The Nightmare Man (TV story): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image                = Nightmare man main.jpg
|image                = Nightmare man main.jpg
|series              = [[List of The Sarah Jane Adventures television stories|''SJA'' television stories]]
|series              = [[List of The Sarah Jane Adventures television stories|''SJA'' television stories]]
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|season serial number = 1
|season serial number = 1
|story number        = 19
|story number        = 19
|main character      = [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Luke Smith|Luke]], [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]], [[Rani Chandra|Rani]], [[Mr Smith]], [[K9 Mark IV]]
|scripturl      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/sja-series-4-episode-1-the-nightmare-man-part-one-blue-revisions-30032010.pdf
|enemy                = [[Nightmare Man]]
|scripturl2      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/sja-series-4-episode-2-the-nightmare-man-part-two-blue-revisions-30032010.pdf
|main character      = [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]], [[Luke Smith|Luke]], [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]], [[Rani Chandra|Rani]], [[Mr Smith]], [[K9 Mark IV|K9]]
|enemy                = The [[Nightmare Man]]
|setting              = [[Ealing]], [[2010]]
|setting              = [[Ealing]], [[2010]]
|writer              = [[Joseph Lidster]]
|writer              = Joseph Lidster
|director            = [[Joss Agnew]]
|director            = [[Joss Agnew]]
|producer            = [[Brian Minchin]]
|producer            = [[Brian Minchin]]
|novelisation        = The Nightmare Man (novelisation)
|novelisation        = The Nightmare Man (novelisation)
|broadcast date      = [[11 October (releases)|11]] - [[12 October (releases)|12 October]] [[2010 (releases)|2010]]
|broadcast date      = 11 - 12 October 2010
|format              = 2x30 minute episodes
|format              = 2x30 minute episodes
|prev                = The Gift (TV story)
|prev                = The Gift (TV story)
|next                = The Vault of Secrets (TV story)
|next                = The Vault of Secrets (TV story)
|network = CBBC}}{{you may|Nightmare Man|n1=the titular character}}
|network             = CBBC
'''''The Nightmare Man''''' was the first serial of [[Series 4 (SJA)|series 4]] of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. It was written by [[Joseph Lidster]] 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]], [[Alexander Armstrong]] as [[Mr Smith]] and [[John Leeson]] as [[K9]].
}}{{you may|Nightmare Man|n1=the titular character}}
'''''The Nightmare Man''''' was the first serial of [[Series 4 (SJA)|series 4]] of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. It was written by [[Joseph Lidster]] and directed by [[Joss Agnew]].


It featured the final regular appearance of Tommy Knight as Luke Smith. Although occasionally, in the past, Knight had reduced his involvement in the programme to concentrate on his school work, by 2009 Knight's studies had entered a more demanding phase. ''Nightmare'' accordingly wrote Luke out as a series regular, but in such a way that occasional returns were narratively plausible. Similarly, [[Bob Baker]] had been less willing to allow the expanded use of [[K9 Mark IV]] that typified the previous series, due to the 2010 transmission of [[K9 (TV series)|his Australian ''K9'' spin-off]]. Both Luke and K9 were therefore summarily bundled off to [[Oxford University]] at the end of this story, rarely to be heard from again. It was, however, an indulgent farewell for both characters, allowing them both significant parts to play in the action.
It featured the final regular appearance of [[Tommy Knight]] as [[Luke Smith]] due to Knight leaving the programme to concentrate on his school work. Similarly, [[Bob Baker]] had been less willing to allow the expanded use of [[K9 Mark IV]] that typified the previous series due to the 2010 transmission of [[K9 (TV series)|his Australian ''K9'' spin-off]]. Both Luke and K9 were therefore summarily bundled off to [[Oxford University]] at the end of this story.
 
Tommy Knight's departure meant that, from this point on in the series, the only regular left from [[Invasion of the Bane (TV story)|the first story]] was Elisabeth Sladen, and, if treated as part of the main cast, Alexander Armstrong's role as voicing Mr Smith.


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
[[Luke Smith|Luke]] faces life-changing events, and [[Bannerman Road]] will never be the same again. But when [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]]'s son has his first [[nightmare]], he's haunted by a dark figure from his [[dream]]s: the [[Nightmare Man]]. A strange entity is reaching out to our world through Luke, with terrible consequences for the whole [[human]] race. With Luke, [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] and [[Rani Chandra|Rani]] trapped in a bizarre dreamscape, Sarah must fight alone. As the Nightmare Man grows stronger, only [[K9 Mark IV|K9]] might hold the key. But can Luke summon the courage to face his adult life before the whole world is trapped in an endless nightmare?
[[Luke Smith|Luke]] faces life-changing events, and [[Bannerman Road]] will never be the same again. But when [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]]'s son has his first [[nightmare]], he's haunted by a dark figure from his [[dream]]s: the [[Nightmare Man]]. A strange entity is reaching out to our world through Luke, with terrible consequences for the whole [[human]] race. With Luke, [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] and [[Rani Chandra|Rani]] trapped in a bizarre dreamscape, Sarah Jane must fight alone. As the Nightmare Man grows stronger, only [[K9 Mark IV|K9]] might hold the key. But can Luke summon the courage to face his adult life before the whole world is trapped in an endless nightmare?


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
=== Part 1 ===
=== Part 1 ===
A video recording from [[Luke Smith|Luke]] begins, with Luke explaining that the world will end because of him, warning that "he" is coming. One year earlier, Luke tells Sarah about [[Haresh Chandra|Mr Chandra]]'s decision to let him take his A-Levels early, allowing him to start university a year ahead of everyone else. Sarah reminds Luke that they are [[handcuffs|handcuffed]] to a bomb, set to detonate in seconds. As a [[Slitheen (The Nightmare Man)|Slitheen]] tries to make his escape, they are rescued by [[K9 Mark IV|K9]], who renders the bomb inert. [[Rani Chandra|Rani]] and [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] arrive and throw a bucket of vinegar over the Slitheen, causing him to explode. When the day of the exam results arrives, Clyde expresses his concerns to Rani and Sarah about Luke. Luke joins then and announces he has four A*'s and that he is headed for [[University of Oxford|Oxford University]].
: ''A video recording from [[Luke Smith|Luke]] begins, with Luke explaining that the world will end because of him, warning that "he" is coming. ''
 
One year earlier, Luke tells Sarah Jane about [[Haresh Chandra|Mr Chandra]]'s decision to let him take his A-Levels early, allowing him to start university a year ahead of everyone else. Sarah Jane reminds Luke that they are [[handcuffs|handcuffed]] to a bomb, set to detonate in seconds. As [[Slitheen (The Nightmare Man)|a Slitheen]] tries to make his escape, they are rescued by [[K9 Mark IV|K9]], who renders the bomb inert. [[Rani Chandra|Rani]] and [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] arrive and throw a bucket of vinegar over the Slitheen, causing him to explode. When the day of the exam results arrives, Clyde expresses his concerns to Rani and Sarah Jane about Luke. Luke joins then and announces he has four A*'s and that he is headed for [[University of Oxford|Oxford University]].


Four days before leaving, Luke sees Rani leaving for school, then joins Sarah in the attic. Luke confides in her about his fear of leaving. Sarah comforts him and offers to make scrambled egg for breakfast, despite a disastrous attempt before. After school, Clyde receives a text messages from Luke, asking to see him, but not to reply. When Rani asks if he will see Luke, Clyde replies that Luke needs to get used to them not being around. Meanwhile, Sarah presents Luke with a leaving gift: her old [[Volkswagen Beetle]], which she had restored. Luke assumes she can't wait for him to go, but Sarah admits she is scared of losing him. That night, Luke overhears Sarah and K9 talking about how Luke was a big mistake. However, it turns out to be a bad dream.
Four days before leaving, Luke sees Rani leaving for school, then joins Sarah Jane in the attic. Luke confides in her about his fear of leaving. Sarah Jane comforts him and offers to make scrambled egg for breakfast, despite a disastrous attempt before. After school, Clyde receives a text messages from Luke, asking to see him, but not to reply. When Rani asks if he will see Luke, Clyde replies that Luke needs to get used to them not being around. Meanwhile, Sarah Jane presents Luke with a leaving gift: her old [[Volkswagen Beetle]], which she had restored. Luke assumes she can't wait for him to go, but Sarah Jane admits she is scared of losing him. That night, Luke overhears Sarah Jane and K9 talking about how Luke was a big mistake. However, it turns out to be a bad dream.


[[File:TheNightmareMan.jpg|thumb|left|Luke meets the [[Nightmare Man]] for the first time.]]
[[File:TheNightmareMan.jpg|thumb|left|Luke meets the [[Nightmare Man]] for the first time.]]
The next day, Rani visits Luke before school. Luke tells Rani that he had a nightmare, and she urges him to tell Sarah. They conclude that Luke's worries about leaving are causing the nightmares. Later, Rani asks Clyde why he hasn't contacted Luke. Clyde explains that, despite his concern, he is unsure of what to say. That night, Luke experiences another nightmare; he finds himself in a dark corridor from school before being approached by a bitter Clyde and Rani. They express their envy about him leaving before them, and mock him for his superior intelligence, calling him an alien. Sarah Jane arrives and takes comfort in Rani and Clyde, and the three brand Luke a loser. Luke then begins to hear the [[Nightmare Man]], who explains that he feeds from his nightmares to gain power. Luke wakes up. He tells Sarah about his nightmares, who then asks [[Mr Smith]] to scan Luke.
The next day, Rani visits Luke before school. Luke tells Rani that he had a nightmare, and she urges him to tell Sarah Jane, before they conclude that its just Luke's worries about leaving that are causing the nightmares. Later, Rani asks Clyde why he hasn't contacted Luke. Clyde explains that, despite his concern, he is unsure of what to say. That night, Luke experiences another nightmare; he finds himself in a dark corridor from school before being approached by a bitter Clyde and Rani. They express their envy about him leaving before them, and mock him for his superior intelligence, calling him an alien. Sarah Jane arrives and takes comfort in Rani and Clyde, and the three brand Luke a loser. Luke then begins to hear the [[Nightmare Man]], who explains that he feeds from his nightmares to gain power. Luke wakes up. He tells Sarah Jane about his nightmares, who then asks [[Mr Smith]] to scan Luke.


He reveals that Luke is fine, aside from raised anxiety levels. Luke receives a text from Clyde, asking to meet him later. Luke arrives at school, where a surprise party is held by Rani and Clyde. After talking with Clyde, Luke sits down and falls asleep. He meets the Nightmare Man, who prevents him from telling anyone about him. When Luke is woken up by Clyde. Rani recognises that Luke had another dream, but his fear stops him from telling her about it. That night, he tries to send [[Maria Jackson|Maria]] a message, explaining his nightmares, but finds himself unable to write the message. Seconds later, Luke falls asleep.
He reveals that Luke is fine, aside from raised anxiety levels. Luke receives a text from Clyde, asking to meet him later. Luke arrives at school, where a surprise party is held by Rani and Clyde. After talking with Clyde, Luke sits down and falls asleep. He meets the Nightmare Man, who prevents him from telling anyone about him. When Luke is woken up by Clyde. Rani recognises that Luke had another dream, but his fear stops him from telling her about it. That night, he tries to send [[Maria Jackson|Maria]] a message, explaining his nightmares, but finds himself unable to write the message. Seconds later, Luke falls asleep.


He finds himself in the attic, where Sarah, Clyde and Rani are showing the house to [[Josh (The Nightmare Man)|Josh]], a replacement for Luke. Mr Smith tells Sarah that Luke is calling from Oxford, but she dismisses it by telling him to take a message. The Nightmare Man then takes Luke outside, where Clyde and Rani are dumping Luke's belongings, include a sketch Clyde drew of the two of them together. Just before they set it alight, Sarah quickly arrives to add a photo of them on top. Luke asks the Nightmare Man what he wants, to which he responds that he wants to exist, and that one more nightmare from Luke will grant him access into reality. Luke wakes up. The day before he is due to leave, Rani and Clyde spend the night to see Luke off the next morning. While his friends are asleep, Luke sneaks into the attic with Rani's video camera to record a message, the same message that was shown at the beginning. However, just before he can finish, he falls asleep, allowing the Nightmare Man passage into the real world. Meanwhile, Luke finds himself stranded in a black void.
He finds himself in the attic, where Sarah Jane, Clyde and Rani are showing the house to [[Josh (The Nightmare Man)|Josh]], a replacement for Luke. Mr Smith tells Sarah Jane that Luke is calling from Oxford, but she dismisses it by telling him to take a message. The Nightmare Man then takes Luke outside, where Clyde and Rani are dumping Luke's belongings, include a sketch Clyde drew of the two of them together. Just before they set it alight, Sarah Jane quickly arrives to add a photo of them on top. Luke asks the Nightmare Man what he wants, to which he responds that he wants to exist, and that one more nightmare from Luke will grant him access into reality. Luke wakes up. The day before he is due to leave, Rani and Clyde spend the night to see Luke off the next morning. While his friends are asleep, Luke sneaks into the attic with Rani's video camera to record a message, the same message that was shown at the beginning. However, just before he can finish, he falls asleep, allowing the Nightmare Man passage into the real world. Meanwhile, Luke finds himself stranded in a black void.


=== Part 2 ===
=== Part 2 ===
Having escaped from [[Luke Smith|Luke]]'s dreams, the [[Nightmare Man]] heads to Luke's room, moments before [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]] enters the attic. The Nightmare Man promptly invades [[Rani Chandra|Rani]]'s dreams, followed by [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]]'s. Meanwhile, Sarah is watching the footage on Rani's camera when she sees the message recorded by Luke moments ago. He drops the camera, causing it to focus on the Nightmare Man. A panic-stricken Sarah rushes over to Luke and attempts to wake him up; when he doesn't respond, she calls upon [[Mr Smith]] and [[K9 Mark IV|K9]] for help. Mr Smith provides Sarah with more information about the Nightmare Man after scanning his face from the camera footage, identifying him as a [[Vishklar]] from the [[Seretti dimension]]. Sarah realises that Luke did not make the recording out of fear, but did so because he knew his friends would find it and find a way to save him. With the help of some sentient concrete and an energy boost from Mr Smith, K9 is able to communicate to Luke in his dream. Meanwhile, the Nightmare Man sneaks outside and attempts to ensnare everyone in [[Bannerman Road]]. His efforts, however, are thwarted when Luke, Rani and Clyde are reunited in their nightmares. He returns to the attic and disables K9 and Mr Smith before confronting Sarah. The Nightmare Man taunts her by listing off her worst nightmares, but Sarah calls his bluff by telling him to send her to sleep, saying that without the gang she has no reason left to live. Knowing that Luke, Clyde and Rani together are weakening him, the Nightmare Man disappears into their dreams.
Having escaped from [[Luke Smith|Luke]]'s dreams, the [[Nightmare Man]] heads to Luke's room, moments before [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah Jane]] enters the attic. The Nightmare Man promptly invades [[Rani Chandra|Rani]]'s dreams, followed by [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]]'s. Meanwhile, Sarah Jane is watching the footage on Rani's camera when she sees the message recorded by Luke moments ago; he drops the camera as he falls asleep, causing it to focus on the materialised Nightmare Man. Stricken with panic, Sarah Jane rushes over to Luke and attempts to wake him up. When he doesn't respond, she calls upon [[Mr Smith]] and [[K9 Mark IV|K9]] for help. Mr Smith provides Sarah Jane with more information about the Nightmare Man after scanning his face from the camera footage, identifying him as a [[Vishklar]] from the [[Seretti dimension]]. Sarah Jane realises that Luke did not make the recording out of fear, but because he knew his friends would find it and find a way to save him. With the help of some sentient concrete and an energy boost from Mr Smith, K9 is able to communicate to Luke in his dream. Meanwhile, the Nightmare Man sneaks outside and attempts to ensnare everyone in [[Bannerman Road]]. His efforts, however, are thwarted when Luke, Rani and Clyde are reunited in their nightmares. He returns to the attic and disables K9 and Mr Smith before confronting Sarah Jane. The Nightmare Man taunts her by listing off her worst nightmares, but Sarah Jane calls his bluff by telling him to send her to sleep, saying that without the gang she has no reason left to live. Knowing that Luke, Clyde and Rani together are weakening him, the Nightmare Man disappears into their dreams.


[[File:Ranis_nightmare.jpg|thumb|left|Rani's nightmare.]]
[[File:Ranis_nightmare.jpg|thumb|left|Rani's nightmare.]]
Rani's nightmare begins with her lying on her sofa while a [[BBC]] news report is being broadcast. As Rani attempts to switch it off, the reporter, [[Louise Marlowe]], berates Rani for being ignorant. Shocked that she is being spoken to directly, Rani approaches the television screen, where Louise grabs her and pulls her into the studio. Rani discovers her clothes have changed; Louise questions Rani's journalism aspirations and forces her to present a story exposing Sarah's adventures. When Rani refuses, Louise asks how often she is put in near-death situations. When the broadcast goes live, Rani is hesitant to proceed when she hears Luke calling out to her. She is reunited with him after imagining a doorway, despite Louise questioning his importance to her.
Rani's nightmare begins with her lying on her sofa while a [[BBC]] news report is being broadcast. As Rani attempts to switch it off, the reporter, [[Louise Marlowe]], berates Rani for being ignorant. Shocked that she is being spoken to directly, Rani approaches the television screen, where Louise grabs her and pulls her into the studio. Rani discovers her clothes have changed; Louise questions Rani's journalism aspirations and forces her to present a story exposing Sarah Jane's adventures. When Rani refuses, Louise asks how often she is put in near-death situations. When the broadcast goes live, Rani is hesitant to proceed when she hears Luke calling out to her. She is reunited with him after imagining a doorway, despite Louise questioning his importance to her.


Clyde finds himself working in an abandoned burger bar café. He is visited by an elderly Sarah, using a wheelchair, who begins to criticise Clyde's future and calls him "stupid". She continues to compare him to Luke, who she claims is working in government and is set to be an astronaut. She tells Clyde that she once went to space, but when Clyde reminds her that he already knows, Sarah reveals that social services are trying to put her in a care home. Clyde tries to leave but finds the entrance locked. Moments later, Clyde hears Luke calling out to him and reunites with him after imagining a doorway.
Clyde finds himself working in an abandoned burger bar café. He is visited by an elderly Sarah Jane, using a wheelchair, who begins to criticise Clyde's future and calls him "stupid". She continues to compare him to Luke, who she claims is working in government and is set to be an astronaut. She tells Clyde that she once went to space, but when Clyde reminds her that he already knows, Sarah Jane reveals that social services are trying to put her in a care home. Clyde tries to leave but finds the entrance locked. Moments later, Clyde hears Luke calling out to him and reunites with him after imagining a doorway.


[[File:Nightmare_man_vanquished.jpg|thumb|The Nightmare Man is defeated.]]
[[File:Nightmare_man_vanquished.jpg|thumb|The Nightmare Man is defeated.]]
Luke is back in the school corridor, hounded by the laughter of the Nightmare Man. Luke calls out to him, successfully making contact, but is unable to wake up. As Luke is about to give up, K9 appears and tells him that Rani and Clyde are also under the Nightmare Man's influence. Luke calls out and encourages them to imagine a doorway into his corridor, soon reuniting with them and weakening the Nightmare Man. When he arrives and sends Rani and Clyde to their own dreams, Luke tells him that their friendship will overcome any hardship. The strength of their friendship overpowers and sends the Nightmare Man into his own nightmare where an elderly Sarah constantly tells him about Luke's success. The three then wake up and are reunited with Sarah. The next morning, Sarah tells K9 to accompany Luke to [[University of Oxford|Oxford]], allowing him time to make peace with Mr Smith. Luke says goodbye to the gang and leaves Bannerman Road in his new car.
Luke is back in the school corridor, hounded by the laughter of the Nightmare Man. Luke calls out to him, successfully making contact, but is unable to wake up. As Luke is about to give up, K9 appears and tells him that Rani and Clyde are also under the Nightmare Man's influence. Luke calls out and encourages them to imagine a doorway into his corridor, soon reuniting with them and weakening the Nightmare Man. When he arrives and sends Rani and Clyde to their own dreams, Luke tells him that their friendship will overcome any hardship. The strength of their friendship overpowers and sends the Nightmare Man into his own nightmare where an elderly Sarah Jane constantly tells him about Luke's success. The three then wake up and are reunited with Sarah Jane. The next morning, Sarah Jane tells K9 to accompany Luke to [[University of Oxford|Oxford]], allowing him time to make peace with Mr Smith. Luke says goodbye to the gang and leaves Bannerman Road in his new car.


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


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
* Luke got his [[A levels]] a year early.
* Luke got his [[A levels]] a year early.
* The [[Seretti dimension]] is the home of the [[Vishklar]].
* The [[Seretti dimension]] is the home of the [[Vishklar]].
* [[The Doctor]] and his [[companion|friends]] protecting planet Earth is referenced.
* Sarah Jane offers to make Luke [[scrambled eggs]], but sets the kitchen on fire instead.
* Sarah offers to make Luke [[scrambled eggs]], but sets the kitchen on fire instead.
* A [[sentient concrete]] disguised itself as the [[Chiswick flyover]], attempting to control the minds of the populace, before being defeated by Sarah Jane Smith and her gang.
* A [[sentient concrete]] disguised itself as the [[Chiswick flyover]], attempting to control the minds of the populace, before being defeated by Sarah Jane Smith and her gang.
* A [[Rubik's cube]] is on Luke's bedside table.
* A [[Rubik's cube]] is on Luke's bedside table.
* Sarah has an [[Alphamatraxan object]] inside her attic.
* Sarah Jane has an [[Alphamatraxan object]] inside her attic.
* Sarah mentions the [[Alphamatraxan]].
* Sarah Jane mentions the [[Alphamatraxan]].


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* The [[Raxacoricofallapatorian]] is slightly physically different than previously-seen members of the [[Slitheen family]]. Its skin colour is a darker green which also covers its stomach, and it also has green fingernails at one point. In the closing credits, however, the Raxacoricofallapatorian is referred to as a Slitheen. It was also referred to as this on the official ''SJA'' website. This is because the Slitheen costume used had previously been repainted and used as the [[Slitheen-Blathereen family|Slitheen-Blathereen]] in the previous series, and rather than physically repaint the suit they opted instead to colour-correct it in post-production.
* The [[Raxacoricofallapatorian]] is slightly physically different than previously-seen members of the [[Slitheen family]]. Its skin colour is a darker green which also covers its stomach, and it also has green fingernails at one point. In the closing credits, however, the Raxacoricofallapatorian is referred to as a Slitheen. It was also referred to as this on the official ''SJA'' website. This is because the Slitheen costume used had previously been repainted and used as the [[Slitheen-Blathereen family|Slitheen-Blathereen]] in the previous series, and rather than physically repaint the suit they opted instead to colour-correct it in post-production.
* The prop for the device Sarah Jane scans at the beginning of "Four Days to go..." is partially made of one of the explosives placed around the [[Ood|Ood brain]] in ''[[Planet of the Ood (TV story)|Planet of the Ood]]''.
* The prop for the device Sarah Jane scans at the beginning of "Four Days to go..." is partially made of one of the explosives placed around the [[Ood|Ood brain]] in ''[[Planet of the Ood (TV story)|Planet of the Ood]]''.{{Fact}}
* The Nightmare Man says, "Children of Earth", which was the title of the [[Series 3 (Torchwood)|third series]] of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''.
* ''The Nightmare Man'' was the first episode to be novelised since the [[Series 3 (SJA)|previous series]]' ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (novelisation)|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]''. It contained several lines cut from the broadcast version that implied Luke may be gay, a subplot that [[CBBC]] and [[Russell T Davies]] were keen to expand on in the series had it continued.
* In part two, when trying to decide whether to invade Clyde or Rani's dreams first, the Nightmare Man recites the children's counting rhyme, "[[Eeny, meeny, miny, moe]]", which includes the word "tiger" in the second line; Rani gets the "moe". This rhyme was previously recited by the [[King of Hearts]] in ''[[The Celestial Toymaker (TV story)|The Celestial Toymaker]]'', where it somewhat infamously included a racial slur.
* This is the second time one of the main cast has left in a series opener; Maria left in ''[[The Last Sontaran (TV story)|The Last Sontaran]]'', the first serial of [[Series 2 (SJA)|Series 2]]. However, like Maria, Luke continued to make cameo appearances throughout the season.
* The Slitheen, one of the enemies to appear in this episode, also appeared in the previous story, ''[[The Gift (TV story)|The Gift]]''. This is the only time in ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'' that an enemy appears in two successive stories.
* ''Nightmare'' was the first episode to be novelised since the [[Series 3 (SJA)|previous series']] ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (novelisation)|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]''. It contained several lines cut from the broadcast version that implied Luke may be gay, a subplot that [[CBBC]] and [[Russell T Davies]] were keen to expand on in the series had it continued.


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
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== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* Next to the party at the school [[Luke Smith]] threw a second farewell party. [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Alistair Gordon]] and [[Doris Lethbridge-Stewart]], [[Clyde Langer|Clyde]] and [[Carla Langer]], [[Rani Chandra|Rani]], [[Gita Chandra|Gita]] and [[Haresh Chandra]], Professor [[Celeste Rivers]], [[Toby Silverman]], [[Lucy Skinner|Lucy]] and [[Nicholas Skinner]], [[Martha Jones|Martha Smith-Jones]] and [[Mickey Smith]] came to his party. Then around 11 pm, this party came to an end ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Nightmare Man (novelisation)|The Nightmare Man]]'') and only [[Rani Chandra]], [[Clyde Langer]], Luke and [[Sarah Jane Smith]] were still celebrating. The last part of this party with Luke, Rani, Clyde and Sarah is shown in the episode ''The Nightmare Man''.
* The gang are again covered in slime when a [[Raxacoricofallapatorian]] explodes, which Sarah Jane grimly anticipates. ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)|Revenge of the Slitheen]]'', ''[[The Gift (TV story)|The Gift]]'')
* Luke mentions that on his first day at [[Park Vale Comprehensive School|Park Vale]], the [[Slitheen]] turned off the Sun. ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)|Revenge of the Slitheen]]'')
* The gang are again covered in slime when a [[Raxacoricofallapatorian]] explodes. ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)|Revenge of the Slitheen]]'', et al) After the end of the [[Slitheen-Blathereen family]] conflict, Sarah grimly anticipates the slime and says, "Not again." ([[TV]]: ''[[The Gift (TV story)|The Gift]]'')
* Clyde mentions seeing Earth from space. ([[TV]]: ''[[Warriors of Kudlak (TV story)|Warriors of Kudlak]]'')
* Clyde mentions seeing Earth from space. ([[TV]]: ''[[Warriors of Kudlak (TV story)|Warriors of Kudlak]]'')
* The [[Nightmare Man]] notes that Sarah had nightmares about the [[Fourth Doctor]] dying after he left her. She had previously told the [[tenth incarnation]] that she thought he had died. ([[TV]]: ''[[School Reunion (TV story)|School Reunion]]'')
* The object that Sarah Jane has Mr Smith analyse was from [[Alfava Metraxis]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Time of Angels (TV story)}})
* The [[MITRE headset]] Sarah took is still in the attic. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lost Boy (TV story)|The Lost Boy]]'')
* Luke mentions that on his first day at [[Park Vale Comprehensive School|Park Vale]], the [[Slitheen family]] turned off the Sun. ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)|Revenge of the Slitheen]]'')
* Clyde mentions his dad leaving. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mark of the Berserker (TV story)|The Mark of the Berserker]]'')
* Clyde mentions his dad leaving him. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mark of the Berserker (TV story)|The Mark of the Berserker]]'')
* The object that Sarah had Mr Smith analyse was from [[Alfava Metraxis]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of Angels (TV story)|The Time of Angels]]'')
* The [[MITRE headset]] Sarah Jane took from the [[Pharos Institute]] is still in the attic. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lost Boy (TV story)|The Lost Boy]]'')
* Rani gives Luke a goodbye kiss on the cheek at his gesturing. This is the second kiss he's been given by a girl. ([[TV]]: ''[[Warriors of Kudlak (TV story)|Warriors of Kudlak]]'')
* The [[Nightmare Man]] notes that Sarah Jane had nightmares about the [[Fourth Doctor]] dying after he left her. She had previously told the [[Tenth Doctor]] that she thought he had died. ([[TV]]: {{cs|School Reunion (TV story)}})
* The Doctor previously encountered an entity that first appears in nightmares and then in reality. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Strange England (novel)|Strange England]]'')


== Home video releases ==
== Home video releases ==
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Latest revision as of 01:01, 22 October 2024

RealWorld.png

You may be looking for the titular character.

The Nightmare Man was the first serial of series 4 of The Sarah Jane Adventures. It was written by Joseph Lidster and directed by Joss Agnew.

It featured the final regular appearance of Tommy Knight as Luke Smith due to Knight leaving the programme to concentrate on his school work. Similarly, Bob Baker had been less willing to allow the expanded use of K9 Mark IV that typified the previous series due to the 2010 transmission of his Australian K9 spin-off. Both Luke and K9 were therefore summarily bundled off to Oxford University at the end of this story.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

Luke faces life-changing events, and Bannerman Road will never be the same again. But when Sarah Jane's son has his first nightmare, he's haunted by a dark figure from his dreams: the Nightmare Man. A strange entity is reaching out to our world through Luke, with terrible consequences for the whole human race. With Luke, Clyde and Rani trapped in a bizarre dreamscape, Sarah Jane must fight alone. As the Nightmare Man grows stronger, only K9 might hold the key. But can Luke summon the courage to face his adult life before the whole world is trapped in an endless nightmare?

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

A video recording from Luke begins, with Luke explaining that the world will end because of him, warning that "he" is coming.

One year earlier, Luke tells Sarah Jane about Mr Chandra's decision to let him take his A-Levels early, allowing him to start university a year ahead of everyone else. Sarah Jane reminds Luke that they are handcuffed to a bomb, set to detonate in seconds. As a Slitheen tries to make his escape, they are rescued by K9, who renders the bomb inert. Rani and Clyde arrive and throw a bucket of vinegar over the Slitheen, causing him to explode. When the day of the exam results arrives, Clyde expresses his concerns to Rani and Sarah Jane about Luke. Luke joins then and announces he has four A*'s and that he is headed for Oxford University.

Four days before leaving, Luke sees Rani leaving for school, then joins Sarah Jane in the attic. Luke confides in her about his fear of leaving. Sarah Jane comforts him and offers to make scrambled egg for breakfast, despite a disastrous attempt before. After school, Clyde receives a text messages from Luke, asking to see him, but not to reply. When Rani asks if he will see Luke, Clyde replies that Luke needs to get used to them not being around. Meanwhile, Sarah Jane presents Luke with a leaving gift: her old Volkswagen Beetle, which she had restored. Luke assumes she can't wait for him to go, but Sarah Jane admits she is scared of losing him. That night, Luke overhears Sarah Jane and K9 talking about how Luke was a big mistake. However, it turns out to be a bad dream.

Luke meets the Nightmare Man for the first time.

The next day, Rani visits Luke before school. Luke tells Rani that he had a nightmare, and she urges him to tell Sarah Jane, before they conclude that its just Luke's worries about leaving that are causing the nightmares. Later, Rani asks Clyde why he hasn't contacted Luke. Clyde explains that, despite his concern, he is unsure of what to say. That night, Luke experiences another nightmare; he finds himself in a dark corridor from school before being approached by a bitter Clyde and Rani. They express their envy about him leaving before them, and mock him for his superior intelligence, calling him an alien. Sarah Jane arrives and takes comfort in Rani and Clyde, and the three brand Luke a loser. Luke then begins to hear the Nightmare Man, who explains that he feeds from his nightmares to gain power. Luke wakes up. He tells Sarah Jane about his nightmares, who then asks Mr Smith to scan Luke.

He reveals that Luke is fine, aside from raised anxiety levels. Luke receives a text from Clyde, asking to meet him later. Luke arrives at school, where a surprise party is held by Rani and Clyde. After talking with Clyde, Luke sits down and falls asleep. He meets the Nightmare Man, who prevents him from telling anyone about him. When Luke is woken up by Clyde. Rani recognises that Luke had another dream, but his fear stops him from telling her about it. That night, he tries to send Maria a message, explaining his nightmares, but finds himself unable to write the message. Seconds later, Luke falls asleep.

He finds himself in the attic, where Sarah Jane, Clyde and Rani are showing the house to Josh, a replacement for Luke. Mr Smith tells Sarah Jane that Luke is calling from Oxford, but she dismisses it by telling him to take a message. The Nightmare Man then takes Luke outside, where Clyde and Rani are dumping Luke's belongings, include a sketch Clyde drew of the two of them together. Just before they set it alight, Sarah Jane quickly arrives to add a photo of them on top. Luke asks the Nightmare Man what he wants, to which he responds that he wants to exist, and that one more nightmare from Luke will grant him access into reality. Luke wakes up. The day before he is due to leave, Rani and Clyde spend the night to see Luke off the next morning. While his friends are asleep, Luke sneaks into the attic with Rani's video camera to record a message, the same message that was shown at the beginning. However, just before he can finish, he falls asleep, allowing the Nightmare Man passage into the real world. Meanwhile, Luke finds himself stranded in a black void.

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

Having escaped from Luke's dreams, the Nightmare Man heads to Luke's room, moments before Sarah Jane enters the attic. The Nightmare Man promptly invades Rani's dreams, followed by Clyde's. Meanwhile, Sarah Jane is watching the footage on Rani's camera when she sees the message recorded by Luke moments ago; he drops the camera as he falls asleep, causing it to focus on the materialised Nightmare Man. Stricken with panic, Sarah Jane rushes over to Luke and attempts to wake him up. When he doesn't respond, she calls upon Mr Smith and K9 for help. Mr Smith provides Sarah Jane with more information about the Nightmare Man after scanning his face from the camera footage, identifying him as a Vishklar from the Seretti dimension. Sarah Jane realises that Luke did not make the recording out of fear, but because he knew his friends would find it and find a way to save him. With the help of some sentient concrete and an energy boost from Mr Smith, K9 is able to communicate to Luke in his dream. Meanwhile, the Nightmare Man sneaks outside and attempts to ensnare everyone in Bannerman Road. His efforts, however, are thwarted when Luke, Rani and Clyde are reunited in their nightmares. He returns to the attic and disables K9 and Mr Smith before confronting Sarah Jane. The Nightmare Man taunts her by listing off her worst nightmares, but Sarah Jane calls his bluff by telling him to send her to sleep, saying that without the gang she has no reason left to live. Knowing that Luke, Clyde and Rani together are weakening him, the Nightmare Man disappears into their dreams.

Rani's nightmare.

Rani's nightmare begins with her lying on her sofa while a BBC news report is being broadcast. As Rani attempts to switch it off, the reporter, Louise Marlowe, berates Rani for being ignorant. Shocked that she is being spoken to directly, Rani approaches the television screen, where Louise grabs her and pulls her into the studio. Rani discovers her clothes have changed; Louise questions Rani's journalism aspirations and forces her to present a story exposing Sarah Jane's adventures. When Rani refuses, Louise asks how often she is put in near-death situations. When the broadcast goes live, Rani is hesitant to proceed when she hears Luke calling out to her. She is reunited with him after imagining a doorway, despite Louise questioning his importance to her.

Clyde finds himself working in an abandoned burger bar café. He is visited by an elderly Sarah Jane, using a wheelchair, who begins to criticise Clyde's future and calls him "stupid". She continues to compare him to Luke, who she claims is working in government and is set to be an astronaut. She tells Clyde that she once went to space, but when Clyde reminds her that he already knows, Sarah Jane reveals that social services are trying to put her in a care home. Clyde tries to leave but finds the entrance locked. Moments later, Clyde hears Luke calling out to him and reunites with him after imagining a doorway.

The Nightmare Man is defeated.

Luke is back in the school corridor, hounded by the laughter of the Nightmare Man. Luke calls out to him, successfully making contact, but is unable to wake up. As Luke is about to give up, K9 appears and tells him that Rani and Clyde are also under the Nightmare Man's influence. Luke calls out and encourages them to imagine a doorway into his corridor, soon reuniting with them and weakening the Nightmare Man. When he arrives and sends Rani and Clyde to their own dreams, Luke tells him that their friendship will overcome any hardship. The strength of their friendship overpowers and sends the Nightmare Man into his own nightmare where an elderly Sarah Jane constantly tells him about Luke's success. The three then wake up and are reunited with Sarah Jane. The next morning, Sarah Jane tells K9 to accompany Luke to Oxford, allowing him time to make peace with Mr Smith. Luke says goodbye to the gang and leaves Bannerman Road in his new car.

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]]

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

  • The Raxacoricofallapatorian is slightly physically different than previously-seen members of the Slitheen family. Its skin colour is a darker green which also covers its stomach, and it also has green fingernails at one point. In the closing credits, however, the Raxacoricofallapatorian is referred to as a Slitheen. It was also referred to as this on the official SJA website. This is because the Slitheen costume used had previously been repainted and used as the Slitheen-Blathereen in the previous series, and rather than physically repaint the suit they opted instead to colour-correct it in post-production.
  • The prop for the device Sarah Jane scans at the beginning of "Four Days to go..." is partially made of one of the explosives placed around the Ood brain in Planet of the Ood.[source needed]
  • The Nightmare Man was the first episode to be novelised since the previous series' The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith. It contained several lines cut from the broadcast version that implied Luke may be gay, a subplot that CBBC and Russell T Davies were keen to expand on in the series had it continued.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

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.
  • The post-production colour-correction on the Slitheen is unevenly applied from shot to shot - its fingernails change from being brown to green, and the compression field generator around its neck is also coloured green in the final shot before it explodes.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

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

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

Blu-ray releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This story was included in the Complete 4th Series Blu-ray release (UK release: 31 October 2011; not released in North America).

In both Complete 4th Series releases, the first episode was amended to include a dedication at the beginning to the memory of Elisabeth Sladen. This obviously was not part of the original broadcast, which occurred a number of months before she died.

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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