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 I don't think I've ever seen two characters' long-standing relationship summed up quite so nicely or concisely as in the above exchange, between The Doctor and Sarah, in Episode 3 of The Hand of Fear. Genuine concern and protectiveness from both of them, underscored by just the right touch of teasing. Watching this exchange, it is clear: The Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane are not just friends by this time.
They're family.
The Hand of Fear is, of course, the final story of an era: the Sarah Jane Smith era. Over 22 stories (counting audios) and 3 1/2 seasons, she has eclipsed most prior companions--and even some Doctors--to become one of the series best-loved characters. Any departure for such a character is bound to be bittersweet at best.
Happily, Sarah gets to leave on a high point. The Hand of Fear may not be the series' finest hour. But it is very entertaining, and filled with wonderful little moments that place it firmly in the ranks of the very good stories.
THE GOOD
Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah, pretty much throughout. From her multiple inflections of, "Eldrad must live!" while possessed in the early episodes, to the beautiful portrayal of her working relationship with The Doctor, to that last look over her shoulder at the very end. Sladen is at her best here, giving her all, and writers Bob Baker & Dave Martin thankfully give her lots of material to sink her teeth into.
Setting also plays a part in the success of this story. The nuclear plant makes a very strong setting, with a good sense of the layout provided early (when Sarah descends to the core in Episode 1). Visually, it is spacious enough to be cinematic during the chase sequence in Episode 2. Also, it is confined enough to feel claustrophobic and cut-off during the rest of the tale.
As noted earlier, there are also a lot of little details worked into this story. Such as the plant worker running the geiger counter over himself as he gets ready to leave work. Or the plant manager calling his wife and kids to speak to them one last time when a meltdown seems likely. Or Sarah and the plant manager bracing themselves for the missile explosion by plugging their nose and opening their mouths, to prevent serious ear damage. None of these are major scenes; they're just little touches that add depth, texture, and a sense of reality to the serial.
Lastly--and most importantly--Sarah's entire departure sequence is just beautifully written and acted. Sarah's pouting threat to leave in the initial squabble is nicely contrasted with her shock when she realizes that she actually has to leave. The pan across the starkly mundane city street after the TARDIS has dematerialized, leaving her behind. Sarah's laughter as she realizes that The Doctor didn't even leave her in the right place (another of the little touches I mentioned). And that final look over her shoulder, as she hears an echo to her whistling. My only gripe about the entire sequence is the blasted freeze-frame at the very end of it! Then again, it was the '70's...
THE BAD
Not a lot, here, and nothing very serious. The plant manager is a bit too quick to accept The Doctor, and he is far too quick to forgive Sarah the disaster she nearly caused in her hypnotized state. Sarah's suspicions of Eldrad in Episode 3 are too easily brushed aside at the start of Episode 4. The corridors of the dead planet in the final episode make for a much less interesting setting than the nuclear plant did in the rest of the story.
My only real disappointment, though, was at the climax. Dropping the villain down a chasm at the end was actually far less effective than the justice already meted out to him. I would have much rather seen him left to rail at his dead enemy as the TARDIS dematerialized. Leaving him king of a dead world, "king of nothing," would have been a haunting end. Tripping him and sending him toppling down a pit was not so much haunting as comical--and not necessarily in a good way.
Suffering only from fairly minor flaws, and benefiting from strong character writing and attention to detail, The Hand of Fear is a terrific entertainment, and a fitting farewell to one of the series' most beloved characters. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
» Review by J. Paul Halt, Copyright 2005.
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