Prisoner of the Judoon (TV story): Difference between revisions

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{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}
{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image                = Veil.JPG
|image                = Veil.JPG
|novelisation        = Judoon Afternoon (novelisation)
|novelisation        = Judoon Afternoon (novelisation)
Line 9: Line 9:
|season serial number = 1
|season serial number = 1
|story number        = 13
|story number        = 13
|main character      = [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Luke Smith|Luke]], [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]], [[Rani Chandra|Rani]], [[Mr Smith]]
|scripturl      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/sja-series-3-episode-1-prisoner-of-the-judoon-part-one-pink-revisions-17042009.pdf
|enemy                = [[Androvax]], [[Nanoform]]s
|scripturl2      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/sja-series-3-episode-2-prisoner-of-the-judoon-part-two-pink-revisions-17042009.pdf
|featuring            = [[Tybo]]
|main character      = [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]], [[Luke Smith|Luke]], [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]], [[Rani Chandra|Rani]], [[Mr Smith]]
|featuring            = Tybo
|featuring2          = Gita Chandra
|featuring3          = Haresh Chandra
|enemy                = [[Androvax]]
|setting              = [[Ealing]], [[2009]]
|setting              = [[Ealing]], [[2009]]
|writer              = [[Phil Ford]]
|writer              = Phil Ford
|director            = [[Joss Agnew]]
|director            = [[Joss Agnew]]
|producer            = [[Nikki Smith]]
|producer            = [[Nikki Smith]]
|broadcast date      = [[15 October (releases)|15]] - [[16 October (releases)|16 October]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|broadcast date      = 15 - 16 October 2009
|format              = 2x30 minute episodes
|format              = 2x30 minute episodes
|prev                = From Raxacoricofallapatorius with Love (TV story)
|prev                = From Raxacoricofallapatorius with Love (TV story)
|next                = The Mad Woman in the Attic (TV story)
|next                = The Mad Woman in the Attic (TV story)
|network = BBC One}}
|network             = BBC One
'''''Prisoner of the Judoon''''' was the first serial of [[Series 3 (SJA)|series 3]] of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. It was written by [[Phil Ford]] and directed by [[Joss Agnew]]. It featured [[Elisabeth Sladen]] as [[Sarah Jane Smith]], [[Tommy Knight]] as [[Luke Smith]], [[Daniel Anthony]] as [[Clyde Langer]], [[Anjli Mohindra]] as [[Rani Chandra]] and [[Alexander Armstrong]] as [[Mr Smith]].
|epcount              = 2
 
}}
It marked the first appearance of the [[Judoon]] in a spin-off and the introduction of a new [[species]], the [[Veil (species)|Veil]].
'''''Prisoner of the Judoon''''' was the first serial of [[Series 3 (SJA)|series 3]] of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. It was written by [[Phil Ford]] and directed by [[Joss Agnew]].


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
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== Plot ==
== Plot ==
=== Part 1 ===
=== Part 1 ===
[[Sarah Jane Smith]] gives an overview of her life and tells how life on [[Earth]] is just as exciting as [[The Doctor's TARDIS|travelling the stars]]. She goes to interview Mr. Yorke, the head of Genetec Systems, about [[nanoform]]s and the threat they might pose if released into the environment along with the fact he is centuries away from proper programming to back his boasts. Yorke takes her questions poorly and has her thrown out. Sarah takes it in stride.
[[Sarah Jane Smith]] gives an overview of her life and tells how life on [[Earth]] is just as exciting as travelling the stars. She goes to interview Mr. Yorke, the head of Genetec Systems, about [[nanoform]]s and the threat they might pose if released into the environment along with the fact he is centuries away from proper programming to back his boasts. Yorke takes her questions poorly and has her thrown out. Sarah Jane takes it in stride.


She returns home to find [[Luke Smith|Luke]] and [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] playing football. [[Rani Chandra|Rani]] comes over just as a "meteor" crashes onto the Earth. They race inside and Sarah Jane activates [[Mr Smith]], who tells them that the falling object crossed the solar system in forty-five minutes. Sarah says it can't be a meteor. Mr Smith notes the falling object sent a distress signal. His monitor shows [[Judoon]] calling for help. He says a life-pod was launched before the ship crashed. Sarah explains the Judoon's job and their dimwitted methods. Mr Smith says UNIT has secured the area. Worried that UNIT will get into a fight with the Judoon, Sarah tells her companions that it's time to move out. As they leave, Gita (once again) causes a delay by asking Sarah if any of her contacts would be interested in her flower shop, "[[Bloomin' Lovely]]". Sarah distractedly gives Gita a brochure from Genetec Systems. Gita decides to fill the company's office with plants as a sort of guerrilla marketing and drags Haresh with her.
She returns home to find [[Luke Smith|Luke]] and [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] playing football. [[Rani Chandra|Rani]] comes over just as a "meteor" crashes onto the Earth. They race inside and Sarah Jane activates [[Mr Smith]], who tells them that the falling object crossed the solar system in forty-five minutes. Sarah Jane says it can't be a meteor. Mr Smith notes the falling object sent a distress signal. His monitor shows [[Judoon]] calling for help. He says a life-pod was launched before the ship crashed. Sarah Jane explains the Judoon's job an Janed their dimwitted methods. Mr Smith says UNIT has secured the area. Worried that UNIT will get into a fight with the Judoon, Sarah tells her companions that it's time to move out. As they leave, Gita causes a delay by asking Sarah Jane if any of her contacts would be interested in her flower shop, "[[Bloomin' Lovely]]". Sarah Jane distractedly gives Gita a brochure from Genetec Systems. Gita decides to fill the company's office with plants as a sort of guerrilla marketing and drags Haresh with her.


They soon find the Judoon pilot pursuing his now-escaped prisoner and are nearly hit by stray blast from his weapon. Sarah explains that under the rules of the [[Shadow Proclamation]], Earth barely exists. To make matters worse, the Judoon are brutal and will execute anyone that gets in their way.
They soon find the Judoon pilot pursuing his now-escaped prisoner and are nearly hit by stray blast from his weapon. Sarah Jane explains that under the rules of the [[Shadow Proclamation]], Earth barely exists. To make matters worse, the Judoon are brutal and will execute anyone that gets in their way.


In the meantime, the Judoon is knocked out by the escapee with a board, allowing him time to escape his straitjacket and flee. Sarah and the others find the Judoon and move his blaster away. The Judoon awakens, takes out its "language assimilation/cataloguing device" and records Sarah's offering of help and warning not to harm them. Assimilating English, the Judoon says his name is [[Tybo|Captain Tybo]] and his prisoner, [[Androvax]], is the "Destroyer of Worlds".
In the meantime, the Judoon is knocked out by the escapee with a board, allowing him time to escape his straitjacket and flee. Sarah Jane and the others find the Judoon and move his blaster away. The Judoon awakens, takes out its "language assimilation/cataloguing device" and records Sarah Jane's offering of help and warning not to harm them. Assimilating English, the Judoon says his name is [[Tybo|Captain Tybo]] and his prisoner, [[Androvax]], is the "Destroyer of Worlds".


To prevent Tybo from harming any innocent humans in his zeal to recapture Androvax, Sarah insists on helping his investigations. After hearing a young girl's scream nearby, Sarah and Clyde run to investigate, leaving Luke and Rani to keep Tybo distracted.
To prevent Tybo from harming any innocent humans in his zeal to recapture Androvax, Sarah Jane insists on helping his investigations. After hearing a young girl's scream nearby, Sarah Jane and Clyde run to investigate, leaving Luke and Rani to keep Tybo distracted.


They find the girl. They attempt to comfort her and find out where her mother is. However, Sarah's watch begins to beep. She had been scanning the girl, who is not human. Androvax steps out of the girl's body and into Sarah's, then puts Clyde in a trance.
They find the girl. They attempt to comfort her and find out where her mother is. However, Sarah Jane's watch begins to beep. She had been scanning the girl, who is not human. Androvax steps out of the girl's body and into Sarah Jane's, then puts Clyde in a trance.


Captain Tybo figures out that Luke and Rani are distracting him; they claim that they weren't lying to him, and that it was just a mistake. He smashes their mobile phones to prevent any more "mistakes". He says Androvax is a Veil life form, capable of possessing others. They find Clyde in the theatre, revive him with a squirt bottle after slapping him proves ineffective, and learn that Androvax has Sarah.
Captain Tybo figures out that Luke and Rani are distracting him; they claim that they weren't lying to him, and that it was just a mistake. He smashes their mobile phones to prevent any more "mistakes". He says Androvax is a Veil life form, capable of possessing others. They find Clyde in the theatre, revive him with a squirt bottle after slapping him proves ineffective, and learn that Androvax has Sarah Jane.


[[File:Sarah-jane-prisoner-of-the-judoon-45.jpg|thumb|[[Tybo]] threatens another driver]]
[[File:Sarah-jane-prisoner-of-the-judoon-45.jpg|thumb|[[Tybo]] threatens another driver]]
Tybo "commandeers" a police car and they pursue Sarah/Androvax back to Bannerman Road, where she has been talking to Mr Smith. Sarah returns to Genetec Systems, where she talked to Mr York about the nanoforms. Captain Tybo, Rani, Luke and Clyde reach the attic only to discover that [[Mr Smith]] has been set to self-destruct in sixty seconds, which will destroy all of Bannerman Road.
Tybo "commandeers" a police car and they pursue Androvax back to Bannerman Road, where he has been talking to Mr Smith. Androvax heads to Genetec Systems, where he talked to Mr York about the nanoforms. Captain Tybo, Rani, Luke and Clyde reach the attic only to discover that [[Mr Smith]] has been set to self-destruct in sixty seconds, which will destroy all of Bannerman Road.


=== Part 2 ===
=== Part 2 ===
Captain Tybo is prepared to blast Mr Smith, but Luke stops the countdown by telling Mr Smith that exploding would contradict his purpose of defending and protecting Earth, as the resulting explosion would destroy several city blocks. Mr Smith tells Luke, Rani, Tybo and Clyde where Sarah is — Genetec System Labs. Androvax plans to use the nanoforms to build a spaceship for escape, then allow them to run wild and destroy the Earth. Meanwhile, Gita and Haresh have been arrested by the security guard there, but when Androvax sets off multiple alarms, the guard leaves and they escape. Luke, Rani and Clyde arrive with Tybo. Rani insists they hide when she sees her parents roaming the building. The kids decide to lock the Judoon Captain in a shielded room to prevent him harming Sarah Jane in his zeal to stop Androvax.
Captain Tybo is prepared to blast Mr Smith, but Luke stops the countdown by telling Mr Smith that exploding would contradict his purpose of defending and protecting Earth, as the resulting explosion would destroy several city blocks. Mr Smith tells Luke, Rani, Tybo and Clyde where Sarah Jane is — Genetec System Labs. Androvax plans to use the nanoforms to build a spaceship for escape, then allow them to run wild and destroy the Earth. Meanwhile, Gita and Haresh have been arrested by the security guard there, but when Androvax sets off multiple alarms, the guard leaves and they escape. Luke, Rani and Clyde arrive with Tybo. Rani insists they hide when she sees her parents roaming the building. The kids decide to lock the Judoon Captain in a shielded room to prevent him harming Sarah Jane in his zeal to stop Androvax.


More Judoon arrive on the scene, right behind Haresh and Gita. Haresh wants to find out what they're up to, but Gita is more concerned about finding the security guard, who's taken her mobile, and staying alive. The Judoon comment that Gita is more intellegent than Haresh; interfering with their work will warrant termination. In the meantime, Sarah argues with Androvax, but when the kids arrive in the lab, Androvax captures Luke and sets the nanoforms after Clyde and Rani with Sarah's [[sonic lipstick]]. They recall that nanoforms will go dormant at low temperatures, and manage to temporarily stun them with a fire extinguisher.
More Judoon arrive on the scene, right behind Haresh and Gita. Haresh wants to find out what they're up to, but Gita is more concerned about finding the security guard, who's taken her mobile, and staying alive. The Judoon comment that Gita is more intelligent than Haresh; interfering with their work will warrant termination. In the meantime, Sarah Jane argues with Androvax, but when the kids arrive in the lab, Androvax captures Luke and sets the nanoforms after Clyde and Rani with Sarah Jane's [[sonic lipstick]]. They recall that nanoforms will go dormant at low temperatures, and manage to temporarily stun them with a fire extinguisher.


Androvax takes Luke aboard the now-complete space ship. Sarah attempts to take control of her body again. Clyde and Rani also arrive at the ship, which Luke has opened the door of to let them in. Luke steals the ship's [[Ionic fusion bar|power core]], insisting they'll let Androvax escape if he releases Sarah Jane. Androvax finally agrees, but the Judoon arrive to arrest him moments later.
Androvax takes Luke aboard the now-complete space ship. Sarah Jane attempts to take control of her body again. Clyde and Rani also arrive at the ship, which Luke has opened the door of to let them in. Luke steals the ship's [[Ionic fusion bar|power core]], insisting they'll let Androvax escape if he releases Sarah Jane. Androvax finally agrees, but the Judoon arrive to arrest him moments later.


The nanoforms, meanwhile, have begun eating the building and Haresh and Gita are trapped inside. Luke uses the spaceship's computer to deactivate the nanoforms. The Judoon leave with their prisoner in the ship. Tybo, taking into account the youngsters' part in stopping Androvax, chooses not to prosecute them for locking him in the room. Instead, he revokes their interplanetary travel rights — despite the fact that Earthlings shouldn't have any — effectively "grounding" them on Earth. Sarah and her team arrive home safe, where Gita and Haresh regale them with the harrowing story of their encounter with aliens.
The nanoforms, meanwhile, have begun eating the building and Haresh and Gita are trapped inside. Luke uses the spaceship's computer to deactivate the nanoforms. The Judoon leave with their prisoner in the ship. Tybo, taking into account the youngsters' part in stopping Androvax, chooses not to prosecute them for locking him in the room. Instead, he revokes their interplanetary travel rights, effectively "grounding" them on Earth. Sarah Jane and her team arrive home safe, where Gita and Haresh regale them with the harrowing story of their encounter with aliens.


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


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
=== Individuals ===
* Rani mentions [[Wormwood (Invasion of the Bane)|Mrs Wormwood]] of the [[Bane (Invasion of the Bane)|Bane]].
 
=== Cultural references from the real world ===
=== Cultural references from the real world ===
* When Tybo commandeers a police SUV but adheres to the speed limit, Rani asks him, "Don't they get ''[[Starsky & Hutch]]'' repeats in [[Judoonland]]?"
* When Tybo commandeers a police SUV but adheres to the speed limit, Rani asks him, ''"Don't they get ''[[Starsky & Hutch]]'' repeats in [[Judoonland]]?"''.
* Gita tells Haresh he's "more of a [[Jamie Oliver]] than a [[James Bond]]".
* Gita tells Haresh he's "more of a [[Jamie Oliver]] than a [[James Bond]]".
* Clyde mentions [[Albert Einstein]] and ''[[Star Wars]]''.
* Clyde mentions [[Albert Einstein]] and ''[[Star Wars]]''.


=== Races and species ===
=== Races and species ===
* A file on the [[Slitheen]] appears when Mr Smith stops his self-destruct countdown.
* [[Veil World]] is the home planet of the [[Veil (species)|Veil]].
* [[Veil World]] is the home planet of the [[Veil (species)|Veil]].


Line 384: Line 384:


=== Other ===
=== Other ===
* [[Guerrilla planting]] is a form of planting.
* [[Guerrilla planting]] is a form of planting, though it is questionably legal.


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* Beginning with this episode, ''Sarah Jane'' episodes now begin with a brief prologue in which Clyde breaks the fourth wall to explain the characters and concept of the series to viewers. This same footage had previously formed the basis of the cinema trailer for the season. This teaser includes brief scenes from the different stories of the season. This opening was also used in [[Series 4 (SJA)|Series 4]] and [[Series 5 (SJA)|Series 5]] (with the preview footage updated appropriately).
* Beginning with this episode, ''Sarah Jane'' episodes now begin with a brief prologue in which Clyde breaks the fourth wall to explain the characters and concept of the series to viewers. This same footage had previously formed the basis of the cinema trailer for the season. This teaser includes brief scenes from the different stories of the season.
* [[Nicholas Briggs]], with his performance of the Judoon's voice in this story, became credited on all three BBC-produced ''Doctor Who''-franchise series that were in existence during the Russell T Davies era.
* Mr Smith mentions a spaceship crash in [[Roswell]], [[New Mexico]] in [[1947]] and the [[Area 51|Dreamland base]] in Arizona. This is the first time that plot lines for future episodes have been pre-referenced, as Roswell and Dreamland were involved in an animated serial titled ''[[Dreamland (TV story)|Dreamland]]'' that, at the time this episode was broadcast, was in late production stages.
* This marks the sixth appearance for the [[Judoon]]. The others were in the television stories ''[[Smith and Jones]]'' and ''[[The Stolen Earth]]'', the novels ''[[Revenge of the Judoon]]'' and ''[[Judgement of the Judoon]]'' and the [[Fifth Doctor]] flashback in the comic story ''[[The Forgotten (comic story)|The Forgotten]]''
* This marks the third story in the "[noun] of the Judoon" title format. The others are ''[[Revenge of the Judoon]]'' and ''[[Judgement of the Judoon]]''.
* This is [[Nicholas Briggs]]' only appearance in ''The Sarah Jane Adventures''.
* Mr Smith mentions a spaceship crash in [[Roswell]], [[New Mexico]] in [[1947]] and the [[Area 51|Dreamland base]] in Arizona. This is the first time that plot lines for future episodes have been pre-referenced (at least with the production team's knowledge of future use), as Roswell and Dreamland were involved in a future animated serial titled ''[[Dreamland (TV story)|Dreamland]]'' that, at the time this episode was broadcast, was in late production stages.


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
* Part 1 0.6 million
 
* Part 2 0.7 million
* Part 1 - 0.73 million viewers, with an AI score of 81. ([[DWMSE 28]])
* Part 2 - 0.82 million viewers, with an AI score of 86. ([[DWMSE 28]])


=== Filming locations ===
=== Filming locations ===
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== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* [[Grey alien ship|The ship]] that [[Androvax]] ordered the [[Nanoform|nano-bugs]] to create was based on the schematics of a crashed ship re-engineered at the [[Area 51|Dreamland base]] in Arizona. The original ship had crashed in [[Roswell]], [[New Mexico]] in 1947. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dreamland (TV story)|Dreamland]]'')
* Rani is concerned about [[UNIT]] still being on bad terms with Sarah Jane after her breaking into the [[Black Archive]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Enemy of the Bane (TV story)}})
* Captain Tybo refers to Androvax as the Destroyer of Worlds; the [[Tenth Doctor]] was also called this by [[Davros]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]'')
* Rani recalls Gita being kidnapped by [[Wormwood (Invasion of the Bane)|Mrs Wormwood]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Enemy of the Bane (TV story)}})
* Androvax would escape the Judoon's prison planet and return to Earth. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Vault of Secrets (TV story)|The Vault of Secrets]]'')
* Mr Smith reminds the Veil-possessed Sarah Jane that he is a [[Xylok]], indicating he has some knowledge of his alien identity intact after the [[virus]]-induced memory deletion, though none of the hostile elements remain. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Lost Boy (TV story)}})
* Clyde and Rani's "grounding" by the Judoon is later referenced, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]'') and becomes an important plot point. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Planet (TV story)|The Empty Planet]]'')
* When Mr Smith's self-detonation countdown reaches 22 seconds, his monitor begins to scramble and displays several past analyses, including the [[Metasaran Galaxy]], the planet [[Sontar]], the [[probic vent]] of a [[Sontaran]], ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Last Sontaran (TV story)}}) the ticket for [[Spellman's Magical Museum of the Circus]], ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Day of the Clown}}) and a Slitheen family member. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)}})
* Once again, Sarah bristles at being called "Sarah" by Gita, even though the Doctor will later refer to her as such; ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]'') however, in his case, it was an affectionate name he used toward her during his [[Fourth Doctor|fourth incarnation]].
* Mr Smith reinstates that his purpose is to "defend the Earth". ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Lost Boy (TV story)}})
* Mr Smith reminds the Veil-possessed Sarah Jane that he is a [[Xylok]], indicating he has some knowledge of his alien identity intact after the [[virus]]-induced memory deletion, though none of the hostile elements remain. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lost Boy (TV story)|The Lost Boy]]'')
* [[Grey alien ship|The ship]] that [[Androvax]] ordered the [[Nanoform|nano-bugs]] to create was based on the schematics of a crashed ship re-engineered at the [[Area 51|Dreamland base]] in Arizona. The original ship had crashed in [[Roswell]], [[New Mexico]] in [[1947]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dreamland (TV story)|Dreamland]]'')
* When Mr Smith's self-detonation countdown reaches 22 seconds, his monitor begins to scramble and displays several past analyses, including the [[Metasaran Galaxy]], the planet [[Sontar]], and the [[probic vent]] of a [[Sontaran]]; ([[TV]]: ''[[The Last Sontaran (TV story)|The Last Sontaran]]'') the ticket for [[Spellman's Magical Museum of the Circus]]; ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Clown]]'') and a Slitheen. ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)|Revenge of the Slitheen]]'', ''[[From Raxacoricofallapatorius with Love (TV story)|From Raxacoricofallapatorius with Love]]'')
* Sarah-Jane references the [[Shadow Proclamation]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Rose (TV story)}}, etc al.)
* Androvax recalls from Sarah's memories that Luke was grown from synthesised DNA as a perfect human being, was part of an alien invasion, and ended up as Sarah's adopted son because of her "meddling". ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Bane (TV story)|Invasion of the Bane]]'')
* Androvax recalls from Sarah Jane's memories that Luke was grown from synthesised DNA as a perfect human being, was part of an alien invasion, and ended up as Sarah Jane's adopted son because of her "meddling". ([[TV]]: {{cs|Invasion of the Bane (TV story)}})
* Captain [[Tybo]] meets Sarah and her friends again. ([[WC]]: ''[[Teeth and Eating (video game)|Teeth and Eating]]'', [[COMIC]]: ''[[Monster Hunt (comic story)|Monster Hunt]]'')
* With Mr Smith, Luke will later make a record of his encounter with Androvax and the Judoon for the [[Alien Files]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[SJAF 6]]'')
* With Mr Smith, Luke will later make a record of his encounter with Androvax and the Judoon for the [[Alien Files]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[SJAF 6]]'')


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* {{briefhistory|sarahjane/2009bc.html|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* {{briefhistory|sarahjane/2009bc.html|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* {{locguide|prisonerofthejudoon|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* {{locguide|prisonerofthejudoon|{{StoryTitle}}}}
* PDF scripts for [https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/the-sarah-jane-adventures-s3-ep1-prisoner-of-the-judoon-part-1-phil-ford.pdf Part 1] and [https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/the-sarah-jane-adventures-s3-ep2-prisoner-of-the-judoon-part-2-phil-ford.pdf Part 2] at [https://www.bbc.co.uk/writers/ BBC Writersroom]
{{SJATV}}
{{SJATV}}
{{Judoon stories}}
{{Judoon stories}}

Latest revision as of 10:08, 12 March 2024

RealWorld.png

Prisoner of the Judoon was the first serial of series 3 of The Sarah Jane Adventures. It was written by Phil Ford and directed by Joss Agnew.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

Sarah Jane and the gang face the most dangerous day of their lives as the rhino-like Judoon return. When prisoner Androvax the Annihilator crash-lands on Earth, the Veil is set free to turn Earth's technology against itself. His next intended victim is Sarah Jane. As the Judoon fleet approaches Earth, it's a race against time to stop Androvax. With Genetec Systems' technology on the rampage and Rani's parents taken prisoner, can anything stop the Army of the Infinitesimal?

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

Sarah Jane Smith gives an overview of her life and tells how life on Earth is just as exciting as travelling the stars. She goes to interview Mr. Yorke, the head of Genetec Systems, about nanoforms and the threat they might pose if released into the environment along with the fact he is centuries away from proper programming to back his boasts. Yorke takes her questions poorly and has her thrown out. Sarah Jane takes it in stride.

She returns home to find Luke and Clyde playing football. Rani comes over just as a "meteor" crashes onto the Earth. They race inside and Sarah Jane activates Mr Smith, who tells them that the falling object crossed the solar system in forty-five minutes. Sarah Jane says it can't be a meteor. Mr Smith notes the falling object sent a distress signal. His monitor shows Judoon calling for help. He says a life-pod was launched before the ship crashed. Sarah Jane explains the Judoon's job an Janed their dimwitted methods. Mr Smith says UNIT has secured the area. Worried that UNIT will get into a fight with the Judoon, Sarah tells her companions that it's time to move out. As they leave, Gita causes a delay by asking Sarah Jane if any of her contacts would be interested in her flower shop, "Bloomin' Lovely". Sarah Jane distractedly gives Gita a brochure from Genetec Systems. Gita decides to fill the company's office with plants as a sort of guerrilla marketing and drags Haresh with her.

They soon find the Judoon pilot pursuing his now-escaped prisoner and are nearly hit by stray blast from his weapon. Sarah Jane explains that under the rules of the Shadow Proclamation, Earth barely exists. To make matters worse, the Judoon are brutal and will execute anyone that gets in their way.

In the meantime, the Judoon is knocked out by the escapee with a board, allowing him time to escape his straitjacket and flee. Sarah Jane and the others find the Judoon and move his blaster away. The Judoon awakens, takes out its "language assimilation/cataloguing device" and records Sarah Jane's offering of help and warning not to harm them. Assimilating English, the Judoon says his name is Captain Tybo and his prisoner, Androvax, is the "Destroyer of Worlds".

To prevent Tybo from harming any innocent humans in his zeal to recapture Androvax, Sarah Jane insists on helping his investigations. After hearing a young girl's scream nearby, Sarah Jane and Clyde run to investigate, leaving Luke and Rani to keep Tybo distracted.

They find the girl. They attempt to comfort her and find out where her mother is. However, Sarah Jane's watch begins to beep. She had been scanning the girl, who is not human. Androvax steps out of the girl's body and into Sarah Jane's, then puts Clyde in a trance.

Captain Tybo figures out that Luke and Rani are distracting him; they claim that they weren't lying to him, and that it was just a mistake. He smashes their mobile phones to prevent any more "mistakes". He says Androvax is a Veil life form, capable of possessing others. They find Clyde in the theatre, revive him with a squirt bottle after slapping him proves ineffective, and learn that Androvax has Sarah Jane.

Tybo threatens another driver

Tybo "commandeers" a police car and they pursue Androvax back to Bannerman Road, where he has been talking to Mr Smith. Androvax heads to Genetec Systems, where he talked to Mr York about the nanoforms. Captain Tybo, Rani, Luke and Clyde reach the attic only to discover that Mr Smith has been set to self-destruct in sixty seconds, which will destroy all of Bannerman Road.

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

Captain Tybo is prepared to blast Mr Smith, but Luke stops the countdown by telling Mr Smith that exploding would contradict his purpose of defending and protecting Earth, as the resulting explosion would destroy several city blocks. Mr Smith tells Luke, Rani, Tybo and Clyde where Sarah Jane is — Genetec System Labs. Androvax plans to use the nanoforms to build a spaceship for escape, then allow them to run wild and destroy the Earth. Meanwhile, Gita and Haresh have been arrested by the security guard there, but when Androvax sets off multiple alarms, the guard leaves and they escape. Luke, Rani and Clyde arrive with Tybo. Rani insists they hide when she sees her parents roaming the building. The kids decide to lock the Judoon Captain in a shielded room to prevent him harming Sarah Jane in his zeal to stop Androvax.

More Judoon arrive on the scene, right behind Haresh and Gita. Haresh wants to find out what they're up to, but Gita is more concerned about finding the security guard, who's taken her mobile, and staying alive. The Judoon comment that Gita is more intelligent than Haresh; interfering with their work will warrant termination. In the meantime, Sarah Jane argues with Androvax, but when the kids arrive in the lab, Androvax captures Luke and sets the nanoforms after Clyde and Rani with Sarah Jane's sonic lipstick. They recall that nanoforms will go dormant at low temperatures, and manage to temporarily stun them with a fire extinguisher.

Androvax takes Luke aboard the now-complete space ship. Sarah Jane attempts to take control of her body again. Clyde and Rani also arrive at the ship, which Luke has opened the door of to let them in. Luke steals the ship's power core, insisting they'll let Androvax escape if he releases Sarah Jane. Androvax finally agrees, but the Judoon arrive to arrest him moments later.

The nanoforms, meanwhile, have begun eating the building and Haresh and Gita are trapped inside. Luke uses the spaceship's computer to deactivate the nanoforms. The Judoon leave with their prisoner in the ship. Tybo, taking into account the youngsters' part in stopping Androvax, chooses not to prosecute them for locking him in the room. Instead, he revokes their interplanetary travel rights, effectively "grounding" them on Earth. Sarah Jane and her team arrive home safe, where Gita and Haresh regale them with the harrowing story of their encounter with aliens.

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


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]]

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

Races and species[[edit] | [edit source]]

Objects[[edit] | [edit source]]

Other[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

  • Beginning with this episode, Sarah Jane episodes now begin with a brief prologue in which Clyde breaks the fourth wall to explain the characters and concept of the series to viewers. This same footage had previously formed the basis of the cinema trailer for the season. This teaser includes brief scenes from the different stories of the season.
  • Mr Smith mentions a spaceship crash in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947 and the Dreamland base in Arizona. This is the first time that plot lines for future episodes have been pre-referenced, as Roswell and Dreamland were involved in an animated serial titled Dreamland that, at the time this episode was broadcast, was in late production stages.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Part 1 - 0.73 million viewers, with an AI score of 81. (DWMSE 28)
  • Part 2 - 0.82 million viewers, with an AI score of 86. (DWMSE 28)

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

Home media releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

DVD releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • It was released in the Complete Collection Series 1-5 boxset release (Region 2 release: 6th February 2012).

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Rani is concerned about UNIT still being on bad terms with Sarah Jane after her breaking into the Black Archive. (TV: Enemy of the Bane [+]Loading...["Enemy of the Bane (TV story)"])
  • Rani recalls Gita being kidnapped by Mrs Wormwood. (TV: Enemy of the Bane [+]Loading...["Enemy of the Bane (TV story)"])
  • Mr Smith reminds the Veil-possessed Sarah Jane that he is a Xylok, indicating he has some knowledge of his alien identity intact after the virus-induced memory deletion, though none of the hostile elements remain. (TV: The Lost Boy [+]Loading...["The Lost Boy (TV story)"])
  • When Mr Smith's self-detonation countdown reaches 22 seconds, his monitor begins to scramble and displays several past analyses, including the Metasaran Galaxy, the planet Sontar, the probic vent of a Sontaran, (TV: The Last Sontaran [+]Loading...["The Last Sontaran (TV story)"]) the ticket for Spellman's Magical Museum of the Circus, (TV: The Day of the Clown [+]Loading...["The Day of the Clown"]) and a Slitheen family member. (TV: Revenge of the Slitheen [+]Loading...["Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)"])
  • Mr Smith reinstates that his purpose is to "defend the Earth". (TV: The Lost Boy [+]Loading...["The Lost Boy (TV story)"])
  • The ship that Androvax ordered the nano-bugs to create was based on the schematics of a crashed ship re-engineered at the Dreamland base in Arizona. The original ship had crashed in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. (TV: Dreamland)
  • Sarah-Jane references the Shadow Proclamation. (TV: Rose [+]Loading...["Rose (TV story)"], etc al.)
  • Androvax recalls from Sarah Jane's memories that Luke was grown from synthesised DNA as a perfect human being, was part of an alien invasion, and ended up as Sarah Jane's adopted son because of her "meddling". (TV: Invasion of the Bane [+]Loading...["Invasion of the Bane (TV story)"])
  • With Mr Smith, Luke will later make a record of his encounter with Androvax and the Judoon for the Alien Files. (TV: SJAF 6)

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