School of Blood

"My daughter can't play hockey because she's a vampire."

Writer: Paul Morris

Format: Audio

Released: October 2016

Series: Jago & Litefoot 12.03

Featuring: Jago, Litefoot

Synopsis

Acting on a tip-off about the possible source of the vampiric murders that are now plaguing London, Jago and Litefoot investigate a girls' school. Due to a misunderstanding, Litefoot finds himself offered a job at the school, while Jago keeps watch on Ellie who they both think is behaving oddly. 

But before long, they both discover that all is not as it should be at the school. Can Jago and Litefoot track down the vampires before it claims more innocent victims?

Verdict

School of Blood was an excellent episode to continue my way through the twelfth series of Jago & Litefoot! This was a superb continuation of what has so far been a thoroughly enjoyable and consistent series where Ellie is rightly the focus, something I've been waiting to happen for so many series now! I have felt so far in the series that she is playing some sort of game to bring out the Old One but after a little hint of me thinking she might actually be succumbing to her vampiric ways in The Flickermen, I firmly believe it here! Actions certainly speak louder than words and whilst I am intrigued as to why the Old One continues to give her chances, she really is showing her worth now. She didn't quite deliver in taking out Jago and Litefoot and bravely admitted that sentiment got the better of her, but the same could not be said when it came to Lucilla Fredericks. Her role in the story was central as it turned out she was a vampire but her defence of not being the one that was responsible for the vampiric deaths that had plagued this area of London in recent weeks was pretty non-existent. With the mirror confirming her as a vampire due to the lack of reflection, it would seem like a very cut and dry case on paper. It was far from it though as Litefoot in particular would deduce at the conclusion in quite brilliant fashion. I thought the setting of a school was excellent and I loved how that was somewhere this series hasn't taken us yet in the Victorian era. A girl's school nonetheless and Litefoot taking up a role there as the Head of the Sixth Form was pretty impressive! Professorships in pathology certainly do pay off. Jago only being considered for the caretaker role was pretty fun and even then he had to do it the second time around after admitting to having no serious qualifications! I love the comic value he brings to proceedings. Ravener being in the school as the religious teacher was quite an important role at this point in history and Litefoot making note that he didn't even have a bible in his collection was telling of where his truths lay. I really like the presence he brings though and whilst his loyalties to the Old One are clear, just the mention of his name sent a shudder down Ellie's spine. Her being closely watched by Jago was amusing as with a little too much alcohol it didn't take long for him to spill the means of their vampiric suspicions and why Litefoot was taking a job at the school. Ellie would soon hop along to help but she had ulterior motives. I was surprised in a very pleasant way that she was able to switch between her normal and vampiric selves which impressed and then horrified Fredericks who saw herself and her line perish. Ravener would certainly be pleased after a long time trying and the Old One was hardly pleased with him given the efficiency of Ellie proving her worth! The way things tied together for Litefoot and linked back to Picture This as they were now able to see the film of them as fine gentlemen was excellent because they knew that something was missing. Ellie not being on the moving picture was a superb way for them to get the confirmation that it was her that was the Vampire they had been searching for all along. What a way to set up the finale! Overall, a fantastic episode in a great setting that really sets the scene for a fantastic showdown. I can't wait to hear how things conclude from here. 

Rating: 9/10