Sarah Jane Adventures 1.5: Warriors of Kudlak part 1

[Greg]

A new adventure - but one that feels a bit dated to me - possibly because laser tag never really took of in Australia. Is it still popular anywhere?

Kids are going missing in cities where Combat 3000 has franchises. Lance, a boy at the same school as Luke, Maria and Clyde, is the latest - and Luke feels guilty, having mad a joke of Lance's name. Queue male bonding between Luke and Clyde, culminating in a visit to the last place Lance was known to be - Laser 3000!


Sarah investigates the disappearances with Maria's assistance, eventually arriving at the Laser 3000 place in time to become embroiled in the end-game of the 'level 2' game that Luke and Clyde are playing - which ties directly into the mystery of the vanishing kids.

Now, I may be a bit dim, but half-way through this series I finally noticed something. The basic format of the series is pretty much that of the first series of Doctor Who (1963-64) In that it features an older person who in the nominal leader, has experience with alien worlds and access to high tech equipment. Another of the four is the leader's dependant and rather unearthly child. The other two are associated primarily through the dependant's school. The only thing missing is travelling through time and space.

Like the original series, our regular characters often get split into two groups as the mysterious circumstances are explored, and come back together as we head into dangerous conflict.

If nothing else, it's good to see the same basic format continue to be able to be used all these years later!

Of the stories in the series so far, this is the one that has (so far) demonstrated the thinnest, most linear plot. It's a runaround, taking (possibly) familiar situations and making them sinister, a device likely to appeal to young viewers and make undemanding viewing for those older.

Oddly missing (so far) are Maria's parents, giving the viewers (or at least me!) a break from the annoying Chrissy. The time that might have been devoted to these characters is instead giving more detail of Lance and showing the impact of another of Luke's bad social mistakes on his sense of self-worth, which is good character development.

There is a bit of a link to the Doctor Who episode, Smith and Jones...

A light-hearted mix of mystery and shoot-'em-ups.

TRIVIA: 'Kudlak' is one of the various Slavic words that is translated as 'vampire'. Don't know if this is intentional or not.

[meglos]

I havn't seen this one yet. I'm waiting for part 2 so I can watch it as a whole. Just a small experiment

[Greg]

A small experiment in patience?

[meglos]

Exactly

[Ohica]

I have seen part one and I think this ep has been the least appealing to me. I would have preferred Kudlak to have been kept away for longer and then make a more impressive scary and sudden entrance. WE saw what happened to Lance at the start so there is no suspense. Sarah's machine gave me that same queezy feeling that K9 in the cupboard gave me......I liked the concept of the machine but thought it was a bit silly looking and junky. My question is how does she know how to do all that stuff? I know she's pretty clever and has probably been studying all this for a while now but how did she know how to make it? Maybe she has a manual. Maybe all that Artron energy has made her cleverer. I liked the action but it was a bit repetitive. I hope they have more excitement in the next part. I still liked the ep but it was a bit shallower than the others and more geared to what kids like. One for the boys, I think.

The best scene in the whole ep was the gun/lippy scene. It was hilarious and a nice reference to SJ's past. Notice how she is always called Sarah Jane now whereas the Doctor only ever called her Sarah. Rarely SJ. I too think it best to have the odd parent-free ep and also a Mr Smith grand entrance-free ep as well.

Looking forward to the next installment.

[Tegan]

Not bad, but a bit predictable. I found my attention wandering. The previews for next week look to be a bit more interesting though.

[Ohica]

I've now seen part 2. It's better than part one. I won't comment more on this thread though.

One general thing I'd like to say about all the SJA eps to date is that I like the references to Sarah's age. I like the fact they are not trying to hide the fact that she is old [even though she looks darn good for her age.] I find so many American shows where they have actresses playing characters that are supposed to be younger than they are and I don't think it works. Although ES could easily get away with it, I'm glad they are being realistic with the age thing. Sarah even makes reference to it herself, in part 2. I think it makes all the old ducks out there feel good, that when they are pushing 60, they might still be able to run around the place doing exciting things..... arthritis and cardio pulminary system allowing, that is.

[Greg]

The part 2 thread should be up a bit later - I have it, but haven't watched it yet!

[meglos]

I liked it. It was a lot of fun

[Theta Sigma]

Overall this has been a good beginning to the story which I think would have been better without Luke's attempt at humour and the joke about Lance Corporal was just embarassing.

The cliffhanger was great.

[montypython]

Good, great, wonderful. I like the plotline of training kids to be warriors in an alien war, though I'm sure I've seen it somewhere before.

Very funny when Sarah Jane escaped with her sonic lipstick.

I've really got to go to places and just start asking questions about the management etc., and see if the receptionist is willing to tell me everything...

Does anyone else think that - despite the annoyance of regular parents - Clyde's family deserves some input? Their son is always off with Maria and Luke and not at home, so why doesn't his life matter like Maria's? Yeah sure, she was the original... but still.

[Greg]

Just a quick comment so that this discussion won't be on page 2 after I move it...

[jfisher01]

I liked this episode. Not as strong as the previous ones, but still very good. I could relate to Luke, as I am in exactly the same situation as him (ie, do things which seem innocent, but have really bad consequences later on, when I find out the full story.)

But, one thing I noticed, was that the whole 'kids love war games' thing was scarily true. I'm not into that sorta stuff, but as soon as I mention games, especially video games, it's all 'Halo', and 'Grand Theft Auto'. I think these sound utterly disgusting.

(PS, I've got the boxed set, and have just started the 3 stories I haven't seen before, this, WHTSJ, and The Lost Boy. I watching 1 ep per day, and will comment on each as I watch.)

[Theta Sigma]

Read in DWM's Sarah Jane Smith issue that for Warriors of Kudlak, the Kudlak appliance resembled the Creon prosthetics developed by Neill Gorton's company for Space Precinct. Didn't realise the similarity until I read that article in the aforementioned DWM issue.