I'm writing this review on my 31st birthday. Now I'm sure some of you are thinking 'Youngster!' while others are marvelling at how anyone can possibly be so old. Truth be told 31 is far from old, but in the past year I have felt myself slowing down somewhat. For the first time I'm getting the inescapable sense that I will get old and that I won't be around forever...
Sarah, Rani and Clyde investigate an alien meteor and meet Ruby White, a woman remarkably like Sarah. She's also aware of alien life and deals with extra terrestrial incursions on a regular basis. But unlike Sarah she is young, fit and she drives a hot car. Ruby is every bit as capable as Sarah and even more so. With Sarah exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease, has she found someone to take responsibility for defending the Earth?
Sarah, Rani and Clyde investigate an alien meteor and meet Ruby White, a woman remarkably like Sarah. She's also aware of alien life and deals with extra terrestrial incursions on a regular basis. But unlike Sarah she is young, fit and she drives a hot car. Ruby is every bit as capable as Sarah and even more so. With Sarah exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease, has she found someone to take responsibility for defending the Earth?
Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith is a story about really getting old and reaching the end of your usefulness. If your life is your work, what do you have left when you can't keep working? After Sarah's reintroduction in School Reunion (just pretend The Five Doctors never happened...) she has really found her place in the world but this story explores how she would react at having to give it all up.
This premise is a tantalising one and in some ways it's a case of the story imitating the reality of the show's production. Liz Sladen is getting on and the previous two series have featured the title character less to accomodate her increasing filming limitations.
This is the third story this series in which the kids have to save the world without help from the lead character and it was great to see Luke back. Some of the interaction between Luke and Rani really stands out and demonstrates just how far Luke has come from the socially awkward struggler of Series One.
Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith has a few weaknesses which marr an otherwise excellent story. The idea that Sarah and Rani were so quick to trust Ruby is absurd and for someone who considers herself an investigator Rani displayed no inquisitiveness about a remarkably unusual situation. The acting by Julie Graham (Ruby) was quite weak and Anjili unnecessarily camped up the scene where Rani bluffed Ruby.
This premise is a tantalising one and in some ways it's a case of the story imitating the reality of the show's production. Liz Sladen is getting on and the previous two series have featured the title character less to accomodate her increasing filming limitations.
This is the third story this series in which the kids have to save the world without help from the lead character and it was great to see Luke back. Some of the interaction between Luke and Rani really stands out and demonstrates just how far Luke has come from the socially awkward struggler of Series One.
Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith has a few weaknesses which marr an otherwise excellent story. The idea that Sarah and Rani were so quick to trust Ruby is absurd and for someone who considers herself an investigator Rani displayed no inquisitiveness about a remarkably unusual situation. The acting by Julie Graham (Ruby) was quite weak and Anjili unnecessarily camped up the scene where Rani bluffed Ruby.
In spite of a few flaws Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith is a very good end to Series Four. With the first half of Series Five already in the can and excellent viewing figures for the current series I think this show has a fair bit of life in it yet.
4/5
P.S. I wrote this review and watched both episodes on the Nokia E63 that my wonderful Wife gave as a birthday present. Forget touch screens, I love my qwerty keyboard!
4/5
P.S. I wrote this review and watched both episodes on the Nokia E63 that my wonderful Wife gave as a birthday present. Forget touch screens, I love my qwerty keyboard!
