Sarah Jane Adventures 2x11 Enemy of the Bane I

[selenak]

After the last two parter disappointed me somewhat because of the Sarah Jane characterisation and the rehash of an old plot - which made it the first SJA story I genuinenly disliked and won't watch again - this one makes up for it by being a good return to form in its first part. Also, well. How can one not love the guest star, I ask you?



Because Miss Wormwood was the finest female villain on this show so far, and Samantha Morton has fabulous enemy chemistry with Lis Sladen, and yes, that way, too.

....

Okay, seriously now. I mean what I said above, but of course I was as eagerly awaiting the on screen return of the Brig as anyone, and squeed when I saw Nicholas Courtney again. It was only slighly marred by the fact that the captain (I might have gotten the rank wrong) is played by one of the worst actors I've seen on screen. Either that, or part II will reveal he's really a Bane in disguise and thus not accustomed to acting human, in which case I take it back. And it's not just that we're supposed to dislike him, it's the line delivery. What I don't get is that the actors chosen to play UNIT soldiers on DW in season 4 were all good, and the characters were ultimately sympathetic, from Ross to Colonel Mace. So a Bane in disguise is really my only explanation for this caricature.

But enough nitpicking. The Brig was great, I'm glad to hear Doris is still with him, the continuity reference to his trip to Peru was great, and of course the reunion with Sarah Jane was lovely. I hope Luke will meet him in part II and mention that "Alistair" was one of the names Sarah Jane considered. Also, if fanfic doesn't get inspired by the mention of his secret retirement missions, shame on you.

What I had taken for a plot device to get things going in the trailer, the return of Miss Wormwood, turned out to be the heart of the episode. It was a really neat way to do the adopted versus biological parent struggle in a sci fi context. And speaking of sci fi context, I am a bad fan and didn't get the "Luke, I am your mother" joke until someone else pointed it out. Go, Phil Ford, for connecting this to Mark of the Berserker and deal with my problem with what is otherwise my favourite two parter this season by letting Clyde bring up what his father did to Carla and Clyde. (Because I can live with Clyde forgiving his father, and in the immediate emergency situation not thinking the implications through at once, but I am somewhat relieved by now he realized the enormity of what Paul did that day.) One more thing about Clyde: loved the way Sarah Jane appealed to him to take care of Luke and his reaction.

I'm not sure I would have bought Miss Wormwood trying to save the galaxy, even as a way of payback, so the final twist of revealing that she's after the power herself (presumably this means the other Bane in pursuit are actually trying to stop her) works better for me than a Redeemed!Wormwood would have done. At the same time, I do think she gets some layers here, because much as she lies to Sarah Jane by telling the truth - she is out for revenge, just not on the Bane - I think she's manipulating Luke by telling things that are true to her as well. Plus, see above, great chemistry with SJS. Who isn't shown as stupid (very much a relief after the last two parter) but as smart, knowing she can't afford to ignore what Ms. Wormwood says OR to trust her and so locks her in a containment field.

Poor Gita. Twice under mind control in a season, and one time as a slave in an alternate time line - Alan and Chrissie had it easy. I continue to enjoy Rani's parents and the way they're shown to be a loving family, by the way.

Lastly: the return of the Sontaran brings us back to the season opener. I'm betting he'll be the villain to die but that Wormwood will get to live to return another day by the time the second part ends, because she's just great to have around as a nemesis.

Comments

[wondygal.livejournal.com]

It was only slighly marred by the fact that the captain (I might have gotten the rank wrong) is played by one of the worst actors I've seen on screen.

Good god, what was that? He was just weird. Shame we couldn't get Captain Price for added crossover value (he had to be creepy and suspicious, I suppose). He was a major, btw. But all of it was worth it because Nick Courtney was AWESOME and he rocked the hell out of lines like "...oh." \o/ I was beaming like crazy when he showed up. Other things that made me smile: Clyde and Luke talking about Paul, the Chandras, Clyde wanting to join UNIT, seeing Rani walk in the UNIT vault and imagining her joining UNIT, seeing the Sontaran and being surprised by his appearance, this being a rare occurrence, and two minutes ago when you mentioned the "Luke, I am your mother" joke, because I didn't get it either.

In short: OMG THE BRIG ♥

[selenak.livejournal.com]

BRIG BRIG BRIG!!!

And hey, I feel comforted I wasn't the only one late with the Star Wars references.*g*

[iriandia.livejournal.com]

To me the giveaway was when he was looking at his face in the mirror, like he wasn't used to how he looked - actually, that reminded me of Nine in "Rose" checking out his face in her mirror. Nobody looks like that at themselves unless theyŕe not used to their face, or someone drew a mustache on them while they were asleep and they can't quite believe it.
I wish this was a three or four parter. I loved it but it felt a bit rushed, like all the goodies were just getting thrown at us at once! I mean, I like goodies but the pace was a bit fast.