Doctor Who Club of Australia

[John]

I managed to see some episodes at the recent day event - I was very impressed.

The use of science and information was great - sure there was stuff approaching technobabble, but it sounded good and there was a respect for science. Information and knowledge were important too - and that was positive. There was 'investigation' to find out 'knowledge' - just knowing stuff is crucial. I like that sentiment - and I've heard much worse technobable elsewhere.

The enemies were a bit pantomine, but they were an improvement on really simplistic enemies like that in "The Idiot's Lantern" - just an evil force that is, well, evil without any subtlety. That's a danger, things can get too pantomine - it was a problem with the new Dr. Who series - but the Sarah Jane series managed some complexity in the enemies. In warriors of Kudlak, it was great to see how Kudlak changed - though the "mistress" was a bit like the enemy from "The Idiot's Lantern".

It was also wonderful to see people experiencing the universe around them - looking from the spaceship in Warrors of Kudlak - that was great to see. It captures a spirit of looking and seeing.

I liked the hint at ethics and ethical dilemmas - at the end of "Revenge of the Slitheen", the characters were debating whether to save the alien child or not - though it died before they could really think about it. But it was great that they paused for just a moment to reflect on that.

By the fourth of fifth episode the one thing which grated was Sarah calling for Mr. Smith again - yawn - yes, opening panels, flashing light, yeah, yeah. Mr. Smith is the analogue of K-9 and also Tim in the tomorrow people if you remember that - the wise computer / oracle they consult.

I see people's comparisons to early Dr. Who. In any case, it was certainly an enjoyable series. I do wonder if "alien invader of the week" can keep up the interest over more episodes, but the plotting and script have been really creative so far.

[Ohica]

I am just pleased that this show has come about. And yes I was a bit terrified when I first heard that it was going to happen. But it has turned out to be really great and I hope they continue with it and it continues to do well. My kids and I are all addicted to it for various reasons and can't wait for every Wednesday when I "get" the next episode. So sad that this Wednesday heralds the first part of the last of the 5 stories. I was watching my DVD of Pyramids of Mars today [yes, a few yrs late in getting that one] and was smiling as I watched the interviews with Elisabeth Sladen thinking that little did she know that in a couple of years time she would be Sarah Jane again in her own show. As a fan of Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen, I can't think of anything better than to see something like SJA happening. It's what everyone who loves a show wishes for when it ends but to have it come back 30 + yrs later is just amazing. I say bring it on and on and on and on.........