The Doctor In The TARDIS

Travels In Time And Space => Inside The Attic => Topic started by: Vampyros Adric on September 08, 2010, 09:11:41 pm



Title: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on September 08, 2010, 09:11:41 pm
Never thought I would wear the shoes of a Newbie but here I am. All shiny and new. Before last Sunday I had never watched an episode of SJA. Ha (i thought) I am too old to watch kiddies with their iPods shouting 'Cool' and 'Wicked' while a wacky super computer goes 'I'm really not sure Luke' and Liz Sladen drives in a little silly car. And don't get me started about K9...

Then on the advice of one of my wisest twitter friends, I was at a loose end and I put on the two parter 'Wedding of Sarah Jane' I thought to myself hmmmmm, its a DT episode that I haven't seen, Nigel Havers will ham around for all he's worth like its an insurance advert. And don't get me started on K9....

I must confess, I loved it. It was fresh, unpretentious, the kids were not overly intrusive. I mean, I could tell it was aimed at kiddies but I certainly wasn't reaching for the Sky buttons like it was an episode of Tracy Beaker. And the more I watched it, the more I realised that it was actually quite a tender tale of love, loss and acceptance. The baddie was beautifully understated, DT was refreshing and played it perfectly, Liz Sladen showed the same range that she had demonstrated in School Reunion. I was sad when it ended.

I have now ordered lots of Sarah Jane Adventures on DVD so prepared for the backlash when I am not immediately satisfied. But so far, I like this and I shall continue to watch. Just don't get me started about K9....


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 08, 2010, 10:22:01 pm
Ok. Fair warning:

The pilot is horrendous. But, the worst part of the pilot is never seen again so don't go chucking your dvds out the window after just the pilot.

Also, another word of advice. The episodes with Sarah Jane's name in the title are generally the best.

Enjoy! Look forward to reading your thoughts :D


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: The Doc on September 09, 2010, 06:34:32 pm
I told you before that SJA was worth watching. It took me ages before I started watching, but I loved it. Iceman is right, the ones with her name in the title are really some of the best


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on September 09, 2010, 07:58:23 pm
You both seem like sage judges so I will give it a go....


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on September 09, 2010, 09:58:03 pm
So tonight, I decided to have a night away from writing (i'm up to 25000 words if you're interested only another 50000 to go). And what should I do? Initially the answer was clear - Four to Doomsday was leaping out from my shelf and begging to be watched. Then I thought again. The nice chaps from Amazon had decided to send me Invasion of the Bane. So with indecent haste, off came the plastic wrapper (always a satisfying moment I find) and into my DVD went the pilot....

The arrival of the 'BBC Children's DVD' logo sent me into shivers but the familiar warm tinkle of the 2Entertain logo soon soothed my troubled brow. The Domino's Pizza man turned up just at the right time and I was all set.

First impressions were.. typical Rusty set up. Dysfunctional family with tragic but remarkably unaffected girl at the centre - check! Good inclusive demographic mix - check! Ages before we properly meet the eponymous hero - check. And so it goes on, exuding all of the quality that we came to expect from the Gardiner-Collinson-Davies dream team. Yes, the kids were a little OTT and really trying to be cool in the way that only stage-schooled children can try. Granted (and this is heresy) but I am not the biggest fan of Sarah Jane - all that feistiness sometimes just makes her a little too unlikeable but, mid way through this pilot and two thoughts struck me; first, I shouldn't have ordered Garlic Bread AND two large pizzas as I'm feeling a little bilious and secondly, what a cracking little tale this is. Maria was both engaging and unpretentious, Luke seems a fine little fella. Sarah Jane is an acquired taste but once you re-acquire her its like the Masque of Mandragora was only yesterday. RTD is the finest TV writer this country has at the moment and in Gareth Roberts he has an able writing partner.

The story was both interesting yet light enough not to take itself too seriously. The guest star (the divine Sam Bond) ripped chunks out of the script and seemed to be having a whale of a time camping the whole thing up - why don't guest stars do that on Doctor Who any more? And hang on... Isn't Mr Smith that nice Xander Armstrong?

Then, just as i was forcing the last bit of Pepperoni Passion down it struck me; I was a little sceptical that I had seen SJA at its very best in 'The Wedding of Sarah Jane' (and that is probably true) but actually I still very much enjoyed this pilot as well. In these barren times in between Who finishing and the Xmas special, I might have discovered a little gem of a series to keep me going.

Stay tuned for more thoughts of a newbie, as a veteran 'Who' watcher plunges into the dangerous and seamy underbelly that is Season 1 of the SJA. Probably not with as much pizza next time though...!


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 10, 2010, 04:06:07 pm
Hahahaha best part of that post? No mention of Kelsey!  :D

Clyde Langer brings the show to an incredible new level it would have never reached before.

If you were that positive about the pilot, then I think you have a fun ride ahead of you.

Thanks for the post, it was enjoyable!


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: The Doc on September 10, 2010, 06:13:44 pm
Dont throw stones at me, but I kind of liked Kelsey :)


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on September 10, 2010, 06:25:26 pm
I believe Kelsey went on to find fame as one of the children in the 'Kid-Drug Popsicle' in Torchwood; Children of Earth. She was fourth kid from the straw!


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 10, 2010, 06:36:55 pm
Dont throw stones at me, but I kind of liked Kelsey :)

No stones, just this guy:

(http://imgur.com/Es6Rw.gif)


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: The Doc on September 10, 2010, 06:38:53 pm
I prefer Clyde though. When I was doing some searching on SJA to read reviews and see if it was worth watching, the amount of Clyde/Luke shipping was shocking, so I am guessing he went down well with most people.


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 10, 2010, 07:52:50 pm
Clyde is the main reason I watch the show, tbh.


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: The Doc on September 10, 2010, 07:54:11 pm
Are you a shipper too? :P :D


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 10, 2010, 07:59:17 pm
Are you a shipper too? :P :D

For Rani and Clyde yeah, not Luke and Clyde :P


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: The Doc on September 10, 2010, 08:04:31 pm
Rani and Clyde would make a great couple


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 10, 2010, 08:13:25 pm
Yep. I like to think that Clyde was just in the basement sleeping when Rani was the mad woman in the attic :P


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: The Doc on September 10, 2010, 08:16:44 pm
;D


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on September 10, 2010, 10:52:48 pm
Hang on, does the Rani appear in this? I thought the Rani was River Song and The Master's chemically created love child?


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 10, 2010, 11:01:55 pm
Hang on, does the Rani appear in this? I thought the Rani was River Song and The Master's chemically created love child?

You've seen "The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith" correct?

Well, Rani is the girl in that, with Luke and Clyde.


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: The Doc on September 10, 2010, 11:02:55 pm
She is the Asian girl who lives accross the road from SJS. She is made of win


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on September 10, 2010, 11:11:50 pm
Ah! Gotcha - just re-watching The Wedding of Sarah Jane now as i type - what a cracking little sci-fi tale it is!


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Peri-Peri on September 11, 2010, 11:31:52 am
I've never watched this, but looking through this thread I really think I should. The OP makes it sound great so I am deffinately going to give it a try I think


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 11, 2010, 03:34:56 pm
I've never watched this, but looking through this thread I really think I should. The OP makes it sound great so I am deffinately going to give it a try I think

Great! We need more SJA fans.


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Peri-Peri on September 11, 2010, 05:01:47 pm
I've never watched this, but looking through this thread I really think I should. The OP makes it sound great so I am deffinately going to give it a try I think

Great! We need more SJA fans.

Well I will be happy to come on board. I loved SJS in Doctor Who so I dont see why I wouldnt love the spin off. I know it is aimed at children primarily, but from what the grown ups are saying in here I think it will be worth a watch. Should do a watchathon like they did in the other thread for Doctor Who :D


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 11, 2010, 05:45:20 pm
Like I said earlier, the show, imo gets stronger after the pilot, so give it more of a chance than just that episode. :)


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Tardis-Console on September 12, 2010, 11:45:23 am
I watched an episode of this last night online. It is the first Doctor Who related show I have seen outside of Doctor Who itself. I had never seen or heard of Sarah Jane before so I did a wikiperdia search and read some about her before watching. I have to say I was quite impressed. The story was cleary aimed at youngsters, and that black girl was amazingly bad, but other than that i really enjoyed it. And it has kind of made me excited to see Sarah in the main series. I plan on ordering series one, and if I enjoy that I will go on and get series 2


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Seren_y_Gogledd on September 12, 2010, 02:57:57 pm
Relax. Kelsey doesn't stick around, and the character we get instead is so much better!


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on September 23, 2010, 11:13:22 pm
The Slitheen One in the School

Picture the scene, dear friends, I have returned home from a long week of work and I am more hungry than a polar bear who has discovered he's left the fridge open and all his sprats have made a bid for freedom and Mrs Polar Bear has run off with the bacon slicer. So, naturally I do what all decent human beings do, I order a set meal for 4 from the chinese and put an episode of Friends on in the background so the person taking the telephone order thinks i'm having a dinner party and not about to scoff 35 quids worth of grub and ingest a potentially lethal dose of salt.

"What shall accompany my banquet?" a little voice asked, "A Sarah Jane Adventure of course!" another, slightly squeakier voice replied. So I put the one about the Slitheen at Luke's school on.

Yet again, I wasn't disappointed. This was very 'kid' heavy (being set in a school I suppose one shouldn't be surprised) but, again, the kids weren't irritating. I scooped a large portion of seaweed and a crispy wonton onto my plate (already swimming with Chicken and Cashew Nuts) and I thought to myself that the plot was very tight, the cliff hanger was good and the effects were highly serviceable. The Slitheen have a universal appeal, they have a wonderful reveal - the blue/white light and the noise are very effective. As soon as you see a portly actor hove into view, nothing is more certain that they are either slitheen or about to die and become slitheen.

As I guzzled the second of my four portions of fried rice, my thoughts turned to the music. It is really appealing. Not as grandiose and thematic as Murray Gold, but really suitable and complimentary. I follow both Dan J and Sam Watts on Twitter and they are fine fellows - I think their music reflects their personality; fun and perky, yet an underlying purpose.

Once again, another viewing of the SJA (this time a double episode) and another satisfied experience. But there was no way I was going to get on to those banana fritters!


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 23, 2010, 11:24:38 pm
They are all "double episodes" from now on.

6 stories, 12 episodes a season. (Besides the pilot)

And now I want Chinese food....


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on September 23, 2010, 11:31:30 pm
They are all "double episodes" from now on.

6 stories, 12 episodes a season. (Besides the pilot)

And now I want Chinese food....

Then my work here is done... :) And I do like the double episode format here - thinks it works nicely


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 23, 2010, 11:37:54 pm
So this more for people to order Chinese than to get new people to watch SJA?

I have you figured out mister!  :P

When will you watch the next episode? Some good Clyde one-liners in it iirc.


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on September 23, 2010, 11:51:43 pm
I'm hoping to get some watched this weekend (although as soon as I say that I know I have cursed it) :)


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Sandiwich11 on September 24, 2010, 01:53:32 pm
Great review, I'm glad you are enjoying the show, I do think it's a cracker that more people should get into ;D 

Maybe go for an Indian takeaway for the next story? :P


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: GreenLemons on September 24, 2010, 04:12:42 pm
HA! Kelsey was hilarious (ly annoying...)!

I cant stand Rani. I loved Maria ;D


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: The Doc on September 24, 2010, 07:17:43 pm
You never fail to brighten up my day, Chris. Couldnt stop laughing :P


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on September 24, 2010, 07:27:08 pm
You never fail to brighten up my day, Chris. Couldnt stop laughing :P

Yeah, I look forward to it every time I see his screen name in this thread  ;D


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on October 03, 2010, 06:53:58 pm
Those of you who are regular readers to "Thoughts of a Newbie" will know that I like to give a little slice of life with my reviews of SJA Season 1. Yes, I (grudgingly) tell you what I thought of the episode. To me, however, context is king. I want to give you the sights, the sounds, the emotions and yes, even the smells of my SJA experience. But what to hang it on? I've already had a full english breakfast and half a box of french fancies, so it can't be food (truth be told i'm feeling a little bilious having tucked into last nights pizza which I heated up in the microwave while waiting for the sausage to cook). But then it hit me. Open up a bottle of Pinot Noir and see where the day takes me. I think this is my best idea yet. So below, dear friends is my drink by drink account of....

Sarah Jane and the Slightly Menacing Nuns and Gorgons (Season 1, the story after the Slitheen)

This is a most agreeable wine with a teasing bouquet and... ah, I can't pretend. All red wine tastes the same to me. It all makes my teeth go red and plays havoc with my ulcer. Therefore, with a Davros-like grasp of science, an idea occurs to me. I will wash down this foul wine with a bottle of Becks or two. That should cancel out any acid like qualities. It will also cancel out me having to go and see the in-laws as (by the time SJA is finished) I will not be in any fit state.

In terms of the actual show, I gotta tell you, these stories are really growing on me. There is an unpretentiousness and honesty about the whole thing. The stories have messages woven in to them such as how to cope when your family splits up (which is good because as I continue guzzling this wine that possibility grows ever more likely - time for a glug of Becks...) but these messages are not obtrusive and they don't in any way interfere with the story telling. The actual story (written by Phil "Waters of Mars" Ford) seems to be about some batty old dears at a nursing home who see nuns. Turns out, one of them starts talking about Sontarans and gives Luke a 'Talisman' and it all kicks off from there.

Then, an unexpected plot twist occurs. I am sick on the new rug. This necessitates a pause of the DVD, a quick clean up of said rug, apologies all round ("I think them French Fancies were out of date - that fourth one tasted a bit funny) and back to SJA. But I have learned my lesson. Clearly the balance between Becks and Red Wine was wrong and needs adjusting. So a quick glug of Becks and we're back on with the show.

I think what so impresses me about SJA is the fact that the stories do not try and be absurdly clever or cutting edge. The writers know they are not writing a James Bond film or the sequal to Inception. In fact because they are writing children's fiction, the stories are clear and there is no loose ends left. Whats more, there is little room for such things as canon or story arcs because the whole focus of the writing is guiding the audience to the end of the show.

As with all drinking, the choice of snacks is crucial. One cannot have too big a feast otherwise one gets too full to drink. Too little and one feels more hungry than a hippopotamus who, after a hard day at the swamp returns home to find all his dinner eaten, there are no chocolate biscuits left and it is half day closing at the local Spar. I plump for Monster Munch.

What I have found in my SJA watching, more than anything is good, enjoyable sci fi. But more than that, is that it shows what is missing from Doctor Who. It is not glitzy, it does not have a multi-media platform and a global brand. The stories are simple and the baddies are bad. In fact, its just a potty little kids show that the whole family can watch - does that remind you of anything? Incidentally, I have abandoned the red wine altogether and opened another bottle of Becks. Meanwhile the nuns have kidnapped Luke and put him into a hearse. I am really enjoying this story.

Again, regular readers of 'Thoughts of a Newbie' have probably detected more than a hint of bias from me. I constantly refer to SJA by referencing it to Doctor Who. I guess it means that, for me, SJA will never be more than a curious offshoot of the main event. But I think it really does act as a prism for Doctor Who, highlighting the oversights and the over dependence on deus ex machina rather than on simple plot and character driven story telling. (you can tell i'm onto my fourth bottle of Becks as I'm hitting you with the ghastly - and erroneous - pseudo intellectualism. God I hate myself when I start like this. Some Flaming Hot Monster Munch should assuage the self loathing for a while).

*Spolier Alert* The girls dad gets turned into a statue, the saucy mam starts pouring her heart out to the statute. Sarah Jane, Luke and Clyde get locked in various rooms and the girl saves the day by pointing a mirror at the Gorgon and putting a necklace on her dad.

*Spolier Alert 2* I am told that my behaviour is 'unacceptable for a Sunday morning' and if I indulge in any more 'Morning Drinkies' (as I have taken to calling them) then I will be exiled to the garage and the secrets of time travel taken from my mind. I will then have to work as special scientific adviser to the mice who inhabit the garage and foil various alien invasions.


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Iceman on October 03, 2010, 11:53:38 pm
Hahahaha you win.

About what you said: Season one is the slowest imo, I think they are trying to "find their identity". It picks up in s2 and definitely season 3.


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Vampyros Adric on October 04, 2010, 02:02:04 pm
About what you said: Season one is the slowest imo, I think they are trying to "find their identity". It picks up in s2 and definitely season 3.

I know what you mean - although I am impressed at how well rounded the show is even at this early stage. I guess having Sarah Jane in there really helps because she is a 'Plug-in-and-Play' character. I can't wait to get to seasons 2 & 3 though! This is a rich area of discovery for me :)


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Tardis-Console on November 20, 2010, 11:39:43 pm
Ive never been in this section before I dont think. Hello all :)

Ive decided that as I am coming on such great guns with Doctor Who (half way through series 3) and Torchwood (finished series 1) I am going to start on The Sarah Jane Adventures after Christmas. Im hoping that I will be totally up to date by Christmas and then I can rewatch series 5 of DW by the New Year and then start SJA. My friend this week told me about how good series 4 was and I found myself itching to watch it and see what its all about. I know ive hijacked Chris' thread to say this but I didnt know where else I could put it :)

Just thought I would say that you will have a new contributer soon :)


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Peri-Peri on November 21, 2010, 10:56:47 am
I'm sure you will really enjoy it if you stick with it. It gets better with every season. Well worth sticking with. I only started watching a few months back and I love it.

Chris, did you ever get to series 2?


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: chrissymarieb on June 02, 2011, 01:33:51 pm
I am now proud to be able to join the ranks of SJA Newbie :) 

Last night I completed season 1 and I have to say I really enjoyed it.  Going into it I expected it to be just a kid's show but I quickly discovered that it's not.  There is plenty to be enjoyed by an older audience.  The stories are good and have a lot of heart.  I love all the kids but I especially love Luke.  I also really like the relationship that Maria has with her father especially once he is brought into the fold.  I am really looking forward to seeing what the next seasons have in store for our little group of heroes!

As an aside, I just adore Sarah Jane.  Other than having seen The Pyramids of Mars, this is the first time that I am really seeing the character and it's just wonderful.  Also, I have decided that I need some sonic lipstick for myself ;)


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: The Doc on June 02, 2011, 01:46:01 pm
Chrissy honestly, series 1 is great, but every single series just gets better and better. By the time series 4 aired at the back end of last year they were putting out some seriously amazing stories. If you love it now you will be completely bowled over by the time you are caught up, I guarantee


Title: Re: Thoughts of A Newbie
Post by: Exterminate on June 02, 2011, 01:55:19 pm
The Doc's right. In many respects I preferred series 4 of SJA to S5 of DW