21st January, 2013

The Sarah Jane Adventures series 4 episode 7 "The Empty Planet" part one

     Am I the only one who feels like they should have saved "Death of the Doctor" for the end of the season? Given the task of following that is this little story which reduces the cast to Clyde and Rani for most of the episode.
     Sarah Jane takes on a motherly role in making Clyde and Rani go home to get some sleep and prepare for their studies on a school night. Perhaps she's feeling some need to take on this role, as she can no longer mother Luke as he's away in college. As it is, does this indicate that the other adventures happen conveniently on the weekend, or during a school holiday? More likely, it's meant to make alien energy patterns seem to be not much of a threat, although we know better by now, don't we? This leads to some nice scenes between Rani and her Dad, and Clyde and his Mom. I liked the touch the makeup artists used in having Rani look a bit more plain as she's going to bed, as if she wasn't wearing any makeup. A nice attention to detail that speaks well of the professionalism of the production.
     Rani wakes up to find the neighborhood deserted. While there does seem to be electrical power, there are no radio, television, or cell phone services. Rani begins a frantic search for other humans when she runs into Clyde, who is experiencing the same phenomenon. As they explore the city, Elaine is reminded of other post apocalyptic programs we've been watching such as "Revolution". The difference, as explained by the "survivors", is that there is no evidence of accidents from the people's disappearances. While Clyde and Rani speculate that whoever is responsible for taking the others may have provided for the safe removal of any at motion vehicles, I'm wondering if Clyde and Rani might have been removed to another world, perhaps an imaginary one, which is modeled on the real one.
     We meet a third "survivor" as Clyde and Rani chase a younger boy through the streets to his apartment. His name is Gavin, and as observed by Clyde, his odd behavior and circumstance leads Elaine and I to believe that he is somehow involved with what is happening. Gavin mentions that he lives with his uncle and aunt, and complains about not having a father, in which Clyde can relate. Hmm, Clyde and his Mom discussed his father the night before and Rani had a heart to heart with her father. Coincidence? Gavin also mentions that his aunt was very specific about not believing in aliens. I'm starting to think that humanity has become split between those who acknowledge the multiple alien invasions which have occurred in recent years, and those who refuse to give up their notion that aliens don't exist. This could spark more debate among the public on this issue, which would explain why Gavin's Aunt made it a point to tell him of her disbelief.
     We get some action at last, when the televisions and phones intercept some alien messages, and the gang hear noises of some sort of activity in the street. Investigating the noises, Clyde and Rani each confront a different robot, one red and one yellow, which corner them and start to raise their arms in a threatening manner. I think we're being lead to believe that the robots are threatening them with some sort of weapon, but I'm betting its some sort of scanning device. We'll find out tomorrow.