Investigating through time and space, one case at a time!

“WARRIORS OF KUDLAK: GAMING GONE GALACTIC”

Warriors of Kudlak taps into the ever-present concerns about children spending too much time playing video games, twisting it into a sinister premise. Here, an arcade laser tag game isn’t just for fun—it’s a recruitment tool for an alien invasion. High-scoring players are abducted and conscripted as warriors, making for a concept reminiscent of Jacqueline Rayner’s Winner Takes All. The critique of gaming culture and its influence on kids feels very much of its time, perfectly fitting the mid-2000s setting.

SARAH JANE, MARIA, AND INVESTIGATIVE SCIENCE

What elevates the story is its focus on Sarah Jane and Maria’s investigative work. Sarah Jane isn’t particularly tech-savvy when it comes to video games, so Maria helps her navigate the lingo, making for a fun dynamic. Their teamwork shines as they tinker with technology, gradually unravelling the mystery behind the missing children. Their makeshift device feels like something straight out of the Doctor’s playbook, reinforcing the Sarah Jane Adventures blend of sci-fi and down-to-earth problem-solving.

Meanwhile, Luke and Clyde take a more hands-on approach—visiting the arcade while Sarah Jane and Maria work behind the scenes. The structure works well, allowing both halves of the team to discover the truth in parallel, ramping up the tension as the boys unknowingly immerse themselves in the deadly game.

BUILD-UP AND REVEALS

The first half unfolds at a steady, if slightly lighter, pace than previous episodes, but the laser tag sequences add excitement. The story builds intrigue well, culminating in a solid cliffhanger. The second half injects urgency, with Luke and Clyde inching ever closer to being shipped off to war while Sarah Jane and Maria work against the clock to stop it.

There’s an underlying depth to Kudlak’s race and their motivations. Their desperation fuels their actions, making them understandable, if still detestable, antagonists. The revelation that Kudlak has been blindly following orders because no one informed him that the war is over adds unexpected tragedy. His honour-bound decision to return the kidnapped children adds a satisfying resolution, making him more than just a typical villain.

ABDUCTED CHILDREN AND A LOW-STAKES THREAT

The kidnapped children figuring out they’re in space and banding together is a great subplot, enhanced by the gritty, dimly lit spaceship set. It’s fun to watch them sneak around, but the threat level never quite reaches its potential. Kudlak’s black-helmeted, grunting soldiers feel underdeveloped—what exactly are they supposed to be? They lack presence, making it surprisingly easy for both the kids to evade capture and for Sarah Jane and Maria to infiltrate the ship.

CHARACTER MOMENTS

Luke continues his endearing attempts to understand human social behaviour, from deciphering jokes and slang to the eternal mystery of why girls need so many bags. His lessons from both Maria (gentle and patient) and Clyde (blunt but well-meaning) add humour and warmth to the episode.

Elisabeth Sladen’s chemistry with the younger cast is once again fantastic, effortlessly balancing maternal care, scientific authority, and the occasional awkwardness of trying to sound ‘cool’ in front of teenagers. She shines particularly in her tense standoff with Grantham, unfazed despite being held at gunpoint. Yasmin Paige also delivers a strong performance, effortlessly shifting between clever, comedic, and serious moments.

ALIEN DESIGNS AND PERFORMANCES

Kudlak’s insectoid design is impressively menacing, backed up by Silas Carson’s vocal performance. However, he is a little too chatty, which slightly undermines his menace. His henchman, played by Chook Sibtain, is fine but unremarkable—his performance sometimes feels a bit childish, making him less of a compelling threat. Meanwhile, Tina Greatrex brings plenty of menace to her portrayal of the Mistress, adding another layer of eerie authority to the episode.

📝VERDICT: 7/10

Warriors of Kudlak is an enjoyable mix of sci-fi mystery, light social commentary, and a well-paced adventure. The investigation side is strong, the interplay between Sarah Jane and Maria is delightful, and Luke and Clyde’s gaming adventure ties well into the story’s themes. Kudlak is a solid villain with a compelling arc, though his minions lack impact, and the sense of danger could have been stronger. Still, with its engaging character moments and intriguing premise, this is another solid entry for The Sarah Jane Adventures.

The character dynamics interested me more than the plot of the episodes, but I did enjoy a few story beats. I always appreciate concepts that play with characters fighting some sort of battle that is long over. Clyde and Luke’s deepening friendship was fun to see, especially when Clyde lets his sarcastic facade drop to uplift Luke. And I find Sarah Jane’s surrogate mother/aunt relationship to Maria quite sweet. The idea of laser tag as the catalyst for the conflict avoids being gimmicky and it definitely made me think this would have been a story I would have enjoyed had I seen it as a child.

I honestly thought a laser-tag themed story would be gimmicky or a snore, but Warriors of Kudlak proved to be a fun adventure.  By this point, the series already has a pretty strong handle on its character, so everyone gets to shine a little bit.  Clyde really gets to shine here as we see a more friendly side of him interacting with Luke.  A pretty good watch overall.

The Kudlak look amazing. Amazed they achieved that mask on SJA’s budget! This is a genuinely funny and inventive story with convincing villains. I like that they’ve made Sarah-Jane tough and distant in this series. A spooky, intriguing woman who gravitates towards danger. There’s some really funny writing in this one too - I love the one gag woman who introduces the laser tag tournament.