It's been a sad couple of days for the world of Doctor Who. As many of you know by now, we've lost Elisabeth Sladen, best known around the world as the Doctor's longest serving companion, Sarah Jane Smith. She died on Tuesday after a long struggle with cancer, aged 63.
Sladen started her long history with the greatest show in the galaxy in 1974 as a partner for 3rd Doctor Jon Pertwee, during his last season with the show. After Pertwee left, and regenerated into 4th Doctor Tom Baker, Sladen remained with the show for another two and a half seasons, departing from the TARDIS in late 1976.
Her character, Sarah Jane was seen as a departure from the women who came before her. She wasn't just some screaming siren who needed to be saved by the Doctor every week (although she was kidnapped sometimes). She was a character who could operate on the same level as the supremely intelligent Doctor, and sometimes solving problems before him.
Sarah Jane and Sladen were so loved by fans and producers, that she continued to be involved with the Doctor Who franchise after her departure. She starred in a pilot for an unsold spin-off in 1981, five years after leaving the show. Sladen reprised her role yet again in 1983 and 1993, for the 20th and 30th Anniversary specials "The Five Doctors" and "Dimensions in Time".
Even when the new series of Doctor Who began in 2005, she kept returning. She appeared in an episode with 10th Doctor David Tennant in 2006, and became so popular with new fans, that she was finally given her own successful spin-off series in 2006, nearly thirty years after she first became a part of the show.
The future of her spin-off, "The Sarah Jane Adventures", is unknown; Sladen completed six episodes before her death. The producers of Doctor Who have said that a "suitable tribute" to her will air during the premiere show's sixth season this Saturday.
I'm no good at writing obituaries, and I couldn't say anything that hasn't already been said a million times. But I'll end with this: Rest in peace Mrs. Sladen. You've made millions of fans during your nearly four decades of acting, and you're already missed by them all.
Bill I love you and your blog. The nerd in me squeals with glee when it reads your blog. It's so great. Being nerdy is fun. I liked to see what it was that was peaking your interest at that particular week. I hope that you keep your blog up after class ends.
ReplyDelete