Remembering Elisabeth Sladen, Ten Years On

The death [ten years ago today] of Elisabeth Sladen was one of the saddest events to ever rock the Doctor Who universe. She was such an incredible actress – and, I hear, woman – it is tragic that she left us so soon. To think of all the wonderful adventures, she and the Bannerman Road Gang could have had. All the times she and the Doctor could have met up and regaled about past exploits. The passing of Elisabeth Sladen occurred too soon but there is nothing that can be done now. All we can do is keep her memory alive by revisiting all her amazing episodes and stories.

– Patrick Kavanagh-Sproull
Excerpted from “Heroes of Who: Elizabeth Sladen”
Doctor Who TV

Personally, I think that [Sladen’s] Sarah Jane Smith is an amazing woman and character, but it is the personality from Elisabeth Sladen that I adore. For a character to be so loved in the 1970s, and now still loved by generations of children and adults is very special. Despite being a huge fan of Amy and Rory, Donna, Martha, and Rose, I have to say that Sarah Jane is the top of my list for Who-related characters. For me, I see so much of the Doctor in Sarah Jane. Her use of sonic lipstick, her super-computer Mr Smith, and her gang of companions. From the Doctor she has learnt so much, and as I look back on her legacy, I can see that her character has many lessons to teach us. The virtue of humility, the beauty of sacrifice, the essence of everlasting love, and the mindset of a Time Lord are all characteristics that I see in Sarah Jane.

– K-CI Williams
Excerpted from “The Legacy of Sarah Jane Smith”
Doctor Who TV

See also the previous The Wild Reed posts:
• Blast from the Past: Sarah Jane Smith Returns to Doctor Who
• What Sarah Jane Did Next
• She’s So Lovely
• Impossible! . . . It Can’t Be!
• She’s Back!
• Too Good to Miss
• The Adventures Continue
• Remembering Elisabeth Sladen
• Quote of the Day – April 20, 2011
• Mourning Lis, Farewelling Sarah Jane
• As Doctor Who Celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Sarah Jane Smith is Voted #1 Favorite Companion
• Nine Years On, a Poignant Farewell to Sarah Jane