The Sarah Jane Adventures

[Just Jeans]

Outpost Gallifrey is reporting that The Sarah Jane Adventures will begin in the Autumn.

The BBC has confirmed that spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures will be broadcast this autumn.

A press office story about the rebranding of CBBC says that the show will be part of the autumn season.

A precise date for when The Sarah Jane Adventures will start is yet to be given. The series will comprise five two-part stories.

The new look for CBBC, designed to attract a wider audience of children aged six to 12, will be unveiled at the end of the summer.

[sickboy]

urgh... the pilot was bad enough!

[DrLar]

urgh... the pilot was bad enough!

I have to sadly agree with you, I was bored senseless with this series, sorry , but it's not Doctor Who or not even close to Torchwood.

[Just Jeans]

...sorry, but it's not Doctor Who...

That's sort of the point, D. ;)

I liked Invasion of the Bane. Very intelligent for a children's show -- and we're talking a show designed specifically for children, not for a family audience like the parent show -- and I'm expecting the series itself will improve on some of the problems that were there in the one-off (like the character Kelsey Harper being written out; she was all sorts of useless, I'm glad she's not in the series proper).

I'm looking forward to seeing how the Slitheen will be implemented. That's probably my most anticipated story.

Shockingly enough, I expected my brother to dislike the one-off, but he really liked it. He's eager to see the series proper. :eek:

[DrLar]

Maybe the "children's touch" did it for me... don't really like children's shows much, maybe if I was a child... LOL

But hopefully it will get better... I'll keep an eye on it anyway..

[Just Jeans]

The show has now officially finished filming.

I'm hearing rumblings that not only can we expect to see the Slitheen back in The Sarah Jane Adventures, but that Sutekh the Destroyer will also appear as one of the Big Bads that Sarah will have to face. :eek:

[Alex DeLarge]

Here's the episode guide (each one 2 eps long), courtsey of DWM...

1: Title TBC
Written by Gareth Roberts
Directed by Alice Troughton

2: Eye of the Gorgon
Written by Phil Ford
Directed by Alice Troughton

3: Warriors of the Kudlax
Written by Phil Gladwin
Directed by Charles Martin

4: Whatever Happened To Sarah Jane?
Written by Gareth Roberts
Directed by Graeme Harper

5: The Lost Boy
Written by Phil Ford
Directed by Charles Martin

No RTD! NOOOOOOOOOOOO! :cry:

Besides Slitheen and Sutekh (good thing Pyramid of Mars is next on my Blockbuster Queue:p), there's also some rumblings about a fricking dragon! Awesome! Also, Eye of the Gorgon? Weeping Angels perhaps?!:eek: Maybe for episode 4. It's supposed to be darker than the rest and scary to the kids. And we know how much those statues scare the living bats off kiddies! Still, Slitheen, Sutekh, Weeping Angels and a dragon would be an awesome villain line-up.

[Just Jeans]

I'm not fussed about the lack of RTD. Gareth Roberts is a good writer, and I trust him as head writer. :D

I'm still reeling over the news about Sutekh. I've owned The Pyramids of Mars for a long time. It was the first Tom Baker story that I purchased on DVD, and I really liked it. I'd been wanting Sutekh to return in Doctor Who, but I'll take him anywhere I can get him.

I just can't imagine how Sarah Jane will handle him on her own. He was a pretty admirable foe.

[Alex DeLarge]

Maybe that'll be the idea. Finally time for Sarah Jane to all by herself stop a HUGE threat, not just the average invading human shapeshifters...

[Just Jeans]

I've been worried that they'll have to tone him down for Sarah Jane. After all, he tore through some folk during his first appearance, and I can't imagine people being killed left, right and center in this show (it is aimed at a slightly younger core audience than Doctor Who).

I don't want to get too deep with it until you've seen Pyramids of Mars, but suffice to say, I think Sarah Jane is in for a hard time.

I wonder which story he's going to appear in?

[Alex DeLarge]

Well, the fourth story (episodes 7 and 8, "Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?") is supposed to be a LOT darker so I suspect that would fit in with Sutekh and it goes into Sarah Jane's past too (as the title hints) so that would also feature Sutekh. My guess, if he does appear, is "Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?" by Gareth Roberts, directed by Graeme Harper (!).

[Just Jeans]

I'm not sure how that'd work. It'd be a bit of a massive retcon. Sarah Jane would remember Sutekh during Pyramid of Mars if she'd met him as a child, surely?

[Alex DeLarge]

Perhaps. We really have no way of knowing how it will turn out or if Sutekh will even appear! We'll have to wait and see...

[FinalBeyond]

If Sutekh is in it... I will explode with glee.

[Just Jeans]

The BBC press office has released a report that says the show is meant to begin at the end of September. It also reveals the name of the first episode, and includes a picture. Revenge of the Slitheen is a pretty unsubtle title. Also, they've given the Slitheen jagged little teeth. :eek:

Anyhow, here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/09_september/06/sarah.shtml) is the release:


The new series The Sarah Jane Adventures sees the return of some familiar alien enemies from Doctor Who as the Slitheen are back and out for revenge.

Coming to CBBC on BBC One and CBBC at the end of September 2007, The Sarah Jane Adventures stars one of Doctor Who's most famous former companions – investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith.

The series is from the same people behind Doctor Who including multi-award winning writer Russell T Davies.

Having travelled the universe with The Doctor, Sarah Jane is used to dealing with alien encounters.

But when her young friends Maria, Luke and Clyde join her they soon become embroiled in a mysterious world of chases, danger, and monsters from outer space, discovering that life on Earth can be an adventure too.

In Revenge Of The Slitheen, the first two-part story from the new series, Maria, Luke and Clyde realise that all is not as it seems on their first day at their new school.

The food keeps going off, there's a funny smell and the new technology block is hiding some dark secrets. They soon find out that the Slitheen have disguised themselves as teachers as part of their deadly plan which threatens the future of Earth.

Will Sarah Jane and the gang be able to stop them all before it's too late?

Executive Producer Russell T Davies says: "This is a wonderful opportunity, to use all our Doctor Who resources here in Cardiff for the making of a brand new drama for CBBC.

"We hope brand new viewers join us for ten full-blooded episodes of excitement and danger, headlined by a truly excellent cast."

Sarah Jane Smith is played by Elisabeth Sladen who also starred as Sarah Jane in the Seventies Doctor Who series as a companion to the third and fourth Doctors.

Maria Jackson, Sarah Jane's neighbour and sidekick, is played by Yasmin Paige. Luke Smith, Sarah Jane's adopted son who was created by aliens, is played by Thomas Knight, and Daniel Anthony plays the streetwise Clyde.

Elisabeth Sladen says: "It's great to be back enjoying Sarah Jane with some fantastic new adventures. There's still so much more to find out about her after all these years.

"I hope that viewers have as much fun watching the series as I did making it."

The new ten-part series of The Sarah Jane Adventures features five stories each told over two episodes.

Guest stars in future episodes include Jane Asher, Phyllida Law and Floella Benjamin.

Revenge Of The Slitheen is written by Gareth Roberts who also writes for Doctor Who. The Executive Producers are Russell T Davies, Julie Gardnerand Phil Collinson. The series producer is Matthew Bouch.

The series follows a special episode Invasion Of The Bane broadcast at New Year.

The Sarah Jane Adventures is part of the new-look CBBC which launched on 3 September 2007.
ADDED:
Three new publicity pictures, two of which are images from the first two-parter... and cor blimey, it's Mini-Me, Slitheen style! :eek::

Pic 01 (http://www.drwho-online.co.uk/news/sja-1-1-1.jpg)
Pic 02 (http://www.drwho-online.co.uk/news/sja-1-1-2.jpg)
Pic 03 (http://www.drwho-online.co.uk/news/sja-1-1-3.jpg)

The Slitheen suits have been redesigned over all. The legs are slightly different, and the feet have been redesigned. They've also added those brutal looking teeth into the mouths, which makes the Slitheen look all the more sinister. I wonder if the little Slitheen is going to end up being a fat student at Maria's school. Cor, that's just what we need -- fat kids getting picked on for being a Slitheen.

[FinalBeyond]

So, SJA. First two episodes aired, with the second one immediately after the first, but on a different channel... Thanks BBC, make it hard to record... :p

I was moderately impressed. (General info, still a bit spoilery.) The Slitheen themselves were acted in a rather over the top camp fashion which was actually rather funny, and a dig at Jamie Oliver by their leader at the start made me root for them immediately. :p Maria, Luke and Sarah Jane were awesome as always. Maria's mum was a bit more... abrasive, but otherwise fine. The only one who really didn't gel was Clyde. Believe it or not, he made me want to see the return of Kelsey. Abysmal. Made to look like the cool kid, always pointing out how weird Luke and Maria were, and how popular he was in comparison... yuck. Let's hope he improves, and quick.

(Bigger spoiler. Wait until you've seen before reading this, or some great moments'll be spoiled.) The conclusion was fantastic, with a bit of a moral dilemma with them trying to save the Slitheen despite everything, especially the 12 year old child. It's the kind of thing that the show should have. Also, Sarah Jane making a reference to The Brig helping out with the other Slitheen bases! Oh, I squeed at that big time.

All in all, it's pretty damn good, especially for a CBBC slot.

[Just Jeans]

I'm going to be watching them later tomorrow. I'm seeing mixed reactions over at Outpost Gallifrey, but I expected that.

[Scarecrow]

Well, Final, you could always wait until NEXT week to record part 2. :p


At any rate Part 1 was a LOT of fun and did what it said on the tin. Itw as Doctor Who without the darker or more mature elements but still with a serious side but not at the expense of the humour and fun. A brilliant, ingenius cliffhanger and fun, amausing characters. Kids will love it.

- Scarecrow

[Just Jeans]

Sarah Jane did very respectable for herself in the over-nights. The figures are bound to go up when those who recorded the show and watch it in the next seven days are factored in:

The first episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures achieved a rating of 1.3 million viewers, an 11% share of the audience.

This is much higher than CBBC programmes usually get in this slot. Last Monday, Escape from Scorpion Island, got 0.9 million.

In the children's chart, the programme was the 6th most watched of the day with an audience of 0.5 million which was a 29.8% share.

Over on CBBC the second episode was watched by 0.44 million making the programme the most watched of the day on CBBC and the 7th most watched programme on multi channel television.

[Just Jeans]

I really liked Invasion of the Bane.

Revenge of the Slitheen... well, I’m mixed, really. Over all I enjoyed it, but I think it could have been better. It was good fun, but there were a lot of things that niggled on me. The Slitheen design was good, but I didn’t find them very menacing running around chasing the humans. I think the CGI versions from series 1 of Doctor Who were more suited for chase scenes, even if they didn’t mesh very well with the costume design. Part of the reason I prefer Boom Town is because we only see the practical Slitheen, but then it doesn’t do much at all in that.

I liked the reference to the Blathereen (it’s always nice to see the books referenced) and I enjoyed the plot. It’s only a pity that the bloke playing the Headmaster was so over the top. It was like he was doing a bad impersonation of Joseph Green from Aliens of London/World War III, only amping up the camp factor to the nth degree.

I really liked the idea behind turning off the sun. Too bad it made very little sense (I admit I know very little in the way of sciences, but I do believe it’d take a very long time for the effects of the sun being switched off to actually affect the Earth. The light and warmth we get from the sun has been traveling thousands of years just to get here, after all.)

I liked that Mini Slitheen teleported out of danger at the last moment. I assume we've not seen the last of him.

On the whole, I’d rate the story a 3.5 out of 5. As I say, it was good fun, and I think that next week’s episode looks quite good.

For what it's worth, I liked Clyde. I thought he was written a bit like how I imagine a young Mickey Smith -- he's a classic insecure kid who tries to act like a cool troublemaker. I rather expect to find he's all bark and no bite down the road.

I wish they wouldn't rely so heavily on the notion that monsters in children's fantasy must be insanely over-the-top. Wormwood was intensely over-the-top, and all of the Slitheen-in-disguise were even more over-the-top when compared to the Slitheen in Doctor Who.

I'm not saying they shouldn't have over-the-top villains, I just hope there are more subtle examples of villainy to be had. I think next week looks brilliant.

And I might be alone, but I was chuffed to see Mal Loup back. Long may she remain the only American television reporter in the Whoniverse. :D

[Alex DeLarge]

"For the love of Clom!"

:D

[FinalBeyond]

I wish they wouldn't rely so heavily on the notion that monsters in children's fantasy must be insanely over-the-top. Wormwood was intensely over-the-top, and all of the Slitheen-in-disguise were even more over-the-top when compared to the Slitheen in Doctor Who.

Personally, I loved that. :p Far better than the lame-joke making or sinister-acting ones of Who. Any menace that the Slitheen had in Doctor Who was eliminated by the fart gags anyway. Why not have them act over the top?

[sickboy]

I thought the effects from the sun took less than 20 years? Still not instant though. I've not caught this yet, been waiting to see how it does with the adults.
ADDED:
Jeans- CBBC is aimed at an age-group with a max age of about 11. Most of my friends at school had stopped watching it by the age of about 9. The monsters have to be over the top because the vast majority simply wouldn't pick up on the subtle things.

A quick thought about the ratings too: considering it's a kids show, and the vast number of adult Dw fans who seem to have tuned in those viewing figures could be interpreted as pretty woeful.

[Just Jeans]

I know what CBBC is for, but Gareth Roberts has spent the majority of the run-up to the first episode assuring people that the show would be perfectly suitable for adults, and, well, I think he was laying it on a bit thick.

I don't think it was bad, mind. I did really enjoy the first story, but I think I would like the over-the-top to be not quite so over-the-top (I think it was balanced perfectly in Invasion of the Bane -- Wormwood was pretty over-the-top, but the menace still felt real.)

I actually liked most of the cast (the female Slitheen that goes after Sarah Jane is actually rather sinister looking), but I absolutely wanted to slap Mr. Blakeman. The bloke who played him, Martyn Ellis, really made my teeth grind.

[The Dark Vampire]

edit wrong thread

[Scarecrow]

Part 2 tomorrow, can't wait. I think the Slitheen worked wonderfully and can't wait to see Chibi-Slitheen in action. :p


- Scarecrow

[Spade]

Man I wish i had the channel to watch this.

[Just Jeans]

Sometimes, I hate Wikipedia. I was looking up the last episode of the series to see when it aired, and the image on the page is of Mr. Smith going evil and attacking Clyde. :misery:

I hate, hate, hate spoilers.

[Just Jeans]

According to SFX (http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=sarah_jane_the_return_again), series 2 has been commissioned, and it will be 24 episodes in length.

After Lis films her Doctor Who return in February, she'll be back filming a second season of The Sarah Jane Adventures.

“Yes, we’re doing 24 episodes," she confirms. "I think we start end of March.“

[Just Jeans]

SFX (http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=sarah_jane_the_return_again) have updated their article with the following:

UPDATED! Although this has yet to be confirmed, we hear on the grapevine that the next two series of Sarah Jane Adventures will be filmed back-to-back, so that probably means series two won’t be 24 episodes, but that we'll have two seasons of 12 episodes.

Apparently, the reason for this is so that the children don't age too quickly between series 2 and 3.

[Just Jeans]

Sarah Jane on SCI-FI in April (http://www.gallifreyone.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpElluyuEReLSafxq&tmpl=newsrss&style=feedstyle)

In an interview with Russell T. Davies, the Los Angeles Times mentions in passing that The Sarah Jane Adventures will be broadcast in the United States on the Sci Fi Channel beginning in April.

The article also states that Doctor Who's next season will begin on Sci Fi in April. The BBC has not announced a broadcast date for Series Four in the UK, but the program will air in Britain before any international broadcasts.

In the Los Angeles Times interview, Davies also talks about the success of Doctor Who, his attitude towards sexuality on Torchwood and past projects such as Bob and Rose.

He also notes that he deliberately keeps organized fandom at arm's length: "I think we're an unusual science-fiction franchise in taking a very big step back from fandom and having nothing to do with them. . . . Every program on the BBC has a message board on the website. I forbid it to happen on 'Doctor Who.' I'm sorry to say this, all the science fiction producers making stuff in America, they are way too engaged with their fandom. They all need to step back."

Color me stunned.

Actually, I'm not that stunned. With no new drama being produced in the states, they'll need the show. Maybe they'll pick up Primeval, too.

[Just Jeans]

Sarah Jane on SCI-FI in April is confirmed:

DOCTOR WHO SEASON FOUR AND THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES COMING TO SCI FI CHANNEL IN APRIL (http://www.nbcumv.com/scifi/release_detail.nbc/scifi-20080204000000-doctorwhoseasonfo.html)

NEW YORK - February 4, 2008 - SCI FI Channel has acquired the fourth season of People's Choice Award-nominated Doctor Who and the phenomenally popular series' new spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures from BBC Worldwide America. Both series are slated to premier on SCI FI in April 2008.

The Sarah Jane Adventures is written and produced by the same creative team behind Doctor Who, including multi-award winning writer Russell T. Davies. Having traveled the universe with The Doctor, Sarah Jane is used to alien encounters. Accompanied by her new young friends Maria, Luke and Clyde, she becomes embroiled in an offbeat world of mystery and danger.

In season four of Doctor Who, David Tennant reprises his role as the tenth Timelord. For his latest adventures he is joined by a brand new companion, Donna Noble, played by award-winning actress Catherine Tate (The Catherine Tate Show, BBC AMERICA) who appeared as 'the runaway bride' in the previous season. 'Martha Jones,' played by Freema Agyeman, the Doctor's most recent companion, who had a dramatic role last season's finale, makes a triumphant return in the middle of season four.

"We are excited to have Doctor Who back on SCI FI for its 4th season," said Chris Regina, Vice President of Programming, SCI FI Channel. "It's an exciting franchise that continues to reinvent itself for new generations of viewers. The youthful appeal of The Sarah Jane Adventures will no doubt attract even younger new viewers."

Candace Carlisle, EVP Sales and Co-productions, BBC Worldwide Americas commented, "The imagination of Russell and the rest of the production team in Cardiff who have produced these two incredible shows is outstanding. We are so pleased that the loyal fans of the SCI FI Channel will be able to meet a whole new range of characters and aliens that are intrinsically linked to the Doctor's history. Both 'Sarah Jane Adventures' and the new season of 'Doctor Who' are jam packed with some of the most creative storylines ever produced by the BBC's brilliant team."

The third season of the new Doctor Who averaged 1.3 million weekly viewers on SCI FI.

The deals were brokered by Lisa Hofer, Vice President of Co-Production & Sales, BBC Worldwide Americas. Executive Producers for The Sarah Jane Adventures are Russell T Davies, Head of Drama, BBC Wales, Julie Gardner and Phil Collinson. The series producer is Matthew Bouch. Doctor Who season four is produced by Phil Collinson; Executive Producers are Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies. Doctor Who season four is a BBC production in association with CBC.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 93 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

BBC Worldwide Americas incorporates the U.S., Canadian and Latin American arms of BBC Worldwide, a commercial and wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). With offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Sao Paulo and Miami, BBC Worldwide Americas has five core businesses: Channels, TV Sales, Content & Production, Home Entertainment and Digital Media. Profit from BBC Worldwide is returned to the BBC public service.

[Just Jeans]

This is reason enough alone to see series 2 of The Sarah Jane Adventures:

The Doctor Who News Page is delighted to be able to confirm the return of a popular and much-loved character from the classic series of Doctor Who. The character appeared in many classic series stories, and will be seen in a two-part story in the next series of spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures, starring Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith.

The returning character is Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, played by Nicholas Courtney. The character - who for much of the classic series was the commanding officer of the UK branch of UNIT, and one of the Doctor's closest allies - first appeared in 1968 opposite the Second Doctor, and went on to appear in stories with the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Seventh.

Courtney has also played the Brigadier opposite the Sixth and Eighth Doctors in officially-licensed audio dramas from Big Finish Productions.

The same Sarah Jane Adventures story will also apparently see the return of the Sontarans, seen in several classic series stories and more recently in series four of Doctor Who. Samantha Bond is also believed to be returning as Mrs Wormwood, the character she played in the pilot episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Piccy 01 (http://www.gallifreyone.com/picview.php?ret=news&sub=news&id=brig001.jpg)
Piccy 02 (http://www.gallifreyone.com/picview.php?ret=news&sub=news&id=brig002.jpg)

Not only will this particular companion be back, but they're back along with a familiar enemy: Piccy 03 (http://www.gallifreyone.com/picview.php?ret=news&sub=news&id=sont001.jpg)

Sweet!

[Scarecrow]

Can't wait for Series 2. By the end, series 1 was utterly fantastic!


- Scarecrow

[Just Jeans]

Series 1 will hit DVD (http://home.comcast.net/~smanfred/Latest.html) in the US on October 7th:

The Sarah Jane Adventures – The Complete First Season starring Elisabeth Sladen (1 60-minute episode and 10 30-minute episodes (6 stories), 4 discs, $49.98).

[Just Jeans]

Series 3 a go-go. (http://www.gallifreyone.com/news.php)

The BBC Press Office (http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/11_november/25/childrens.shtml) has released details on forthcoming children's programming from the BBC for 2009. This includes the announcement that Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures, the second series of which is currently being shown on BBC One and the CBBC Channel, will return for a third series in the autumn of 2009. The release states that the show will continue to be overseen by Russell T Davies, and that "together with her companions Rani and Clyde and her adopted son Luke, Sarah Jane once again comes face to face with a whole host of weird and wonderful alien beings."

The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/nov/25/doctor-who-sarah-jane-adventures) are among other news sources covering the story. They quote Russell T Davies as saying that it is "an honour and a delight to get a third commission".

[Just Jeans]

David Tennant will be appearing (http://www.gallifreyone.com/news.php#newsitemEkuFFuuEuAzznStGHq) in series 3 as the Tenth Doctor. This will not be a simple walk-on cameo, it will be a significant appearance.

The BBC Press Office has confirmed that David Tennant is to appear as the Tenth Doctor in the forthcoming third series of spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures, due to be shown on CBBC and BBC One this autumn. This will once again reunite the Doctor with former companion Sarah Jane Smith, played by Elisabeth Sladen.

The release also confirms that the series will again be twelve episodes long, and that it will feature an appearance from Doctor Who race the Judoon. Executive producer Russell T Davies is quoted of saying of Tennant's appearance in the programme: "Viewers thought they may have to wait until November for the next full episode of Doctor Who, but this is an extra special treat. And it's not just a cameo from David – this is a full-on appearance for The Doctor as he and Sarah Jane face their biggest threat ever."

Sladen is also quoted in the release, saying: "When I heard the news that David was going to be joining us I was absolutely over the moon. Not only has it made my day but it will also make the viewers' day."

For UK internet users, the Children's BBC website has made available a video interview with Davies where he discusses the Doctor's appearance in the series, which he says will take place across episodes five and six. The series is due to start broadcasting in September. BBC News also carries the video interview with Davies.

Not surprised by this news. With a lack of a full series of Doctor Who this year, having the Doctor turn up in Sarah Jane will keep him in people's minds (and will probably boost the show's ratings significantly for two weeks).
ADDED:
Based on some of the location filming that occurred for Doctor Who over the last three or four weeks, I'm a little baffled as to how this will factor in to Doctor Who. In the finale filming, the Doctor turns up on Sarah Jane's road, pulls Luke out of the way of a speeding car, and then leaves. What's odd is that Luke doesn't appear to know the Doctor. He says, "You're him, aren't you? You're the Doctor!" And then starts screaming for Sarah Jane, who exits the house, sees the Doctor waving from afar before entering the TARDIS, and then she begins to cry.

Curious stuff.

[Scarecrow]

And this is, of course, only one of three "Special projects" announced by RTD, the other being the new animated story and another as-yet unrevealed project. Good times.

- Scarecrow

[DouglasJ]

David Tennant will be appearing (http://www.gallifreyone.com/news.php#newsitemEkuFFuuEuAzznStGHq) in series 3 as the Tenth Doctor. This will not be a simple walk-on cameo, it will be a significant appearance.



Not surprised by this news. With a lack of a full series of Doctor Who this year, having the Doctor turn up in Sarah Jane will keep him in people's minds (and will probably boost the show's ratings significantly for two weeks).
ADDED:
Based on some of the location filming that occurred for Doctor Who over the last three or four weeks, I'm a little baffled as to how this will factor in to Doctor Who. In the finale filming, the Doctor turns up on Sarah Jane's road, pulls Luke out of the way of a speeding car, and then leaves. What's odd is that Luke doesn't appear to know the Doctor. He says, "You're him, aren't you? You're the Doctor!" And then starts screaming for Sarah Jane, who exits the house, sees the Doctor waving from afar before entering the TARDIS, and then she begins to cry.

Curious stuff.

Could it be that like Rose, the farewell takes place prior to the initial meeting. Could Ten be saving Luke prior to the events of the S4 Finale?

[DouglasJ]

Well, the first episode with The Doctor guest starring went out yesterday. Pretty good. I tend to wait for the DVD to watch TSJA, so I'm not familliar with series 2 at all. as expected, he only shows up at the end of the episode. But all through the ep we hear the TARDIS 'trying' to land. It was really, really well done. Part 2 goes out tonight.

[Just Jeans]

To my shame, I've only seen about 1/3 of the way into series 1. I'd like to pick up the lot on DVD, but it's just not economically viable.

Having said that, I will be seeing The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith. Will probably watch them on Halloween night. :D Can't wait.

[Alex DeLarge]

Excellent! Although I would recommend watching Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? and The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith, since this forms Part 3 in the "trilogy."

I loved it BTW. The Trickster's an Eternal! Makes sense given that in Whatever Happened, he calls Sarah Jane an "ephemeral."

[DouglasJ]

It was good. SJA is always good, but given that they said that this episode starred The Doctor and that it 'wasn't just a cameo' I expected him to be in it more. He didn't do very much. Showed up, pointed everyone in the right direction... then vanished. But then the show isn't about him...

That's not a complaint against the show itself, just the way it was advertised. Overall, it was great.

[Alex DeLarge]

It was good. SJA is always good, but given that they said that this episode starred The Doctor and that it 'wasn't just a cameo' I expected him to be in it more. He didn't do very much. Showed up, pointed everyone in the right direction... then vanished. But then the show isn't about him...

That's not a complaint against the show itself, just the way it was advertised. Overall, it was great.

Yeah, I'm happy with how they did it. He still had quite a meaty role, it just wasn't "Doctor Who co-starring Sarah Jane and crew." It was a proper SJA with the Doctor as the guest star.

[Just Jeans]

The only exposure I've had to The Trickster has been by proxy via Turn Left, but I thought he was a decent villain.

I liked it over all, but I don't think the story had enough time to breath -- I think the whole concept would have worked better over two 45 minute episodes -- but for what it was, it was funny and moving in most of the right places. It's a story I would have rather seen on Doctor Who just so they could have spent more time developing the relationship between Sarah Jane and Peter, which was beautifully acted by both Liz Sladen and the bloke playing Peter.

The only thing that really bugged me about the show was the fact that you could see the real teeth of the actor playing the Trickster behind his prosthetic teeth.

[Alex DeLarge]

I think (Spoilers in comparison to S1-2!) the Trickster's plan isn't elaborated on well-enough. It's too simple in comparison to his other plans, though Temptation's was too complex. Whatever Happened? was just right. He switched Sarah Jane and Andrea Yates, quietly altering time whenever Sarah Jane saved the world, so she wouldn't save the meteor. It was perfect. Then Temptation gets overly bizarre. He opens a fissue... and sends a Graske through disguised... so that Sarah Jane will find the Graske... and see the time... and get the idea to go back... and change time... on a fault line... It's got way too many steps! Why didn't he just have the Graske change time on the fault line? But almost to combat that, the plan in Wedding is too simple and vague. Okay, so getting married makes her forget and not be able to save the Earth... Why? What will it cause? In Whatever Happened, it was the meteor, pure chaos. But surely this would lead to creatures of profit, revenge and power invading Earth, which the Trickster doesn't want? I still think Whatever Happened is the best Trickster story and for that matter, best SJA, but Wedding's still pretty good.

[DouglasJ]

So here's a very special Series 4 press release:

Press Release (http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/04_april/19/sj_adventures.shtml)

Huzzah, I say. Eleven and Jo. Good stuff.

[Scarecrow]

This is going to be superb. Most exciting... Russell T. (for TARDIS) Davies doing the writing! Epic.


- Scarecrow

[Cody]

Ten teasers about 'Death of the Doctor' (http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/s47/sarah-jane-adventures/tubetalk/a280005/ten-teasers-about-death-of-the-doctor.html)

[Just Jeans]

I'm looking forward to this. I really liked the story with the Tenth Doctor last season, so can't wait to see this one, too. I wonder what convenient excuse they'll have for Amy and Rory being AWOL?

I need to get the current seasons of this show on DVD. I've only seen the first few stories of the first season and the Tenth Doctor story. I want to watch 'em all.

[FinalBeyond]

Just watched The Nightmare Man. iPlayer has an omnibus edition, which is nice. My first reaction is "Oh my god, the Dreamworld is canon." Then I realise I don't believe in canon. But anyway, it's nice to have a concept I write about and love so much actually be written into the Who lore in a more permanent state than psychic pollen allows.

Also, this really does feel like the Whoniverse equivalent of Nightmare on Elm Street, albeit safe for kids. Really cleverly written all round, and despite a few bits of cheesy dialogue, it never felt too 'kiddy'. I wonder if it was perhaps a little too scary for the regular CBBC timeslot. But hey, these kids watch Doctor Who anyway, most likely, so no harm done.

Also, the news reporter was played by one of the cast of The Day Today, the best fictional news show in history. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming myself. Perfect casting.