N.B. there might (or might not) be spoilers in this article!
For the third episode of Doctor Who‘s busy 2006/7 holiday schedule, we take a side-step in another direction: a second spin-off pilot for Sarah Jane Smith, one that would, unlike K-9 and Company, this time lead to a full series.
“The government knows all about aliens. And then there are secret organisations dedicated to finding them, but they tend to go in guns blazing. I just think there’s a better way of doing it.”
Sarah Jane, Invasion of the Bane
Invasion of the Bane is that pilot and The Sarah Jane Adventures is that series and it’s fair to say it a more consistent first episode than Torchwood‘s Everything Changes. This perhaps shouldn’t be too surprising, for The Sarah Jane Adventures is aimed at that same children’s audience who’d long loved Doctor Who, whereas Torchwood, in going for an adult demographic, was arguably attempting something new.
But that should in no way downplay Invasion of the Bane‘s considerable successes: the establishing of Sarah Jane Smith as its central character alongside her gadgets — the sonic lipstick, Mr Smith, K-9 — and her Nissan Figaro, the introduction of her adoptive son, and of course the neighbourhood kids who just have to get involved.
Speaking of which, I’d completely forgotten this episode had a different kid in it! It’s perhaps my trying to blank out how obnoxious Kelsey Hooper is. Mrs Wormwood’s appraisal of her — “she’s all noise and ignorance” absolutely nails it. It’s not the only time in the episode where you feel some degree of empathy for the antagonists, as it’s mobile phones that prove to be the bane of the Bane. I think many humans would agree with that sentiment.
“I’d rather have a cup of tea.”
Maria, Invasion of the Bane
Invasion of the Bane seems to be set at least 18 months after the events of School Reunion, judging by the length of time K-9 has been in the cupboard trying to seal the black hole breach — enough time for Sarah Jane to have established herself, accumulate an attic full of alien artefacts and acquire not only a super-computer but something of a reputation amongst her neighbours.
It’s a solid start, one that would require few tweaks before its first series.
My favourite moment, though? The archetype’s astute assessment of Maria’s mum: ‘This woman is rude.’
