SJA #20 : The Vault of Secrets

"But we're going to save your mum now, so if it's the Universe against Clyde Langer, then the Universe had better bring some mates!"

Episode #20:        The Vault of Secrets.
Companions:        Sarah Jane Smith, Rani Chandra and Clyde Langer.
Air Date:              18th to 19th October 2010.

When an old enemy, Androvax the Veil, returns to Earth asking for help, the gang face a dilemma — should they trust him? Or does the legendary Vault hold an even greater terror? A second threat arises, when android guardians threaten to destroy anyone who uncovers their secrets. As the battle between Sarah Jane, Androvax and the androids reaches its climax, Rani has to save her mother from being caught in the crossfire. The Vault opens and the destiny of the entire Veil species is at stake. Is it too late to save them?

A rather typical Sarah Jane adventure but one that fits squarely where I expect the show's target stories should go. Androvax returns but not necessarily as the villain. Sometimes while being the bad guy a recurring character can have a bit more depth and this time Androvax feels more like an individual who has a goal and reasons for doing what he does. SJA doesn't always accomplish this very well but this time they do. We also have the return of the mysterious Men in Black who we last saw in the animated adventure Dreamland, including the lead MiB Dr Dread although different actor unfortunately. Nice to see some cross jumping between shows here.

In this story we get more background on the mysterious Men in Black. It turns out that they are androids tasked in the 20th century (up until the early 70's) with preventing the human race from learning about aliens and their technology. They served something called the Alliance of Shades, an alien organisation that wanted to either protect humanity from alien influence or keep them clueless. Since the Men in Black were retired in 1972 does that mean the Alliance of Shades decided to leave things in the hands of UNIT and/or Torchwood? We may never know although I'd like to see them make an appearance in Doctor Who some time.

Like many Sarah Jane adventures this one suffers from being directed too much at a child audience but also at being dragged out over two episodes when one might have sufficed. The more SJA that I watch the more I come to that latter conclusion. Some work just fine but others not so much and in this story that shows all too well in the later half.