track! Creepy nuns and a mythological monster? Oh, yes! Both Maria and Luke are experiencing growing pains. Maria's dealing with her parents' divorce, and I have to praise the writing because it depicts the pain a child goes through realistically without overpowering the main story. New Who, take note: This is how you handle family drama. Luke's still learning about the world around him, which makes him the most vulnerable member of Sarah Jane's Scooby gang. Sarah, meanwhile, is cool and confident and fiercely protective. I love the moment when she takes one look at Maria and realizes her new friend needs to talk. Guest star Phyllida Law (who was in the running to play First Doctor companion Barbara Wright in 1963) gives a touching performance as Bea Nelson-Stanley, a resident of a retirement home stricken with Alzheimer's. There were moments when Bea's struggle to remember made me tear up a little.

WARRIORS OF KUDLAK ★★★
This story wastes no time getting the action started. Sarah Jane is already investigating the disappearance of children who have one thing in common: The kids vanished during a freak storm while playing a seemingly innocent game of laser tag. We're introduced to an interesting new alien race—the Uvodni—represented by General Kudlak, sporting a superb insect like design. Although the story focuses on Luke's efforts to fit in, it's a fantastic showcase for Sarah Jane, who builds a device for detecting alien involvement the Doctor would be proud of, is unfazed when held at gunpoint, and kicks ass thanks to the UNIT training she'll never forget. One of my least favorite clichés is on display here: Villains endlessly talking when they have the chance to kill someone. And the least said about the cringeworthy kids-trying-to-be-cool acting the better. Although the narrative gets a little preachy with its anti-war message, the twist at the end makes me forgive it. And a bonus point for the Star Wars references. Warriors of Kudlak closely mirrors the Ninth Doctor novel Winner Takes All. I wonder if inspiration was drawn from there? They are very similar.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SARAH JANE? ★★★★★
Astonishing! I truly cannot praise this story highly enough. A wonderful script by Gareth Roberts, stellar direction by Graeme Harper, and a brilliant cast combine to make this two-parter something extra special. Guest star Jane Asher gives a powerful performance as Andrea, a friend of Sarah Jane's who died at the age of 13, and has made a Faustian deal with the sinister Trickster in order to live while Sarah dies. The spotlight also shines on Yasmin Paige, with Maria the only one who remembers Sarah Jane and who will stop at nothing to bring her back. The Trickster makes for a fantastic new villain, but let's be honest... He's the Black Guardian from the Classic Series in all but name. The Trickster even uses the same lines and modus operandi! One little nitpick: The idea Sarah Jane was the only person on Earth who could stop an incoming meteor. I can't imagine Torchwood or UNIT—with all their purloined alien technology—would be resting on their laurels with the Earth about to be destroyed.

THE LOST BOY ★★★★
The first series closes as it opened, with the Slitheen plotting revenge. Arguably, this is the best use of the creatures since they first appeared in the New Series. Part One makes for difficult viewing with Sarah Jane put through so much grief. Elisabeth Sladen could rip your heart out with just one sad glance. The twist of Mr. Smith turning to the darkside is well done, even if the Xylok's plan is a little overcomplicated. Kudos for giving Maria's dad Alan something more substantial to do, and I'm awarding an extra point for the punch-the-air-and-cheer moment of K9 appearing and blasting Mr. Smith. Another favorite moment: Sarah Jane breaking into the Pharos Institute, which turns into quite a spectacular action sequence. Overall, the freshman run of The Sarah Jane Adventures is a rousing success. For a show whose primary audience are kids, there's plenty for the grown-ups to enjoy. And that's the best kind of series. One that's smart, engaging, and welcoming to all.