The Sarah Jane Adventures | Lost In Time

Not really lost though are they? I mean it gets close in Part 2 but still. So what did I think of the episode? It was very good, and I’m glad to say it continues the high standard that the series has set. Best episode so far, The Nightmare Man. Then Lost In Time, then Death of the Doctor and The Empty Planet. And then last place, the clever but standard Vault of Secrets.

I love this episode because of the same reason I love the Nightmare Man. It focuses on the people, it focuses on their situations. It focuses on the people around them, pairing them all up. Then it rounds it all off at the end, focussing on history as well as other things.

So. Lady Rani, let’s start with her. The episode started off very normally, and we soon learnt that Rani’s knowledge of the past and general loveliness is going to help Lady Jane Grey a great deal. She works brilliantly with Lady Jane, and we get to see Rani make a new friend. She fits that time, she suits that time (Rani that is) and it works very well. She fights off the assassin and she just sits and talks. Brilliant acting all round, and continues on the whole character feel really well.

Clydey. And Georgey. They worked well together, and Clyde was finally focussing on serious things rather than making jokes at every opportunity. He gets passionate speeches about Britain and about how the might of the Nazis isn’t enough to win. He actually gets a good role, and once again he secures his role in the series. No one can doubt Clyde’s character, and it is a relief to see he can be serious. For once…

The Sarah Jane story was a disappointment. While the idea of a ghost story was good, there wasn’t enough mystery, and Sarah Jane gives another half hearted performance. But it is a good story with a clever ending. It’s just a shame the person playing Angela can’t act, and her save the world thingy is the least dramatic thing ever. She happens to turn up then! Of Course! Would’ve been more mysterious if she’d turned up half way through. The reason why the old house is linked with new modern times isn’t really explained or developed, and the dress that ex-X Factor contestant Lucie Jones wears looks old-fashioned, not modern. The whole time thing doesn’t come across that well, but the build up to it is mysterious and ok… I just think that the story and conclusion is very undramatic, whereas the other ones have a bit of power in them!

So on the whole, a good episode. The WW2 and Tudor stories make up for the disappointment of the ghost story, and the characters give a strong performance. This more grown up, more serious and better approach to the series continues, and will continue I hope. The finale looks brilliant, and maybe even Sarah Jane can perform her best yet.

James