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“No. Cause you’re right, I don’t look back. I can’t. But the last time I was dying, I looked back on you, every single one. And I was so proud.”
It is so good to have the Doctor back on our TV screens again. And I have to admit to having a real soft spot for The Sarah Jane Adventures. Sure, it can be a bit ropey at times, but it’s been pitch perfect tonally and emotionally from the start, which is something its adult counterpart, Torchwood, only sort of managed by its second series and nailed in its third. I don’t always watch it, but I’m always glad when I do. Now that Anjli Mohindra has improved, the main cast is consistently charming and engaging, particularly Daniel Anthony as Clyde. And words cannot express how wonderful the ageless Elisabeth Sladen has been in portraying a woman brought back to life by this delightful group of teenagers.
And that wasn’t the only return here. This is the first story set in the Whoinverse by former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies to air since the Tenth Doctor’s departure. And it’s like he’s never been away. The intergalactic undertakers the Shansheeth are a brilliant creation, even if their rogue evil was a little was underdeveloped: I’d love to see the mainstream Shansheeth return in the main show. I was always a fan of Davies’ approach (lots of emotion, not always so much sci-fi) and this is it encapsulated perfectly: they make the Weave overload by remembering how wonderful life with him was. Some may have found that a bit ridiculous, but I loved it, because I’m a sentimental old fool at heart. This was very much a script for the fans: Sarah Jane’s final speech, listing the endings of some of the Doctor’s best loved old companions, was pure fangasm, and I enjoyed it even though I only knew most the characters from the pages of Doctor Who Magazine (not joking).
The guests fitted in perfectly, too. Matt Smith and his ever-impressive face were on great form. I think his mad professor thing fits in better here than his predecessor did. And, while I’ve never seen any of Jo’s stories with the Third Doctor, I don’t think that really mattered. Katy Manning’s slightly batty warmth contrasted beautifully with the cold Sarah Jane we met in 'School Reunion' back in Series 2 of Doctor Who, and the two actresses had great chemistry. And the idea that even her insane, happy life has always had an undercurrent of sadness due to the Doctor never looking back was deftly written and the two actors pulled it off completely, which is all the more impressive considering they were playing people who’d last seen each other decades ago - less decades, in fact, than Smith’s been alive for, which is just mind-boggling. It’d be lovely to see her (and her gorgeous grandson Santiago) back again.
Oh, and regeneration limit is gone? Dealt with in a throwaway line of dialogue in a spin-off show? Excellent, Doctor Who can go on forever now, as it surely will. It's a testament to just how good this episode was that I didn't even think to mention that until now.
The Sarah Jane Adventures is a wonderful companion piece to Doctor Who, and the makers have again struck gold by having the Doctor appear. Ultimately, though, these episodes work because the Doctor isn’t the star of the show: he compliments the action, but he doesn’t overwhelm it. This was a beautiful showcase for all the emotional strengths of this delightful show.
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