Day 27) "My Sarah Jane: A Tribute to Elizabeth Sladen" Reaction!

[@ryanpollard1166]

I guarantee that if Liz Sladen was still here with us, not only would The Sarah Jane Adventures still be continuing, she would've most likely have been in the 50th Anniversary special and had a few good adventures with Twelve. Still sad that she's no longer with us.

[@thesimpsons17]

I know, she would certainly have been in the 50th. So sad she wasn't, when it comes to celebrating the past of this show she has such importance to the fans.

[@meropetied]

Reading this and thinking about it -- so true! -- just got me weeping too.

[@epiccarrot88]

The Sarah Jane Adventures team would likely have crossed over into Doctor Who as well. Imagine if instead of the current companions The Doctor had, we had Luke, Clyde and Rani. People would definitely still be split on The Doctor, but everyone would be happy with the companions.

[@Reaper-rh6lu]

I think that it would been her insted of rose who would have been the moment

[@10thdoctor15]

You say that, but Moffat could have had her back in a series.

[@thewerewolff7248]

i was absolutely devastated when i heard she had died. she was my gateway into doctor who. i watched sarah jane adventures long before doctor who so the idea that i would never see that character in new on screen stories was heartbreaking as a kid

[@zorion9294]

That’s the same with me. I remember my dad putting invasion of the bane on because I was terrified of Blink. I refused to watch the show after that (I was 5). But the Sarah Jane adventures made me fall in love properly

[@torchwoodboy5564]

I miss her :(

[@robinevans3440]

Don't we all fella😢

[@lewiskent550]

We ALL miss her

[@ritaxxx5192]

Yeah we all do 😭

[@dalekwatcher]

🕯

[@joshual7]

In the Goodbye Bannerman Road documentary, Matt Smith mentioned how much he wanted Sarah Jane to have an adventure with The 11th Doctor and Amy Pond on the main show. Elisabeth Sladen's daughter also confirmed in an interview with Doctor Magazine that when her mum became ill with cancer and realised she wouldn't be able to complete the series, it upset her more than other things. She was absolutely devastated because she cared about it very much.

[@alexrobinson3970]

he did i pitched it to him

[@SuperWolsey]

And the 2013 4th Doctor audios were originally going to be just Lis and Tom after the 2012 batch with him and Lou but that one April day led to that getting remounted to Tom and Mary Tamm, whom we'd later lose the following year after Lis

[@kyrauniversal]

​@@SuperWolseyOh my goodness.

[@zdcosner3766]

Elisabeth Sladen’s death really affected me when I first heard the news. I had watched The Sarah Jane Adventures religiously. Every autumn it would broadcast on CBBC and I was such a huge fan of the show. It was one of the best CBBC shows. Hearing that she died as a kid was one of the worst things to hear. A part of my childhood. A character that I really adored was suddenly gone. I refused to accept her death. It genuinely didn’t feel real at all and then when they aired the final three episodes of SJA in October 2011, that’s when the reality started to kick in for me. I wasn’t ready or prepared to say goodbye to Sarah Jane. Elisabeth Sladen had so much more to give as Sarah Jane, her show was growing to strength to strength. Her character was fleshing out more than ever which makes it so tragic that cancer cut her life so short at the worst time possible. It’s absolutely devastating. Sarah Jane’s absence was really felt in the 50th anniversary and many other specials. It’s heartbreaking that Sladen never got to continue that journey with Sarah Jane. She meant a lot to so many people. She’s the reason why many kids grew up to be fans of Who. Even people who didn’t like Who watched this show. It was such a great part of my childhood. I will always cherish it. 7 years later and I still get teary eyed whenever I see Sarah Jane and all those great characters that surrounded her. She will never be forgotten and I genuinely hope more people and generations will discover Sarah Jane and grow to love her in the same way we did as kids and the way Sesska has now with her reactions to SJA this year. I’m glad this show caught you by surprise with it’s mature themes and tones as it developed and flourished with each character and story. CBBC has a lot of great kid shows and this was one of them. SJA was so much more than just a kids show. It was always intended to be a good young full energetic blooded drama show that would be accessible for kids and adults. This is a wonderful tribute and those messages are lovely. It breaks my heart when RTD says that he wishes Elisabeth Sladen would have known how loved she was. Cancer is so cruel. RIP Elisabeth Sladen. Thank you for reaction to this Sesska. I’m already joining you in the crying fest. This really means a lot. 😭

[@Reaper-rh6lu]

Me too. That show got me through secondary school

[@Adam-nb6im]

I was 11 when she died and it was the very first time a celebrity death had ever affected me.

[@phoenixsalazar7359]

@Adam same

[@Reaper-rh6lu]

Same. I admit that i enjoyed it far more than torchwood and even doctor who

[@amelialikesfrogs5778]

same

[@b_v1]

i was 10 and remember seeing the tribute on CBBC, completely shocked me

[@firestone7666]

Same here I cried

[@bellasaward8330]

Miss you always, Lis. 💙💙 Your absence in the 60th was felt so keenly. We love you, Lis with an S for star. Xx

[@paullyboy1970]

Oh Lis. Great actor, wonderful human, dazzling supporter of her fans. It was Sarah Jane, not the 4th Doctor, who was my first TV hero. Still breaks my heart that you were taken so soon.

[@SpringtrapLover2010]

What was brilliant was her husband starred in deep breath he played the homeless guy who ended up giving Capaldi his clothes.

[@Payne2view]

Ah, Sarah-Jane, the exemplar companion. The Classic Who reactions with her in it are something to look forward to in two years or so. Even Davros noticed her in Journey's End. Getting recognised by the inventor of the Daleks, that's called making an impact.

[@alexrobinson3970]

in his oa too

[@sallyatticum]

Aw, David Tennant wrote and recorded the foreword for her autobiography and it's just heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

[@billyshearer117]

One of the reasons I love the BBC is that when Elizabeth Sladen died, they had a news article for children called "What to do when the news makes you sad". I cannot think of another broadcaster who would do that. And there I was, in my 40s, reading the article.

[@alex-xz2dm]

as m on ll a f mb

[@Angeldemon9]

She was THE companion. The one who made the role and who those after have aspired to be.

[@Jamesalec63]

Sarah Jane Smith we all know what she meant to the Whoinverse she was fantastic and a cherished companion by many fans around the globe she had a smile that lit up the screen a kind and super smart investigator could find trouble or it found her but there was always a chance a blue police box appeared a the opened and magic happened. It never goodbye with Sarah it is something special a memory of her with her adventures in that Tardis with her Doctors which in some ways is just her story which to few fans is beautiful, and still part of the never-ending adventures of Sarah Jane Smith. Our Sarah Jane.

[@thesimpsons17]

That guy had a really good point about remembering the things someone did, rather than what they won't do any more. And you have all of Sarah Jane's stories in Classic Who to come for you!

[@arielsteinsaltz1956]

I love how much of a super fan David Tennant was/is for Elisabeth Sladen.

[@Jamienomore]

She was a brilliant and beautiful Actress. It is still hard to believe she is gone. Her memory will live on.

[@bletheringfool]

Oh man. This got me. Love Jon Pertwee's chemistry with Lis but she really had a great rapport with Tom Baker.

[@franl155]

Until very recently, Tom and Lis were my favourite combination. Now jockeying with the Doctor-Donna

[@ListerDavid]

We lost her and Nick at the some time I can’t think of one with out the other. I just picture Pertwee standing there with his big Inverness cape waiting for Liz with open arms. ☺️❤️

[@SuperWolsey]

Their passings pretty much mark the beginning of the dark times for the brand in recent years up to now

[@jaydenyugi9034]

I’m now tearing up with you. Thank you so much for reacting to this. I knew you would do this eventually. This is a great tribute to Elisabeth Sladen. She died and left this world far too soon but she will always live on in spirit and the memories of Sarah Jane’s journey and adventures will always be there from one generation to the next. 7 years on and she is still missed to this very day. Her absence is still keenly felt as she was the bridge between Classic Who and Nu Who. Said it before but I’m so glad you enjoyed The Sarah Jane Adventures. The fact that you got see it develop, mature and grow along with getting attached the cast and characters really warms my heart. It’s so heartbreaking that it all ended like this. The comments from Tennant, Smith, Manning, Barney, John, Danny, Tommy, Anjli and RTD were wonderful. The montage still makes me emotional. RIP Elisabeth Sladen and thank you for everything.

[@genemroch7059]

Thank you. Can't wait until you meet her again during the classic series

[@firefly24601]

John Barrowman tells a wonderful story about meeting Elizabeth Sladen in an elevator when they were on their first read-through for School Reunion.

[@thesimpsons17]

Why would John be at the read through for that episode? He's not in series 2

[@PhotonCommander97]

@@thesimpsons17 The casts of Torchwood and Doctor Who stayed in the same building, so John was filming Torchwood while Elizabeth was doing Doctor Who, and they crossed paths in the elevator one day

[@thesimpsons17]

@@PhotonCommander97 ahh ok, I just had an image of Barrowman turning up to all the table reads and them being like '*sigh* you're not on the show john!' 😂

[@firefly24601]

thesimpsons17 You’re right, I was imprecise. SHE was there for School Reunion. HE was there for something else, maybe Torchwood planning or production meeting? I forget.

[@SirMarky007]

RIP Elizabeth Sladin.. .Forever The Greatest Companion.😢

[@pskatoy]

Today's video always breaks me down. For me, Sarah Jane has always been and always will be the best companion. Thank you Sesskasays for sharing your reaction to this. And (some time in the far far future ;) ) I look forward to see you get to experience her travels with the Doctor, and I will be there right along with you

[@FineAdditionCollector]

For me, I was born in 2000, so I was brought up with the new Dr Who, with Eccleston. Even the second the school episode happened with tenant, and I saw Sarah Jane, idk why but I instantly felt I knew this character for years before, even at a young age. Then I was also watching Sarah Jane Adventures, and honestly Elizabeth sladen became one of my favourite people. I loved watching her, she was such a gem and such a lovely person. It’s like how Tennant was saying she inspired him when he was younger, and she then went on to inspire people like me from when I was born. Absolutely destroyed 10 year old me when she died.

[@umarsaddique710]

I just watched the episode school reunion (Doctor who S2 Ep3) yesterday and I nearly cried when I saw Elizabeth/Sarah Jane😢

[@obiwankenobi687]

Umar Saddique it’s the bit at the end where she says goodbye to Ten and that look she gives him in the end of time 😭😭😭👏🏻👏🏻

[@waz207]

Hard to believe she’s been gone nearly 8 years... Easily the best companion ever, new or classic...

[@alliona502]

David and Elizabeth had a really good friendship off camera, there is lots of footage between them in David’s video diaries for Doctor Who. David’s video diaries are super funny and there is so much footage of BTS with the rest of the cast. Also I love Barney (The CBBC Presenter)

[@SGlitz]

I cry like full on sobbing, every time I see this one.

[@penfold7455]

"Look at the car!!" Yep, when you do get around to the Third Doctor stories, you'll be seeing a lot of Bessie. (oh btw, that IS the name of the car)

[@gaynor1721]

Sesska would have caught a glimpse of Bessie in The Name of the Doctor.

[@binder38us]

To every Dr Who fan, you have your Doctor, your companion. For me it was Tom Baker and Elizabeth Sladen. Even when the show was revived, I always thought of Sarah Jane. School Reunion showed no matter who is the companion, Sarah Jane Smith is the COMPANION. Thank you Elizabeth Sladen. We miss you.

[@PRINCE23062003]

She never aged a day. Beautiful person. Sorely missed.

[@einosig]

How has it been 7 years since we lost her, and I still get teary thinking about it?

[@iansmith4023]

What a LOVELY idea for DWD! I watched this tribute for the first time just a few weeks ago. That montage at the end....wow.

[@iansmith4023]

Oh,and about those Dinosaurs.... we're talking early 1970s BBC budget; so,just bear that in mind :)

[@adamsmart1075]

I was so shocked when she died as well. That's all I can really say. Definitely one of the best companions. At least you've still got all of her Classic Who stories to look forward to!

[@RCanadian]

:My Sarah Jane," the quintessential companion. I remember watching Elizabeth Sladen when I was a youngster, then as she reappeared in the reboot and then her own spinoff. Good memories, I will never forget her.

[@Chris4ord]

What a lovely idea for DWD!!

[@DoctorVell]

I actually met her back in 1993 along with her daughter. Very delightful to meet them both.

[@scifiradioguy]

She never forgot where she came from. She was very much proprietary to the role. And she was grateful, absolutely grateful, that she was revered up to the end.

[@dylanshadowstar9779]

Always appreciate people whether they're close people or actors. It's scary knowing one day my news feed will tell me another beloved actor is gone, as time goes slowly more will go. Let's always enjoy their work while they're here.

[@SGlitz]

It just gets worse trust me...oh no, not...I loved them as a kid..."

[@mpg272727]

Oh boy it's time to cry isn't it?

[@gota7738]

When I heard the news I flopped down on my bed and just cried for a good 10 to 15 minutes. To this day my heart still clenches when I think about it.

[@anonymes2884]

Dinosaurs ? Pfft. How about " _THE_ Loch Ness Monster !" ? Elisabeth Sladen seemed like a lovely woman. Gone (and too soon) but definitely not forgotten. Also, am I the last to discover that her middle name was Clara ? Coincidence ?

[@gaynor1721]

Probably not a coincidence, because Clara Oswald was created in 2012, a year after Elisabeth passed away. There are even photographs of Jenna Coleman posing like Elisabeth Sladen in the Classic era.

[@barbieslack45]

What

[@ChristopherUSSmith]

11:02 "What a car!" Jess, meet Bessie. You'll see a lot more of her when you delve into the 3rd Doctor. :)

[@gaynor1721]

Sesska would have first caught a glimpse of Bessie in The Name of the Doctor, when one of Clara Oswald's echos shouted "Doctor".

[@Dalek63]

i love bessie!

[@franl155]

It's hard to remember that Elisabeth Sladen was in her 60s while making SJA - she hardly looked any different from when she appeared in classic Who. She rocked back then and she rocked in new Who and her own series. It might be some consolation to know that she went out on a high - she wasn't forgotten by all save a few, she never became just a footnote at the back of the news about "someone who used to be in Doctor Who forty years ago. "

[@chaospoet]

Goddamn, that "Goodbye, my Sarah Jane!" part of this gets me every time. Don't mind me, I've just got something in my eye. To comment on School Reunion a second. That episode is possibly THE most important episode of new Who. The reason for it is before that episode no one knew if new Who was a continuation of the old series or a reboot where Christopher Eccleston was the new "First" doctor replacing William Hartnell or if he was the 9th Doctor? Once School reunion happened that's when people started referring to them as 9 and 10 and so on.

[@neomp5]

if you do watch her run on the old series, after you finish her final appearance in "the hand of fear", go back and rewatch "school reunion", because it directly calls back to that last scene, and it really makes you feel like these are two old friends who haven't seen each other in forever

[@neomp5]

10's last scene with her on her show also calls back to that scene

[@curtinparloe]

I remember watching your reaction to School Reunion, and my heart breaking. It's breaking all over again. x

[@SJPDurham]

I cried again. I’m nearly 55 and I remember a lot of Doctor Who.

[@SGlitz]

I was on a plane coming home e from London (my first ever to England) and the news of her passing hit me when I got home.

[@suncore598]

She truly was special. Your excitement over the mention of dinosaurs in Classic Who. Yeah, the show gets up to some interesting, weird stuff back then. I can't wait to see you react to it.

[@obiwankenobi687]

I still can’t believe she’s dead, it’s still shocking even to this day. You see her on screen and you just can’t imagine her story ever ending

[@timrob12]

I keep saying how glad I am that Matt Smith (my Doctor) was still able to work with Elizabeth Sladen and that this tribute reminds you of it, because I don't think that much people actually know that he was in the series. Also, I listened to the Light at the End (an audio story for 50 years Doctor Who) recently and briefly hearing Jon Pertwee (or his impersonator Tim Treloar) say: "Come along, Sarah" shows you that throughout all these years, they have never forgotten her.

[@englishmidnight]

She was the best.

[@Auron1Roxas2]

You know this made me think what if they had the kids from the Sarah Jane adventures become companions for the doctor later on? I think it would be a good way to continue Sarah's story through her son and the kids she worked with even though she won't be on the show and they could explain that she died and continue on from there.

[@tomkenning5482]

Anjli Mohindra is an amazing actress and could definitely carry on her own as a companion, or even the doctor if she hadn't been so prominent in a spin off

[@proevomen90]

Tom Kenning well she’s played a villain now. Not that you’d know it

[@karlydoc]

Thankyou for loving a great series,you get it, you really do,you understand the love these people give,thankyou England forever.

[@LondonCelt]

Amazing reaction for an amazing woman! RIP Lis Sladen!

[@gestaltdude]

Whenever I think of Jo Grant, one thing I cannot unsee (or unthink?) is the way Katy Manning was so short sighted, she had to be guided off set every time they had to run, etc. They even had The Master catering to this need, and I genuinely thing there is not a single scene of Jo running anywhere without someone holding her hand. :D

[@karlclemmy2054]

Cried my eyes out when I heard the wonderful Lis Sladen had been taken from us, cried again when I watched this tribute to her, tears in my eyes, watching you watching this tribute, more tears while writing this comment, i grew up with Sarah Jane, loved and missed by so many, R.I.P LIS, you are the brightest star in the night sky🌟🌟🌟

[@GeorgeRadcliffe]

School reunion was the second episode of Doctor Who I ever watched back in 2006. It was the episode that made me fall in love with the show and I feel like that was largely to do with Sarah Jane Smith

[@markparker359]

Just watched it for the first time and at times I struggled to hold back the tears. Still can't believe she is no longer with us. R.I.P. Sarah Jane

[@Dalek63]

yes there is dinosaurs, in fact thats one of my favorite 3rd doctor storys.

[@cait812]

She was amazing, an amazing person and actor. She kept filming the show and going on even when she was fighting such a huge battle at home/privately. Was rewatching it and you can see her wearing a wig on some occasions but she knocks it out of the park and she was just amazing.

[@carn9507]

The feels are still reals. 😢

[@zdcosner3766]

I’m tempted to send or PO Box Sesska The Sarah Jane Companion Volume 3 magazine that has details on the unmade stories as well as the SJA DVD collection which has an additional Goodbye Bannerman Road Documentary with Matt Smith, Daniel Anthony and Anjli Mohindra. Just wondering has anyone sent this yet out of curiosity? I want to find the right time to do this if anyone else hasn’t.

[@icantthinkofagoodusername4575]

I can’t wait for you to react to The Invasion of The Dinosaurs knowing how much you love dinosaurs

[@space1999]

He he he

[@ihateunicorns867]

lol. Although, to be fair, it's a great story. Just that BBC effects budget… [puts fist in mouth]

[@theshadowdirector]

Dinosaurs, yes, 1970s BBC SFX Dinosaurs... It's something!

[@robinschicha4712]

Great Video, Girl. Once you start flying with the Doctor, you never stop 🥹

[@AubreySciFi]

I've seen other tributes to her, but I've never seen this particular tribute to her, so that was very nice. Sad, but nice to finally see it. RIP Elizabeth Sladen. :( Gone too soon.

[@alexanderwalker7929]

Well Jess first thank you for this video I remember when I heard about Elizabeth passing away all I remember is the headline ' Dr Who star dies' my first thought was not Lis but the many other companions that had travelled with the Doctor in Classic Who who are no longer with us (I am trying not give any spoilers) when I first watched this video my goodness my eyes just welled up with tears and of course the same happened again when I went to buy my first classic Dr Who DVD I put the DVD into the Player clicked on subtitles and commentary and who's voice did I hear Elizabeth's that's who well look at the time I have things to do so I have been writing long enough so until day 28 it's up up and away Love light and peace

[@jimmybisk]

To this day I miss her so much both as a character and for the person she was. Having watched all of old and all of new Who, I can categorically say she is/was my favourite companion ever. It was always my plan to someday see her at a Comicon event & to thank her for bringing the magic back to TV with The Sarah Jane Adventures (plus she aged so gracefully), but sadly that wasn't to be. RIP to a great lady.

[@craigmccullough7333]

You must also watch "David Tennant reads the forward he wrote for Elisabeth Sladen's Autobiography" Its brilliant and becomes an awesome elegy.

[@Alexandrashepiro]

OUR SARAH JANE 😢😢😢😢😢😢 Oh gods, I am in tears as I am writing this... Her death still hurts to this day 7 years later......It Stings. For those of us who watched the classic series before WHO returned in 2005, We all fell in love with Elisabeth Sladen and Sarah -Jane smith. We all Hoped that maybe somehow she would appear in the New Series. Then when it was announced that she would, every Classic Whovian went Nuts. She is in everyone's top 5 Doctor Who Actors/Companions. When School Reunion happend, With K-9......everyone's eyes, especially mine were glued the tv to see Lis and Sarah Jane. Then, after all this time. when the Doctor Finally caught up with Her, and that Magical scene in the school after hours...It was MAGIC..something everyone has been waiting for MANY YEARS!!!!!! It was a reunion 23 Years in the making! Then when we got the Sarah Jane Adventures, and we would see more of her...It was More Magic..Cause we knew that Liz would make that series Her own, and She would bring more of her magic to everyone..specially the new fans. So glad you finally reacted to this!

[@waynehellewell1533]

If only Elizabeth knew just how much she was so fondly thought of. I keep popping back to remember her.

[@tonyjohansson7567]

A great reaction to a truly wonderful actress and character!

[@Wannabe_Baby]

Bit of a shame about the spoilers but even so, I'm happy you reacted to this. I get the feeling you'll really love Sarah Jane in Classic Who. :) She really is the best companion. Oh, and her outfits are 10/10.

[@SGlitz]

Especially Hand of fear, one of the most cosplayed ever...

[@Wannabe_Baby]

@@SGlitz I love that outfit. It's so quirky. Also, nice to see Sabalom Glitz in a comments section. :)

[@meropetied]

I think you'll love Jo Grant too. And probably Harry and Leela and the Romanas. The mid 70s are arguably still Who's greatest heyday.

[@martinpakes5436]

Don't get your dinosaur hopes up, Jess :)

[@nkechi4635]

She and Tom Baker are the main reasons I'm looking forward to watching Classic Who once I'm done with the new seasons.

[@Elnont]

Rest in peace Liz Sladen.

[@heatsinker_5517]

Her first adventure with the Doctor "The Time Warrior" is one of my favorites :)...how about you folks?

[@samf9149]

You should watch the new goodbye to Sarah Jane, will definitely cry at that

[@firestone7666]

I grew up on nu who and sja I was in tears when Elizabeth passed

[@carlh429]

You’ll love the Jon Pertwee (3rd Doctor) era when you get to watch them. He was my first doctor with first Jo Grant then Sarah Jane.

[@kevindurham7590]

My first ever crush..most beautiful companion ever..on every level! I presume the companion who has met the most variants of the doctor..3..4..10..11? Her husband was the man whom12 stole the coat from in Deep Breath Thank you for reacting to this

[@meropetied]

Add to that 1, 2, and 5. :-)

[@kevindurham7590]

I thought there were more but did not want to guess..thank you for your infomation and reply

[@meropetied]

You could argue the Brigadier has met as many on TV too (1-5, 7, and 12 kinda), but including on audios? For sure the Brig meets more Doctors than Sarah Jane then. But River Song has now met 5-8 on audio as well too I think... Puts her even with SJ too. And yeah, due to the 50th anniversary Impossible Girl arc stuff Clara has to have met the most -- if you want to count that. Heh That puts her in the lead technically. But it's not as satisfying as thinking of Sarah Jane's legit longest run as an actor in the role of primary companion.

[@kevindurham7590]

Absolutely agree with your last sentence - and fab heads up info on other (im)possible companions and connections - again many thanks

[@foxowl23]

Graham Pilato don’t forget the only redeeming part of Dimensions in Time, 6 and the Brig!

[@stayforthepeelpronpls4774]

I think the reason she’s so iconic is because she’s the first proper companion. Before they were just assistants but she was THE companion.

[@dylanshadowstar9779]

They were assistants during the third doctors run.

[@jackmayfire18]

i miss her so SO SO MUCH 😢😢

[@zoppie]

My intro into Doctor Who happened when Sarah Jane was the companion. At that point, I really had no idea that the show had already had a history prior to the incarnation I was watching. I mean I knew that Jon Pertwee had played the Doctor before Tom Baker because it was the Pertwee episodes that debuted first in my area on commercial TV. The station carrying the show tried very hard to snag broken-hearted Dark Shadows fans (of which I was one) because that had been recently canceled. I remember how they pushed it as "a science-fiction soap opera from Britain." Well, Dark Shadows did have sci-fi elements, but it was essentially a supernatural-based soap. I always loved sci-fi more as it seemed more possible. So I was all for it. Not too many shows from Britain had turned up on American TV at that time. But the few I did see I became a fan of. Such as The Avengers, which was another Sydney Newman brainchild, which also surprised me with the fact that it had years worth of episodes prior to the Diana Rigg era which I was familiar with. So I was eager with anticipation to see Doctor Who. I didn't like it. And it didn't get good ratings, either. My problem with it was that they never explained this "Doctor" character. Where did he come from? And why was he always battling very unconvincing-looking monsters? And the stories didn't seem to make much sense. I was to find out later that these episodes were severely edited to make room for commercials! So it quickly died. But then I saw that another show called "Doctor Who" was turning up on PBS, and it was starring a guy with lots of curly hair called Tom Baker. My impression at the time was that the Pertwee version of the show hadn't done well in the UK, either, so they must have retooled it with a new cast to give it a second try. So I gave it a second try. I still didn't like it. It just seemed like more of the same. So why did I keep on watching? Well, Star Trek had also been canceled. As well as all the Irwin Allen sci-fi shows. As far as science-fiction on TV went, it was the start of a very long drought. Doctor Who became the only game in town. I slowly warmed up to it. In fact, I became a raging fan! Then I heard that Baker was being replaced by a new actor. And since those new episodes were still in the process of being made, my local PBS station, during one of their beg-a-thons, revealed the whole regeneration angle and the fact that there were _three_ other Doctors prior to Baker, and if they got enough pledges, they would air those earlier adventures while they awaited the Davison ones. They started by rerunning the Pertwee episodes. Uncut. That made quite a difference. That was where Sarah Jane was introduced. And she was there during the transition from Pertwee to Baker. She really did pave the way for all who came after her. Sure, the Doctor had many wonderful companions and I mean no disrespect to any of them. But just as 4 was my Doctor, Sarah Jane was my companion.

[@gaynor1721]

I was there from the start. I remember Jo Grant's departure, although I was only an 8-year-old girl at the time and Jo was my favourite companion. I was heartbroken when she left my favourite Doctor (Jon Pertwee), but Elisabeth Sladen mended my broken heart as soon as she was introduced to the Third Doctor and, to this day, Jo Grant and Sarah Jane Smith remain my favourite two companions of Classic Who. An interesting piece of trivia. Sarah Jane Smith witnessed the regeneration of the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) into the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker). Pertwee was the ex-husband of Jean Marsh, who played the original Doctor's companion, Sara Kingdom in the 1960s and Tom Baker went on to marry and divorce the actress who played Romana II (Lalla Ward), who was a companion of the 4th Doctor.

[@bikes02]

10 years this year she left us, still missed, will always be missed

[@alexandertheprotogen6180]

A remarkable woman gone too soon Rest In Peace Elizabeth Sladen you are loved by many

[@Alexandrashepiro]

Yes, DINOS!! It's Wild..And that Car....Gotta love that Car!!!!

[@Travis_Kemp]

Oh Sarah Jane.(sniff). it was 1980 when i saw Sarah Jane and the doctor, on PBS. such an amazing role!

[@No0neAtAll]

While there is always an argument among Doctor Who fans on who their favorite Doctor is, there is an almost an overwhelming consensus from people who grew up on Who that Sarah Jane is the THE Companion. I remember waiting anxiously for Saturday Night to come as a child, because that is when PBS aired Doctor Who and I could not wait to see what Tom Baker and Liz Sladen were going to bring us this week. I can't wait for you to start the Journey of Classic Who.

[@772Dinoman]

Liz was, and still is, an icon! I was 9 when I first saw her in Doctor Who, and subsequently The Sarah Jane Adventures and Classic Who (my first Classic Who story was “Genesis of the Daleks”), and 14 when she died and I remember being so saddened and shocked that I didn’t utter a word, silently sobbing, for nearly half an hour, during which I posted a note on the webpage Luke and Clyde were looking at- my parents came in to ask me if I was okay. The most serendipitous thing about her life (in my opinion) that I discovered is an interview her daughter gave when she died, saying two or three years before Doctor Who asked her to come back in 2006, Liz and her were watching an episode of “Murder, She Wrote”, and Liz said “I would love to do that-like Angela Lansbury, zooming around and investigating things on my own show!” Well, she got what she wanted, and definitely deserved!

[@iancossey105]

My very first memories of Dr Who are of Sarah Jane, usually being attacked by some creepy monster or other, so from about age 4 onward I got hooked into the show purely on the basis of my concern for her welfare! The cliff-hanger from Revenge of the Cybermen when she's set upon by a cybermat,...well, it might look laughable now, but it had me in tears at the time. I really thought she was a goner! Bizarre as it sounds, it feels like she was a real part of my emotional development as a child! It's amazing but also absolutely right that there's such a huge well of love out there for Lis Sladen. Very few actors can find their way so deep into your heart like that.

[@robertmcghintheorca49]

Goodnight, Liz. We all miss you so much. Sweet dreams.

[@LondonCelt]

I've finally got round to watching the classic series, I've just started Patrick Troughton, already I'm anticipating reaching Sarah-Jane having already loved her in the new series and the SJA, God Bless her!

[@10thdoctor15]

Sarah Jane is the most important link between Doctor Who eras. Her classic stories are great, season 12 is epic!

[@garybeaudette4208]

I just saw this, I will miss her. Everyone that watched this era of doctor who, had a crush on her. She was the best!!!

[@TomLord99]

I remember how I first found out. It was a Saturday morning, I woke up. Switched on my TV and the first words I heard were "Elizabeth Sladen has passed away" it was devastating.

[@MrUndersolo]

Nothing spoiled, trust me. I grew up with this in the early 80s and I can rewatch any episode with her and still feel like that little kid...

[@Deronda1]

Look how cute and young Tennant looks! 😋

[@richardscales9560]

Sarah Jane was my companion growing up. Always a place in my heart for her