Taking a single episode detour before returning to the main Doctor Who narrative, today’s retrospective looks at Invasion of the Bane, the pilot episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures, first broadcast on New Year's Day 2007. Written by Russell T Davies, Gareth Roberts, and Phil Ford, and directed by Colin Teague, this special introduced a new spin-off aimed at a younger audience while still retaining the heart and intelligence of Doctor Who itself.
Looking back, it’s incredible to realize just how spoiled Doctor Who fans were at the time. With Doctor Who, Torchwood, and The Sarah Jane Adventures all airing within the same Christmas season, there was a wealth of content catering to different audiences, something that made the mid-2000s a golden age for the Whoniverse. While Torchwood embraced adult themes, SJA was positioned as the perfect gateway for younger fans—capturing the excitement and adventure of the parent series while making it accessible to a new generation.
At the heart of The Sarah Jane Adventures is, of course, Sarah Jane Smith, played by the incomparable Elisabeth Sladen. Having already made a triumphant return to Doctor Who in School Reunion, this spin-off gave her the lead role she always deserved. Sarah Jane is older, wiser, and more guarded than in her classic era, but she still carries that same curiosity and fierce determination. Unlike the Doctor, she is no longer running—she has settled down, investigating alien activity from her home in Bannerman Road. However, the loneliness that was hinted at in School Reunion is still present, making her eventual decision to take on a young protégé all the more meaningful.
That young protégé is Maria Jackson, played by Yasmin Paige, who serves as the audience’s point-of-view character. Moving to a new neighborhood, Maria quickly finds herself drawn into Sarah Jane’s world after witnessing strange lights and an encounter with an alien. Their chemistry is immediate—Maria’s youthful excitement perfectly complements Sarah Jane’s cautious experience, creating a dynamic that feels reminiscent of classic Doctor-companion relationships.
The episode’s plot revolves around the sinister Bubble Shock! factory, a clear satire of corporate marketing and consumer culture. The villainous Mrs. Wormwood, played with delicious menace by Samantha Bond, is the perfect blend of charm and underlying threat. Her plan—to use an addictive soft drink to take control of humanity—leans into the kind of whimsical yet eerie storytelling that Doctor Who does so well. The alien Bane, revealed in its true form near the climax, is an impressive design for a children’s series, managing to be both grotesque and effective despite the show’s smaller budget.
One of the most important moments in Invasion of the Bane is the introduction of Luke Smith, the artificially grown "perfect human" created by the Bane. Played by Tommy Knight, Luke’s journey from a test subject to Sarah Jane’s adopted son is one of the episode’s strongest emotional beats. His immediate vulnerability, paired with his rapid intellect, makes him a fascinating addition to the Whoniverse. Sarah Jane’s decision to take him in shows just how much she has changed since her travels with the Doctor—she is no longer just an investigator, but a mentor and a mother figure.
The episode’s pacing is brisk, packing a lot into its hour-long runtime while still allowing room for character development. The humor is lighter than in Doctor Who, but it never talks down to its audience, maintaining the same level of respect for storytelling that made Doctor Who’s revival such a success. The final scene, in which Sarah Jane reflects on the beauty and wonder of the universe, is a beautiful nod to her past while setting up her future adventures.
Rewatching Invasion of the Bane in 2025, it remains a delightful and engaging entry into the Whoniverse. It introduces a fresh, young cast while giving Elisabeth Sladen the leading role she so rightly deserved. More than anything, it captures the essence of Doctor Who—a show about curiosity, bravery, and the belief that anyone can make a difference. As a one-off, it is an enjoyable adventure, but as the beginning of a beloved spin-off, it is something even greater: a new legacy for one of Doctor Who’s most iconic companions.
No comments:
Post a Comment