SJA #13 : Prisoner of the Judoon

"The Judoon's only interest is in stopping that creature getting away. Humans don't matter. Under the Articles of the Shadow Proclamation we barely exist. Too primitive."

Episode #13:        Prisoner of the Judoon.
Companions:        Sarah Jane Smith, Luke Smith, Rani Chandra and Clyde Langer.
Air Date:              15th to 16th October 2009.

Sarah Jane and the gang face the most dangerous day of their lives as the rhino-like Judoon return. When prisoner Androvax the Annihilator crash-lands on Earth, the Veil is set free to turn Earth's technology against itself. His next intended victim is Sarah Jane. As the Judoon fleet approaches Earth, it's a race against time to stop Androvax. With Genetec Systems' technology on the rampage and Rani's parents taken prisoner, can anything stop the Army of the Infinitesimal?

The third season the Sarah Jane Adventures opens with a rather good story. The writers have come up with a quite a good idea in Prisoner of the Judoon which works on a number of levels. Children will enjoy the adventure but teens and adults will pick up on a deeper story surrounding the reasons for the villains actions.

As you can guess from the title we see the return of the Judoon, last seen in The Stolen Earth. Another proper Doctor Who is nice to see. There are also references to the upcoming animated episode Dreamland, where we learn the true account of the Roswell UFO crash. I'm going to be interested to see if it links up correctly.

The episode deals primarily with the plot involving the Judoon but also has Androvax' attempt to destroy the Earth via nanites (microscopic machines). Even with this the episode also features a heavy humorous element which detracts a little from the adventure. The Judoon, never the brightest creatures as far as we could see, appear even more dumber than normal in this episode and the writers cover it up with uncharacteristic humour.

A good start to the season but we'll see if it holds.

Episode #182 : Smith and Jones

"I'm talking to an alien? In hospital?! What, has this place got an E.T. department?"

Episode #182:   Smith and Jones.
Companions:     The 10th Doctor and Martha Jones.
Air Date:           31st March 2007.

Just when it seemed it would be yet another chaotic day managing her family's disputes, Martha Jones finds trouble waiting for her at work. Trapped on the Moon with space rhinos looking for a criminal and the air running out, she will have to come to trust a seemingly mad stranger calling himself "the Doctor". But can the Tenth Doctor save the day this time?

The new season of Doctor Who starts with a nice story about an abducted hospital and an alien search for a missing murderer. It sees the introduction of Martha Jones as the new companion, her dysfunctional family and the first appearance of the Judoon.

The episode deals with the translation of a London hospital to the moon where the "police for hire" Judoon can legally search it for a missing plasmavore responsible for the murder of the Child Princess of Padrivole Regency Nine. Because they have no legal right to search on Earth they move the hospital so that it isn't under legal protection. The problem is that both the plasmavore and the Doctor are both aliens in a hospital full of humans.

Smith and Jones is a clever story and despite looking somewhat silly, the Judoon are a nice new addition that wouldn't have been out of place in the classic era of the show. What lets this one down for me is a certain scene where the Doctor hops around whilst somehow transferring radiation into his foot and then his trainer before throwing it in the bin. Whoever though up that scene needs a slap. It's another element of silliness that fails to work and for me spoils the entire episode really.

I like Martha in this one. She is a good strong female role and at least for now isn't in love with the Doctor. She is along for the ride because it is exciting and takes her away from the hassles she has back home with work and family. If only we had more companions like this. Unfortunately over time she does get written with some small infatuation with the Doctor but for now it is a breath of fresh air to just have a self sustained companion.

In the last couple episodes of Torchwood there are signs showing "Vote Saxon" which also appear here. This would be the plot for the season that won't play out until near the end.