I've always been a bit lukewarm on this spin-off pilot, and I still feel the same way. Whilst I appreciate the ambition, and I think there's a solid idea on paper regarding Sarah Jane and k9 investigating a witchcraft cult, it's not quite as interesting as it should be.

For a pilot intended to get audiences interested in a spin-off show, it has a surprisingly slow pace. There's not much actual cultish behaviour taking place, although it's nice to see Sarah Jane using her investigative skills.

Another problem is that Sarah Jane is uncharacteristically unlikable in places. For instance, she initially tells Brendan that he can 'wait until tomorrow' to be picked up from the boarding school, even though she was supposed to have picked him up already. It doesn't reflect brilliantly well on Sarah as a character.

Thankfully, K9's inclusion adds some character to the spin-off pilot. His friendship with Brendan is endearing, and he's introduced organically into the plot, as a present from the Doctor. K9 can never do any wrong in my eyes.