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{{Infobox Story SMW
{{Infobox Story
|image               = Dark Horde.JPG
|image = Dark Horde.JPG
|series               = [[List of The Sarah Jane Adventures television stories|''SJA'' television stories]]
|series =[[List of The Sarah Jane Adventures television stories|''SJA'' television stories]]
|season number       = Series 4 (SJA)
|season number = Series 4 (SJA)
|season serial number = 6
|season serial number = 6
|story number = 24
|story number         = 24
|main character = [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Luke Smith|Luke]], [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]], [[Rani Chandra|Rani]], [[Mr Smith]], [[K9 Mark IV]]
|scripturl      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/sja-series-4-episode-11-goodbye-sarah-jane-smith-part-one-pink-revisions-26052010.pdf
|enemy = [[Ruby White]]
|scripturl2      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/sja-series-4-episode-12-goodbye-sarah-jane-smith-part-two-pink-revisions-26052010.pdf
|setting = [[Ealing]], [[2010]]
|main character       = [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]], [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]], [[Rani Chandra|Rani]], [[Mr Smith]]
|writer = [[Clayton Hickman]] and [[Gareth Roberts]]
|featuring            = Luke Smith
|director = [[Joss Agnew]]
|featuring2          = Gita Chandra
|producer = [[Brian Minchin]]
|featuring3          = Haresh Chandra
|broadcast date = [[15 November (releases)|15]] - [[16 November (releases)|16 November]] [[2010 (releases)|2010]]
|featuring4          = K9 Mark IV
|format = 2x30-minute episodes
|enemy               = [[Ruby White]]
|prev = Lost in Time (TV story)
|setting             = [[Ealing]], [[2010]]
|next = Sky (TV story)
|writer               = Clayton Hickman, Gareth Roberts
|director             = [[Joss Agnew]]
|producer             = [[Brian Minchin]]
|broadcast date       = 15 - 16 November 2010
|format               = 2x30-minute episodes
|prev                 = Lost in Time (TV story)
|next                 = Sky (TV story)
|network              = CBBC
|epcount              = 2
}}
}}
'''''Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith''''' was the sixth and final serial of [[Series 4 (SJA)|series 4]] of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. It was written by [[Clayton Hickman]] and [[Gareth Roberts]], directed by [[Joss Agnew]] and featured [[Elisabeth Sladen]] as [[Sarah Jane Smith]], [[Tommy Knight]] as [[Luke Smith]], [[Daniel Anthony]] as [[Clyde Langer]], [[Anjli Mohindra]] as [[Rani Chandra]], [[Alexander Armstrong]] as [[Mr Smith]] and [[John Leeson]] as [[K9]].
{{ImageLinkTV}}
 
{{You may|Farewell, Sarah Jane (webcast)}}
In a sad case of irony, due to the title and plot, it is the final story of the programme to be broadcast during the life of its star, Elisabeth Sladen.  The story introduced a pair of foil characters to Sarah and Mr Smith, [[Ruby White]] and [[Mr White]], and dealt with Sarah's quiet fear of growing too old and ill to continue protecting the Earth, becoming purposeless. It also revealed how deeply Luke's departure to Oxford had affected her.
'''''Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith''''' was the sixth and final serial of [[Series 4 (SJA)|series 4]] of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. It was written by [[Clayton Hickman]] and [[Gareth Roberts]] and directed by [[Joss Agnew]]. It served as the last story in any media to feature [[K9 Mark IV]] for almost a decade, before the robot dog finally returned in 2020's ''[[Farewell, Sarah Jane (webcast)|Farewell, Sarah Jane]]'', a story celebrating the life of [[Elisabeth Sladen]].


It was the last story in any media to feature [[K9 Mark IV]]. The character would continue to make appearances in invalid material, such as a featurette detailing the statistical history of Doctor Who around the time of its fiftieth anniversary.
In a sad case of irony arising from the title and plot, it was the final story of the programme to be broadcast during the life of its star, [[Elisabeth Sladen]], who passed away from [[cancer]] shortly after its broadcast.


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
[[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]] has begun developing a form of dementia, and she realises that her ability to defend the [[Earth]] is diminishing. She must now hand over the task to surer hands. A seemingly suitable replacement, [[Ruby White]], has arrived on [[Bannerman Road]], but can she be trusted?
[[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]] has begun developing a form of [[dementia]], and she realises that her ability to defend the [[Earth]] is diminishing. She must now hand over the task to surer hands. A seemingly suitable replacement, [[Ruby White]], has arrived on [[Bannerman Road]], but can she be trusted?


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
=== Part one ===
=== Part one ===
A meteor hurtles towards [[Earth]]. [[Mr Smith]] redirects it to a safer crash site and says it will contain germ pathogens. The gang hurry to neutralise the germs. The meteorite reads all clear. Then a strange woman appears, claiming to be saving the world. She drives off in a red [[sports car]] and [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] points out that she is doing the same thing as [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]]. Sarah does not look pleased.
A meteor hurtles towards [[Earth]]. [[Mr Smith]] redirects it to a safer crash site and says it will contain germ pathogens. The gang hurry to neutralise the germs. The meteorite reads all clear. Then a strange woman appears, claiming to be saving the world. She drives off in a red [[sports car]] and [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] points out that she is doing the same thing as [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]]. Sarah Jane does not look pleased.


They find the woman has just moved in across the street and go to find out who she is. She behaves coldly towards them, telling them to get out of her house. Her name is [[Ruby White]] and she sees them as amateurs. She moved to [[Ealing]] because of all the alien activity — [[Martin Trueman|Trueman]], the [[Bubble Shock! factory]], [[Judoon|rhinos]] driving [[police car]]s and [[Rakweed|alien plant life]]. Sarah decides to stay away from Ruby, but keep her eyes open.
They find the woman has just moved in across the street and go to find out who she is. She behaves coldly towards them, telling them to get out of her house. Her name is [[Ruby White]] and she sees them as amateurs. She moved to [[Ealing]] because of all the alien activity — [[Martin Trueman|Trueman]], the [[Bubble Shock! factory]], [[Judoon|rhinos]] driving [[police car]]s and [[Rakweed|alien plant life]]. Sarah Jane decides to stay away from Ruby, but keep her eyes open.


The next day, [[Gita Chandra|Gita]] waves to Sarah on her way home. Sarah says she has to make [[Luke Smith|Luke's]] tea and then realises he is at university. Clyde and [[Rani Chandra|Rani]] go to check that she is alright. She calls Luke, just two hours after she last spoke to him. She can't remember [[K9 Mark IV|K9]]'s name. Rani suggests she take a holiday and visit Luke. Mr Smith gives a red alert. A fleet of [[Dark Horde]] warriors are heading for Earth. They trace the scan beam and lock onto the [[attic]] to neutralise enemy technology. Mr Smith diverts the teleport to an uninhabited area. Sarah gives Clyde a gun and says they must protect the Earth by any means.
The next day, [[Gita Chandra|Gita]] waves to Sarah Jane on her way home. Sarah Jane says she has to make [[Luke Smith|Luke's]] tea and then realises he is still at university. Clyde and [[Rani Chandra|Rani]] go to check that she is alright. She calls Luke, just two hours after she last spoke to him. She can't remember [[K9 Mark IV|K9]]'s name. Rani suggests she take a holiday and visit Luke. Mr Smith gives a red alert. A fleet of [[Dark Horde]] warriors are heading for Earth. They trace the scan beam and lock onto the [[attic]] to neutralise enemy technology. Mr Smith diverts the teleport to an uninhabited area. Sarah Jane gives Clyde a gun and says they must protect the Earth by any means.


An advance party of three warriors lands on Earth. Sarah plans to use a device to overload their sensors. She asks Clyde for the [[sonic lipstick]], but he said she told him to bring the gun (which isn't even charged). Sarah has made a big mistake. Then Ruby arrives and tosses spheres to Rani and Clyde. She uses an artificial intelligence to convince the Dark Horde that they are faced by a stronger version of themselves. Their logical reaction is to flee. Clyde suggests calling the AI "[[Mr White]]".
An advance party of three warriors lands on Earth. Sarah Jane plans to use a device to overload their sensors. She asks Clyde for the [[sonic lipstick]], but he said she told him to bring the gun, which she reveals isn't even charged. Sarah Jane has made a big mistake. Then Ruby arrives and tosses spheres to Rani and Clyde. She uses an artificial intelligence to convince the Dark Horde that they are faced by a stronger version of themselves. Their logical reaction is to flee. Clyde suggests calling the AI "[[Mr White]]".


They take Ruby back to the attic, where Mr White gets along well with Mr Smith. Sarah says she'd be glad to have an adult friend. Whilst explaining to Ruby how she became involved with aliens, Sarah forgets [[the Doctor]]'s name for a moment, something she can't believe she did. She orders Mr Smith to medi-scan her. He tells her there is evidence of brain tissue deterioration. Sarah takes this to mean she is too old to continue defending the Earth. Ruby makes friends with Clyde and Rani, who are eager to show off their knowledge of aliens. Sarah feels very left out.
They take Ruby back to the attic, where Mr White gets along well with Mr Smith. Sarah Jane says she'd be glad to have an adult friend. Whilst explaining to Ruby how she became involved with aliens, Sarah Jane forgets [[the Doctor]]'s name for a moment, something she can't believe she did. She orders Mr Smith to medi-scan her. He tells her there is proof of brain tissue deterioration. Sarah Jane takes this to mean she is too old to continue defending the Earth. Ruby makes friends with Clyde and Rani, who are eager to show off their knowledge of aliens. Sarah Jane feels very left out.


Sarah asks Ruby to take over the duty of protecting the Earth, offering her the house, Mr Smith and Clyde and Rani. Ruby agrees. Sarah goes to leave, not even bothering to tell Luke she is going. She orders Mr Smith to wipe her voice from the command program so she can no longer give him orders. She realises something is wrong and begs Ruby to help her. Instead, Ruby teleports her to a "secret [[cellar]]" which houses her stomach. She reveals she is the one making Sarah ill, draining her life force. She is a [[Qetesh]], whose race devours peoples' thrills and emotions. She targeted Sarah, who has the most exciting life on Earth. Mr White is making a farewell message for Clyde and Rani so they will believe Sarah has gone because "she" will tell them. Ruby's stomach drains Sarah directly as Ruby gloats about how she will feast on the Earth...
Sarah Jane asks Ruby to take over the duty of protecting the Earth, offering her the house, Mr Smith and Clyde and Rani. Ruby agrees. Sarah Jane orders Mr Smith to wipe her voice from the command program so she can no longer give him orders and goes to leave, not even bothering to tell Luke she is going. She realises something is wrong and begs Ruby to help her. Instead, Ruby teleports her to a "secret [[cellar]]" which houses her stomach. She reveals she is the one making Sarah Jane sick draining her life force. She is a [[Qetesh]], whose race devours people's thrills and emotions. She targeted Sarah Jane, who has the most exciting life on Earth. Mr White is making a farewell message for Clyde and Rani so they will believe Sarah Jane has gone because "she" will tell them. Ruby's stomach drains Sarah Jane directly as Ruby gloats about how she will feast on the Earth.


=== Part two ===
=== Part two ===
Ruby explains that rather than stop aliens, she will help them and feed on the excitement and terror that humanity will feel. Back in the attic, Clyde and Rani watch Mr White's faked video of Sarah. Clyde can't believe Sarah has simply gone. He blames Rani for putting the idea of a "holiday" in her head. Mr Smith starts acting strangely. He tries to warn Clyde — "Beware Ruby". Ruby shuts down Mr Smith and teleports Clyde to her spaceship. It was her prison, until she reprogrammed its game console (Mr White). Ruby leaves Clyde in the prison to suffocate.  
Ruby explains that rather than stop aliens, she will help them and feed on the excitement and terror that humanity will feel. Back in the attic, Clyde and Rani watch Mr White's faked video of Sarah Jane. Clyde blames Rani for putting the idea of a "holiday" in her head. Mr Smith starts acting strangely; unable to warn Clyde directly, he attempts to spell out "Beware Ruby". Just as Clyde realizes what Mr Smith is trying to tell him, Ruby shuts down Mr Smith and teleports Clyde to her spaceship. She reveals that it was her prison, until she reprogrammed Mr White, who was just a game console that was left as her only entertainment. Ruby leaves Clyde in the prison to suffocate.
 
[[File:Luke_returns.jpg|left|thumb|Luke returns from Oxford.]]
[[File:Luke_returns.jpg|left|thumb|Luke returns from Oxford.]]
Rani tries to call Clyde and hears a knock at the door. She opens it to find Luke. K9, who is back in Oxford, tracks Clyde's phone to space. Rani goes to place the phone near Mr White so K9 can reset him and free Mr Smith from his influence, as well as rescue Clyde. Clyde leaves a message on his phone for the others to find, then collapses. Rani distracts Ruby, who is not convinced, but luckily K9 resets Mr White in time. K9 rescues Clyde and the restored Mr Smith imprisons Ruby in a [[containment vortex]], but she escapes. Clyde and Rani go to rescue Sarah. Ruby corners them in the cellar and threatens to devour them completely.
Rani tries to call Clyde and hears a knock at the door. She opens it to find Luke. K9, who is back in Oxford, tracks Clyde's phone to space. Rani goes to place the phone near Mr White so K9 can reset him and free Mr Smith from his influence, as well as rescue Clyde. Clyde leaves a message on his phone for the others to find, then collapses. Rani distracts Ruby, who sees through the ruse and assaults her, but luckily K9 resets Mr White in time. K9 rescues Clyde and the restored Mr Smith imprisons Ruby in a [[containment vortex]], but she escapes. Clyde and Rani go to rescue Sarah Jane. Ruby corners them in the cellar and threatens to devour them completely.


Luke arrives and gives Ruby a warning to leave Earth. When she refuses, Mr White sends a hologram so everyone on Earth sees a meteor hurtling straight for them. Ruby cannot handle the sudden inrush of emotions and thrills from six billion people. The stomach swells, then shrinks and releases all the energy it took from Sarah back into her. Sarah sends Ruby back to her prison ship, where Ruby swears to get revenge on her. Sarah thanks her team for saving her, knowing she could count on them while Mr Smith and K9 finally seem to have put aside their animosity after working together to defeat Ruby. Luke takes them all out for a treat and Sarah says that although the universe is full of amazing things, they have stiff competition on Earth.
Luke arrives and gives Ruby a warning to leave Earth. When she refuses, Mr White sends a hologram so everyone on Earth sees a meteor hurtling straight for them. Ruby cannot handle the sudden inrush of emotions and thrills from six billion people. The stomach swells, then shrinks and releases all the energy it took from Sarah Jane back into her. Sarah Jane sends Ruby back to her prison ship, where Ruby swears to get revenge on her. Sarah Jane thanks her team for saving her, knowing she could count on them while Mr Smith and K9 finally seem to have put aside their animosity after working together to defeat Ruby. Luke takes them all out for a treat and Sarah Jane says that although the universe is full of amazing things, they have "stiff competition" on Earth.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
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}}
}}


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
=== Individuals ===
=== Individuals ===
* Luke wants to meet [[Sanjay]] at the [[Oxford Union Society|Union]].
* Luke wants to meet [[Sanjay (Death of the Doctor)|Sanjay]] at the [[Oxford Union Society|Union]].
* [[Kuthrapali|Mrs Kuthrapali]] is living on [[Old Forest Road]].
* [[Kuthrapali|Mrs Kuthrapali]] lived on [[Old Forest Road]] before she died.


=== Locations ===
=== Locations ===
* Ruby lives on [[46 Old Forest Road]].
* Ruby lives on [[46 Old Forest Road]].
* The [[Dark Horde]] conqueres the [[Kravasta colonies]].
* The Dark Horde conquered the [[Kravasta colonies]].
* Ruby mentions [[Finland]].
* Ruby mentions [[Finland]].


=== Cultural references from the real world ===
=== Cultural references from the real world ===
* Rani teases Clyde when she says she'll get her hair "done like [[Lady Gaga]], all skewiff, then dye it streaked."
* Rani teases Clyde when she says she'll get her hair "done like [[Lady Gaga]], all skewiff, then dye it streaked."
=== Races and species ===
* Ruby is a [[Qetesh]].


=== Objects ===
=== Objects ===
* Ruby mentions she has a [[bio damper]].
* Ruby mentions she has a [[bio damper]].
* Sarah owns a [[scanning blind]], two [[thermo-clamp]]s and one [[bio-coolant]]
* Sarah Jane owns a [[scanning blind]], two [[thermo-clamp]]s and one [[bio-coolant]].
* When Ruby tells Clyde that [[Mr White]] is a games console, Clyde responds, "Mr White is a [[Playstation]]?"
* When Ruby tells Clyde that Mr White is a games console, Clyde compares him to a [[Playstation]].
* Mr Smith tries to use his [[containment vortex]] on Ruby.


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* This is the only story featuring Sarah Jane Smith's name in the title that does not feature [[the Trickster]] as the main antagonist.
* This is the only story featuring Sarah Jane Smith's name in the title that does not feature [[the Trickster]] as the main antagonist.
* Shortly after this story was broadcast, [[Elisabeth Sladen]]'s health began to deteriorate, eerily similar to her character's plight in this episode.
* Shortly after this story was broadcast, [[Elisabeth Sladen]]'s health began to deteriorate.{{Fact}} She ultimately passed away shortly after production began on the following series.


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
Line 386: Line 390:


=== Filming locations ===
=== Filming locations ===
''to be added''
46 Victoria Road, Penarth - Ruby White's house at 46 Old Forest Road
 
Treforest Tinplate Works, Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd - The gang and Ruby encounter Dark Horde at the junkyard
 
Thames House (stock footage from ''[[Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day Three]]'') - The holographic meteors sail down on London


=== Production errors ===
=== Production errors ===
In Part 2 at around the 24:45 mark, you can see the CGI crosses on Mr Smith used to overlay his GUI.
{{Discontinuity}}
* In part two at around the 24:45 mark, you can see the VFX tracking markers on Mr Smith used to overlay his GUI.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
{{Discontinuity}}
* When discussing the [[Ealing Triangle]], Ruby refers to [[Martin Trueman]], ([[TV]]: {{cs|Secrets of the Stars (TV story)}}) the [[Bubble Shock! factory]], ([[TV]]: {{cs|Invasion of the Bane (TV story)}}) "[[Judoon|rhinos]] in a [[police car]]" ([[TV]]: {{cs|Prisoner of the Judoon (TV story)}}) and [[Rakweed|alien plant life]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Gift (TV story)}})
* Clyde is again splattered with alien slime. ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)|Revenge of the Slitheen]]'', ''[[Enemy of the Bane (TV story)|Enemy of the Bane]]'', ''[[The Gift (TV story)|The Gift]]'', ''[[The Nightmare Man (TV story)|The Nightmare Man]]'')
* Sarah Jane recalls meeting the [[Third Doctor]] when she was 23-years-old. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Time Warrior (TV story)}})
* Ruby White refers to [[Martin Trueman]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Secrets of the Stars (TV story)|Secrets of the Stars]]'') the [[Bubble Shock! factory]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Bane (TV story)|Invasion of the Bane]]'') "[[Judoon|rhinos]] in a [[police car]]" ([[TV]]: ''[[Prisoner of the Judoon (TV story)|Prisoner of the Judoon]]'') and [[Rakweed|alien plant life]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Gift (TV story)|The Gift]]'')
* Clyde has a [[panic attack]] when believing Sarah Jane has abandoned him, due to how his father left him. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Mark of the Berserker (TV story)}})
* Luke is driving the [[Volkswagen Beetle]] which he was given by Sarah. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Nightmare Man (TV story)|The Nightmare Man]]'')
* Rani's naivety and doubt endangers her group again. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Death of the Doctor (TV story)}})
* Sarah says she was twenty-three when she first met the [[Third Doctor]]. Her apparent decision to [[retire]] is triggered, in part, when she is unable to remember the Doctor's name. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time Warrior (TV story)|The Time Warrior]]'')
* Ruby has a stolen [[bio damper]] [[bracelet]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Runaway Bride (TV story)}}, {{cs|Secrets of the Stars (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Empty Planet (TV story)}})
* Upon establishing the link with Mr Smith, both he and K9 say, "Contact". When meeting his [[First Doctor|first]] and [[Second Doctor|second incarnations]], the Third Doctor said this word to establish a [[psychic link]] with his younger selves. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]'')
* Luke is still driving the [[Volkswagen Beetle]] Sarah Jane gave him. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Nightmare Man (TV story)}})
* Ruby has a stolen bio damper bracelet. Others have had bio damper technology. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'', ''[[Secrets of the Stars (TV story)|Secrets of the Stars]]'', ''[[The Empty Planet (TV story)|The Empty Planet]]'')
* Upon establishing the link with Mr Smith, both he and K9 say, "Contact". When meeting his [[First Doctor|first]] and [[Second Doctor|second incarnations]], the Third Doctor said the same word to establish a [[psychic link]] with his younger selves. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Three Doctors (TV story)}})
* K9 calls Mr Smith "Inferior Smith" when he notices Mr White got the better of him. This is the last jab K9 makes in their long-standing rivalry before the end of the series. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mad Woman in the Attic (TV story)|The Mad Woman in the Attic]]'' onward) Mr Smith makes one more jab. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Man Who Never Was (TV story)|The Man Who Never Was]]'') However, while the two have a rivalry still, they seem to be on better terms after K9 saves Mr Smith from [[Mr White]] as Mr Smith calls K9 by name rather than "the dog" and admits he isn't so bad, saying he's "met worse." K9 returns the sentiment.
* When Ruby White's stomach is overloaded, Clyde is pleasantly surprised when he is not splattered with alien slime, as the group has been several times after defeating an alien; however, when he walks toward the stomach and makes this observation, he is nevertheless splattered with slime. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)}}, {{cs|Enemy of the Bane (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Gift (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Nightmare Man (TV story)}})


== Home video releases ==
== Home video releases ==
''to be added''
=== DVD releases ===
* This story was included in the 4th Series DVD release (Region 2 release: 31st October 2011).
* It was also released in the Complete Collection Series 1-5 boxset release (Region 2 release: 6th February 2012).
 
=== Blu-ray releases ===
''To be added.''


== External links ==
== External links ==
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[[Category:SJA television stories]]
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[[Category:Series 4 (SJA) stories]]
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[[Category:K9 television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in Oxford]]
[[Category:Stories set in Oxford]]
[[ro:Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith]]

Revision as of 18:19, 31 March 2024

RealWorld.png

You may be looking for Farewell, Sarah Jane (webcast).

Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith was the sixth and final serial of series 4 of The Sarah Jane Adventures. It was written by Clayton Hickman and Gareth Roberts and directed by Joss Agnew. It served as the last story in any media to feature K9 Mark IV for almost a decade, before the robot dog finally returned in 2020's Farewell, Sarah Jane, a story celebrating the life of Elisabeth Sladen.

In a sad case of irony arising from the title and plot, it was the final story of the programme to be broadcast during the life of its star, Elisabeth Sladen, who passed away from cancer shortly after its broadcast.

Synopsis

Sarah Jane has begun developing a form of dementia, and she realises that her ability to defend the Earth is diminishing. She must now hand over the task to surer hands. A seemingly suitable replacement, Ruby White, has arrived on Bannerman Road, but can she be trusted?

Plot

Part one

A meteor hurtles towards Earth. Mr Smith redirects it to a safer crash site and says it will contain germ pathogens. The gang hurry to neutralise the germs. The meteorite reads all clear. Then a strange woman appears, claiming to be saving the world. She drives off in a red sports car and Clyde points out that she is doing the same thing as Sarah Jane. Sarah Jane does not look pleased.

They find the woman has just moved in across the street and go to find out who she is. She behaves coldly towards them, telling them to get out of her house. Her name is Ruby White and she sees them as amateurs. She moved to Ealing because of all the alien activity — Trueman, the Bubble Shock! factory, rhinos driving police cars and alien plant life. Sarah Jane decides to stay away from Ruby, but keep her eyes open.

The next day, Gita waves to Sarah Jane on her way home. Sarah Jane says she has to make Luke's tea and then realises he is still at university. Clyde and Rani go to check that she is alright. She calls Luke, just two hours after she last spoke to him. She can't remember K9's name. Rani suggests she take a holiday and visit Luke. Mr Smith gives a red alert. A fleet of Dark Horde warriors are heading for Earth. They trace the scan beam and lock onto the attic to neutralise enemy technology. Mr Smith diverts the teleport to an uninhabited area. Sarah Jane gives Clyde a gun and says they must protect the Earth by any means.

An advance party of three warriors lands on Earth. Sarah Jane plans to use a device to overload their sensors. She asks Clyde for the sonic lipstick, but he said she told him to bring the gun, which she reveals isn't even charged. Sarah Jane has made a big mistake. Then Ruby arrives and tosses spheres to Rani and Clyde. She uses an artificial intelligence to convince the Dark Horde that they are faced by a stronger version of themselves. Their logical reaction is to flee. Clyde suggests calling the AI "Mr White".

They take Ruby back to the attic, where Mr White gets along well with Mr Smith. Sarah Jane says she'd be glad to have an adult friend. Whilst explaining to Ruby how she became involved with aliens, Sarah Jane forgets the Doctor's name for a moment, something she can't believe she did. She orders Mr Smith to medi-scan her. He tells her there is proof of brain tissue deterioration. Sarah Jane takes this to mean she is too old to continue defending the Earth. Ruby makes friends with Clyde and Rani, who are eager to show off their knowledge of aliens. Sarah Jane feels very left out.

Sarah Jane asks Ruby to take over the duty of protecting the Earth, offering her the house, Mr Smith and Clyde and Rani. Ruby agrees. Sarah Jane orders Mr Smith to wipe her voice from the command program so she can no longer give him orders and goes to leave, not even bothering to tell Luke she is going. She realises something is wrong and begs Ruby to help her. Instead, Ruby teleports her to a "secret cellar" which houses her stomach. She reveals she is the one making Sarah Jane sick draining her life force. She is a Qetesh, whose race devours people's thrills and emotions. She targeted Sarah Jane, who has the most exciting life on Earth. Mr White is making a farewell message for Clyde and Rani so they will believe Sarah Jane has gone because "she" will tell them. Ruby's stomach drains Sarah Jane directly as Ruby gloats about how she will feast on the Earth.

Part two

Ruby explains that rather than stop aliens, she will help them and feed on the excitement and terror that humanity will feel. Back in the attic, Clyde and Rani watch Mr White's faked video of Sarah Jane. Clyde blames Rani for putting the idea of a "holiday" in her head. Mr Smith starts acting strangely; unable to warn Clyde directly, he attempts to spell out "Beware Ruby". Just as Clyde realizes what Mr Smith is trying to tell him, Ruby shuts down Mr Smith and teleports Clyde to her spaceship. She reveals that it was her prison, until she reprogrammed Mr White, who was just a game console that was left as her only entertainment. Ruby leaves Clyde in the prison to suffocate.

Luke returns from Oxford.

Rani tries to call Clyde and hears a knock at the door. She opens it to find Luke. K9, who is back in Oxford, tracks Clyde's phone to space. Rani goes to place the phone near Mr White so K9 can reset him and free Mr Smith from his influence, as well as rescue Clyde. Clyde leaves a message on his phone for the others to find, then collapses. Rani distracts Ruby, who sees through the ruse and assaults her, but luckily K9 resets Mr White in time. K9 rescues Clyde and the restored Mr Smith imprisons Ruby in a containment vortex, but she escapes. Clyde and Rani go to rescue Sarah Jane. Ruby corners them in the cellar and threatens to devour them completely.

Luke arrives and gives Ruby a warning to leave Earth. When she refuses, Mr White sends a hologram so everyone on Earth sees a meteor hurtling straight for them. Ruby cannot handle the sudden inrush of emotions and thrills from six billion people. The stomach swells, then shrinks and releases all the energy it took from Sarah Jane back into her. Sarah Jane sends Ruby back to her prison ship, where Ruby swears to get revenge on her. Sarah Jane thanks her team for saving her, knowing she could count on them while Mr Smith and K9 finally seem to have put aside their animosity after working together to defeat Ruby. Luke takes them all out for a treat and Sarah Jane says that although the universe is full of amazing things, they have "stiff competition" on Earth.

Cast

Crew

General production staff

Script department

Camera and lighting department

Art department

Costume department

Make-up and prosthetics


General post-production staff

Special and visual effects

Sound



Not every person who worked on this adventure was credited. The absence of a credit for a position doesn't necessarily mean the job wasn't required. The information above is based solely on observations of the actual end credits of the episodes as broadcast, and does not relay information from IMDB or other sources.
          

Despite appearing in Part 2, K9 did not get a "created by Bob Baker and Dave Martin" credit like in other appearances.


Worldbuilding

Individuals

Locations

Cultural references from the real world

  • Rani teases Clyde when she says she'll get her hair "done like Lady Gaga, all skewiff, then dye it streaked."

Objects

Story notes

  • This is the only story featuring Sarah Jane Smith's name in the title that does not feature the Trickster as the main antagonist.
  • Shortly after this story was broadcast, Elisabeth Sladen's health began to deteriorate.[source needed] She ultimately passed away shortly after production began on the following series.

Ratings

to be added

Filming locations

46 Victoria Road, Penarth - Ruby White's house at 46 Old Forest Road

Treforest Tinplate Works, Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd - The gang and Ruby encounter Dark Horde at the junkyard

Thames House (stock footage from Children of Earth: Day Three) - The holographic meteors sail down on London

Production errors

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • In part two at around the 24:45 mark, you can see the VFX tracking markers on Mr Smith used to overlay his GUI.

Continuity

Home video releases

DVD releases

  • This story was included in the 4th Series DVD release (Region 2 release: 31st October 2011).
  • It was also released in the Complete Collection Series 1-5 boxset release (Region 2 release: 6th February 2012).

Blu-ray releases

To be added.

External links

v • e
SJA television stories
Series 1
Series 2
Regular episodes
Mini-episodes
Series 3
Series 4
Series 5
Stories listed here are only those that have been officially licensed by the BBC.
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