I have many wonderful and fond memories of our Sarah Jane Smith. I previously stated that my earliest memory of Doctor Who was The Seeds of Doom, which would be my earliest memory of Elizabeth Sladen. I hate to choose just one Sarah Jane story as my favorite. There are so many great stories that she brought to life. I adore her debut in The Time Warrior, where she burst on the scene full of fire and passion. She was the picture of women's lib, taking no chauvinism from Jon Pertwee's Doctor. She was a very modern companion for a show that was in transition. She was a breath of fresh air and set the stage for Tom Baker's arrival and the greatest popularity the classic show ever had. Her characterization of the Doctor's companion set the tone for decades to come.
My favorite memory, and probably my favorite Classic Sarah Jane story, is the final scene from The Hand of Fear. From the moment the Doctor and Sarah walk in the quarry to their final goodbye's, it is a tour de force for Liz. My heart breaks every time I watch her final scene. After a galaxy spanning adventure, it all comes down to a very quiet, domestic scene in the console room. The Doctor receives a call from Gallifrey and can't take Sarah Jane with him. After fighting Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarans, it would be the Time Lords that would separate our daring duo. And off Sarah Jane goes, walking into the proverbial sunset.
But thank the stars, that wasn't the last of our Sarah. K9 & Company was cute. The Five Doctors was lovely. The Big Finish audio series showed an adult Sarah Jane in a very dark and gritty world. It moved the character into areas she never went in the classic tv series and showcased the tremendous acting range of Liz. This began the dramatization of the lives of the Doctor's companion AFTER they leave him. What effect he had on them, and what it's like to return to a normal life.
This paved the way for her triumphant return in the new series in the amazing School Reunion. My favorite new memory is when she see's the TARDIS again for the first time in decades and slowly turns around to come face to face with the 10th Doctor. The scene is beautiful and full of emotion between Liz and David. It was as though the years had faded away and we were kids again with our Sarah Jane. Her portrayal of life after the Doctor, now on-screen, was heartbreaking as she talking about touching such splendor then being dumped abruptly and trying to resume a normal life. At least she did get a K9 out of it.
I was so happy when Liz got her own show The Sarah Jane Adventures. It wonderfully moved the character forward to become a mother, a leader, a teacher, and a defender of the Earth in her own right. Much like the many great moments from her Classic adventures, the SJA's created so many more with her reunion with the Brigadier, with Jo Grant, with the 10th Doctor, and meeting the 11th Doctor. Seeing her back in the TARDIS those last few times brought a big smile to my face. Another great moment from the new series was Sarah Jane's reunion with Davros in Stolen Earth/ Journey's End. The scene was so electric and jumped off the screen. For us old Who fans, it was such a treat to make that connection.
Reflecting on Liz's life and legacy fills me with so many feelings of special times. We are so lucky to have available to us this huge body of work on audio and video and we can relive her adventures. So although our dear, sweet Liz is no longer with us, Sarah Jane will live forever. In my mind, I see her scene from The End of Time as David Tennant's Doctor is saying goodbye to his former companions. They do a close up of Sarah Jane's face as she see's the Doctor standing in the TARDIS doorway, waving goodbye. You can see the realization fall upon her face, that this Doctor was on his way to regenerate. Tear began to roll down her face, she begins so smile, waving goodbye, as the sun shines on her face. Farewell Sarah Jane. Farewell Liz. You will always be in our hearts.
-Michael
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