A very strong story to start off the Sarah Jane Adventures last full series (although they didn't know that at the time), a really brilliant series however it doesn't quite live up to the previous one (series 3). It's also significant as it set up the departure for Luke with this basically being the entire plot. We start the story the same way the previous one finished, with a countdown and a Slitheen exploding over them covering them in some rather disgusting green gloop. This allows for a tense yet comedic opening and I love the way it starts in the middle of an adventure, it also sets up the story we would be watching with Luke telling Sarah Jane he might be going to University a year early. The plot revolves around Luke worrying about going to University which would be quite relatable to people watching such as if you were starting High School or something the people it's aimed at would be doing. This worry then causes him to have nightmares about for example Sarah Jane replacing him with another boy. This then causes the Nightmare Man to manifest it's self to make the entire population of Earth have nightmares. This story I thought was quite dark for Sarah Jane, in the nightmares we have Sarah Jane, Rani and Clyde burning his picture. The Nightmare Man himself was incredibly creepy, played by Julian Bleach who also played Davros has an excellent voice and the sort of fairground music that accompanies him is very scary. The scenes of Rani and Clydes nightmares are also quite dark yet incredibly funny. We have Rani becoming a news reader and telling the world of Sarah Jane, then we have Clyde working in a burger shop, one of the best scenes in Sarah Jane history is her coming into the burger shop in an electric scooter with a nasty voice and a little bit crazy and unhinged played excellently here by Lis Sladen, she had an incredible likeness to Catherine Tate's ' swearing Nan' Finally an excellent resolution with K9 and Mr Smith joining forces to get Rani, Clyde and Luke working together in their dreams to get them out - some excellent music and writing here. And The Nightmare Man get's trapped with Sarah jane in here electric scooter in a burger shop saying "Come and sit down! And I'll tell you all about my brilliant son! His name's Luke Smith, and he's going to live happily ever after!" Finally we end on Luke driving off, although he would return in the finale and the next series...
1 Comment
One of my favourite Sarah Jane adventures episodes. It is perfect in making you believe that this house is haunted, but not just your normal haunting, something more sinister is going on. From the monster hiding out in the grounds, to ghostly children standing in a doorway and an alien machine in the basement it has everything I think a Sarah-Jane adventures episode should be. The main villain is of course Erasmus Darkening, and with that name he has to be a villain. He is amazingly acted, and is super villain like, and a real character for you to hate. He is also very scary in the way he does things for example how he stares at you or his hand actions. Another great thing is the music and the effects, the music was just perfect for a haunted old mansion full of mystery, and the sound effects of children laughing are just freaky. There isn't really a monster in this episode apart from a creature in the grounds that follows you if you go out at night, it's glaring red eyes is all we get to see of it which makes it all the more scary. Every moment is full of tension and scariness, it's hard to put into words how much I love this episode, with everything so honestly scary. A particular scene(s) that I liked were when we see all the people Erasmus has taken on the stair well, pleading to be set free, and the scenes in the nursery and the pool room when things are being thrown at them and ghostly childish writing on the board. Finally the scene where they go to the swimming pool and see Erasmus in the mirror, and ghostly footprints. Overall a good episode that I can talk forever about, a story that I watch quite a lot and always has me creeped out better than any other doctor who or spin off stories. Finally I loved the ending when Erasmus had been taken care off, we finish on a look at one of the windows of the mansion showing the family back to together, even in death... What a marvellous way to start a marvellous series. It has just the right amount of suspense, action and aliens to scare children but also to be suitable for children. The story is fast paced and well though out. It set's the story up very quickly showing Maria moving in across the road from Sarah Jane who's life is very much and obviously influenced by the doctor. I really liked Mrs Wormwood, who was acted beautifully, you could really believe she is villain. The factory where they make bubble shock is great and a great set. My favourite moment of the episode is when one of the Bane comes into Sarah-Jane's home, it Is a great scene with great acting. The explosion is good too. The only thing I didn't really like was the Bane mother, I don't think she looked as well as she could have. Overall a great first episode which works well with a younger audience. |
About this areaThis area will be where I write reviews on Doctor Who DVD's classic and new. The area is split up into episodes of the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and new who to make it easier for me and you to see them. Enjoy! Archives
October 2015
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