The Wild Reed

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Happy Birthday, Mitchell

In Australia today my nephew Mitchell celebrates his 15th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mitch!

The image at left was shared by my sister-in-law Cathie (Mitch's Mum) and shows Mitch celebrating his birthday with his Dad and brothers Liam, Brendan and Ryan.

Right: With my four nephews. From left: Liam, Mitch, Brendan and Ryan – Port Macquarie, January 2011.

Left: Mitch (left) with his brothers and cousins Sami and Layne – Port Macquarie, Australia, January 2011.

Above: Mitch shows his style on the tennis court! – Port Macquarie, January 2011.

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Happy Birthday, Mitchell (2010)
Happy Birthday, Mitchell (2009)
Happy Birthday, Mitchell (2008)
"Like Persephone of Myth . . ." (January 2011)
The Bayly Family – January 2010
The Bayly Family – January 2009
The Bayly Family – July 2006

Friday, April 22, 2011

Something special this Good Friday evening for The Wild Reed's "music night." It's "Goodbye, Old World," a track from Emmylou Harris' latest album, Hard Bargain, to be released next Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

I think this song and its accompanying video are quite appropriate for Easter, that ancient springtime celebration of new beginnings that has deep roots in humanity's spiritual heritage and is powerfully expressed in a number of different religions. As you'll see, a cross features rather prominently in the video, and while the lyrics speak hauntingly of the sadness and weariness of this "old world," they also convey hope in a "child" who "softens the sorrow" so that we can "greet the new day with the wonder you bring."

I had the pleasure and honor of seeing Emmylou Harris in concert in August 2001 at the Historic State Theater in downtown Minneapolis. Without doubt she's a gifted singer/song writer and a mesmerizing performer. This past Tuesday she was a guest on Tavis Smiley's PBS show, and as I watched and listened to her being interviewed, I was reminded once again of what a beautiful person she is on multiple levels. I think the following video conveys not only this beauty but the wonder Emmylou Harris herself brings to this "old world."

Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in teardrops
My eyes are so tired of the trouble I've seen
Then you fell from the heavens right into this sad place
Remembering God for a while in your dreams
And you look to me now so I greet a new day
With the eyes of a child and the wonder you bring

So goodnight old world
See you tomorrow
We rise with the sun
And fall with the sparrow
But here is this child
To soften the sorrow
Goodnight old world
Old world goodnight

You fell from the heavens right into this sad place
Remembering God for a while in your dreams
And you look to me now so I greet the new day
With the eyes of a child and the wonder you bring

So goodnight old world
See you tomorrow
We rise with the sun
And fall with the sparrow
But here is this child
To soften the sorrow
Goodnight old world
Old world goodnight

Goodnight old world
Old world goodnight

Following, with added images and links, is an article from National Public Radio about Emmylou and the making of Hard Bargain.

Emmylou Harris is the first to admit that songwriting doesn't come easy for her: "It's the fear of writing that's still there with me," she said recently. Harris found inspiration for her newest set of songs in the lives of old friends, in the 1955 story of Emmett Till, and even at the dog pound. Hard Bargain, her 21st studio album, tells a batch of stories in her own words, while bringing her serene grace and light touch to some heavy topics.

Harris was an aspiring folksinger in the early '70s when she met Gram Parsons, who taught her about country music, harmony singing and life on the road. "The Road" kicks off Hard Bargain — out April 26 — with a fond remembrance of Parsons, whom she humbly calls "the only reason I'm here, or that anyone is interested in what I say or do." Harris turns their story into a universal look at forging friendships that turn out to have a lifelong impact.

Part of that impact has been Harris' career-long habit of defying genres and boundaries — and, like her previous releases, Hard Bargain frames her thoughts in folk, country and rock. Producer and collaborator Jay Joyce adds modern, quirky touches to simple arrangements that bring Harris' lilting voice front and center.

After Parsons, Harris gives similar respect to the late Kate McGarrigle, Canadian songwriter and mother to Rufus and Martha Wainwright. "Darlin' Kate" is a goodbye letter to her dear friend, who lost her battle with cancer last year.

The range of Hard Bargain continues from the somber to the serious with "New Orleans" (someone had to rhyme "hurricane" and "Pontchartrain"), and on to the sweet with "Big Black Dog." And, amid her own stories, Harris continues to share her gift for finding great songs from other writers. The Ron Sexsmith-penned title track is one of two covers — the other is Joyce's "Cross Yourself."

After a career that's seen 12 Grammys and inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Harris chooses to spend her time as a working musician, a "road dog" who still loves the life of recording and touring, because that's all part of the bargain.

To listen to Hard Bargain in its entirety, visit this page on the NPR website.

For more of Emmylou Harris at The Wild Reed, see the previous post:
"Here I Am" – The Lenten Response

Quote of the Day

Not everyone likes the image of the cross. But our image of the cross does not have to be restricted to that familiar instrument of execution with its focus on a violent death. Two circles at right angles can form a cross. look at a globe and see how many times a cross is formed with lines marking its longitudes and latitudes. Pay attention to how the whole world is wrapped in the cross made when circles join.

That is where the cross leads us – to the world where we are all connected to each other and are responsible for and to each other. So let the cross we take up be justice. let the cross we take up be peace. Let the cross we take up be love. Let the cross we take up be nonviolence. And let us take it up together in the name of the one who liberates us and makes it possible to follow him.

– Jeannie McPhee
From a reflection shared June 1996

Recommended Off-site Links:
Jeannie McPhee
Crucifixion Helps Make Meaning of Pain in Church and World – Jamie L Manson (National Catholic Reporter via The Progressive Catholic Voice, April 22, 2011).
The Way of the Cross: Following Jesus' Passion and Mourning with Those Suffering Today – Rosemarie Pace (The Huffington Post, April 21, 2011).

Image: "World Globe" by Bill Frymire.

Two Betrayals

Continuing The Wild Reed’s special 2011 Holy Week series, I share today a fifth excerpt from Albert Nolan’s groundbreaking 1976 book Jesus Before Christianity.

This excerpt is accompanied by images from Derek Hayes and Stanislav Sokolov's The Miracle Maker: The Story of Jesus, a stop motion and animated film about the life of Jesus as told by Tamar, the young daughter of Jairus, who is raised from death by Jesus. Ralph Fiennes voices Jesus.

(To start at the beginning of this series, click here.)

___________________________________

It was the Romans . . . who wanted to destroy Jesus. Whether they had found out about Jesus themselves and wanted an extradition, or whether they were told about him by Caiaphas after the deliberations of the council, remains uncertain. That they should have wanted to destroy Jesus is fully in accord with the known policy of Pilate and other procurators. They destroyed all prophets and potential Messiahs.

The Jewish authorities, for whatever reasons, decided to find Jesus and hand him over to Pilate. The accusation which we must make against them is that they betrayed Jesus. To hand over and to betray are the same word in Greek: paradidomai (Mk 31 parr; 10:33, 34 parr; 14:41 par; 15:1 par; Mt 26:2; Jn 19:11; Acts 7:52). There were therefore two betrayals: Judas betrayed him (handed him over) to the Jewish authorities and they in turn betrayed him (handed him over) to the Romans (Mk 10:33–34 parr). He was then tried and sentenced to death by a Roman court.

The most remarkable thing about the trial itself, the one thing about which we can be absolutely certain and yet the one thing that is frequently overlooked, is that Jesus did not defend himself. Throughout all the proceedings, no matter who accused him or what they accused him of, Jesus remained silent (Mk 14:60–61; 15:4–5; Mt 26:62–63; 27:12, 14; Lk 23:9). If and when he did speak, it was only in order to be non-committal and in effect to refuse to give an answer: “It is you who say it” (Mk 15:2; Mt 26:64; 27:11; Lk 22:70; 23:3) and “If I tell you, you will not believe me and if I question you, you will not answer” (Lk 22:67; see also 20:8; Jn 18:20–21). The dialogue, which was constructed by the gospel writers or their sources in order to give expression to the relationship between Jesus and his opponents, should not obscure their own plain statement of the facts: “He offered no reply to any of the charges” (Mt 27:14).

The suffering servant in Isaiah 53:7 was silent before his accusers – like a lamb before its shearers. It cannot be argued from this that the gospel writers or their sources invented the idea of Jesus’ silence in order to point out that Jesus was the suffering servant. Remaining silent before his accusers is exactly what we might expect Jesus to do. He had consistently refused to produce signs from heaven; he had never argued from authority; he had refused to answer questions about his own authority; and now he refused to defend or justify his behavior.

In other words, Jesus stood there without a word, putting everyone else to the test. The truth of the matter is that it was not Jesus who was on trial. His betrayers and accusers were on trial before him. His silence puzzled, disturbed, questioned and tested them. Their words were turned back at them and they condemned themselves out of their own mouths.

– Albert Nolan
Jesus Before Christianity
Pp159–160

Images: Stills from the 2000 film The Miracle Maker: The Story of Jesus.

Writes Paul Mavis:

In an effort to bring a different storytelling angle . . . The Miracle Maker: The Story of Jesus tells the oft-told Easter story of Jesus (Ralph Fiennes) meeting his [death] and resurrection, through the framing story of Tamar, the young girl who is deathly ill until her father, Jairus (William Hurt) seeks Jesus' help. An effort has been made in the script to present the story in the plainest of terms, with characters speaking in unadulterated English, with little or no flowery prose associated with most religious epics. Realism seems to be goal of the film, with the claymation figures modeled as closely as possible on the actual human form, and their dialogue written in an easy and accessible style.

. . . There's . . . enough in The Miracle Maker: The Story of Jesus to make it worth your while to check out this Easter. The claymation process, although hardly as realistic as the makers would have you believe, is masterfully caught in the big-screen-like camera dollies and trucking shots that distinguish them from other claymation films. They may be dolls up there on the screen, but the camera treats them like big name actors in a big-budget film, so The Miracle Maker: The Story of Jesus has a realism of camera movement that goes a long way towards keeping our interest. The cell animation scenes, as well, are gorgeous to look at, and are recommended despite their relative brevity. And finally, maybe you're just tired of watching the same Easter movies . . . The Miracle Maker: The Story of Jesus just might be the new Easter title that grabs your family's interest this season.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

No Other Way

Continuing The Wild Reed’s special 2011 Holy Week series, I share today a fourth excerpt from Albert Nolan’s groundbreaking 1976 book Jesus Before Christianity.

This excerpt is accompanied by images of Willem Dafoe as Jesus from the 1988 film The Last Temptation of Christ.

(To start at the beginning of this series, click here.)

___________________________________

So far we have discussed only Jesus’ willingness to die; we have not yet considered his actual death. It is easy enough to understand what it means to be willing to die for humankind but under what circumstances would one actually die for humankind? Are there circumstances in which one could serve the world better by dying for it than by continuing to live for it?

Jesus must have been aware of the dangerous consequences of what he was doing and saying. Herod had silenced John the Baptist, it was now rumored that he wished to silence Jesus too (Lk 13:31). After the incident in the Temple, Jesus’ life was in such danger that he had to go into hiding. It was during this time that he decided to go to Jerusalem to die (Mk 8:31 parr; Lk 9:51; 13:33). Why?

Jesus seems to have been faced with the alternatives of remaining in hiding to avoid death or coming out of hiding to face death. The four to five thousand men together with Peter and the disciples wanted him to come out of hiding as the Messiah with an army or some other display of power so as to conquer his opponents in Jerusalem. But his weapon was faith, not force. His intentions were still, as they had always been, to awaken faith in the “kingdom.” He could not do this very effectively by remaining in hiding but if he came out of hiding in order to preach he would sooner or later be caught and silenced – unless his death itself could become a way of awakening faith in the “kingdom.”

The service which throughout his life Jesus had rendered to the sick, the poor, sinners and his disciples and which he tried to render to scribes and Pharisees and everyone else, was the service of awakening faith in the “kingdom.” There was no other way of saving people from sin, suffering and the catastrophe to come. There was no other way of enabling the “kingdom” to come instead of the catastrophe. But if he was prevented from doing this, prevented from preaching or awakening faith by word and deed, what was he to do?

He was not willing to compromise by accepting the Messiahship and resorting to violence nor was he willing to tailor his words to suit the authorities (if it was not already too late for that). The only alternative was to die. In these circumstances death was the only way of continuing to serve humankind, the only way of speaking to the world (Jn 7:1–4), the only way of witnessing to the “kingdom.” Deeds speak louder than words but death speaks louder than deeds. Jesus died so that the “kingdom” might come.

All the gospels consistently portray Jesus as a man who went to his death knowingly and willingly. The words and expressions which they use, especially in the so-called “passion predictions,” may indeed come from later reflection after his death, but the basic fact that he did go knowingly and willingly is beyond doubt.

. . . The evidence does not allow us to decide to what extent Jesus foresaw the detailed circumstances of his death. Would his disciples be arrested or he alone? Several authors have maintained tat Jesus spoke as if he expected (or at least did not exclude the possibility) that he and his disciples would be executed together. Would he be stoned or crucified, that is to say, would he be executed by the Sanhedrin or by Pilate? Would they arrest him during the festival or after it? Would he have much of an opportunity to preach in the Temple before they caught him?

Perhaps he did foresee some of the details. He certainly seems to have suspected that Judas would inform on him. But in none of these cases is it necessary for us to resort to explanations based upon divine foreknowledge or special revelations about future events. The parables alone would suffice to show us what a clear insight Jesus had into the motives of people and how well he could predict what they were likely to do and say.

– Albert Nolan
Jesus Before Christianity
pp.140–141

Images: Willem Dafoe in Martin Scorsese's 1988 film The Last Temptation of Christ.

Notes Dafoe:

Yeah, well it affected me. It broke my heart because I think that it's a beautiful film and I know the spirit we made it in and in a world where you have very cynical, crass slasher movies and stuff like that, it blew my mind that somebody makes a movie about love, forgiveness, about this incredibly revolutionary character and people get nervous, but clearly then, and in retrospect, it was a political thing. The religious Right used, I don't think they even knew what the movie was, but they used the opportunity as a chance to scare people and to galvanize their political agenda. It's very clear. From a Catholic point of view, it's a very Catholic movie and there was some artistic licenses taken sometimes, but we have to do these things sometimes to make sure people are still listening.

Quote of the Day

A poll from CNN this week is the latest to show a majority of Americans in favor of same-sex marriage, with 51 percent saying that marriages between gay and lesbian couples “should be recognized by the law as valid” and 47 percent opposed.

This is the fourth credible poll in the past eight months to show an outright majority of Americans in favor of gay marriage. . . .

– Nate Silver
"Gay Marriage Opponents Now in Minority"
New York Times
April 20, 2011

See also the previous Wild Reed posts
Jonathan Capehart: Catholics Lead the Way on Same-Sex Marriage
Stephanie Coontz on the Changing Face of "Traditional Marriage"
Dr. Erik Steele and the "Naked Truth on Same-Sex Marriage"
Dale Carpenter on the "Win-Win" Reality of Gay Marriage
Two Attorneys Discuss Same-Sex Marriage
Steve Chapman: "Time is on the Side of Gay Marriage"
A Message for NOM and the Catholic Hierarchy

Recommended Off-site Links:
Most U.S. Catholics Back Civil Marriage for Gays – Lou Chibbaro Jr. (The Washington Blade, March 31, 2011).
Catholics More Supportive of Gay Rights Than General Public, Other Christians – Michael Sean Winters (National Catholic Reporter, March 22, 2011 – via The Progressive Catholic Voice).
U.S. Catholics Break with Church Hierarchy on Gay Relationships – Cathy Lynn Grossman (USA Today, March 23, 2011).

Happy Birthday, Dad

In Australia today, my Dad celebrates his 74th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

By far, one of the hardest things about living so far from Australia is that I don't get to celebrate, in person, special days like today with my family. Still, each and every one of my family members are always in my thoughts and prayers - and on this particular day, my Dad especially.

I consider myself to be a pretty "together" kind of guy: a man of compassion and integrity – which, when you think about it, is what it's really all about. I also know that, to a large extent, I have my parents to thank for this. And so I take this time this evening to do just that – my Dad especially, on this special day of his.

I love you, Dad, and can’t thank you enough for all you continue to be and give to me, my brothers, our family, and so many others whose lives are touched by yours.

For some great photos of Dad through the years, click here.

And did you know that my Dad is the same age as the Prince Valiant comic strip, or rather adventure strip? In fact, it was Dad's collection of Prince Valiant "comic" books from the 1950s that first fired my interest in that heroic Viking prince named Valiant!

That same interest recently compelled me to establish a blog dedicated to what's been described as "the finest work ever produced in the comic art medium." And one of my first posts on this blog was the transcript of the interview I did with Dad in January 2010 about his early interest in Prince Valiant. This interview can be found here.

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Happy Birthday, Dad (2010)
Happy Birthday, Dad (2009)
Congratulations, Mum and Dad!
Commemorating My Grandfather, Aub Bayly, and the Loss of the AHS Centaur
Remembering Nanna Smith
The Bayly Family - January 2010
The Bayly Family - January 2009
The Bayly Family - July 2006
Catholic Rainbow (Australian) Parents
Coming Out

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

An Expression of Human Solidarity

Continuing The Wild Reed’s special 2011 Holy Week series, I share today a third excerpt from Albert Nolan’s groundbreaking 1976 book Jesus Before Christianity. This particular excerpt explores what Nolan describes as an "original riddle or paradox": Anyone who saves his or her life will lose it; anyone who loses her or his life will save it.

This excerpt is accompanied by images of Lothaire Bluteau playing "Daniel," who in turn is playing Jesus, from the 1989 film Jesus of Montreal.

(To start at the beginning of this series, click here.)

___________________________________

To save one's life means to hold onto it, to love it and be attached to it and therefore fear death. To lose one's life is to let go of it, to be detached from it and therefore to be willing to die. The paradox is that the person who fears death is already dead, whereas the person who has ceased to fear death has at that moment begun to live. A life that is genuine and worthwhile is only possible once one is willing to die.

We are left with the question of what one should be prepared to die for. The Maccabean martyrs died for the law; the Zealots died to defend the sovereignty of Israel's God; other people have been willing to die for other causes. Jesus did not die for a cause. As he understood it, one should be willing to give up one's life for exactly the same reason as one gives up possessions, prestige, family and power, namely for others. Compassion and love compel people to do everything for others. But the person who says he or she lives for others but is not willing to suffer and die for them is a liar and is dead. Jesus was fully alive because he was willing to suffer and die not for a cause but for people.

The willingness to die for others should be further qualified. It is not a willingness to die for someone or for some people; it is a willingness to die for all people. The willingness to die for some people would an expression of group solidarity. The willingness to die for humankind is an expression of universal solidarity.

Jesus' willingness to die for all people is therefore a service just as everything else in his life is a service, a service rendered to all people. "For the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to offer his life as a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45). A ransom is given to redeem or liberate others. To offer one's life as a ransom is to be willing to die so that others might live. "For many" is a Hebrew and Aramaic expression which generally means "for everyone." Thus at the last supper too Jesus prefigured the offering of his blood "for many" (Mk 14:24; Mt 26:28).

– Albert Nolan
Jesus Before Christianity
pp. 139–140

Quote of the Day

It wasn't that long ago that you had to hide your sexual orientation. And maybe now because it's more open, as it should be [we're seeing these types of attacks]. . . . Everyone is allowed to be what they are. They are themselves. It's allowed and it's fine. . . . People should be allowed to be different. . . . You have to allow people to be what they are and encourage that.

– Elisabeth Sladen

NOTE: Actress Elisabeth Sladen (1948-2011) made these remarks when a guest on the British TV chat show The Wright Stuff in 2009. She was responding to the issue of “gay hate teen attacks,” and in particular to this incident.

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Remembering Elisabeth Sladen
She's So Lovely
The Adventures Continue

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Remembering Elisabeth Sladen

I was shocked and saddened to learn today that Elisabeth Sladen, the much-loved actress best known for her role as Sarah Jane Smith in the popular sci-fi British series Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures, passed away this morning. She was 63.

Regular readers would know that I am a great admirer of Lis Sladen and the character of investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith whom she brought so wonderfully to life. Indeed, Sarah Jane Smith has been the focus of no less than seven previous Wild Reed posts. And since news of Lis' passing, two of these posts, She's So Lovely and The Adventures Continue, have been ranked among this site's most popular posts. (4/20/11 Update: She's So Lovely is currently the most popular post at The Wild Reed.)

I must admit I still can't quite fathom the news of her death. For one thing, I had no idea she was dealing with cancer. I don't think anyone outside her family and perhaps some select work colleagues knew. But it seems totally in keeping with what I've seen and read of Elisabeth Sladen that she would deal with her illness quietly and without fuss, and with, I'm sure, inspiring grace and fortitude. She lived that way, and I'm sure she died that way.

She also imbued Sarah Jane Smith with such attributes, which is why I think so many people responded so warmly to the character, one that's been described as a "heroine whose appeal had no boundaries."

I was just a skinny kid in Australia when Sarah Jane Smith was introduced as the space/time traveling companion of the Time Lord known simply as “the Doctor” in the classic British sci-fi TV show Doctor Who.

For the uninitiated, the Doctor is from the planet Gallifrey and, like all Time Lords, has the ability to “regenerate” his body when near death. This concept allows for the convenient re-casting of the show’s lead actor. In fact, to date, eleven actors have played the part of the Doctor for television. Lis Sladen has worked along side four of these actors, making her one of the Doctor's longest serving (and most popular) companions. She appears as a regular in 18 stories over four seasons of the "classic" series (1963-1989) and four episodes of the revived series (2005-present).

Sarah Jane Smith is also the first companion to appear in a Doctor Who spin-off, the 1981 television pilot K-9 and Company. And, of course, she was the central character of the series The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007-2011).

Above: The cast of The Sarah Jane Adventures.
From left: Daniel Anthony (Clyde Langer), Rani Chandra (Anjli Mohindra),
Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith), and Thomas Knight
(Sarah Jane's adopted son Luke)

In the classic series, Sarah Jane Smith had some, well, classic adventures with the Doctor, encountering with him some very formidable foes, including Sontarans, Daleks, Cybermen, Zygons, Ice Warriors, carnivorous plants, giant spiders (“All praise to the eight-legs!”), android mummies, and an ancient alien evil known as Eldrad.

Throughout, she maintained a confident and inquisitive outlook. So much so that she's often credited with being the first companion of the Doctor to exhibit a distinctly feminist sensibility.

In 2006, Sladen reprised the role of Sarah Jane Smith in a guest appearances in the “new” Doctor Who (see here and here). Shortly after, she began her own TV show, the successful Sarah Jane Adventures (see here, here, here, and here). At the time of Lis Sladen's death, three storylines (comprising six half-hour episodes) of the show's fifth season had been completed.

Russell T Davies, as creator of the "new" Doctor Who series, was instrumental in bringing the character of Sarah Jane back to the show. He also later created The Sarah Jane Adventures. Earlier today he paid tribute to Elisabeth Sladen.

I absolutely loved Lis. She was funny and cheeky and clever and just simply wonderful. The universe was lucky to have Sarah Jane Smith; the world was lucky to have Lis.

David Tennent, who worked alongside Lis as the Tenth Doctor, has also paid tribute to Lis, saying:

She seemed invincible. The same woman who enchanted my childhood, enchanted my time on Doctor Who and enchanted generations who have watched her and fallen in love with her, just like I did.

And Matt Smith, the current Doctor, shared these words:

What struck me about Lis was her grace. She welcomed me, educated me, and delighted me with her tales and adventures on Doctor Who. And she also seemed to have a quality of youth that not many people retain as they go through life.

Below is a YouTube video that was originally created in 2007 as a tribute to the "long and illustrious career of Sarah Jane Smith." It seems an appropriate video to share today to honor the remarkable woman who gave this character live. The video is set to KT Tunstall's song "Suddenly I See."

Following, with added images and links, is an overview of Lis Sladen's career written by Chuck Foster and first published on The Doctor Who News Page.

Born in Liverpool in February 1948, Elisabeth Sladen took an interest in acting from an early age; she joined the Liverpool Playhouse repertory company as assistant stage manager after drama school, where she would meet her future husband Brian Miller. After a stint touring the country in repertory, she settled in Manchester, during which she had her breakthrough television role in 1970, appearing as Anita Reynolds in Coronation Street. More small roles were to follow in popular shows like Doomwatch, Z Cars and Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.

Then in 1973 came what would be her defining role as she was cast as the replacement companion for third Doctor Jon Pertwee [right]. Following in the footsteps of popular companion Jo Grant played by Katy Manning, Sladen was to hit the ground running as investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith in her debut story The Time Warrior, and over the next three years would see her popularity soar as she became part of what is arguably known as the "golden years" of Doctor Who alongside fourth Doctor Tom Baker [below], an era including the story frequently appearing top of fan polls, Genesis of the Daleks.

Despite choosing to leave the programme in 1976, with an emotional departure scene at the conclusion of the serial The Hand of Fear, Sladen later stated in interviews that although she had left Sarah Jane, "Sarah Jane never left me". Although she declined producer John Nathan-Turner's offer to come back as support for the Fourth Doctor's regeneration (being present at his own arrival at the end of this week's DVD release Planet of the Spiders), she did returned to the role for the 1981 pilot: having been described by the Doctor as his best friend, Sarah was form her second long-lasting partnership with his "second-best friend" in the titular K9 and Company.

Sladen was re-united with "her" Doctor, Jon Pertwee, in the 1983 20th anniversary celebration The Five Doctors, and again during the 1990s for the two radio stories The Paradise of Death and The Ghosts of N-Space, written and produced by the person who originally cast her, Barry Letts - the two would also be joined by another popular Doctor Who legend in the form of Nicholas Courtney as the Brigadier.

Outside of Doctor Who, Elisabeth continued to work in theatre and television, often alongside her husband Brian; roles included Josie Hall in Take My Wife, a small role in the film Silver Dream Racer, and as Lady Flimnap in a production of Gulliver in Lilliput by her former producer Barry Letts, followed a few years later in his production of Alice in Wonderland as the Cheshire Cat. However, with the birth of her daughter Sadie in 1985, she was to focus more on her family.

However, Sarah would never be far from her life, with the actress continuing to be a popular guest at Doctor Who conventions, and also featuring in a series of audio adventures from Big Finish. Then, in 2005, a discussion with the revived Doctor Who's head writer and long-term fan of hers, Russell T Davies, led to a guest appearance in the second series adventure School Reunion, which re-united Sarah (and K9!) with the Doctor in his Tenth incarnation (David Tennant) - her appearance proved instrumental in cementing the connection between the 20th and 21st century productions in a way that the Daleks couldn't!

The character, and Sladen's performance, proved to be as popular as ever, if not more so, and led to her own starring role in spin-off series, The Sarah Jane Adventures; the CBBC series continued on from her re-introduction in Doctor Who as an independent investigator of alien activity – now joined by her young own assistants as well as her faithful K9 – and winning a whole new legion of fans, both young and old.

It is also a testament to the strength of the show that it has been graced by the appearance of the both the Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney), and the Doctor himself in both his Tenth incarnation in The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (and David Tennant's final performance as the Doctor), and Eleventh in the form of Matt Smith in Death of the Doctor - where Sladen was also to come 'full circle' by performing with the actress she 'replaced' way back in 1973, Katy Manning, aka Jo Jones né Grant.

The series itself has gone on to win awards, including the Royal Television Society award for Children's Drama last month.

At the time of her death there are still three stories of The Sarah Jane Adventures to be broadcast on television, and her autobiography, Who's That Girl, is due out later in the year.

Elisabeth Sladen died the morning of 19th April, having been battling with cancer for some time. She is survived by her husband Brian Miller, and daughter Sadie.

________________

And, finally, I share an excerpt from Simon Brew's heartfelt tribune to Lis. His words could readily be my own.

. . . It says so much for the appeal of both the character, and the tremendous actress behind her, that the character of Sarah Jane has been enthralling a fresh generation of fans these past few years, while continuing to appeal to those more familiar with the character. Russell T Davies knew what he was doing when he brought the character back when he revived Doctor Who.

But he knew what he was getting with Elisabeth Sladen, who must ultimately take credit for taking what could have been a simple companion role and turning it into one of the best loved in UK science fiction TV. A genuine one-off, her quality on screen was easily matched by her friendliness away from it. And when you step back and think about it, her achievements have been quite sensational. Where else in the world is a woman in her late 50s and then early 60s headlining a major television series?

Elisabeth Sladen had though, it turns out, been suffering from cancer, and according to the BBC, she had had it for some time. Predictably, she kept that away from the public eye, her absolute dignity shining through right to the end.

It feels unfair, horrible and tragic that she's been taken from us at the age of just 63. But my goodness, she leaves behind some very, very special memories.

Elisabeth Sladen, rest in peace. And thank you.

Pain and loss define us, as much as happiness or love. Whether it’s a world or a relationship, everything has a time and everything ends.

– Sarah Jane Smith
as played by Elisabeth Sladen, 1948-2011
(from the 2006 Doctor Who episode "School Reunion")

For more on Elisabeth Sladen's Sarah Jane Smith at The Wild Reed, see:
• 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

Recommended Off-site Links:
Doctor Who Actress Elisabeth Sladen Dies – BBC News (April 19, 2011).
Greatest Doctor Who Girl Ever – Dan Sales (The Scottish Sun, April 20, 2011).
Elisabeth Sladen Dies; Best Known As Doctor Who's Sarah Jane Smith – Brenda Daverin (Celebs.Gather.com, April 19, 2011).
Elisabeth Sladen, Doctor Who's Sarah Jane Smith, Dies at 63 – Hanh Nguyen (TV Guide, April 19, 2011).
Elisabeth Sladen Dies Aged 63 – Dan Martin (The Guardian, April 20, 2011).
Elisabeth Sladen Remembered by Doctor Who Stars – ContactMusic.com (April 20, 2011).
"Don't Forget Me": A Tribute to Elisabeth Sladen – Kristy Jay (Sarah-Jane.tv, April 20, 2011).
Elisabeth Sladen Obituary – Toby Hadoke (The Guardian, April 20, 2011).
A Tear, Sarah Jane? – Scott Matthewman (The Stage, April 20, 2011).
In Praise of Elisabeth Sladen – Naomi Alderman (The Guardian, April 20, 2011).
Sarah-Jane.tv

The Wild Reed

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Happy Birthday, Mitchell

Friday, April 22, 2011

"The Wonder You Bring . . ."

Quote of the Day

Two Betrayals

Thursday, April 21, 2011

No Other Way

Quote of the Day

Happy Birthday, Dad

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

An Expression of Human Solidarity

Quote of the Day

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Remembering Elisabeth Sladen

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