Overdue Doctor Who Review - School Reunion

[@Emme-Kappa]

You left that uncut phone call by mistake I think XD

[@CouncilofGeeks]

You would be correct.

[@Emme-Kappa]

@@CouncilofGeeks pretty funny though XD. I think youtube now lets you edit videos even after you publish them though, so maybe you still have time to correct that!

[@TimLeeSongs]

I love the way you don’t miss a beat though, straight back into the same energy, nicely done!

[@jayanderson9375]

“Ni hao?”

[@corbinvickers9993]

You should do a second Chanel, behind the scenes

[@quinnholmes6864]

I really like the way Sarah-Jane never seemed to get over the Doctor. She was left and never got her closure with the Doctor and the adventures they had. In this episode, the Tenth Doctor gave her the closure she needed and she chooses to stay on Earth rather than the decision being made for her. The Sarah Jane Adventures then show how after this she goes on to have her own son and her own family. I personally think it was very fitting.

[@andygaines9686]

Yes. and Sarah Jane didn't get closure in the original series as when the Doctor left her on Earth he said he was called to Galifrey and he couldn't take a woman there. So there was always the implication that he would come back for her after. Which obviously he didn't and which I think Sarah Jane refers to in this episode (it has been a few years since I have seen it)

[@keelanbarron928]

@@andygaines9686 it wasn't because he couldn't take a woman there, it's because he couldn't take a human there.

[@TheChancellor212]

Was this the first time we got a sense that the Doctor leaves a trail of devastation in his wake? Everyone who travels with him is changed forever, and often not in a totally positive way. This was the first time I can recall seeing it in action.

[@andrewbowman4611]

The line "forget the shooty dog thing" was originally "get the shooty dog thing." RTD wanted to change the context of the scene, so the 'for' was added. Anthony Head wasn't available for ADR, so they took a sample from elsewhere in the story, of Head saying "for", tweaked it so it would fit the scene, and fitted it in accordingly. If you notice, the first part of 'forget' is said off-screen. RTD himself admitted this in an issue of Doctor Who Magazine published at the time.

[@Emme-Kappa]

Next episode is The Girl in the Fireplace, the episode that made me fall in love with this series for real.

[@hannahleigh8919]

Ugh that episode makes me cry every time. I love that one.

[@quinnsinclair7028]

“This is my lover, the king of France.” “Yeah? Well I’m the Lord of Time.”

[@matthewk7915]

That is one of my favorite episodes. I'm interested to see his review of it. He tends not to like the ones with historic figures.

[@Emme-Kappa]

@@matthewk7915 this one was in his top 10 10th doctor episodes so I think it will be highly rated

[@ishaandw]

It was the episode that made me love the 10th doctor and he peaked as my second most favourite doctor.

[@scaper8]

I do understand not liking the idea that the companions don't "get over" the Doctor, and, to some degree I agree, but for me, it makes some sense. It really isn't like you or I having a world-wind jaunt, it's that times a million. It's all of the world _and_ all of the rest of the universe _and_ all of time. _And_ you can never talk to anyone about it, because they'd never believe you or worse think you're crazy. We got a taste of what that can do with young Amy. All this goes right back to the need to have a few companions from somewhere else besides contemporary Earth.

[@SimsinWonderland]

scaper8 I mean if you met someone like that and travelled like that could you ever really 'get over' it?

[@markpostgate2551]

It reminds me of old stories about mortals who go to fairyland and then spend the rest of their lives in melancholy because this world loses it's lustre by comparison. But that doesn't mean I like it. It's a bit of a buzz-kill for the whole premise of the series.

[@ajtct98]

The Krillitane are the ideal villan to be reoccurring and always be fresh with there whole evolutionary- cannabalism thing. This was one of my favourite episodes of that series

[@nekusakura6748]

It bugs me that they only returned for one short story...

[@MrPaulMorris]

Sarah Jane never had a romantic relationship with the Doctor in either his third or fourth incarnations but was his 'best friend' - as the fourth Doctor himself said. The interactions in this episode didn't directly challenge that history but were written in a way that could be interpreted as counterpointing Rose's relationship. I suspect that a lot of the 'wasted life' dialogue was just a set up for the spin off Sarah Jane Adventures which, if I recall the chronology correctly, followed shortly after this episode.

[@jaydenyugi9034]

Paul Morris They also confirmed in The Sarah Jane Adventures that the relationship between Sarah Jane and The Doctor wasn’t romantic (Series 2, Episode 3)

[@Reprodestruxion]

Tom Baker said they shagged

[@Epsilon1Zeta]

I agree that 'Mr Finch' was a credible villain, highly intelligent, strong-willed, and with the confidence and ability to confront the Doctor and perhaps come off best!

[@brianahicks4805]

The way that they made SJ seem so hung up on the Doctor always made me feel uncomfortable. I think that’s one of the reasons I loved Martha’s departure so much- it always felt like her decisions and she continued to grow and develop as a character outside of the Doctor’s presence in a way that I feel like other companions struggled with.

[@ghlmk5931]

When I first watched this episode I wasn't keen on the "wife and the ex" jealousy dynamic, but it was redeemed by the Doctor's line to Rose: "you all whither and die, you can spend the rest of your life with me but I can't spend the rest of mine with you, I must move on". The Doctor's loneliness in a nutshell. Plus you can see Tennant's elation at working with Sladen, he had a crush on her growing up. And Anthony Stewart Head so needs to come back!

[@HereComesPopoBawa]

I LOLed at Rose-tinted glasses. It's impossible to watch that era of Who without them.

[@necrosdragosani2782]

Tennant really channeled Pertwee and Baker with those three little words, "Hello, Sarah Jane." Perfection.

[@stephjovi]

I always felt that way too. Yeah the Doctor is happy to see Sarah Jane, but that giant smile is really David Tennant being excited to act with Elisabeth Sladen to be with Sarah Jane

[@jonathan.palfrey]

I see what you mean about Sarah Jane Smith: she was a strong, resourceful kind of character, who shouldn't have been at a loss after leaving the TARDIS and the Doctor; and, in fact, she seems to be getting on with life, which is how she comes to be involved at the start of the episode. However, there is an unfortunate footnote to this episode: Elisabeth Sladen revealed in her autobiography that she badly injured her leg at the end of the first day's shooting, so after that she was in constant pain and had difficulty in moving or thinking straight until it was all over. I can't help remembering that when watching the story.

[@kevinmaltby]

Correct me if I am wrong but I remember the deadlock seal being introduced in Bad Wolf... Linda mentioned they added it after all housemates walked out. Otherwise great review

[@martinpakes5436]

This episode was quite the experience for me on original broadcast. I can just about remember Jo Grant as a companion, but my main Dr Who education was with Lis Sladen , Jon Pertwee and then Tom Baker aged 7-8. Imagine my feelings watching this with my two sons so many years afterwards. This actually started myself and my younger son watching Classic Who in the off-season waiting for new series of the new show. Happy memories at several levels!

[@markpostgate2551]

I don't remember the first time I watched Doctor Who because it predates the formation of coherent memories, but one of my earliest is a blind Sarah Jane in Morbius' laboratory stumbling towards the brain.

[@kemmdog4444]

“Not even the sonic screwdriver will get me out of this one.”

[@tracydale154]

Great episode 🙂 Love seeing Sarah Jane back, enjoyed the interaction between her and Rose.(and that the had the what the heck are we doing moment) As far as Sarah Jane and her never getting over The Doctor... I kinda get it, and I think it may have been a bit about needing closure, and also just having the chance to say some things that she never thought she’d get the chance to. Also, this isn’t the end of her story in the Whoverse... so maybe she needed this to figure out how to integrate all the knowledge she had gained and things she’s seen into her “real” life. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@roxxychik06]

God I love this episode. It's so fun for all the characters. I freaking love the dynamic between Sarah Jane Smith and rose. There just so much fun together.

[@svenzo1199]

What a coincidence, I watched this episode yesterday and it was an amazing nostalgia trip. Edit: Also it was my first episode of Doctor Who.

[@kickingroses8925]

I'm glad they didn't do the same when they brought Jo back in SJA, they seemed to want to go the opposite route and contrast it with Sarah by giving her this big, exciting life after the Doctor with a big family. It would have been more uncomfortable to have yet another one of the Doctor's 'ex's' still pining after him.

[@illusionzman3549]

I think with Jo her reaction makes much more sense with how her character was. She never properly traveled in the TARDIS, only on a couple of occasions did she end up in another world and left on her own accord. So helping the environment would be fulfilling for her. While the Sarah thing never really bothered me, yes it was quite sad but i found it believable with how her character was.

[@quinnsinclair7028]

Jo kind of still was though. She says herself in that episode that she started doing a bunch of dangerous and daring things because she was hoping he’d turn up at one of them. It felt a little disrespectful.

[@karkatvantas9557]

@@quinnsinclair7028 She doesn't say that at all. She just does dangerous and daring things because that's what she wants to do, fighting for environmental protections, human and animal rights, and exploring the world. Her waiting for the Doctor had nothing to do with that. She just thought that maybe he would just turn up "in the middle of the rainforest." She never once indicates that she was doing those things to see him again.

[@thenintenbro7154]

@@karkatvantas9557 but she does express the fact that him showing up late was painful/stupid to her though, so she definitely wasted some portion of her life.

[@jonathanskiner4405]

9:54. DON'T WATCH SERIES 3 OF TORCHWOOD. IT WILL TEAR YOU APART

[@kbg12ila]

Tbh. I think as upsetting as it is... It fits with the tone and story unlike with this.

[@jonsnor4313]

It was a great series finale, if you want to forget miracle day.

[@jonathanskiner4405]

@@jonsnor4313 What is this miracle day you speak of. I've never heard of it

[@HereComesPopoBawa]

The premise of Miracle Day was brilliant, IMO. Only very, very poorly done.

[@Slarty947]

Yeah, in "Children of Earth" that event was emotionally meaningful, of consequence, and far from casual, like the opening of School Reunion.

[@johnmoraites6020]

The look on the 10th Doctors face when Sarah Jane entered the room was priceless. When they finally meet she says I thought you died and he reply’s I lived everyone else died. Who was he talking about ??? Was it the Time-Lords????? R.I.P Elizabeth Sladen

[@greghawkins59]

5:54 when you just sat down and carried on talking immediately killed me 😂😂😂

[@jackaylward-williams9064]

1:44 When I first heard Ncuti Gatwa’s name said out loud (which, incidentally, was when I watched the video that you made after he was announced as the next doctor), I immediately thought of that line. It’s just a shame that I read his name as “nuh-cyoo-tee” when I first saw it written down in the credits for Sex Education, because that would have been one hell of an accidental prediction if I’d got the pronunciation right.

[@Modescellar]

We need Mr Finch back!

[@Precise-Sight]

In the end Mickey and K-9 saved the WHO(LE) UNIVERSE , if you watch it very carefully without Mickey tellin them that something is goin on there, he crashed with the car into the school, he saved the kids from the PCs in that classroom, by unplugginn a cable, K-9 helped out in the gym and shot the canister in the end to get rid of the krilitans,, The Doctor; Rose and Sarah Jane were pretty useless in this episode, so the focus was clearly on the BOTH Tin dogs.. ^^ i forgot, Merry X-mas

[@AimzLouise]

I feel like the way Sarah Jane is treated in this episode is to help the younger viewers to bond with her and draw the comparisons to Rose because for those viewers it won't be a nostalgia trip, and the ex and the girlfriend joke will help them to understand her.

[@Azphreal]

They can open a deadlock seal by reversing the polarity.

[@thebighon6854]

For me (as someone who is a massive classic era fan as well), it was that moment when SJ opened the door, saw the TARDIS, backed away with The Doctor standing behind here and he simply says "Hello Sarah Jane", turned me to jelly on forst viewing and still gived me shvers today. For me this is the best Dr Who moment ever!

[@robertmcelwaine7024]

I personally met Jon Leeson albeit very briefly at a Collectormania convention years ago, and got his autograph. He even did K-9,a voice much to my joy. The little boy in me was buzzing lol

[@boofyhalfpint8559]

Great review, loved the episode and also that Micky finally stood up and wanted to be in on the action not just "the tin dog"! I loved K9 (first time I have seen him) I read an interview with John Leeson about how K9 was on set with one of the previous doctors and that doctor and John used to love crosswords so in the breaks they would indulge. However John was voicing his answers remotely from his station (off set) to the Doctor through K9 and some onlookers actually thought it was K9 doing the crossword! Very clever bitey thing hey!!

[@mad_the_monk]

Loved the uncut phone call bit 😂 was a just a nice little awkward unintentional touch - great video

[@missygoff-haas1868]

I agree that they overdid it with Sarah Jane not having a life - they fixed it a bit in Sarah Jane Adventures (after isolating herself for a while she adopts an brilliant teen created by aliens, and helps - or defeats, depending on their intentions - various aliens, with a few teen sidekicks of her own, and K9, and an alien computer). Back in the day I thought she would one day marry Harry Sullivan and they would bicker adorably over the decades (him being old-fashioned around ladies and her being independent).

[@markh2960]

I enjoyed this episode but watching the way the Doctor acts, especially to Mickey, this feels like an episode that was originally written for the 9th Doctor which they used for Tennant

[@MovieMagic515]

Good point.

[@detectivesquirrel2621]

The "Forget the shooty dog" line was specifically added to sound like a Buffy line as a reference to Head having been in Buffy. And yes indeed David Tennant's reaction to Sarah Jane is indeed natural.

[@kirstyshadowdancer5095]

Hun. Your not the tin dog. You're Turlough... or possibly Leala... I havent decided yet but that class - not one of the first companions people think of but you hold your own and may just be more trouble than you're worth.

[@DneilB007]

Kirsty Shadowdancer Never thought of such a comparison before; but holy cow, I can totally get the Turlough comparison.

[@jonathanmoore3130]

I'm the tin dog too

[@marklatture]

I think "Deadlock seal" could be like "spatio-temporal hyperlink" a specific phrase for an unknown sonic roadblock. DOCTOR: I also said this ship was generating enough power to punch a hole in the universe. I think we just found the hole. Must be a spatio-temporal hyperlink. MICKEY: What's that? DOCTOR: No idea. Just made it up. Didn't want to say magic door.

[@luke-alex]

Even if that were canonically the case, whether _deadlock_ is officially an actual thing or not doesn't really change anything in my view. I suspect that the difference between people who have a problem with the ridiculously extensive capability of the sonic and those who don't (I have mixed feelings, depending on the type of thing it's doing) comes down to if accepting such a tool exists is within the reach of your suspension of disbelief, _in_ _the_ _moment_ of watching the episode. So the context is crucial. Contextually, a deadlock is portrayed (in most episodes where it's used) as something which is *impossible* to break (or hack, etc. depending on the specifics). I find this more difficult to accept than many of the common capabilities of the sonic screwdriver. One reason for this is perhaps that, to me, a 'seal that is impossible to break' feels much more like magical fantasy, whereas science (and thus science-fiction) tend to suggest everything can be broken (due to the laws of thermodynamics, etc.). Another possible reason is that we're already suspending disbelief on the incredible powers of the sonic; to then accept the impossibility of breaking a deadlock is maybe a bridge too far. So something like the paradox of the unstoppable force and the immovable object. If an episode actively presented _deadlock_ as just being a label for something beyond the capabilities of the sonic to break (like you suggest), I would find it much easier to accept; it would perhaps even make the sonic seem more believable, as it would now have clear technological limitations. But the point of _deadlock_ as a term, I suspect, is as a simple standalone 'plot hole filler', which is why it is rarely dwelt on. I have some sympathy because I suspect even very good writers can find it difficult to navigate the specifics of the sci-fi elements, especially in a show like Doctor Who where the sonic screwdriver exists, so this deadlock concept is a useful tool. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. Sorry for the long comment, I just had some views on the matter and figured replying to your comment was the best way to express them!

[@gtgtgddd]

Interesting review. I think one of the issues here is if you grew up, or not, with the classic 'Who". SJS was the first companion I can remember back in the 3rd Doctor's time, and later 4th Doctor stories such as "Genesis of the Daleks" made an immense impression on me at such a young age that I'd think you'd call it 'imprinting'. As such I can easily forgive any of the said flaws of the episode. The moment where SJS sees the Tardis and then backs into the Doctor still sends a shiver down my spine, despite multiple watches. The reference in later episodes ("The Stolen Earth"?) when SJS and Davros talk in reference to the scenes in "Genesis" was also a full on nerd-gasm moment. In this episode I particularly loved the scene around the swimming pool with Tennant and Head just pacing around each other (not mentioned in your review, but not a criticism: there's so much in this episode to talk about). I think the real test is whether I'd re-watch multiple times, and the answer is "Yes! And quite likely to do it after seeing your review".

[@burns9281]

that scene by the pool was great, i loved it. they both knew who each other were, they were both being badasses. it was just a great moment in a great episode

[@rowanc88]

Big Finish need to bring Finch back. Anthony has done Who audios with them before.

[@adampoll4977]

Since I grew up with the old series and had a childhood crush on Sarah Jane I loved the shit out of this episode when it first aired. Then, like you, I didn't like the way she was diminished... but then there are the Sarah Jane Adventures, so it was all great again :) Anthony Head managed to portray a great menace without chewing the scenery too much, and a villain that could easily return as they evolve with each species they conquer.

[@superraegun2649]

4:41 you said in a previous video that you wouldn’t want The Beast from “Impossible Planet”/“Satan Pit” to return because he’d end up becoming another villain where every time he died you’d be like “I wonder when he’s coming back” and we already have Davros and the Master for that. Why isn’t it the same principle for Mr. Finch?

[@tideoftime]

In Re: "deadlocks" -- the thing is, although known by various terms, "deadlocks" *are* a "thing". A deadlock is where the interacting mechanism(s) involved are designed to self-sabotage when/if they are attempted to be unlocked. (This can range from a part of the mechanism literally becoming broken/disintegrating to it becoming literally fused.) The sonic, despite its versatility, does have very measurable limits: it doesn't, in-and-of-itself, generate/emit any major amounts of energy (active kinetic force, for example); it can create enough force to, say, open a conventional lock on your front door/car door/similar, but it can't cause a mechanism to open/close/operate beyond a certain limit of its own power without there being an outside source of energy. With a deadlock, the mechanism being broken means the sonic can't open it because it can't make the broken mechanism operate, or alternately with a fused one it can't create enough power, alone, to unfuse it. Or, similarly, if there is no major source of energy to power "x", then the sonic can't make "x" operate (which is a related aspect of some examples of the deadlock situation). Now, yes, of course it is up to the writers as to when a "deadlock" happens/exists, and in that sense it is of course a plot device/complication/tool for narratively limiting when the sonic is useful or not. But that doesn't invalidate the underlying concept that "deadlocks" are, indeed, a "thing"... because they *are*. (A variant example from an Indiana Jones novel/story, whose title escapes me right this second but that doesn't matter, is when a stock door drops/"locks" behind him and is "deadlocked" (not a term used in the story, but is is de facto such per the following descriptor...) wherein the locking/drawing mechanism for the stone slab is designed to purposefully become broken once it is engaged, trapping those within sans any means to make it "reverse" without some superhuman strength, a machine that lifts, or similar. In that situation, the door was "deadlocked" -- the sonic wouldn't have been able to make it open again because the operating mechanisms involved were destroyed/made inoperable.

[@kittyprydekissme]

I just finished watching it for the first time in several years (I got the DVD last week). One little thing that bothered me was that it gave the impression she'd had no contact with the Doctor after he left her in Aberdeen. But he sent her K-9 after that (although he did not deliver him personally), and then she got to meet the Doctor again in The Five Doctors. She did spend her time in that with the Pertwee-Doctor, so I guess even though it occurs after he left in Aberdeen from her perspective, it would've been before from his perspective. So she could very well see that as still having no contact with the Doctor since Aberdeen. I can't remember if she got to meet the Peter Davison Doctor in that story or not. Interesting fact-- According to Wikipedia, John Nathan-Turner asked Sladen to return to the show as Sarah Jane for the changeover from Tom Baker to Peter Davison. I guess the idea was a long-time companion would help the transition go better. Apparently, she didn't like that idea, so Nathan-Turner pitched her the idea of K-9 And Company instead. So even back then, Sarah Jane Smith was the first choice for the idea of a returning companion.

[@CapriUni]

I'm one of those old school fans, and Sarah Jane & the Fourth Doctor were my first Doctor/Companion experience... (I can't actually remember my first episode, as I stumbled upon in the wee hours of the morning). And so when I saw Sarah Jane in this episode, I was at first, thrilled, and then disappointed as she seemed to be written wildly out of character -- or at least, out of character for my own head canon through the years (wry smile) -- as I'd always read her relationship with the Doctor as 100% platonic, though close,, colleagues in the work of causing mischief. So portraying her as the "Jealous Ex-Girlfriend" (for even a little bit) was jarring. I don't know if you've had a chance to see Sarah Jane's final Classic story: "The Hand of Fear," but the way I interpret her exit, it was at least half-voluntary. She had had enough after being possessed by an evil force, and packed up her things and told the Doctor she's leaving. She was only taken aback when he said: "All right, Goodbye." instead of at least attempting to persuade her to stay. The last shot we saw of her, she was walking down the street, whistling a tune.

[@majorgeek]

I like your comments on Sarah Jane not being happy with her life after the Doctor. I would actually love to see some follow up on Tegan, from the Fifth Doctor's era. She left on poor terms, making it clear that she wasn't happy doing the things that life with the Doctor made her do and see. I would imagine her experiences after the TARDIS would be almost like someone suffering PTSD. Obviously, life with the Doctor changes people, some for the better and some for the worst.

[@Slarty947]

Ironically, in Big Finish, Tegan is depicted as going on to have a very normal life quite content not to travel anymore!

[@sanguinemcorda4310]

I watched The Sarah Jane Adventures as a kid, before even knowing doctor who existed, she was like my first doctor , gosh she was amazing.

[@crazyjoshcravy]

The dead-lock thing was actually established in Bad Wolf

[@ingonyama70]

This and "Girl in the Fireplace" were the episodes that made me officially A Fan. There's so much good to talk about, but I want to focus on Sarah and Rose. First and foremost, I will always, always, ALWAYS adore Sarah Jane Smith. Yes, the idea that the Doctor became her life isn't great, but on the other hand I recently saw the serial where she debuted, "The Time Warrior". And she was ALWAYS adventurous, always investigative. She was a perfect match for the Doctor from the get go, fierce and brave and able to think her way around problems. Admittedly, she frequently got herself into trouble, but in her case it was often through mistakes born of bravado. She reminded me of the early Fleischer incarnation of Lois Lane (as well as the 90s version), and Lois has always been a personal favorite character of mine. Also, "ABERDEEN." Only one of several times I hurt myself laughing this episode. Her dynamic with Rose was one of a small handful of times where I genuinely saw the potential in Rose as a character. Outside of the Bad Wolf thing (AKA Doctor Who's answer to the Phoenix Force), Rose had always struck me as a very average companion. Not terrible, by any stretch, but not really worth the adoration the Tenth Doctor in particular showered her with. However, there were episodes, like Dalek, the Empty Child/Doctor Dances two-parter, the Christmas Invasion, etc. that would help me come around to her. School Reunion was one of those. In an otherwise fairly lighthearted episode, there was an undercurrent of "finity" in Season 2 that was introduced here. This was the first time Rose came face-to-face with the notion that her time with the Doctor would come to an end, and she cleaved that much harder to him throughout the rest of the series as a result. Sarah was a look at Rose's worst fear...that one day the Doctor would leave her behind, just like he had everyone else, from Susan, to Leela, to Romana, to Ace. Having Mickey there felt like a special kind of knife twist, since she had left him behind without a second thought, just like she was afraid the Doctor would leave her one day. Granted, by this time they were past that, but it still happened, and she remembered how badly it had hurt Mickey. With that in mind, it's quite easy to see why she was so antagonistic towards Sarah, and Sarah towards her.

[@AC-gb7do]

Loved this episode, loved Rose and SJ arguing over what they both have seen and fought! Loved K9, and really miss the little guy. TBF, I saw Tennant’s reaction as the Doctor first, then his reaction as I’d been watching classic DW already. 10 had a similar moment when meeting 5 in the TARDIS, “Timecrash” iirc. But...I HATED how the first Doctor was portrayed when he was with Capaldi’s Doctor. Makes me wish 2 - 4 could meet up with the current Doctor and teach her how to be a proper Timelord.

[@ErinTheFennec]

K9 has some great appearances in the Big Finish audio stories, including some excellent ones in the Gallifrey series (not necessarily for everyone, as it's very much about the politics of Gallifrey) some of my favourites include K9 making a pretty bad attempt at pretending to be a criminal, while Leela had to pretend to be K9's slave, along with evil K9.

[@AhsimNreiziev]

+[A.C] Too bad that the second part of your comment has absolutely nothing to do with the first, or with the video for that matter. I wonder, why did you feel the need to include it?

[@AC-gb7do]

Ahsim Nreiziev wow, thanks for telling me I need to run my replies by you before I post next time. (I posted it because he was talking about actor/character reactions to other characters, so I just posted my favorite/least favorite ones.) Did my reply satisfy your curiosity?

[@NaramSinofAkkad790]

Well you've just made this episode 10x better now that I know Giles is in it. I haven't watched it again since seeing Buffy. That's so cool!

[@vigilantsycamore8750]

Right. If, by some twist of fate, I end up writing Doctor Who, I'll bring Mr Finch back

[@tnorthrup1986]

Well part of anthony head's absence was due to his work for the next several years on Merlin as Uther Pendragon (and he and that show are epic). But i would love to see 13's take on him.

[@CrankyGrandma]

Good points about Head being the villain who stands up to the Doctor...you are right. I would like to see him back. As far as characters having that dash of something that makes them well rounded...that’s something RTDs era had and we’ve not seen since. Even the minor characters seemed real. I agree about the “ex” stuff...she was his friend...she didn’t love him like Rose did. I never saw the doctor have even a hint of romantic feelings for a companion in classic era other than *maybe* Jo, and she didn’t feel that way towards him. The TV movie was it’s own animal and I’m not counting it as “classic”

[@caedrewan]

Possibly my favourite episode. Can't agree with the idea that the writers took Sarah Jane's "emptiness" too far, you can't compare adventures through time and space to a jaunt through Europe, this is some existential stuff you see and go through with the Doctor!

[@SimsinWonderland]

Isaac M agreed

[@badwolfarchives3246]

Love that intro 😂 Great review, always consistent with quality Who reviews. Keep up the great work.

[@bluebagha162]

Such a good story and great nostalgia included... great vid

[@HiperPivociarz]

Sarah Jane Smith Adventures was my introduction to Who, and so this episode was great to watch

[@rocklobsterjwt]

Hey, if you have Amazon Prime, you can watch the Sarah Jane Adventures! And the DVD boxed set is still available! I think you would love it, and it's a great way to share Doctor Who with your daughter!

[@Venemofthe888]

Oh mickey the episode where u grew in character a little bit. Also with Anthony Head he has done some other work for doctor who being Baltazar in the infinite quest as well as some audios including Death comes to Time and The Nightmare of Black island. Hes in more Who than i remember

[@jonsnor4313]

If you want evil antony steward head, he is great sort of antagonist in merlin. And katie mcgrath is there too. The series is ok, john hurt voices a recurring dragon. Despite being a fun but cheesy teenage comady with slash moments and a really weird end. But the characters are good.

[@lizzie8561]

One thing I thought was very stupid was the scene of the lunchroom Krillitanes bringing in the barrel of Krillitane oil, and constantly urging caution. Of course they spill the barrel and are badly burned. The problem I have with this is, if Krillitane oil is so dangerous, why is the barrel being moved with its entire top removed. This was an accident that never should have happened!!!

[@anealingfeeling5356]

If you want to catch more from Anthony Head in the Whoniverse, he does appear again in Doctor Who The Infinite Quest, but he isn't playing Mr Finch. I also think he narrates some of the Doctor Who confidential episodes too.

[@benbastianiartmusic1421]

I agree, the idea of the Doctor and a companion never getting over each other is too much. If you look at old Who the Doctor would always make it known that he remembered his companions and admired them but he was never traumatised at the idea of not seeing them again. An example of how subtle it is... in the curse of fenric, the seventh doctor realises he can only hold back the villain by having faith in something, so to make the monsters retreat he simply whispers a list of inaudible words to himself. If you read his lips, he's chanting the names of his former companions from six incarnations ago. Something like that is much more moving

[@jonathanskiner4405]

When i first watched this ( i was quite young) I had no idea who Sarah Jones was. But i still got the connection between the doctor and her. That in it self is impressive.

[@maxeyre2024]

School Reunion is a great episode and one of my favourite in Series 2. All the characters were great and Sarah Jane being back was a great idea for the show at this time. 9/10.

[@DenniWintyr]

For me this entire episode come down to: "Hello Sarah"... there's so much behind that single line that just has so much weight to it. I actually liked that they showed that there can be a painful aftermath when the Doctor leaves, rather than just all the fun adventures... which I think was then played out with a lot of future characters where the Doctor took much more care in how they parted than he'd done in the past. And both RTD & Tony Head have talked about the influence that Buffy had on the revival of the show, so it's not your imagination when you see that influence

[@karkatvantas9557]

I agree that Brother Lassar (Mr. Finch) was New Who's first great villain (the Empty Child was not a villain, just a threat).

[@thenerdofthenorth8205]

I think the best lines have to be "Oh, I'm the tin dog." And "We are in a car." It's just funny.

[@markpostgate2551]

Buffy was a big influence on RTD when he was thinking about how to bring Doctor Who back (and you can see how it leant itself to the nu-Who season arc format) and Doctor Who (classic series) was a big influence on Joss Whedon when he first came up with the idea of Buffy in terms of how to do mass appeal fantasy horror for a pre-watershed audience; so there's a bit of a symbiotic relationship between the two franchises.

[@robertobraca6576]

I think in the first series of New Who they wanted to deconstruct the common tropes of old Who, like when Rose first come back and the cops ask them if "companion" is a sexual relation term. So when they reintroduced SJS an emphasis was put on how the life of a companion would likely (realistically) be after the adventure ends. Still they knows they pushed it too far, and after this one other companions get better after-doctor lives (if they survive the experience) like the fake old Clara or Agent Martha Jones.

[@terristevens1778]

fun stuff: “THWACK!” is the sound that K9 makes as he collides with a kitchen unit. “Hoo-hoo, yessssss!” is the sound that David Tennant makes as he watches K9 collide with a kitchen unit. He’s the Doctor, so he really should know better. “Cut!” is the sound that the director, James Hawes, makes before breaking into a fit of giggles. “Sorry folks, he’s done it again.” “I’m laughing through my tears,” admits Elisabeth, as the cast and crew all collapse in hysterics - except, perhaps, for the producer, Phil Collinson, who has a schedule to keep. No, wait, Phil is laughing too. “Did you catch that, Doctor Who Magazine?” hollers James. “If I was a bit smaller,” chuckles David, pointing at K9 (who’d probably be very embarrassed were he a real dog), “I’d get inside him and do this scene myself!”

[@cierrarachael9949]

YES. The first time I saw this episode, I absolutely fed into the whole concept of the Doctor being the center of Sarah Jane's world. And given the "God" narrative that New Who has built around the Doctor, I thought "Well of course, why wouldn't she have been as heartbroken." But having grown up a little and, more relevantly, having jumped into Classic Who and Sarah Jane's original run on the show, I rewatched this episode thinking "What? You're a grown woman gushing over this guy, and you weren't upset at all that he dropped you off in Aberdeen. You laughed about it and whistled off!" Her final scene with Tom Baker allowed the viewer to believe she went on to live a full and happy life, with her experiences traveling in the Tardis having broadened her mind. The Doctor left a positive impact, not a negative, sad one. I feel like they got in wrong a little. They blew it. Still a good episode, though.

[@theshadowdirector]

In some ways it also feels leels like an episode of 'The Sarah Janes adventures' in many ways. Obviously SJ herself but also the school setting and K-9.

[@ErinTheFennec]

I kinda wish they'd implied Sarah Jane lived a happy life after the fact, but always missed travelling with The Doctor, during the time Sarah Jane was The Doctor's companion she always felt much more independent than other companions of the time, she definitely didn't feel like the type of character who would let being left behind stop her from living life to the fullest, especially with her response to being left behind in the wrong place as she seemed to see the humour in it at the time.

[@HereComesPopoBawa]

There were bits of School Reunion that I liked, it felt less half-baked to me than the show had been since Parting of the Ways. But I loved Head so much that I think he was under-used, the whole school plot felt overshadowed by the SJS and K9 nostalgia, rather than integrating it all evenly. And Sarah Jane Smith was not as strong of a personality as I was accustomed to. Like Nathaniel pointed it, she had grown wistful, and I think that didn't suit her character. I did love that it was the episode that made me excited to have Mickey as a fully-realized member of the team, he really clicked for me here.

[@BryanWicks]

Couldn’t agree more with you about the child being killed off offscreen in the opening. That *really* was unsettling, and not in a Brothers Grimm kinda way. Otherwise, it was a solid episode for me.

[@vigilantsycamore8750]

I liked that cold open when I *was* a child, but I don't know how much I'd like it if I watched the episode now

[@ghoulage]

Something that I liked from this episode was when Rose brings up that the Doctor never mentions his past companions. I think character-wise it's very interesting. Rose is really quite selfish and hates sharing the Doctor and her experiences with him (excluding Adam, she didn't want Micky travelling with them or Lynda when that was aaallmost a thing lol) so I think it was quite a shock for her to realise he's travelled with many more people than just her and it really brought forward just how old he was too. I also like that after this, the Doctor does go on to mention Rose to Martha and Donna, and mentions Martha to Donna. It was really nice, but idk if in the classics the Doctors ever brought up past companions! Not sure how I feel about the characterisation for Sarah but I can't really have much of an opinion on it since what I know of her in Classic Who is from what fans say about her! Rose being selfish and quite nasty towards Sarah Jane is in character for her I think but idk about Sarah Jane. I think I've read some fans feeling really upset that Sarah said some of the things she said, feeling that was out of character for her. And some of them get mad that Sarah seems to be used to establish Rose as the Doctor's 'special' and 'most favoured' companion which I definitely see why they'd say that and it sucks as I agree with u that I hate Sarah was left unable to move on from the Doctor until after this episode. Also, yes!! Would have loved to see Mr Finch again. I love his and the Doctor's conversation by the swimming pool. I thought it was so interesting! 'Your people are so afraid of change and chaos' He would have made an excellent storyline over the course of a series. It's something I liked about the Timelord Victorious as awful a thing for the Doctor to be, I really wanted to see what would happen if they made a storyline where time and space really got messed around with because the Doctor decides it. He says he can see what was and what could be, and what should and needs to be. What if he just.. changes it? He wouldn't be a role model anymore during that storyline tho and I think people would hate to see a beloved character go down that route.. but.. I think it's interesting lol

[@Shadow-iv9ft]

I think the main part about Rose being considered special was because of the impact she made on him both after and during a fairly vulnerable part of his life. As evidenced by the both the first episode of Series 1 and the 50th special, the Doctor had just come back from the Time War believing he'd killed his own people. With that kind of toll hanging around his shoulders (especially considering how he's usually more of a pacifist), it's no wonder he started to put Rose on a pedestal; she cheered him up during an incredibly dark time for him, so of course he'll react to it in a more extreme fashion than what would otherwise be considered normal for him. Being emotionally unstable and incredibly vulnerable, he used her as a template for emotional action and reaction, materializing in the Tenth incarnation. Hence why we got the Doctor/Martha dynamic that we did (Rose became his crutch). Donna helped to fix that by being her incredibly no-nonsense, sassy self, as a strictly best-friend type - which was really what he needed in the first place. From what I understand, this is more like one of those case studies in psychology: after a traumatic event, someone will react far more positively to simple kindness than they would have prior to said event. It's a bit of a grim way to look at the Doctor/Rose dynamic, but the evidence for it is there.

[@natsmith303]

I came back to this ODDW because I've been trying The Sarah Jane Adventures for the first time. Ho boy, so far Sarah Jane has not shut up about the Doctor. It's basically once-per-storyline that she or some other character will go, "Ah, I bet that was the Doctor," or some comment like that. So not only does this problem continue with her, it compounds.

[@roguebritgravy1]

One of the best episodes of series two. With that being the case this is gonna be a positive review.

[@WiloPolis03]

Will you do a top 10 Daleks stories episode after Resolutions comes out? As a statistics and graphing nerd I really like seeing your ranking vids

[@CouncilofGeeks]

If I do it can only be for modern era since I haven't seen all classic era Dalek episodes yet.

[@WiloPolis03]

That's what I was thinking

[@louella72]

Got my first classic who story yesterday, i.e. The Ark in Space.

[@SirMeowsAlot89]

louella72 that was my first classic Who that I bought/saw!! I loved it!

[@geekdetritus5503]

My five year old daughters favorite episode. So much fun to watch that episode with someone who genuinely finds the bug costumes scary

[@Ben-vf5gk]

For the next boxset of Big Finish's Classic Doctor's New Monsters I hope they have the Krillitaine just so we can have Mr Finch back. I'd like to see him go up against 8.

[@SirMeowsAlot89]

I’m technical support, I’m their man in Havana, oh my god, I’m the tin dog!!

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I love misheard lines, I really mean that. "Man in the van." Why would he be in Havana?

[@SirMeowsAlot89]

Council of Geeks haha I have to rewatch! I swear that’s what I remember hearing.. but I did always think it was a weird line.. makes more sense if it’s man in a van.

[@SirMeowsAlot89]

Council of Geeks omg!!!! So I had to go check on my dvd of series 2 with school reunion on it, from bbc. I put on the subtitles and he does say man in Havana!! Or at least that’s what the subtitles say, could be a mistake. I am sure you have this on dvd. Please take a min to look and see if your version with subtitles says Havana. I am really curious now! 😁 Thanks for replying to my first comment though! Love your channel, I watch a bunch from your channel, but love the Doctor Who stuff the most.

[@mbyerly9680]

OUR MAN IN HAVANA is a black comedy spy novel by Graham Greene that later became a movie. It makes fun of the poor information provided by the local spies. Mickey is saying he's one of the spies on the ground, but I don't think he meant that he was incompetent at it.

[@kellygingrich4302]

anthony stewart head could easily come back as a big bad - hell, he could even carry the role of the Doctor in the future.

[@robertmcelwaine7024]

I liked School Reunion overall, but one problem I had with it, is Sarah-Jane talks as if she never met the Doctor again, even though she was reunited with the Third Doctor in the 20th Anniversary Special, The Five Doctors. She even shakes the hand of the fifth Doctor.

[@WiloPolis03]

Toby Whithouse is such a great writer

[@richardlambert1256]

In general I agree with this especially the bit about Sarah never moving on I mean she's supposed to be like mid-late 20s when she left to her 50s when she returned for a character originally billed as being a strong independent woman that's not a good look also ignores her whistling as she was walking off. But why didn't you mention that random kid seemingly supposed to be helping them but not actually doing anything then taking the credit at the end. Possibly the most annoying side character of the series.

[@TheJedwardo]

5:59 lol

[@Nige031077]

I still need to hear it from someone who had some involvement in both this story and Hand of Fear, 'cos I don't buy the idea that Sarah was left in Aberdeen and not Hill View Road, South Croydon. I haven't found anything in the book version of Hand of Fear and I have seen DW Confidential...but I can't accept it.

[@calliesanderford3410]

I watched The Hand of Fear on Christmas day on KZbin. It's on Chris Williams channel, presented in 4 part. You will find your answer there. Happy New Year!

[@Nige031077]

@@calliesanderford3410. I have the DVD, and I will rewatch it, but I still don't buy it.

[@chrisrusso6541]

One thing I would like to know is why they never brought back any one else from classic doctor who there are other chactors that I would like to see if they don't want the old Romana back or old Susan though it would be great but they are timelords they could regenerate Romana already has but it would be great to see other classic doctor who charitors come back thank you I always enjoy your reviews and I'm glad I found you on KZbin I think it would be great to see what other classic doctor who companions you would like to see come back

[@Companion92]

Still one of my favourite episodes :)

[@aaronlutz4436]

Thoughts on trailer for Us, (Jordan peeled movie). Looks really good.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Yes it does. I don't have space in my schedule to get a video out on it, but it'll get a mention next week.

[@Precise-Sight]

Davros is different, he can time travel, also it can be that its a different Davros a younger version than the one who died, i guessing here too but u cannot say it is not possible, cause u know how the who universe works, the Doctor has lso his past and future presence, so it is possible for others too, that you see a younger or older version of a villain or person.. case closed

[@doctorthirteen5727]

I was slightly bothered that the students didn't seem to realize their teachers were brutally murdered.

[@johnstebbins24]

For overdue Who, you should bring back the TARDIS green screen background.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

It's really just such a pain in the ass to work with. Plus the room where it's set up has awful acoustics, and I don't have the energy to relocate the thing.

[@johnstebbins24]

@@CouncilofGeeks Fair enough. I'm sure you can understand the thought process behind it, though. And even though the spaghetti didn't stick to the wall, I'm not going to regret throwing it up there.

[@mschrisfrank2420]

Anthony Stewart Head is always a win.

[@paulmarx7345]

Interesting that you weren't very familiar with the character of Sarah Jane before this episode yet still rate it so highly because it's one of the ultimate "fan service" episodes. I remember seeing the Dr Who Confidential (remember those?) with RTD and others practically squealing with delight over meeting Liz Sladen and, as someone who (just) remembers her from the first time around, I definitely rank this episode highly almost purely because she's in it. It does help that it's objectively a good episode though.

[@raifintune]

I do agree about the child death at the start. The worst part about it is that it only really had an impact because it was a child. It just felt so flippant..especially in the next scene where the doctor walks in as if nothing was wrong. I would have had a disgruntled teacher questioning the head masters methods, but yeah...the little girl dying made me feel gross when this is a more comedic episode than other doctor whos.