The Sarah Jane Adventures

[kirk55555]

There hasn't been a topic about the show in two years, and I didn't want to bump it (and there was no thread that seemed to fit with discussing it), so I figured I'd start a new topic. I've never seen this show before, but Season 5 was very cheap on Amazon, so I picked it up. I watched episode 1 (Sky Part 1) yesterday. As the first SJA episode I've seen (although I've seen the clip of SJ and Joe meeting Matt Smith, and I saw the cameo [s?] that the SJA cast had on Doctor Who). It was ok. Nothing spectacular, but the characters weren't bad and its writing is ironically much more mature (meaning written well/writing quality, not mature as in "mature content" obviously) then Torchwood ever was. One episode in, and even being an average episode makes it the best Doctor Who spin off.

I liked Sarah of course, and the kids were pretty good, too, which is weird because Doctor Who has almost never had a tolerable kid actor, and in NuWho they're usually especially terrible. I didn't find the plot with the baby too interesting, which is why I called the episode average, but I still like the show overall. It seems like something that will be a fun watch.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

You really should try to watch from the beginning. While it doesn't have a long-term arc by any means, it does have a lot of great character growth. All of the child characters are both likeable and engaging, except Kelsey, who appeared only in the first story and even the creators knew she was bad and quickly replaced her with Clyde, a far better character.

I often felt while watching the series that it captured the spirit of classic Doctor Who better than the current run of Doctor Who (at the time, Davies' run, but I think it still applies against Moffat's). Perhaps part of it was having Sarah Jane front and center with the occasional appearance from K-9 and The Doctor (as well as Jo and the Brigadier), but there's an also adventurous feel to the stories that are often lacking in modern Doctor Who.

 

[Pauln6]

Because it's a children's show, I can forgive its more childish aspects a lot more easily than I can the silliness of modern Who. Plus Sarah was always my favourite. I have still not seen the final story though. It's not deep, it has an annoying habit of repeating its themes with the subtlety of a brick, but overall it is very good fun.

 

[diankra]

Back in maybe 2007 I mentioned to Lis Sladen that the general fan verdict was "SJA, made by adults for 12 year olds. Torchwood, made for adults by 12 year-olds." She giggled... a lot.

 

[Starkers]

Back in maybe 2007 I mentioned to Lis Sladen that the general fan verdict was "SJA, made by adults for 12 year olds. Torchwood, made for adults by 12 year-olds." She giggled... a lot.

I believe you got that quote from me, more specifically I'd quoted my friend Gordon. Sadly Gordon, like Lis, is no longer with us but it's nice to be reminded of the time he made her giggle by proxy.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Back in maybe 2007 I mentioned to Lis Sladen that the general fan verdict was "SJA, made by adults for 12 year olds. Torchwood, made for adults by 12 year-olds." She giggled... a lot.

I believe you got that quote from me, more specifically I'd quoted my friend Gordon. Sadly Gordon, like Lis, is no longer with us but it's nice to be reminded of the time he made her giggle by proxy.

Thanks to you (and Gordon), I've always found myself thinking the same.

I'm sorry your friend passed away, Starkers.

 

[The Wormhole]

SJA is definitely worth the plunge. I actually never watched it while it was on the air, I was hesitant to check out what was being promoted as a show for young children. Though I did watch the episodes Tennant and Smith were in, and enjoyed them, I didn't actually sit down and watch SJA properly until about two years ago. And damn, the show blew me away, and in many ways I think a lot of adult shows could takes some lessons from this show.

I often felt while watching the series that it captured the spirit of classic Doctor Who better than the current run of Doctor Who (at the time, Davies' run, but I think it still applies against Moffat's).

My uncle, a massive DW fan and the one responsible for introducing me to the franchise, is of the opinion that SJA's smaller budget is what makes it feel more like classic Who in a way neither RTD or Moffat could make it. Perhaps oversimplifying the matter, but I can kind of see what he means.

 

[kirk55555]

Just finished the second episode. Overall, the story was ok. It wasn't the most original or riveting, but the characters kept it going and even the new girl wasn't annoying.

 

[Csalem]

Death of the Doctor is a great episode where Sarah Jane and Jo meet the Doctor. The Green Death DVD includes it as an extra with a commentary by RTD and Kate Manning.
I prefer that episode over David Tennant's one as I think he gets a bit too over the top in it. He could have dialled his performance down one notch.
Overall though it is a great series and am glad Lis Sladen was given the opportunity to do it so many years after finishing on Doctor Who.

 

[Starkers]

Thanks to you (and Gordon), I've always found myself thinking the same.

I'm sorry your friend passed away, Starkers.

Thank you.

There is definitely more of a classic Who feel to SJA, I really should get it on DVD.

And I'd still have loved to have seen Rani and Clyde and companions

 

[stardream]

I watched it up until the Matt Smith episode. It was so nice seeing her there with Jo and all the flashbacks...I just stopped there. It just seemed like a nice way to end it.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

You should finish the series. It ends on a nice and optimistic note despite the sudden passing of Lis Sladen.

 

[TommyR01D]

It was a bit odd that Series 4 ended with a message about how Sarah Jane was integral to the adventure and the show couldn't go on with somebody else... then before Series 5 finished Sladen died and they cancelled the show.

 

[diankra]

The behind-the-scenes timing is that the series had been renewed for two more seasons, so half of season five was shot at the end of season four, the plan being that they'd then make season six back-to-back with the rest of season five, perhaps phasing out Clyde and Rani in favour of a new set-up if the actors got work elsewhere and were only available for guest spots. So they were vaguely planning ahead for SJA mk2, with Lis and a new supporting cast.

 

[Mr Soak]

Ace had been pencilled in for an appearance in series 5 or 6. SJA had been doing a rough trip through the decades with the Brigadier (60s) and Jo (70s). Ace would have ticked the 80s box.

 

[Pindar]

Ace had been pencilled in for an appearance in series 5 or 6. SJA had been doing a rough trip through the decades with the Brigadier (60s) and Jo (70s). Ace would have ticked the 80s box.

What might have been. This was a great a series, must do a rewatch.

 

[JRoss]

Really, watch from the beginning. First story is weak, mainly because of Kelsey. The show really hits its stride once Rani shows up. Clyde is the best of the kids, but before Rani the focus is often on Luke and Maria. Once Maria leaves (her actor needed to focus on school) the focus becomes more on Clyde and Rani, rather than on Luke.

Oh, this show loved introducing us to these little mysteries and leaving us hanging. In a good way, since there was never an implication or expectation that the mysteries would be solved. Who was the old woman's husband, the one who took her trekking to the sphinx and the Sontarans? What's up with the Shopkeeper and the Captain?

Then there were the nods to the original show. At the end of "Death of the Doctor" there's this bit where Sara Jane gets the audience up to speed on what's happening in the lives of all the Doctor's present-day companions from the classic show (except for Liz Shaw, who was already mentioned).