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“EYE OF THE GORGON: A MONSTROUS MYTH WITH A HEARTFELT TWIST” 

Eye of the Gorgon sees The Sarah Jane Adventures dip into Doctor Who’s long-standing tradition of spooky, folklore-inspired storytelling. Set against the eerie backdrop of a manor house and a convent, this two-parter mixes action, mystery, and character drama into a compelling, well-balanced tale.

Though the premise hints at a full-on ghost story—what with the talk of haunted nuns and supernatural forces—the episode leans more into adventure than outright horror. There’s plenty of tension, but the real strength of the story lies in its characters and emotional depth.

MARIA TAKES CENTRE STAGE

Interestingly, Eye of the Gorgon devotes a significant amount of time to Maria’s home life, almost more than the alien plot itself. Her fractured relationship with her mother, Chrissie, is explored in greater detail, adding another layer of emotional weight. Yasmin Paige delivers a strong performance, portraying Maria’s frustration and hurt in a way that feels authentic. Chrissie, meanwhile, is a force to be reckoned with—overbearing, dramatic, and frustratingly present despite her separation from Maria’s father. It’s easy to see why Alan divorced her, yet there’s also an underlying affection that makes her more than just a caricature.

Elsewhere, Luke and Clyde take a more active role in investigating the nuns’ eerie abbey. Clyde, in particular, starts to come into his own, showing his strengths as he and Luke sneak through corridors, dodging the sinister sisters. His dynamic with both Sarah Jane and Luke is warming up, and Daniel Anthony’s performance feels more natural here than in Revenge of the Slitheen.

THE GORGON AND ITS LOYAL FOLLOWERS

The Gorgon itself is a genuinely effective villain—a spectral, Dementor-like creature with chilling sound design that enhances its presence. While its design is simple, it works well within the story’s Gothic atmosphere. The petrified victims, scattered like statues, are reminiscent of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, reinforcing the fairy tale horror elements at play.

Sister Helena, played with a quiet yet terrifying conviction by frequent Big Finish actor Beth Goddard, is one of the series’ more effective villains so far. Unlike the over-the-top Slitheen, she is calm, sinister, and utterly devoted to her cause. Her belief that the Gorgons bring “salvation” makes her all the more unsettling—she’s not just scheming; she truly believes in her mission.

While Doctor Who often puts its own twist on mythology, this story sticks close to the classic legend of the Gorgon, even using the original myth’s method of defeating it. The final showdown is a little underwhelming—it’s over before it really gets going—but the journey there is engaging enough that it doesn’t hurt the overall impact.

EMOTIONAL STAKES AND A TOUCHING FAREWELL

The subplot involving Bea, an elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer’s, adds unexpected emotional weight to the episode. Her connection to the Gorgon, her knowledge of Sontarans, and her late husband’s past create a touching mystery. The moment Sarah Jane realises Bea is speaking the truth is a particularly satisfying moment for long-time fans.

The story’s final moments, where Maria returns Bea’s talisman, allowing her some peace, are genuinely heartfelt. It’s a poignant, bittersweet ending that elevates Eye of the Gorgon beyond just a monster-of-the-week adventure.

📝VERDICT: 7/10

Eye of the Gorgon is a well-rounded episode that successfully blends action, mythology, and emotional storytelling. With strong character moments, an eerie setting, and a compelling villain, it proves SJA can tackle mature themes while remaining accessible to a younger audience.

A mythic menace, a spooky convent, and a surprisingly touching conclusion—this is SJA on a roll.

And just as I thought, I like Clyde more in these episodes. It’s a decent monster story that balances other more serious ideas like Alzheimer’s and dysfunctional families in ways that are accessible to a young audience.

A pretty strong episode and a huge improvement to Revenge of the Slitheen and the Invasion of the Bane. The story feels like a pretty typical monster of the week type of affair, but there is just enough sense of atmosphere and pacing to keep you invested. I liked the general feel of the gang being up against a group of culty nuns. The connection to the Gorgon myth is a bit of a stretch, but I think that did work in bringing Maria's dad into the story a bit. It's all a little cheesy, sure, yet I can't help enjoying the Jackson family as the sort of everyday protagonists flung into the more fantastical life of Sarah Jane.

I also just got good vibes from the show from this point on, now that we've established our characters and status quo a bit. The slightly younger tone, the goofily long intro scene for Mr. Smith, Luke being a fish out of water, whatever Clyde has to say - this is a show that knows what it is, is a little weird, but just keeps going for it with so much pluck I can't help to adore it a bit. It's kind of funny but Torchwood burned me so thoroughly I never checked out the much more enjoyable spin-offs of Class and Sarah Jane. Yet it is the spin-offs I wrote off and never really checked out until getting more into Big Finish that have, so far, feel refreshingly watchable compared to the original run of Torchwood.

I have a huge respect for Phil Ford’s willingness to explore adult themes in this story, especially Maria’s experience of her dysfunctional mother. There’s a real humanity to the performances from Maria and her dad that folds in nicely to the alien threat of the week. There’s a Jonathan Creek vibe to this one, especially in the old people’s home with the wily old woman who could unlock the entire mystery if it wasn’t for her alzheimer's - I’m glad her illness isn’t cured by the amulet, an important lesson for the kids. Ford shows us how to write in a way which treats the young audience with respect.