The Mark of the Berserker (TV story): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image         = LangerBoys.jpg
|image               = LangerBoys.jpg
|name          = The Mark of the Berserker
|season number       = Series 2 (SJA)
|series        = [[List of The Sarah Jane Adventures television stories|''SJA'' television stories]]
|season serial number = 4
|season number = [[Series 2 (SJA)|2]]
|story number         = 10
|story number   = 10
|scripturl      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/sja-series-2-episode-7-the-mark-of-the-berserker-part-one-blue-revisions-26052008.pdf
|main character = [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]], [[Luke Smith|Luke]], [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]], [[Rani Chandra|Rani]], [[Mr Smith]]
|scripturl2      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/sja-series-2-episode-8-the-mark-of-the-berserker-part-two-yellow-revisions-25062008.pdf
|featuring     = [[Maria Jackson|Maria]], [[Alan Jackson|Alan]], [[Paul Langer|Paul]], [[Carla Langer|Carla]], [[Steve Wallace|Steve]], Mr [[Cunningham]]
|main character       = [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]], [[Luke Smith|Luke]], [[Rani Chandra|Rani]], [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]]
|enemy         = [[Berserker pendant]]
|featuring           = Carla Langer
|setting       = [[Ealing]], [[Washington, DC|Washington]] and [[Lynport Marina]], [[2009]]
|featuring2          = Haresh Chandra
|writer         = [[Joseph Lidster]]
|featuring3          = Maria Jackson
|director       = [[Joss Agnew]]
|featuring4          = Alan Jackson
|producer       = [[Nikki Smith]]
|featuring5          = Steve Wallace
|broadcast date = [[3 November (releases)|3 November]] - [[10 November (releases)|10 November]] [[2008 (releases)|2008]]
|featuring6          = Mr Smith
|format         = 2x30 minute episodes
|enemy               = [[Berserker pendant]]
|production code=
|setting             = [[Ealing]], [[Washington, DC|Washington]] and [[Lynport Marina]], [[2009]]
|prev           = Secrets of the Stars (TV story)
|writer               = Joseph Lidster
|next           = The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)
|director             = [[Joss Agnew]]
|producer             = [[Nikki Smith]]
|broadcast date       = 3 November - 10 November 2008
|format               = 2x30 minute episodes
|production code     =  
|network              = CBBC
|epcount              = 2
|series              = [[List of The Sarah Jane Adventures television stories|''SJA'' television stories]]
|prev                 = Secrets of the Stars (TV story)
|next                 = The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)
|clip                = Clyde Forgets Luke and Rani Mark of the Berserker The Sarah Jane Adventures
|clip2                = Clyde's Dad Explains Why he Left The Mark of the Berserker The Sarah Jane Adventures
|clip3                = Luke and Rani Call Maria for Help The Mark of the Berserker The Sarah Jane Adventures
}}
}}
'''''The Mark of the Berserker''''' was the fourth story in the [[Series 2 (SJA)|second series]] of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. It was mainly notable for introducing [[Clyde Langer]]'s [[Carla Langer|mother]] and [[Paul Langer|father]]. Although Langer's father was central, the story was the only to one to feature all three of the series' fathers: Langer, [[Alan Jackson|Jackson]] and [[Haresh Chandra|Chandra]].  It even ended on a soft [[cliffhanger]] of Sarah Jane looking at a picture of ''her'' father, who would appear in [[The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|the next episode]].
'''''The Mark of the Berserker''''' was the fourth serial of [[Series 2 (SJA)|series two]] of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. It was written by [[Joseph Lidster]] and directed by [[Joss Agnew]]. Sarah Jane was absent for much of the proceedings, but depicted as being engaged in comparatively ordinary journalism regarding a [[hospital]] scandal, though it was revealed that she was in fact tracking a [[Travast Polong]].
 
The story had some other remarkable features.  


Sarah Jane was absent for much of the proceedings, but depicted in part one as being engaged in comparatively ordinary journalism regarding a [[hospital]] scandal. In part two, it was revealed that in fact she was tracking a [[Travist Polong]], the same sort of slug-like creature that would return in ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]''.
It was mainly notable for introducing [[Clyde Langer]]'s [[Carla Langer|mother]] and [[Paul Langer|father]]. Although Clyde's father was central, the story was unique in being the only one to feature the fathers of all three of the series' primary child characters, both past and current, in the same story, and also ended with Sarah Jane looking at a picture of her father, who would appear in [[The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|the next episode]].
 
Furthermore, part two was one of only two episodes of the series to credit both [[Yasmin Paige]] and [[Anjli Mohindra]], and the only episode of the entire series to show a conversation between [[Maria Jackson|Maria]] and [[Rani Chandra|Rani]].  Barring archive footage and photographs, it was the final appearance for both Maria and her dad.


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
An alien pendant which gives its wearer the power to control others is stolen from Sarah Jane's attic. Luke and Rani enlist the help of Clyde's mum to track down Clyde and his father, who has the alien pendant. The chase leads to a terrifying waterside confrontation when the pendant takes control of Paul and begins transforming him.
An alien pendant which gives its wearer the power to control others is stolen from Sarah's attic. Luke and Rani enlist the help of Clyde's mum to track down Clyde and his father, who has the alien pendant. The chase leads to a terrifying waterside confrontation when the pendant takes control of Paul and begins transforming him.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
Line 35: Line 44:
[[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]] is going away for the weekend to track down an alien lifeform and leaves [[Luke Smith|Luke]] to stay with [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] and [[Carla Langer|his mother]] for the weekend.
[[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]] is going away for the weekend to track down an alien lifeform and leaves [[Luke Smith|Luke]] to stay with [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] and [[Carla Langer|his mother]] for the weekend.


[[Rani Chandra|Rani]] walks by the detention room at school. She witnesses a boy, [[Jacob West]], controlling his teacher and fellow students. He runs into the boy's bathroom, drops a strange pendant on the floor and leaves. Rani picks up the pendant and pockets it. On Bannerman Road, Rani and her father, Haresh, are deciding on [[tea]] and choose to have a [[pizza]]. Rani discovers that Haresh will follow her verbal instructions. She deduces that the pendant causes people to follow instructions given to them by the pendant's wearer. Although she initially has fun with the pendant, when her father offers to die as a result to an idle comment, Rani realises how dangerous it is.
[[Rani Chandra|Rani]] walks by the detention room at school. She witnesses a boy, [[Jacob West]], controlling his teacher and fellow students. He runs into the boy's bathroom, drops a strange pendant on the floor and leaves. Rani picks up the pendant and pockets it. On Bannerman Road, Rani and her father, Haresh, are deciding on [[tea]] and choose to have a [[pizza]]. Rani discovers that Haresh will follow her verbal instructions. She [[deduce]]s that the pendant causes people to follow instructions given to them by the pendant's wearer. Although she initially has fun with the pendant, when her father offers to die as a result to an idle comment, Rani realises how dangerous it is.


The next day, somebody knocks on the door of the Langers' home. Clyde answers it and finds that his long-lost father, Paul Langer, has turned up. His arrival upsets Clyde and his mum.
The next day, somebody knocks on the door of the Langers' home. Clyde answers it and finds that his long-lost father, Paul Langer, has turned up. His arrival upsets Clyde and his mum.
Line 41: Line 50:
After an emotional discussion among the three of them, Clyde leaves with his father. During the course of the day, Clyde reveals to his father that he is involved in tackling alien threats. Meanwhile, Rani goes to Sarah Jane's attic only to find that [[Mr Smith]] has been deactivated while the house is empty. Rani decides to leave the pendant there so no-one will find it. After a talk with her father, she decides to investigate matters herself. She finds Luke, and they go to the school to search for clues.
After an emotional discussion among the three of them, Clyde leaves with his father. During the course of the day, Clyde reveals to his father that he is involved in tackling alien threats. Meanwhile, Rani goes to Sarah Jane's attic only to find that [[Mr Smith]] has been deactivated while the house is empty. Rani decides to leave the pendant there so no-one will find it. After a talk with her father, she decides to investigate matters herself. She finds Luke, and they go to the school to search for clues.


Clyde convinces his father that he is telling the truth by taking him to Sarah Jane's attic. Paul finds the pendant that Rani left and puts it in his shirt pocket. Outside, they meet Haresh, who asks them about what they were doing in Sarah's house. Paul ends up instructing Haresh to do press-ups and realises it must be due to the pendant. Luke and Rani run up to them. Rani works out what has happened and confronts Paul and Clyde. Paul instructs Clyde to forget who Rani and Luke are. They walk off. Paul finds his hand has a strange blue symbol on it.
Clyde convinces his father that he is telling the truth by taking him to Sarah Jane's attic. Paul finds the pendant that Rani left and puts it in his shirt pocket. Outside, they meet Haresh, who asks them about what they were doing in Sarah Jane's house. Paul ends up instructing Haresh to do press-ups and realises it must be due to the pendant. Luke and Rani run up to them. Rani works out what has happened and confronts Paul and Clyde. Paul instructs Clyde to forget who Rani and Luke are. They try talking to Clyde but he claims to have never seen them in his life before and leaves. Paul then raises his hand to Rani and Luke, revealing a strange blue symbol on his palm.


=== Part 2 ===
=== Part 2 ===
Clyde and Paul are walking in town. Paul can't stop looking at the symbol on his hand. Luke and Rani attempt to contact Sarah Jane, but she is preoccupied trying to pursue an alien called [[Travist Polong]]. Meanwhile, Luke and Rani send a picture of the pendant to Maria and her father to investigate, as her father can hack into UNIT. They discover the pendant can cause a symbol known as the mark of the Berserker to appear on one's skin.
Clyde and Paul are walking in town. Paul can't stop looking at the symbol on his hand. Luke and Rani attempt to contact Sarah Jane, but she is preoccupied trying to pursue an alien called [[Travast Polong]]. Meanwhile, Luke and Rani send a picture of the pendant to Maria and her father to investigate, as her father can hack into [[UNIT]]. They discover the pendant can cause a symbol known as the mark of the Berserker to appear on one's skin.


Haresh refuses to stop the press-ups. Paul gets everything he wants for free — including a new car — and uses this to bond with his son. He instructs Clyde to forget about how he left him and his mum when he was young and to forget about his mum. The pendant takes over Paul's skin, causing blue veins to appear, and he collapses. He declares himself the [[Berserker]] and Clyde his soldier. Sarah Jane appears and Clyde recognises her. She tells him that his mum, Rani and Luke are the most important people in his life when he asks who they are. Clyde and his mum talk Paul through his memories, whilst Sarah Jane shows him a reflection of himself in her handbag mirror and he remembers who he really is.
Haresh refuses to stop the press-ups. Paul gets everything he wants for free — including a new car — and uses this to bond with his son. He instructs Clyde to forget about how he left him and his mum when he was young and to forget about his mum. The pendant takes over Paul's skin, causing blue veins to appear, and he collapses. He declares himself the [[Berserker]] and Clyde his soldier. Sarah Jane appears and Clyde recognises her. She tells him that his mum, Rani and Luke are the most important people in his life when he asks who they are. Clyde and his mum talk Paul through his memories, whilst Sarah Jane shows him a reflection of himself in her handbag mirror and he remembers who he really is.


Everyone the Berserker commanded has their commands undone. Clyde tries to get his mum and dad back together, but Paul tells his son that he has made his mum's sister pregnant. Clyde tells his father he doesn't need him, and not to mess up with this baby. His dad then leaves to return the car and clothes. Clyde tells his mother to forget about the pendant, what she knows about Sarah Jane's adventures with her son, and his father, then throws the pendant into the sea. Sarah Jane reveals that her parents died when she was young and she would do anything to see them again. When Clyde is gone, she takes out a picture of her mother and father and rubs her finger over the latter.
Everyone the Berserker commanded has their commands undone (Haresh stops doing push-ups and drinks a glass of water in near-exhaustion and the dealership owner wonders where the car has gone, bemused). Clyde tries to get his mum and dad back together, but Paul tells his son that he has made his mum's sister pregnant. Clyde tells his father he doesn't need him, and not to mess up with this baby. His dad then leaves to return the car and clothes. Clyde tells his mother to forget about the pendant, what she knows about Sarah Jane's adventures with her son, and his father, then throws the pendant into the sea. Sarah Jane reveals that her parents died when she was young and she would do anything to see them again. When Clyde is gone, she takes out a picture of her mother and father and rubs her finger over the latter.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
Line 62: Line 71:
* [[Haresh Chandra]] - [[Ace Bhatti]]
* [[Haresh Chandra]] - [[Ace Bhatti]]
* [[Alan Jackson]] - [[Joseph Millson]]
* [[Alan Jackson]] - [[Joseph Millson]]
* Mr. [[Cunningham]] - [[Huw Higginson]]
* Mr [[Cunningham]] - [[Huw Higginson]]
* [[Steve Wallace]] - [[Elijah Baker]]
* [[Steve Wallace]] - [[Elijah Baker]]
* [[Car salesman|Car Salesman]] - [[Prassana Puwanarajah]]
* [[Car salesman (The Mark of the Berserker)|Car Salesman]] - [[Prasanna Puwanarajah]]
* [[Detention children|Detention Girl]] - [[Jessica Lewis]]
* [[Detention children|Detention Girl]] - [[Jessica Lewis]]
* [[Detention children|Detention Boy]] - [[Andrew Philips]]
* [[Detention children|Detention Boy]] - [[Andrew Philips]]
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|SoundEditor=Bang Post Production
|SoundEditor=Bang Post Production
|SoundEditor2=
|SoundEditor2=
|SoundEffectsEditor=
|SoundFXEditor=
|ModelUnitSupervisor=
|ModelUnitSupervisor=
|ModelUnitDOP=
|ModelUnitDOP=
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|CharCreatedBy3a=
|CharCreatedBy3a=
|CharCreatedBy3b=
|CharCreatedBy3b=
|OriginalTheme=Murray Gold
|TitleMusic=Murray Gold
|CastingDirector=Andy Pryor CDG
|CastingDirector=Andy Pryor CDG
|CastingDirector2=Andy Brierley
|CastingDirector2=Andy Brierley
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}}
}}


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
=== Individuals ===
* Paul has a photo of his and [[Melba]]'s [[Paul Langer's child|child]] inside his pocket.
* [[Taylor (Mona Lisa's Revenge)|Mrs Taylor]] is an art teacher at the [[Park Vale Comprehensive School]].
* [[Man (The Mark of the Berserker)|A man]] used a [[Berserker pendant]] in [[1940]] and turned into a [[Berserker]].
* [[Beryl (The Mark of the Berserker)|Beryl]] lives next door to Clyde and Carla.
 
=== Real world culture ===
=== Real world culture ===
* A sticker featuring Yakko, Wakko, and Dot from the cartoon series {{wi|Animaniacs}} is visible on Rani's refrigerator.
[[File:Rocket Man.jpg|thumb|right|Clyde's drawing of Rocket Man.]]
* When Clyde shows Luke his drawings, there is a picture of a character similar in design to Samus Aran from the ''Metroid'' [[video game]] series.
* Clyde has ambitions on become the "new [[Banksy]]".
* While under the influence of the Berserker pendant, Haresh impersonates Bianca Jackson from ''[[EastEnders]]''.
* When Clyde shows Luke his drawings, he has created a character named [[Rocket Man]].
* While under the influence of the Berserker pendant, Haresh impersonates [[Bianca Jackson|Bianca from ''EastEnders'']].
 
=== Locations ===
* Paul and Clyde visit [[Lynport Marina]].


=== Technology ===
=== Technology ===
* [[Mr Smith]] has an automated recording that plays in the event someone tries to summon him while he is shut down, such as when Sarah Jane is away.  
* Clyde shows a [[holographic postcard]] to his father.
* Paul sees a [[Sontaran gas canister]] and a [[portable scanner]] inside Sarah Jane's attic.
 
=== Vehicles ===
=== Vehicles ===
* Paul steals a Ferrari from the [[car]] dealership through use of the Berserker pendant.
* Paul steals a Porsche from the [[car]] dealership through use of the [[Berserker pendant]].


=== Foods and beverages ===
=== Foods and beverages ===
* Rani and Haresh discuss whether to have [[pizza]] or [[Chinese (food)|Chinese food]] for takeout.
* Rani and Haresh discuss whether to have [[pizza]] or [[Chinese (food)|Chinese food]] for takeout.


== Story notes ==
== Notes ==
* This is the fourth story in a row to feature a form of mind control.
* This is the first story where [[Mr Smith]] does not physically make an appearance. Sarah Jane shuts him down in her absence, and, when he is called upon, the wall panels do not open up to reveal him. Instead, an answering machine function activates and plays an automated message. However, his voice actor, [[Alexander Armstrong]], is still credited for his speaking lines in the role.
* This is the first story where [[Mr. Smith]] does not physically make an appearance. Sarah Jane shuts him down in her absence, and when he is called upon, the wall panels do not open up to reveal him. Instead, an answering machine function activates and plays an automated message. However, his voice actor, [[Alexander Armstrong]], is still credited for his speaking lines in the posthumous role. Additionally, because he is inactive, this is the first story where Mr Smith's iconic boot-up fanfare is not heard playing.
* This is the only TV story to feature both Maria and Rani.
* When Clyde dons the leather jacket that Paul buys him, his attire looks similar to the [[Ninth Doctor|Ninth Doctor's]] wardrobe.
* This marks the second time Clyde has forgotten his friends. The first was in [[TV]]: ''[[Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? (TV story)|Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?]]'', due to [[The Trickster|the Trickster's]] meddling with the timeline creating an existence where they never met. So far, he has forgotten Maria (in the latter story) and Rani (in the current story) once, and has forgotten Luke over the course of both stories, one of which was a case where Luke ceased to exist.


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
* Part 1 - 531,000 (CBBC channel)
* Part 1 - 0.53 million viewers ([[DWMSE 23]])
* Part 2 - 628,000 (CBBC channel)
* Part 2 - 0.63 million viewers ([[DWMSE 23]])
 
''Part One's BBC One repeat gained 0.87 million with an AI score of 75, whilst Part Two's BBC One repeat gained 0.87 million with an AI score of 84.''


=== Filming locations ===
=== Filming locations ===
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=== Production errors ===
=== Production errors ===
{{SJA discontinuity}}
{{SJA discontinuity}}
* Maria and Alan are woken up by Luke's calling, and Alan tells her to "tell him what time it is here", both implying it's night in Washington... Yet it's visibly daylight in both locations.
''to be added''


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* [[Clyde Langer]] had referred to his family situation in [[TV]]: ''[[Warriors of Kudlak (TV story)|Warriors of Kudlak]]''.
{{section cleanup|As per [[Forum:Non-valid Continuity sections, categories, and prefixes#Continuity sections]], this section needs to be written from an '''out-of-universe perspective'''.}}
* Paul Langer mentions the [[Dalek]]s, presumably in reference to their [[Dalek Invasion of Earth (2009)|recent invasion of Earth]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]'' / ''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]'')
* A [[Magpie Electricals]] logo is visible on Sarah Jane's computer. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Idiot's Lantern (TV story)}})
* Sarah Jane says she is visiting [[Tarminster]]. Tarminster is featured in the ''Doctor Who'' serial ''[[Terror of the Autons]]''. The [[Harold Saxon]] promotional website mentions that [[Lucy Saxon]]'s father was Lord Cole of Tarminster.
* Haresh's lack of cooking skills are once again commented on. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Day of the Clown (TV story)}})
* Clyde mentions the [[Sontaran]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[The Last Sontaran (TV story)|The Last Sontaran]]'') and the [[Slitheen]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)|Revenge of the Slitheen]]'', ''[[The Lost Boy (TV story)|The Lost Boy]]'')
* Luke shows reprehension for making a personal joke about Clyde, having previously done the same to [[Lance Metcalf]] unintentionally. Clyde had referred to his family situation during that time. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Warriors of Kudlak (TV story)}})
* Maria and Alan moved to [[Washington DC]] in [[TV]]: ''[[The Last Sontaran]]''.
* Clyde tells his father of the [[Slitheen family]] ([[TV]]: {{cs|Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)}}) and the [[Sontaran]]s. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Last Sontaran (TV story)}})
* A [[Magpie Electricals]] logo is visible from a closeup shot of Sarah Jane's computer. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Idiot's Lantern (TV story)|The Idiot's Lantern]]'')
* Paul mentions the [[Dalek]]s, presumably in reference to their [[Dalek Invasion of Earth (2009)|recent invasion of Earth]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Stolen Earth (TV story)}}, {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}})
* Clyde previously forgot having ever met his friends in [[TV]]: ''[[Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? (TV story)|Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?]]''
* Maria and Alan are living in [[Washington DC]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Last Sontaran (TV story)}})
* With Mr Smith, Clyde will later make a record of his encounter with the Berserker for the [[Alien Files]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[SJAF 5]]'')


== Home video releases ==
== Home video releases ==
*This story, along with the rest of Series 2, was released on DVD on [[9 November (releases)|9 November]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]] (UK) and [[10 November (releases)|10 November]] 2009 (North America).
* This story, along with the rest of Series 2, was released on [[DVD]] on [[9 November (releases)|9 November]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]] (UK) and [[10 November (releases)|10 November]] 2009 (North [[America]]).
* It was released in the Complete Collection Series 1-5 boxset release (Region 2 release: 6th February 2012).


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{dwrefguide|sja_10.htm|{{StoryTitle}}}}
{{dwrefguide|sja_10.htm|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* {{briefhistory|sarahjane/2008gh.html|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* {{briefhistory|sarahjane/2008gh.html|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* {{locguide|markoftheberserker|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* {{locguide|markoftheberserker|{{StoryTitle}}}}
{{SJATV}}
{{SJATV}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}


[[Category:SJA television stories]]
[[Category:SJA television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in England]]
[[Category:Stories set in England]]
[[Category:2008 television stories]]
[[Category:2008 television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2009]]
[[Category:Series 2 (SJA) stories]]
[[Category:Series 2 (SJA) stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in Ealing]]
[[Category:Stories set in Washington DC]]
[[Category:Stories set in Washington DC]]


[[de:{{StoryTitle}}]]
[[fr:The Mark of the Berserker]]
[[fr:The Mark of the Berserker]]
[[ru:Знак Берсерка]]
[[ru:Знак Берсерка]]

Latest revision as of 18:05, 31 March 2024

RealWorld.png

The Mark of the Berserker was the fourth serial of series two of The Sarah Jane Adventures. It was written by Joseph Lidster and directed by Joss Agnew. Sarah Jane was absent for much of the proceedings, but depicted as being engaged in comparatively ordinary journalism regarding a hospital scandal, though it was revealed that she was in fact tracking a Travast Polong.

It was mainly notable for introducing Clyde Langer's mother and father. Although Clyde's father was central, the story was unique in being the only one to feature the fathers of all three of the series' primary child characters, both past and current, in the same story, and also ended with Sarah Jane looking at a picture of her father, who would appear in the next episode.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

An alien pendant which gives its wearer the power to control others is stolen from Sarah's attic. Luke and Rani enlist the help of Clyde's mum to track down Clyde and his father, who has the alien pendant. The chase leads to a terrifying waterside confrontation when the pendant takes control of Paul and begins transforming him.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

Sarah Jane is going away for the weekend to track down an alien lifeform and leaves Luke to stay with Clyde and his mother for the weekend.

Rani walks by the detention room at school. She witnesses a boy, Jacob West, controlling his teacher and fellow students. He runs into the boy's bathroom, drops a strange pendant on the floor and leaves. Rani picks up the pendant and pockets it. On Bannerman Road, Rani and her father, Haresh, are deciding on tea and choose to have a pizza. Rani discovers that Haresh will follow her verbal instructions. She deduces that the pendant causes people to follow instructions given to them by the pendant's wearer. Although she initially has fun with the pendant, when her father offers to die as a result to an idle comment, Rani realises how dangerous it is.

The next day, somebody knocks on the door of the Langers' home. Clyde answers it and finds that his long-lost father, Paul Langer, has turned up. His arrival upsets Clyde and his mum.

After an emotional discussion among the three of them, Clyde leaves with his father. During the course of the day, Clyde reveals to his father that he is involved in tackling alien threats. Meanwhile, Rani goes to Sarah Jane's attic only to find that Mr Smith has been deactivated while the house is empty. Rani decides to leave the pendant there so no-one will find it. After a talk with her father, she decides to investigate matters herself. She finds Luke, and they go to the school to search for clues.

Clyde convinces his father that he is telling the truth by taking him to Sarah Jane's attic. Paul finds the pendant that Rani left and puts it in his shirt pocket. Outside, they meet Haresh, who asks them about what they were doing in Sarah Jane's house. Paul ends up instructing Haresh to do press-ups and realises it must be due to the pendant. Luke and Rani run up to them. Rani works out what has happened and confronts Paul and Clyde. Paul instructs Clyde to forget who Rani and Luke are. They try talking to Clyde but he claims to have never seen them in his life before and leaves. Paul then raises his hand to Rani and Luke, revealing a strange blue symbol on his palm.

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

Clyde and Paul are walking in town. Paul can't stop looking at the symbol on his hand. Luke and Rani attempt to contact Sarah Jane, but she is preoccupied trying to pursue an alien called Travast Polong. Meanwhile, Luke and Rani send a picture of the pendant to Maria and her father to investigate, as her father can hack into UNIT. They discover the pendant can cause a symbol known as the mark of the Berserker to appear on one's skin.

Haresh refuses to stop the press-ups. Paul gets everything he wants for free — including a new car — and uses this to bond with his son. He instructs Clyde to forget about how he left him and his mum when he was young and to forget about his mum. The pendant takes over Paul's skin, causing blue veins to appear, and he collapses. He declares himself the Berserker and Clyde his soldier. Sarah Jane appears and Clyde recognises her. She tells him that his mum, Rani and Luke are the most important people in his life when he asks who they are. Clyde and his mum talk Paul through his memories, whilst Sarah Jane shows him a reflection of himself in her handbag mirror and he remembers who he really is.

Everyone the Berserker commanded has their commands undone (Haresh stops doing push-ups and drinks a glass of water in near-exhaustion and the dealership owner wonders where the car has gone, bemused). Clyde tries to get his mum and dad back together, but Paul tells his son that he has made his mum's sister pregnant. Clyde tells his father he doesn't need him, and not to mess up with this baby. His dad then leaves to return the car and clothes. Clyde tells his mother to forget about the pendant, what she knows about Sarah Jane's adventures with her son, and his father, then throws the pendant into the sea. Sarah Jane reveals that her parents died when she was young and she would do anything to see them again. When Clyde is gone, she takes out a picture of her mother and father and rubs her finger over the latter.

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]]

Real world culture[[edit] | [edit source]]

Clyde's drawing of Rocket Man.
  • Clyde has ambitions on become the "new Banksy".
  • When Clyde shows Luke his drawings, he has created a character named Rocket Man.
  • While under the influence of the Berserker pendant, Haresh impersonates Bianca from EastEnders.

Locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

Vehicles[[edit] | [edit source]]

Foods and beverages[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This is the first story where Mr Smith does not physically make an appearance. Sarah Jane shuts him down in her absence, and, when he is called upon, the wall panels do not open up to reveal him. Instead, an answering machine function activates and plays an automated message. However, his voice actor, Alexander Armstrong, is still credited for his speaking lines in the role.
  • This is the only TV story to feature both Maria and Rani.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Part 1 - 0.53 million viewers (DWMSE 23)
  • Part 2 - 0.63 million viewers (DWMSE 23)

Part One's BBC One repeat gained 0.87 million with an AI score of 75, whilst Part Two's BBC One repeat gained 0.87 million with an AI score of 84.

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

to be added

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.

to be added

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

This section needs a cleanup.

As per Forum:Non-valid Continuity sections, categories, and prefixes#Continuity sections, this section needs to be written from an out-of-universe perspective.

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

  • This story, along with the rest of Series 2, was released on DVD on 9 November 2009 (UK) and 10 November 2009 (North America).
  • It was released in the Complete Collection Series 1-5 boxset release (Region 2 release: 6th February 2012).

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

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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