(no subject)

[remindmeofthe]

The Sarah Jane Adventures!



* The most overriding impression I have come away with is that there really, really need to be more scenes with just Sarah Jane and Clyde. They play off each other so well; Clyde's clowning brings out Sarah Jane's playful side when she's not in the position of having to be the mother figure, and the combination of the chemistry and comfort from familiarity between Elisabeth Sladen and Daniel Anthony is a lot of fun. (In fact, if Clyde were older and not already dating Luke, I would ship it.) The scenes between them felt very natural, and I suspect there was some improvising and ad-libbing going on. I like that SJA shows the consequences of Clyde shooting his mouth off when he should keep it shut, but I also like when his joking around is a good thing that other people enjoy, too.

* It was also nice to have a really Rani-centric story. Rani is kind of a meh character for me, because she and Maria aren't all that different. Rani's primary distinguishing characteristic has been that she wants to be a journalist. Other than that, she and Maria are basically the same character. So I liked getting spend more time with Rani and dealing with her on a more personal level, exploring her jealousy of Maria, her keen desire to be taken seriously, and her friendship with Sam and life before Ealing. Her problems are different from the ones Maria had to deal with in series one, and I finally feel like we've had a story where she made some choices Maria wouldn't have. The character feels a little more crystallized to me now, and I'm happy about that.

* Also happy about: CONTINUITY. This story was ALL about continuity. Witness:

The "appearance" from Maria, assuring us that her friends haven't forgotten her as tends to happen when characters leave a show.

Reiteration of how Luke came into being (and Luke pointing out that Frankenstein was the doctor, not the creature! ♥!).

The conclusion of K-9's guarding of that black hole, which I assume was a rather neatly executed lead-in to his spin-off, and I appreciate that as I had wondered how he was going to have a show when he can't leave the damn thing unless the plot requires it. (K-9's new design we shall not dwell on. I preferred the "disco" K-9, but it is, apparently, a rights issue, so what can you do?)

And all the flashbacks not only to SJA's past episodes, but also Doctor Who, including clips from Sarah Jane's original tenure as the Doctor's companion! I was just starting to think that they were only going to use clips filmed especially for SJA, then those bits with Four and younger Sarah Jane popped up. And I squeed.

That was all really great to see, and a nice reminder of the franchise's long history, and SJA's part in it, as we come up to the Doctor's appearance in next week's story. Which looks to be the standard "evil fiance popping up out of NOWHERE mwahaha" that I expected from the title. Maybe he'll turn out to be a robot.

* Thing I had to laugh at: Luke's "future" consisting entirely of shots of him holding a diploma. Later on, he says in alarm that Eve showed him his future! I was just like, "Yeah, Luke, you're gonna GRADUATE, what a SHOCK." Nobody tell him he's gonna do it with the British equivalent of a perfect 4.0! He might just pass out.

God, I love this show.

Out of curiosity: does anyone read these? For this show in particular, I mean. I'll probably keep writing them whether they get read or not, since I like to go back and read them later, but I just want to know.

Comments

[cacopheny.livejournal.com]

I read these ^^ And while I really didn't like Dr Who when I tried watching it, you make me think these shows are... I dunno, cuter? XD Still haven't convinced me to watch them, but they seem nicer than Dr Who, and not as dramariffic/stupid as Torchwood.

[remindmeofthe.livejournal.com]

SJA is specifically a kids' show, so yeah, even at its darkest it's still relatively light (. . . usually), though it gets darker than you would probably see from an American kids' show.

And even at its dumbest, it is indeed still smarter than Torchwood.

[derryderrydown.livejournal.com]

I use them as a reminder that the show's been on. *headdesk* And then I come back and read them!

[derryderrydown.livejournal.com]

And now I have watched the show and I come back and read!

And I really do kind of ship Clyde/Sarah Jane. I feel less skeevy about it because Clyde's actor is actually in his twenties SO IT'S TOTALLY OKAY.

And, EEEEEE, Doctor! *bounce*bounce*bounce*

I really wish Sarah Jane could be Eleven's companion. That would be awesome.

[remindmeofthe.livejournal.com]

I feel less skeevy about it because Clyde's actor is actually in his twenties SO IT'S TOTALLY OKAY.

Ha! I almost said something about that, but I'd kind of gotten lost in my own parentheses at that point. But, yes, the character may not be of age but the actor is, so it is indeed perfectly okay. *nods*

I am stoked about next week. Anticipating new stuff with the Doctor makes me realize HOW FUCKING LONG it's been since the last special.

[derryderrydown.livejournal.com]

Especially as I choose not to acknowledge the last special on the grounds that IT WAS CRAP.

[remindmeofthe.livejournal.com]

I - have forgotten ninety-eight percent of it, probably for a reason.