Phantom Reflections

'The Sarah Jane Adventures' Premiers Tonight on SciFi

If you were a youngster in the 1970s and a fan of DR. WHO, it was difficult not to have a crush on Elisabeth Sladen. She played Sarah Jane Smith, companion to the 3rd and 4th Doctors -- John Pertwee and Tom Baker. Her first spin-off K9 AND COMPANY didn't make it past the pilot, but now under the new regime of Russell T. Davies, Sarah Jane is back with a hit. And the best part is we finally get to see it over here in the colonies. No need to dump that tea in protest! The Sci-Fi Channel has seen fit to pick up the new series THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES, and it premiers tonight. Check your local listings, fire up the DVR, and get ready for some fun. Rose Tyler was a great companion, but Sarah Jane Smith will always be tops on my list.

When did SF fans lose their sense of fun?

I didn't ask the question. Dan Campora did over at SyFy Portal in his article SyFy 101: Are We Having Fun Yet? He ponders the current attitude of fans on the heels of the cancellation of FLASH GORDON.

The setting and costumes were garish. The plots were predictable. The villains somehow managed to be portrayed in an over-the-top fashion, yet still seem dull. It was void of any lofty ideals or hidden political agendas. And that is precisely why I watched it.

It makes me wonder, when did we get to be so serious?

He has a great point. Be sure to read his entire article [here] and give it some thought. In an age where everything needs to be dark, real, edgy, and heavy, maybe we have lost our sense of fun. At least it sounds like a great topic for a panel at a convention.