Where alien invasions meet after-school specials, and somehow both work perfectly
What’s This Then?Remember Sarah Jane Smith? The journalist who traveled with the Doctor back when special effects budgets were "whatever's in the BBC cafeteria"? Well, she's back, she's got a mortgage in Ealing, and she's still saving the world on a Tuesday afternoon. It's basically what happens when you give a former companion her own show and the production team remembers that children are actually quite smart, thank you very much. |
The Set Up (Brilliantly Simple)Sarah Jane lives on Bannerman Road, which is apparently the most alien-adjacent street in suburban London. Her neighbors probably think she runs a very strange bed & breakfast. Armed with a sonic lipstick (because obviously), a sentient computer called Mr. Smith, and a revolving door of plucky teenagers, she tackles everything from Slitheen in the school cafeteria to Sontarans in the science lab. |
How It "Expanded" the Whoniverse (The Clever Way)
While Torchwood was asking "What if Doctor Who, but everyone needs therapy?", Sarah Jane Adventures asked the far more sensible question: "What if Doctor Who, but with actual life lessons and nobody dies horribly?"
""The Doctor saves the universe. Sarah Jane saves the homework assignment, the school play, AND the universe. Multitasking level: Time Lord Adjacent."
What It Brought to the Table:
- Proof that kids' shows don't have to be stupid: Complex moral questions wrapped in accessible storytelling
- The sonic lipstick: Because why should the Doctor have all the fun gadgets?
- Mr. Smith: A Xylok computer that's basically Alexa if Alexa could hack alien technology
- Ealing as the new hotspot for alien activity: Cardiff was getting crowded anyway
- The revolutionary concept: Adults and teenagers working together without anyone being patronizing
The show proved that you could have all the sci-fi excitement of Doctor Who while actually dealing with things like homework, friendship drama, and the awkwardness of explaining to your parents why there's a robot dog in the attic.
The Dream TeamSarah Jane Smith:The Cool Adult Who Actually Listens
The Kids: Luke, Maria, Clyde, Rani - Smarter Than Most Adults
K-9: Good Dog, Best Computer
Mr. Smith: The World's Most Dramatic Desktop
Together, they form the most functional found family in the entire Whoniverse. Yes, that includes the Doctor's various companion groups. Fight me.
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Why You Should WatchIf you've ever thought "I love Doctor Who, but sometimes I want the aliens to be defeated by the power of friendship and good study habits," then this is your show. It's got all the alien excitement you crave, but with the added bonus that nobody's going to have an existential crisis or die tragically. Well, except for that one time, but we don't talk about that. Perfect for: Anyone who wants to feel good about humanity, appreciates clever writing that doesn't talk down to its audience, or just wants to see Sarah Jane Smith being absolutely brilliant for five seasons straight. |