'Revenge of the Slitheen' - Part Two

The concluding part of 'Revenge of the Slitheen' is a very satisfying watch, containing good gags, well-paced action and genuine poignancy.

Aimed at a predominantly young audience, the show certainly showcases it's moral core during this episode through two key moments. Firstly, we are forced into mourning the deaths of the Slitheen father and son after they begged Sarah Jane to let them escape from the blast.

The alien parent begging the humans to let his young son live suddenly gives the villains an extra dimension, which is surprising given the overly pantomime-esque tone adopted previously. The ability to show mercy and compassion is very much seen as a good thing here, without the show ever becoming 'preachy', and is backed up by Sarah Jane's subsequent sadness over the deaths.

Secondly, the relationship between Sarah Jane and Luke is particularly touching and demonstrates the importance of acceptance and love. There's certainly a lump in the old throat when they start referring to each other as 'mummy' or 'son'.

Clyde, now amusingly armed with his Wolverine deodorant, continues to shine as a character. Young actor Daniel Anthony delivers the funny lines with relish and his engaging, energetic performance functions as a brilliant foil to the understated, morose Luke.

Overall, the second part of 'Revenge of the Slitheen' is a distinct improvement on the previous instalment and brings up some complex emotional issues in a very accessible manner.