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{{Infobox Sarah Jane Adventures
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image         = Whatever.jpg
|image               = Tricksterinmirror.jpg
|name    = Whatever Happened to<br />Sarah Jane?
|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 1 (SJA)
|season number         = [[Series 1 (SJA)|1]]
|season serial number = 4
|story number   = 5
|story number         = 5
|main character     = [[Sarah Jane Smith]], [[Maria Jackson]], [[Clyde Langer]], [[Luke Smith]], [[Mr Smith]]
|scripturl      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/sja-series-1-episode-7-whatever-happened-to-sarah-jane-part-one-shooting-script-18052007.pdf
|enemy         = [[The Trickster]] (introduced), [[Andrea Yates]], [[Krislok]]
|scripturl2      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/sja-series-1-episode-7-whatever-happened-to-sarah-jane-part-two-shooting-script-18052007.pdf
|setting        = [[Ealing]], [[London]], [[2008]], [[Andrea Yates' World|Alternative Ealing]], [[2008]], [[Limbo]], [[England]], [[1964]]
|main character       = [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]], [[Maria Jackson|Maria]], [[Luke Smith|Luke]], [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]], [[Mr Smith]]
|writer         = [[Gareth Roberts]]
|featuring            = Alan Jackson
|director       = [[Graeme Harper]]
|featuring2          = Chrissie Jackson
|producer       = [[Matthew Bouch]]
|featuring3          = Jason Mohammad (in-universe){{!}}Mohammad
|novelisation   = Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? (novelisation)
|enemy               = [[The Trickster]]
|broadcast date = [[29 October]] [[2007]] (part 1)<br />[[5 November]] [[2007]] (part 2)
|setting              = [[Ealing]] and an [[Andrea Yates's universe|alternative Ealing]], [[2000s]]<!--MAIN setting only.-->{{note|No on screen date is given for the first two series of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'', outside of ''[[The Day of the Clown (TV story)|The Day of the Clown]]'' from the [[Series 2 (SJA)|second series]] being set shortly after [[9 October]] in an undisclosed year. While [[Donna Noble]]'s present from the [[Series 4 (Doctor Who 2005)|fourth series]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' is set around the same time as the [[Series 1 (SJA)|first series]] of ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'', and ''[[The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith]]'' from the second series of ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'' is explicitly described as being set a year after ''Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?'' from the first series, ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s fourth series is [[Aliens of London dating controversy|not consistently dated]], with [[TV]]: ''[[The Fires of Pompeii (TV story)|The Fires of Pompeii]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Waters of Mars (TV story)|The Waters of Mars]]'', and [[AUDIO]]: ''[[SOS (audio story)|SOS]]'' setting the present of the 13 regular episodes in [[2008]] (heavily implied by [[TV]]: ''[[The Star Beast (TV story)|The Star Beast]]'' and [[TV]]: ''[[The Giggle (TV story)|The Giggle]]'' as well), and [[PROSE]]: ''[[Beautiful Chaos (novel)|Beautiful Chaos]]'' setting them in about [[April]] to [[June]] [[2009]].}}
|format         = 2x30 minute episodes
|writer               = Gareth Roberts
|prev = Warriors of Kudlak (TV story)
|director             = [[Graeme Harper]]
|next     = The Lost Boy (TV story)
|producer             = [[Matthew Bouch]]
}}{{big toc}}
|novelisation         = Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? (novelisation)
'''''Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?''''' was the fifth story of [[Series 1 (SJA)|Series 1]] of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. It made up episodes 7 and 8 of the regular series. It saw the introduction of [[the Trickster]], a recurring villain of the programme whose [[Trickster's Brigade|minions]] would later appear in both ''[[Doctor Who]]'' and ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''.
|network              = CBBC
|broadcast date       = 29 October - 5 November 2007
|format               = 2x30 minute episodes
|prev                 = Warriors of Kudlak (TV story)
|next                 = The Lost Boy (TV story)
|clip                = Maria Meets Young Sarah Jane Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? The Sarah Jane Adventures
|clip2                = Sarah Jane Confronts the Trickster Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? The Sarah Jane Adventures
|clip3                = Sarah Jane is Brought Back to Reality Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? The Sarah Jane Adventures
|epcount              = 2
|music                = [[Sam Watts]]
}}
'''''Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?''''' was the fourth serial of [[Series 1 (SJA)|series 1]] of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. It was written by [[Gareth Roberts]] and directed by [[Graeme Harper]]. It saw the introduction of [[the Trickster]], a recurring villain of the program, whose [[Trickster's Brigade|minions]] would also appear in ''[[Doctor Who (TV series)|Doctor Who]]'' and ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''. Additionally, [[Alan Jackson]] got exposed to alien activity yet again, to the point it was beyond Sarah Jane's power to cover up the evidence.  


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
One day, [[Sarah Jane Smith]] exists. The next, only Maria Jackson knows of her. [[Andrea Yates]] takes her place, but Maria knows that Andrea has done something to remove Sarah Jane from the space/time continuum. Maria must uncover the identity of the "Trickster" if the human race is to survive.
One day, [[Sarah Jane Smith]] exists. The next, only [[Maria Jackson]] knows of her. [[Andrea Yates]] takes her place, but Maria knows that Andrea has done something to remove Sarah Jane from the space/time continuum. It is up to Maria to uncover the identity of [[the Trickster|the "Trickster"]] if the [[human]] race is to survive. But with Sarah Jane and [[Luke Smith|Luke]] wiped from existence and [[Clyde Langer (Andrea Yates's universe)|Clyde]] having lost all [[knowledge]] of his former adventures, Maria must save the world single-handedly. But she finds it may be time to tell her father about her secret life with Sarah if the whole world is to survive.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
=== Part 1 ===
=== Part 1 ===
Sarah Jane Smith and Alan Jackson pick up Clyde, Luke, and Maria and stop off in a park where Clyde practises his skateboarding. Alan, disappointed at what he sees, attempts to teach Clyde, showing off his own skills. Maria takes photos of everyone. While being photographed, Sarah Jane becomes very cold and mutters that someone just walked over her grave. As they leave, a black-cloaked, hooded figure peers from behind a bush. Back in Sarah's attic, Sarah Jane tells Maria, Luke, and Clyde about a meteorite on course with Earth, but reassures them that Mr Smith will be able to deflect it the next day. After sending Clyde home and Luke to make tea, Sarah Jane gives Maria an alien puzzle box. It was given to her by a Verron Soothsayer, who told her to give it to the person she trusts the most and just to 'remember'. Sarah Jane says she chose Maria, and sent Luke away so he wouldn't be offended. Maria tries to open it that night in bed, but falls asleep holding it.
[[Sarah Jane Smith]] and [[Alan Jackson]] pick up [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]], [[Luke Smith|Luke]] and [[Maria Jackson|Maria]]. They stop off in the ''[[Ealing Palace Park]]'' where Clyde practises his [[skateboard]]ing. Alan, disappointed at what he sees, tries to teach Clyde, showing off his own skills. Maria takes photos of everyone. While being photographed, Sarah Jane becomes very cold and mutters that someone just walked over her grave. As they leave, a black-cloaked, hooded figure peers from behind a bush. Back in Sarah Jane's attic, Sarah Jane tells Maria, Luke and Clyde about a [[meteorite]] on course with [[Earth]]. She reassures them [[Mr Smith]] will deflect it the next day. After sending Clyde home and Luke to make tea, Sarah Jane gives Maria an alien [[Verron puzzle box|puzzlebox]]. It was a gift from a [[Verron]] [[Soothsayer]], who told her to give it to the person she trusts the most and just to "remember". Sarah Jane says she chose Maria and sent Luke away so he wouldn't be offended. Maria tries to open it that night, but falls asleep holding it.


A mysterious, cloaked figure approaches Sarah Jane's house. He holds out a hand. The lights in the house go out, her car disappears, and the puzzle block glows blue in Maria's hand. The next day, she tells her dad she is going to Sarah Jane's. Alan has not heard of the woman, but Maria takes this as a joke. He mentions [[Andrea Yates|Andrea]], and thinks Maria is joking when she asks who Andrea is. Across the street is a strange woman in Sarah Jane's house who seems to know her. Her dad calls the woman Andrea. Maria checks yesterday's photos. Sarah Jane is not in them, but Andrea is. Sarah Jane, Luke, and Mr. Smith have vanished, and she alone remembers them.
A mysterious, cloaked figure approaches Sarah Jane's house. He holds out a hand. The lights in the house go out, her car disappears and the puzzle block glows blue in Maria's hand. The next day, she tells her dad she is going to Sarah Jane's. Alan has not heard of the woman. Maria takes this as a joke. He mentions [[Andrea Yates|Andrea]] and thinks Maria is joking when she asks who Andrea is. Across the street is a strange woman in Sarah Jane's house who seems to know Maria, but neither Sarah Jane or Luke are there. Her dad calls the woman Andrea. Maria rushes into the house but the furniture and decorations are entirely different. Checking the attic, she finds it is filled with old junk and Mr. Smith is gone. Maria checks her laptop for the photos that she took the day before. Sarah Jane and Luke are not in them, but Andrea is. Sarah Jane, Luke and Mr. Smith have vanished. She alone remembers them.


Maria searches her contacts. Sarah Jane, Luke, and Clydes' numbers have all vanished. She remembers the impending meteor, but no one will listen. Clyde is an acquaintance rather than her best friend. Maria decides to search for information on Sarah Jane in the library. She finds a newspaper article from [[1964]] stating that a thirteen-year-old Sarah Jane Smith drowned after falling from a [[pier]], where she was playing with her friend, Andrea Yates.
Maria searches her mobile phone contacts, but Sarah Jane, Luke, and Clyde's numbers have all vanished. She remembers the impending meteor, but no one will listen. Remembering Clyde's number from memory, she calls him, only to find that he is an acquaintance rather than one of her best friends. When Maria asks about Sarah Jane and Luke, Clyde doesn't know what she's talking about and brushes her off. Maria decides to search for information on Sarah Jane in the library. She and her father find a newspaper article from [[1964]]; a thirteen-year-old Sarah Jane Smith drowned after falling from a [[Westport pier|pier]], where she was larking around with her friend, Andrea Yates. Alan reasons that Andrea told her about the accident.


As Maria watches, the names of the deceased and the survivor switch, though a bemused Alan claims he saw nothing. Maria tells her dad she was lying to stop his worrying, and goes to confront Andrea. Maria becomes angry when Andrea can't seem to recall her best friend's death and Andrea throws Maria out.
As Maria watches, the names of the deceased and the survivor on the report switch for a second, though a bemused Alan claims he saw nothing. Realising that she can't get her father to remember anything about Sarah Jane, Maria tells him she was lying to stop his worries. She goes to talk to Andrea. Andrea can't seem to recall her best friend's name until Maria mentions the incident in 1964, at which point Andrea panics and throws Maria out. Maria leaves after yelling that she will do whatever she can to bring Sarah Jane back.


Andrea rushes to the attic and finds a second puzzle box. The cloaked figure reappears and reminds Andrea of her agreement. She can't bear the memory and begs him to help her. He offers to make Maria disappear. After Andrea accepts, he dispatches a [[Graske]], who chases Maria into a dead end under a tunnel, and despite her attempts to dodge the gun, the Graske shoots a clip attached to a cord at Maria. The clip catches on to her breast pocket and the Graske teleports Maria away just after Alan picks up the first puzzle box, which Maria had dropped. When Chrissie comes round, she cannot remember their daughter, although her ex-husband can. Meanwhile Maria escapes from the Graske and finds herself on a beach promenade near two girls. She grabs a newspaper and sees the date: July 13th 1964, the day of the accident. When Maria asks the two girls where she is, they introduce themselves as Andrea Yates and Sarah Jane Smith.
Andrea rushes to the attic and finds a second puzzle box. The cloaked figure reappears and reminds Andrea of their agreement. She can't bear the memory and begs him to help her. He offers to make Maria disappear. After Andrea accepts, Andrea distracts Alan by asking him for help putting up decorations for her party. The Trickster dispatches a [[Graske]], who chases Maria from her house into a dead end under a tunnel and teleports her away just after Alan picks up the first puzzle box, which Maria had dropped during the chase. When Chrissie comes round, she cannot remember Maria, although Alan can. Meanwhile, Maria escapes from the Graske and finds herself on a beach promenade. She approaches two girls in school uniform to ask them for help. One of them laughs at Maria's clothes but the other is more friendly and tells her friend off for being so rude. This girl introduces herself, much to Maria's surprise, as Sarah Jane Smith.


=== Part 2 ===
=== Part 2 ===
After failing to dissuade Andrea from taking Sarah Jane to the pier, Maria is recaptured by the Graske and is taken to join the adult Sarah Jane on a white misty plain, known as [[Limbo]]. The mysterious figure summons Sarah and explains that he has removed Sarah Jane from Earth's timeline so the meteorite will destroy it and create the chaos on which he feeds. He removes his hood to reveal a featureless face, and a mouth with sharp, pointed teeth. He tells her how wonderful she is and that her life was so important to the Earth, but he found just the right time to 'snuff it out'. As he leaves he also mentions that he will proceed to remove [[the Doctor]] from time as well, to ensure nothing can interfere with his plan, much to Sarah Jane's dismay.
[[File:WHTSJ.jpg|thumb|Sarah Jane and the Trickster talk in [[Limbo]].]]
Maria realises that the other girl is Andrea Yates, who is surprised that Maria knows her. Maria grabs a newspaper and sees the date: [[13 July|July 13th]] [[1964]], the day of the accident. After failing to dissuade Andrea and Sarah Jane from going to the pier, Maria is recaptured by the Graske and is taken to join the adult Sarah Jane on a white, misty plain called [[Limbo]]. The mysterious figure summons Sarah Jane and explains that he has removed Sarah Jane from Earth's timeline so the meteorite will destroy it and create the chaos on which he feeds. Luke also no longer exists, as in the altered timeline the [[Bane (Invasion of the Bane)|Bane]] never came to Earth and thus he was never created. He removes his hood to reveal a featureless face and a mouth with sharp, pointed teeth. He tells her how her life was so important to the Earth, but he found just the right time to "snuff it out". As he leaves, he also mentions that he will proceed to remove [[the Doctor]] from time [[Turn Left (TV story)|as well]], to ensure nothing can interfere with his plan.


Chrissie becomes angry at Alan for apparently making up that they ever had any children and Alan begins to realise that what Maria said was true. Alan accompanies Chrissie to Andrea's birthday party. Recalling Maria's suspicions, he questions Andrea, who tries to change the subject but eventually breaks down and takes him to the attic where she tearfully reveals the truth. When she was on a school trip in July 1964 she and Sarah had left the school group to explore on their own. After getting into the locked pier they larked around for a bit before leaning over the railings. Andrea leant on an open gate and tumbled down, managing to grab hold of an overhanging girder. Sarah Jane attempted to save her but could not. A hoarse voice offered to switch the girls' places, and she, terrified, accepted. The two girls immediately swapped places, and Sarah Jane fell, with Andrea safe. The figure appeared and gave her the puzzle box, then removed himself from Andrea's memory, promising to always be with her. She initially forgot about her friend's entire existence, but Maria’s questions made her remember. The figure appears in the mirror though Alan cannot see him, and offers to remove him. Andrea apologises both for removing Maria and for what she is about to do. She grabs Alan's puzzle box as a Graske appears. Alan is chased into the street by the Graske but knocks it down on his skateboard and ties it up. He then uses its snare device to bring back Maria.
Chrissie becomes angry at Alan for making up that they had children, and Alan begins to realise that what Maria said was true. He accompanies Chrissie to Andrea's birthday party. Recalling Maria's suspicions, he questions Andrea, who takes him to the attic and sorrowfully reveals the truth. When Andrea was on a school trip in July 1964, she and Sarah Jane left the school group to explore on their own. After getting into the locked pier, they larked around for a bit before looking over the railings. However, the gate Andrea leant against was unlocked and she tumbled down, grabbing hold of an overhanging girder. Sarah Jane tried to save her, but could not reach her or call for help. A hoarse voice offered to switch the girls' places. Andrea, terrified, accepted. The two girls immediately swapped places and Sarah Jane fell, with Andrea safe. The figure appeared and gave Andrea the puzzle box, then removed himself from her memory, promising to always be with her.


Maria returns to reality, leaving Sarah Jane on her own in limbo. At Andrea's party Clyde switches on the telly, where everyone at Andrea's party learns that a huge meteorite is heading for Earth, and the missile strike failed. Maria tells Alan to fire the snare again to return Sarah Jane, but she does not appear; Maria deduces that she returned to ''her'' home, so Sarah Jane should be in her attic. In the attic, Sarah Jane appears in the mirror and explains that she cannot return while Andrea is there. Andrea becomes angry when Maria states that Andrea was 'meant to die', arguing that she has the right to live and that she will be forgotten. Sarah Jane says she never forgot Andrea, and that witnessing her death gave Sarah Jane resolve to fight pointless deaths herself. When the figure reappears (named “[[the Trickster]]” by Alan), Andrea realises that she will die either way and throws her puzzle box at the mirror, smashing both. Back in 1964 Andrea falls to her death whispering, "Remember me," to Sarah Jane just before she falls, while Sarah Jane and Luke reappear along with Alan and Maria in the attic. Maria jumps up, remembering the meteor, now only metres from impact, and activates Mr Smith. The party guests have fled, but Clyde and Chrissie remain and are targets for the incoming meteorite. Mr Smith activates the magnetic buffer and the meteorite diverts at the last minute. Clyde and Chrissie are relieved to see it suddenly diverted from its fall. Clyde joins the others in the attic, where Alan demands an explanation of his daughter’s involvement with aliens, monsters, and supercomputers. The four look at each other and have no answer.
Because of the figure, Andrea had forgotten about her friend's entire existence, but Maria's questions made her remember both Sarah Jane and the deal she made with the figure. The figure then reappears in the mirror, though Alan cannot see him, and offers to remove Alan. Andrea apologises both for removing Maria and for what she is about to do. She grabs Alan's puzzle box as the Graske appears. Alan is chased into the street by the Graske, but he knocks it down on his skateboard and uses its [[snare gun|snare device]] to bring back Maria.
 
Maria returns to reality, leaving Sarah Jane on her own in limbo. At Andrea's party, Clyde switches on the television. Everyone at Andrea's party learns that a huge meteorite is heading for Earth and the Air Force are planning a missile strike to destroy the meteorite. Alan tries to fire the snare again to return Sarah Jane, but she does not appear; Maria [[deduce]]s that since she returned to her home, Sarah Jane must be in her attic. The missile strike fails and the guests flee the party to watch the approaching meteor.
 
In the attic, Sarah Jane appears in the mirror and explains that she cannot return while Andrea is still there. Andrea grows angry when Maria says she was "meant to die", arguing that she has the right to live and she will be forgotten. Sarah Jane agrees that neither of them should have died... it was a pointless death, something that Sarah Jane never forgot. Witnessing Andrea's death gave her the resolve to fight pointless deaths herself. When the figure reappears (called "[[the Trickster]]" by Alan), Andrea realises the error of her ways and, in an act of selflessness and courage, withdraws the agreement with the Trickster, throwing the puzzle box at the mirror which smashes both.
 
Back in 1964, Andrea whispers, "Remember me," to Sarah Jane just before she falls to her death, while Sarah Jane and Luke reappear with Alan and Maria in the attic. Sarah Jane activates Mr Smith to stop the meteor, now only metres from impact. The party guests have fled, but Clyde and Chrissie remain as targets for the incoming meteorite. Mr Smith activates the magnetic buffer and the meteorite diverts at the last minute. Clyde joins the others in the attic, where Alan demands an explanation of his daughter's involvement with aliens, monsters and supercomputers. The four look at each other and have no answer.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
Line 48: Line 67:
* [[Luke Smith]] — [[Tommy Knight]]
* [[Luke Smith]] — [[Tommy Knight]]
* [[Clyde Langer]] — [[Daniel Anthony]]
* [[Clyde Langer]] — [[Daniel Anthony]]
* Voice of&nbsp;[[Mr Smith]] - [[Alexander Armstrong]]
* Voice of [[Mr Smith]] - [[Alexander Armstrong]]
* [[Alan Jackson]] — [[Joseph Millson]]
* [[Alan Jackson]] — [[Joseph Millson]]
* [[Chrissie Jackson]] — [[Juliet Cowan]]
* [[Chrissie Jackson]] — [[Juliet Cowan]]
* [[Andrea Yates]] — [[Jane Asher]]
* [[Andrea Yates]] — [[Jane Asher]]
* [[The Trickster]] — [[Paul Marc Davies]]
* [[The Trickster]] — [[Paul Marc Davis]]
* [[Krislok]]- [[Jimmy Vee]]
* [[Krislok]] - [[Jimmy Vee]]
* Young Sarah Jane— [[Jessica Ashworth]]
* Young Sarah Jane — [[Jessica Ashworth]]
* Young Andrea — [[Francesca Miller]]
* Young Andrea — [[Francesca Miller]]
* [[Jason Mohammad|Newsreader]]— [[Jason Mohammad]]
* [[Newsreader (The Christmas Invasion)|Newsreader]] — [[Jason Mohammad]]
* Voice of [[Krislok]] -- [[Philip Hurd-Wood]]
* Voice of [[Krislok]] - [[Philip Hurd-Wood]]
 
=== Uncredited cast ===
* [[Joan (Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?)|Joan]] - [[Joan Williams]]<ref>[http://www.castingcollective.co.uk/search-for-artistes/wales/profile?sl=84685&p=3&artiste_id=6583 Profile Joan Williams] at Casting Collective</ref>


== Production Crew ==
== Crew ==
{{wales crew
{{wales crew
|CreatedBy=Russell T Davies
|CreatedBy=Russell T Davies
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|SoundEditor=
|SoundEditor=
|SoundEditor2=
|SoundEditor2=
|SoundEffectsEditor=
|SoundFXEditor=
|Sound=Brian Milliken
|SoundMixer=Brian Milliken
|AudioPostProduction=Doug Sinclair
|AudioPostProduction=Doug Sinclair
|ModelUnitSupervisor=
|ModelUnitSupervisor=
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|CharCreatedBy3a=
|CharCreatedBy3a=
|CharCreatedBy3b=
|CharCreatedBy3b=
|OriginalTheme=Murray Gold
|TitleMusic=Murray Gold
|CastingDirector=Andy Pryor CDG
|CastingDirector=Andy Pryor CDG
|CastingDirector2=
|CastingDirector2=
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-->
-->
}}
}}
== References ==
 
* Sarah Jane Smith is Maria's age, fifteen, in [[1964]].
== Worldbuilding ==
* [[The Trickster]] says he is going to use Sarah Jane to locate [[the Doctor]], and remove him from time. A similar thing happens in [[DW]]: ''[[Turn Left]]''.
=== Individuals ===
* [[The Trickster]] also says that [[Luke Smith]] never was created, because the [[Bane (Invasion of the Bane)|Bane]] never came to [[Earth]] as he either removed them or stopped them from coming to Earth.
* [[Carla Morgan]] was a childhood friend of Sarah Jane and Andrea's, who wrote "[[An Ode to Sarah Jane Smith]]".
* Since Luke wasn't created, the Trickster says that he is in the [[Forgotten Places]]. The Forgotten Places are even further away than [[Limbo]].
* [[Jeffers (Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?)|Mrs. Jeffers]] is the teacher of Sarah Jane and Andrea.
* ''[[You Really Got Me]]'' is playing on a radio when Maria is transported back in time.
* [[Dan (Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?)|Dan]], [[Ricardo (Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?)|Ricardo]], [[Lara Bijoux]], [[Etienne Bijoux]], [[Danny (Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?)|Danny]] and [[Joan (Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?)|Joan]] are individuals who live in [[Andrea Yates' World]].
* Sarah mentions that she's helped thwart several alien attempts at invasion including the [[Bane (Invasion of the Bane)|Bane]], [[Slitheen]], and [[Gorgon]]s, and that she helped defeat the [[Patriarchs of the Tin Vagabond]].
 
* Sarah Jane has to move the book ''[[UNIT]]: Fighting for Humankind'' by Sarah Jane Smith to get to the puzzle box.
=== Locations ===
* Carla Morgan was a childhood friend of Sarah Jane Smith and Andrea Yates.
* In 1964, Sarah Jane and Andrea visit [[Westport pier]].
* The title of this episode could be a reference to the [[BBC]] radio play, ''[[Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman?]]'', which featured [[Jane Asher]] ([[Andrea Yates]]) as [[Susan Foreman]]. It's also likely a reference to the 1962 Bette Davis movie, ''Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?''
* In [[1992]], Alan Jackson won the [[King of the Concrete]] tournament in [[Romford]].
* Maria and Alan visit the [[Roseborough Research Library]].
 
=== Objects ===
* Sarah Jane authored a book called ''[[Fighting for Humankind|UNIT Fighting for Humankind]]'', and has a copy in the attic.
* Krislok carries a [[snare gun]], a [[Graske teleportation device|teleportation device]] and a [[snare cable]].
 
=== Cultural references to the real world ===
* "[[You Really Got Me]]" is playing on a radio when Maria is transported back in time.
* By 13 July 1964, [[the Beatles]] have sold out the first leg of their United Kingdom tour.
* [[Maria Callas]] is an opera singer.
*At Andrea’s birthday party, the [[Sandie Shaw]] song “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me” plays in the living room. Clyde attempts to change it to modern music, calling the song “ancient”.
* ''[[Armageddon (film)|Armageddon]]'' is mentioned by Clyde.
 
=== Expressions ===
* The Trickster describes Sarah Jane Smith as "[[ephemeral]]."
 
=== Astronomical objects ===
* [[K67]] is a meteorite.


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* Both episodes aired on the CBBC channel, and were broadcast a week later on BBC 1.
* Both episodes aired on the CBBC channel, and were broadcast a week later on BBC 1.
* The newspaper which Maria picks up on [[13 July]] [[1964]] states that [[the Beatles]] have sold out the first leg of their UK tour. In real life, [[Jane Asher]], who plays Andrea Yates, was the girlfriend of [[Paul McCartney]] from 1963 to 1968. Although they were engaged in 1967, they never married.
* The title is a pun on the title of the 1962 film ''"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane"''.


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
* Episode 1 - 406,000 (CBBC)
** 1.2 million (BBC 1)
* Episode 2- 633,000 (CBBC)
** 1.1 million (BBC 1)


=== Myths ===
*Part 1 - 0.41 million viewers ([[DWMSE 23]])
''To be added''
*Part 2 - 0.63 million viewers ([[DWMSE 23]])
 
''Part One's BBC One repeat gained 1.2 million with an AI score of 85, whilst Part Two's BBC One repeat gained 1.1 million with an AI score of 85.''


=== Filming locations ===
=== Filming locations ===
Line 390: Line 430:
* Park Place, Cardiff
* Park Place, Cardiff
* Archer Place (Path under Bridge), Penarth
* Archer Place (Path under Bridge), Penarth
* [[BBC Studios]], Upper Boat, Tonteg Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd
* [[Upper Boat Studios|Upper Boat]], Tonteg Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd


=== Production errors ===
=== Production errors ===
* Sarah Jane lives on [[13 Bannerman Road]] but a sign at the gates says '21'.
{{SJA discontinuity}}
* When Maria arrives in July 1964 on the day of the accident, a radio can be heard playing ''You Really Got Me'' by The Kinks. However the song wasn't released until August 1964.
* Sarah Jane lives on [[13 Bannerman Road]], but a sign at the gates clearly says "21".
* A meteor would fall through the atmosphere in seconds, not make the leisurely descent.
* When Andrea grabs the puzzle box and throws it to the floor, the puzzle box appears to break.
* Andrea says she has been dead for 40 years, and she, presumably like Sarah Jane was born in 1951 as they're the same age, and as this story is set in 2008 that would make her 57, not 53.
*Alan knows the Trickster's name in Part 2 and says it, despite not previously hearing it. According to Gareth Roberts, this error came about as a result of a scene being cut in which Krislok told him.<ref>https://twitter.com/OldRoberts953/status/1124334259609714690</ref>


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
{{SJA discontinuity}}
* Sarah Jane recalls saving the Earth from the [[Bane (Invasion of the Bane)|Bane]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Bane (TV story)|Invasion of the Bane]]'') the [[Slitheen family]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)|Revenge of the Slitheen]]'') and the [[Gorgon]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Eye of the Gorgon (TV story)|Eye of the Gorgon]]'') as well as from the [[Patriarchs of the Tin Vagabond]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Satan Pit (TV story)}})
* The [[Graske]] last appeared in the interactive story [[VG]]: ''[[Attack of the Graske (video game)|Attack of the Graske]]''. Although the canonicity of the interactive story has yet to be established, Sarah refers to "some Graske activity" on Earth happening a couple of years before this story, a possible reference to ''Attack of the Graske''.
* The Trickster also states that [[Luke Smith]] was never created because the [[Bane (Invasion of the Bane)|Bane]] never came to [[Earth]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Bane (TV story)|Invasion of the Bane]]'')
* Sarah mentions other times she saved the Earth and thwarted alien invasions, including the [[Bane (Invasion of the Bane)|Bane]] ([[SJA]]: ''[[Invasion of the Bane]]''), the [[Slitheen]] ([[SJA]]: ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen]]'') and the [[Gorgon]]s ([[SJA]]: ''[[Eye of the Gorgon]]''). The Trickster indicates that he interfered with the course of events to prevent their various schemes in the absence of Sarah Jane, preferring that the Earth be destroyed senselessly by the meteor.
* The Trickster wonders aloud what the universe would be like if the Doctor had never existed, a musing previously shared with {{Ainley}}. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'')
* The [[Church of the Tin Vagabond]] was previously mentioned in [[DW]]: ''[[The Satan Pit]]''.
* The Trickster tells Andrea, ''"Waking or sleeping, I am always with you"''. The [[Black Guardian]] once said the same thing to [[Vislor Turlough]]. ( [[TV]]: ''[[Mawdryn Undead (TV story)|Mawdryn Undead]]'')
* The Trickster threatens [[the Doctor]] when in [[Limbo]]. He also wonders aloud what the Universe would be like if the Doctor had never existed. This echoes some musings of the Doctors arch-nemesis, [[The Master (Tremas)|the Master]], in [[DW]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]''.
*The scene when Andrea confronts the Trickster for using her since her childhood mirrors when [[Death]] revealed to the [[Seventh Doctor]] how he gave [[the Master]] to her to remove his guilt of killing [[Torvic]] during childhood on her temptation. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Master (audio story)|Master]]'')
* Sarah Jane would later claim that a Verron Soothsayer gave her the [[Warp star]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Journey's End]]'')
* The Trickster tells Andrea, "Waking or sleeping, I am always with you". (The [[Black Guardian]] said this to [[Turlough]] in [[DW]]: ''[[Mawdryn Undead]]'').
* The [[Verron puzzlebox]] later appears in ''[[The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith]]'', also the next episode to feature [[the Trickster]].
 
== [[Sarah Jane Smith - Timeline|Timeline]] ==
=== In the present ===
* This story occurs after [[SJAA]]: ''[[The Thirteenth Stone]]''.
* This story occurs before [[SJA]]: ''[[The Lost Boy]]''.
 
=== For Sarah Jane in 1964 ===
* This story occurs after [[BE]]: ''[[Playtime]]''.
* This story occurs before [[DW]]: ''[[The Time Warrior]]''.


== Home video releases ==
== Home video releases ==
This story was included in the Series 1 box set, which was released in North America on 7 October 2008 and in the UK on 10 November 2008.
* This story was included in the Series 1 [[DVD]] box set, which was released in North America on [[7 October (releases)|7 October]] [[2008 (releases)|2008]] and in the UK on [[10 November (releases)|10 November]] 2008.
 
* It was also released in the Complete Collection Series 1-5 boxset release (Region 2 release: 6th February 2012).
== Novelisation ==
:''Main article: [[Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? (novelisation)]]''
[[File:Whatever_happened_to_SJ_novelisation.jpg|right]]
* A novelisation written by [[Rupert Laight]] was published on 3 November 2008.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{dwrefguide|sja_05.htm|Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?}}
{{dwrefguide|sja_05.htm|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* {{briefhistory|sarahjane/2007hi.html|Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?}}
* {{whoniverse|sja1_05|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* {{locguide|whateverhappenedtosarahjane|Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?}}
* {{briefhistory|sarahjane/2007hi.html|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* {{locguide|whateverhappenedtosarahjane|{{StoryTitle}}}}


== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
{{SJA series 1}}
=== Notes ===
{{notelist}}
 
=== Sources ===
{{reflist}}
{{SJATV}}
{{Trickster's Brigade stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{StoryImages}}
[[de:Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?]]
 
[[Category:SJA television stories]]
[[Category:SJA television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in Ealing]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2008]]
[[Category:2007 television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1964]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1964]]
[[Category:Stories set in England]]
[[Category:Stories set in England]]
[[Category:Graske stories]]
[[Category:Graske television stories]]
[[Category:The Trickster's Brigade stories]]
[[Category:The Trickster's Brigade television stories]]
[[Category:Series 1 (SJA) stories]]
[[Category:Series 1 (SJA) stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in alternative timelines]]
[[Category:Stories set in alternate timelines]]
[[Category:Stories that have been novelised]]
[[Category:Stories set outside time and space]]
[[Category:Stories set outside time and space]]

Latest revision as of 20:50, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? was the fourth serial of series 1 of The Sarah Jane Adventures. It was written by Gareth Roberts and directed by Graeme Harper. It saw the introduction of the Trickster, a recurring villain of the program, whose minions would also appear in Doctor Who and Torchwood. Additionally, Alan Jackson got exposed to alien activity yet again, to the point it was beyond Sarah Jane's power to cover up the evidence.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

One day, Sarah Jane Smith exists. The next, only Maria Jackson knows of her. Andrea Yates takes her place, but Maria knows that Andrea has done something to remove Sarah Jane from the space/time continuum. It is up to Maria to uncover the identity of the "Trickster" if the human race is to survive. But with Sarah Jane and Luke wiped from existence and Clyde having lost all knowledge of his former adventures, Maria must save the world single-handedly. But she finds it may be time to tell her father about her secret life with Sarah if the whole world is to survive.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Part 1[[edit] | [edit source]]

Sarah Jane Smith and Alan Jackson pick up Clyde, Luke and Maria. They stop off in the Ealing Palace Park where Clyde practises his skateboarding. Alan, disappointed at what he sees, tries to teach Clyde, showing off his own skills. Maria takes photos of everyone. While being photographed, Sarah Jane becomes very cold and mutters that someone just walked over her grave. As they leave, a black-cloaked, hooded figure peers from behind a bush. Back in Sarah Jane's attic, Sarah Jane tells Maria, Luke and Clyde about a meteorite on course with Earth. She reassures them Mr Smith will deflect it the next day. After sending Clyde home and Luke to make tea, Sarah Jane gives Maria an alien puzzlebox. It was a gift from a Verron Soothsayer, who told her to give it to the person she trusts the most and just to "remember". Sarah Jane says she chose Maria and sent Luke away so he wouldn't be offended. Maria tries to open it that night, but falls asleep holding it.

A mysterious, cloaked figure approaches Sarah Jane's house. He holds out a hand. The lights in the house go out, her car disappears and the puzzle block glows blue in Maria's hand. The next day, she tells her dad she is going to Sarah Jane's. Alan has not heard of the woman. Maria takes this as a joke. He mentions Andrea and thinks Maria is joking when she asks who Andrea is. Across the street is a strange woman in Sarah Jane's house who seems to know Maria, but neither Sarah Jane or Luke are there. Her dad calls the woman Andrea. Maria rushes into the house but the furniture and decorations are entirely different. Checking the attic, she finds it is filled with old junk and Mr. Smith is gone. Maria checks her laptop for the photos that she took the day before. Sarah Jane and Luke are not in them, but Andrea is. Sarah Jane, Luke and Mr. Smith have vanished. She alone remembers them.

Maria searches her mobile phone contacts, but Sarah Jane, Luke, and Clyde's numbers have all vanished. She remembers the impending meteor, but no one will listen. Remembering Clyde's number from memory, she calls him, only to find that he is an acquaintance rather than one of her best friends. When Maria asks about Sarah Jane and Luke, Clyde doesn't know what she's talking about and brushes her off. Maria decides to search for information on Sarah Jane in the library. She and her father find a newspaper article from 1964; a thirteen-year-old Sarah Jane Smith drowned after falling from a pier, where she was larking around with her friend, Andrea Yates. Alan reasons that Andrea told her about the accident.

As Maria watches, the names of the deceased and the survivor on the report switch for a second, though a bemused Alan claims he saw nothing. Realising that she can't get her father to remember anything about Sarah Jane, Maria tells him she was lying to stop his worries. She goes to talk to Andrea. Andrea can't seem to recall her best friend's name until Maria mentions the incident in 1964, at which point Andrea panics and throws Maria out. Maria leaves after yelling that she will do whatever she can to bring Sarah Jane back.

Andrea rushes to the attic and finds a second puzzle box. The cloaked figure reappears and reminds Andrea of their agreement. She can't bear the memory and begs him to help her. He offers to make Maria disappear. After Andrea accepts, Andrea distracts Alan by asking him for help putting up decorations for her party. The Trickster dispatches a Graske, who chases Maria from her house into a dead end under a tunnel and teleports her away just after Alan picks up the first puzzle box, which Maria had dropped during the chase. When Chrissie comes round, she cannot remember Maria, although Alan can. Meanwhile, Maria escapes from the Graske and finds herself on a beach promenade. She approaches two girls in school uniform to ask them for help. One of them laughs at Maria's clothes but the other is more friendly and tells her friend off for being so rude. This girl introduces herself, much to Maria's surprise, as Sarah Jane Smith.

Part 2[[edit] | [edit source]]

Sarah Jane and the Trickster talk in Limbo.

Maria realises that the other girl is Andrea Yates, who is surprised that Maria knows her. Maria grabs a newspaper and sees the date: July 13th 1964, the day of the accident. After failing to dissuade Andrea and Sarah Jane from going to the pier, Maria is recaptured by the Graske and is taken to join the adult Sarah Jane on a white, misty plain called Limbo. The mysterious figure summons Sarah Jane and explains that he has removed Sarah Jane from Earth's timeline so the meteorite will destroy it and create the chaos on which he feeds. Luke also no longer exists, as in the altered timeline the Bane never came to Earth and thus he was never created. He removes his hood to reveal a featureless face and a mouth with sharp, pointed teeth. He tells her how her life was so important to the Earth, but he found just the right time to "snuff it out". As he leaves, he also mentions that he will proceed to remove the Doctor from time as well, to ensure nothing can interfere with his plan.

Chrissie becomes angry at Alan for making up that they had children, and Alan begins to realise that what Maria said was true. He accompanies Chrissie to Andrea's birthday party. Recalling Maria's suspicions, he questions Andrea, who takes him to the attic and sorrowfully reveals the truth. When Andrea was on a school trip in July 1964, she and Sarah Jane left the school group to explore on their own. After getting into the locked pier, they larked around for a bit before looking over the railings. However, the gate Andrea leant against was unlocked and she tumbled down, grabbing hold of an overhanging girder. Sarah Jane tried to save her, but could not reach her or call for help. A hoarse voice offered to switch the girls' places. Andrea, terrified, accepted. The two girls immediately swapped places and Sarah Jane fell, with Andrea safe. The figure appeared and gave Andrea the puzzle box, then removed himself from her memory, promising to always be with her.

Because of the figure, Andrea had forgotten about her friend's entire existence, but Maria's questions made her remember both Sarah Jane and the deal she made with the figure. The figure then reappears in the mirror, though Alan cannot see him, and offers to remove Alan. Andrea apologises both for removing Maria and for what she is about to do. She grabs Alan's puzzle box as the Graske appears. Alan is chased into the street by the Graske, but he knocks it down on his skateboard and uses its snare device to bring back Maria.

Maria returns to reality, leaving Sarah Jane on her own in limbo. At Andrea's party, Clyde switches on the television. Everyone at Andrea's party learns that a huge meteorite is heading for Earth and the Air Force are planning a missile strike to destroy the meteorite. Alan tries to fire the snare again to return Sarah Jane, but she does not appear; Maria deduces that since she returned to her home, Sarah Jane must be in her attic. The missile strike fails and the guests flee the party to watch the approaching meteor.

In the attic, Sarah Jane appears in the mirror and explains that she cannot return while Andrea is still there. Andrea grows angry when Maria says she was "meant to die", arguing that she has the right to live and she will be forgotten. Sarah Jane agrees that neither of them should have died... it was a pointless death, something that Sarah Jane never forgot. Witnessing Andrea's death gave her the resolve to fight pointless deaths herself. When the figure reappears (called "the Trickster" by Alan), Andrea realises the error of her ways and, in an act of selflessness and courage, withdraws the agreement with the Trickster, throwing the puzzle box at the mirror which smashes both.

Back in 1964, Andrea whispers, "Remember me," to Sarah Jane just before she falls to her death, while Sarah Jane and Luke reappear with Alan and Maria in the attic. Sarah Jane activates Mr Smith to stop the meteor, now only metres from impact. The party guests have fled, but Clyde and Chrissie remain as targets for the incoming meteorite. Mr Smith activates the magnetic buffer and the meteorite diverts at the last minute. Clyde joins the others in the attic, where Alan demands an explanation of his daughter's involvement with aliens, monsters and supercomputers. The four look at each other and have no answer.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

General production staff

Script department

Camera and lighting department

Art department

Costume department

Make-up and prosthetics

Movement

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.


Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

Locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

Objects[[edit] | [edit source]]

Cultural references to the real world[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • "You Really Got Me" is playing on a radio when Maria is transported back in time.
  • By 13 July 1964, the Beatles have sold out the first leg of their United Kingdom tour.
  • Maria Callas is an opera singer.
  • At Andrea’s birthday party, the Sandie Shaw song “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me” plays in the living room. Clyde attempts to change it to modern music, calling the song “ancient”.
  • Armageddon is mentioned by Clyde.

Expressions[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Trickster describes Sarah Jane Smith as "ephemeral."

Astronomical objects[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • K67 is a meteorite.

Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Both episodes aired on the CBBC channel, and were broadcast a week later on BBC 1.
  • The newspaper which Maria picks up on 13 July 1964 states that the Beatles have sold out the first leg of their UK tour. In real life, Jane Asher, who plays Andrea Yates, was the girlfriend of Paul McCartney from 1963 to 1968. Although they were engaged in 1967, they never married.
  • The title is a pun on the title of the 1962 film "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane".

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Part 1 - 0.41 million viewers (DWMSE 23)
  • Part 2 - 0.63 million viewers (DWMSE 23)

Part One's BBC One repeat gained 1.2 million with an AI score of 85, whilst Part Two's BBC One repeat gained 1.1 million with an AI score of 85.

Filming locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Clinton Road, Penarth (Bannerman Road)
  • Esplanade, Penarth
  • Penarth Pier, Penarth
  • Science Library, Cardiff University
  • Victoria Road, Penarth
  • Dinas Powys Skatepark, Cardiff Road, Dinas Powys
  • Park Place, Cardiff
  • Archer Place (Path under Bridge), Penarth
  • Upper Boat, Tonteg Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd

Production errors[[edit] | [edit source]]

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.
  • Sarah Jane lives on 13 Bannerman Road, but a sign at the gates clearly says "21".
  • When Andrea grabs the puzzle box and throws it to the floor, the puzzle box appears to break.
  • Alan knows the Trickster's name in Part 2 and says it, despite not previously hearing it. According to Gareth Roberts, this error came about as a result of a scene being cut in which Krislok told him.[2]

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Home video releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This story was included in the Series 1 DVD box set, which was released in North America on 7 October 2008 and in the UK on 10 November 2008.
  • It was also released in the Complete Collection Series 1-5 boxset release (Region 2 release: 6th February 2012).

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ No on screen date is given for the first two series of The Sarah Jane Adventures, outside of The Day of the Clown from the second series being set shortly after 9 October in an undisclosed year. While Donna Noble's present from the fourth series of Doctor Who is set around the same time as the first series of The Sarah Jane Adventures, and The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith from the second series of The Sarah Jane Adventures is explicitly described as being set a year after Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? from the first series, Doctor Who's fourth series is not consistently dated, with TV: The Fires of Pompeii, TV: The Waters of Mars, and AUDIO: SOS setting the present of the 13 regular episodes in 2008 (heavily implied by TV: The Star Beast and TV: The Giggle as well), and PROSE: Beautiful Chaos setting them in about April to June 2009.

Sources[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ Profile Joan Williams at Casting Collective
  2. ↑ https://twitter.com/OldRoberts953/status/1124334259609714690
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