N.B. there might (or might not) be spoilers in this article!

It’s a case of spot the trope with The Nightmare Man.

Is the antagonist demented and have a face painted like a clown? Check.

Is there a touch of the ol’ is it a dream, is it real, shenanigans going on? Check.

Does the villain have a ropey “sinister” Eastern European accent? Check.

“He’s the Nightmare Man and I can’t stop him.”

Luke, The Nightmare Man, Part One

Now, there is something slightly disconcerting about even the most benevolent of face-painting – perhaps because it masks or distracts from a person’s usual facial expressions. And I’ve watched enough terrible 80’s horror movies ploughing the dreamscape furrow to know it’s always likely to be a go-to for a few cheap scares. And well, if Gary Oldman’s had a go, which actor worth his salt is going to resist having a crack at doing their best vampiric vocalizing? Clearly Julian Bleach was not going to pass up on the opportunity!

But while scarf-wearing Luke’s heading off to Uni makes for a nice backgroumd to a story about nightmares and change, ultimately it’s all a bit been-there-done-that hokey.

Elisabeth Sladen’s turn as nightmare Sarah Jane is excellent, there’s a nice touch of costume consistency in giving Rani the same earrings as Doon Mackichan, and Mr Smith’s “I need a USB lead, Sarah Jane” might be his best moment yet.

No hour spent in the company of SJ and the gang is a wasted one, but The Nightmare Man feels a bit of a weak opener to Series Four of The Sarah Jane Adventures. It’s also clear that Sarah Jane has developed something of a thing for vintage cars. Her own Nissan Figaro isn’t actually that old, but the VW Beetle she passes on to Luke is a design classic.