'Eye of the Gorgon' (Part 1) by Phil Ford

Learning that Mrs Randolf, a friend of Clyde’s grandmother, has seen the ghost of a nun at the Lavender Lawns Rest House, Sarah sets off with Clyde and Luke to investigate. After speaking to Mrs Randolf, Sarah meets the rest home’s manageress, Mrs Gribbins, who remains sceptical of the incident, despite the fact that several other residents have also reported seeing the spectral nun. Meanwhile, Luke meets an old lady named Bea Nelson-Stanley who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease; in a moment of rare lucidity, the woman leads the boy to a hiding place in an old tree, where she entrusts him with an ancient talisman. As Sarah, Luke and Clyde drive home, they are unaware that they are being closely watched by both Mrs Gribbins and the ghostly figure of the nun… Elswhere, Chrissie makes another of her impromptu visits, much to the annoyance of her ex-husband Alan and her daughter, Maria, who objects to the criticism of her friends Sarah and Luke; after Chrissie has gone, Maria turns on her father, blaming him for her parents’ divorce. Returning home, Sarah learns from Mr Smith that there have been no ecclesiastical buildings on the site of Lavender Lawns; the A.I. then detects an alien artefact, and Luke is forced to reveal the talisman that he was given. When a grumpy Maria arrives in the loft, Sarah sees a way to cheer her up by taking her on a trip back to Lavender Lawns. Mrs Gribbins pays a visit to the ‘ghost nun’, Sister Helena, at a local convent; the manageress’ report on Sarah’s questions is ill received, and she is taken before the Abbess – whose gaze turns her to stone… Mrs Randolf takes Sarah and Maria to meet Bea, who tells them that the talisman was discovered in Syria by her husband, Edgar, a renowned archaeologist; Sarah is intrigued by Bea’s talk of alien Sontarans, and her interest is further piqued when the old lady mentions the Greek myth of the Gorgons. Sarah tells Maria of the ancient legends, of a woman with snakes for hair that can turn people to stone with one glance… Sister Helena arrives at Sarah’s house, where she learns of the talisman from Luke and Clyde; before the nun can act, she is waylaid by the arrival of Alan, who is looking for his daughter and Sarah. As the two boys set off for the nursing home they are quickly intercepted by the nuns, who overpower Clyde and bundle Luke into a hearse… After phoning Sarah, Clyde rejoins her and Maria and recalls the nuns mentioning St Agnes Abbey; the trio set off for the convent, where they come face to face with Sister Helena. The sinister sister tells them that she and her fellows have been guarding the Gorgons for three thousand years – there were once three of these alien creatures, but now only one survives, and she needs the talisman to open a portal that will take her home. Sarah offers to help, and takes Helena, the Abbess and the nuns back to her house to retrieve the artefact; but on entering the loft Sarah seizes her sonic lipstick and threatens to destroy the amulet unless her friends are released. In response, the nuns raise the Abbess’ hood… just as Alan walks in – as the wizened alien’s face is uncovered, deadly energy beams whirl out, which turn Alan to stone…

Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith), Yasmin Page (Maria Jackson), Thomas Knight (Luke), Daniel Anthony (Clyde Langer), Joseph Millson (Alan Jackson), Juliet Cowan (Chrissie Jackson), Alexander Armstrong (Mr Smith [Voice]), Phyllida Law (Bea Nelson-Stanley), Sarah Crowden (Mrs Gribbins), Doreen Mantle (Mrs Randall), Beth Goddard (Sister Helena), Audrey Archington (The Abbess [The Gorgon])

Directed by Alice Troughton
Produced by Matthew Bouch
Executive Producers Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner
A BBC Wales production

TX:
1st October 2007 @ 5.30 pm CBBC
8th October 2007 @ 5.00 pm BBC 1

Notes:
*Featuring Sarah Jane Smith, Maria, Luke, Clyde and Mr Smith