Farewell Sarah Jane review

Sarah Jane Smith, first time round, was my favourite companion. Not only was Doctor Who the greatest tv programme ever, not only did both lead actors come from my home town but Lis Sladen had lived in a road five minutes’ walk from where I lived. My Dad had played piano for some of her dance classes.  Many years later at a convention I found myself sharing a lift with her and even though I am perfectly capable to separating reality from fiction I was half expecting the lift to suddenly halt- there’d be a shower of sparks of course- and the lights would start flickering. As I wasn’t a Time Lord it would be up to her to rescue me with her sonic lipstick. Of course it was just a normal lift. Second time round when she appeared first in Doctor Who and then her own series I was so pleased that this character from my childhood had come back. 

It’s been nine years now since the sad passing of Elisabeth Sladen and this 13 minute online mini episode finally draws The Sarah Jane Adventures to a close. Penned by Russell T Davies and presented as a narration with inserts from some of the series’ characters it reminds us of Sarah Jane and the high esteem in which both she and Lis Sladen herself are held. It is set in the aftermath of Sarah Jane’s funeral (we don’t learn of the cause of her death) and the narration tells of some of the people there and a handful of amusing or heartfelt incidents. Not only that but RTD gleefully adds to the series’ crowded canon with a spray of new developments in the lives of ex-companions as well as references to several untelevised adventures. I’m sure Big Finish were paying attention!

Obviously assembled very recently (at least one character sports lockdown hair!) the production is sometimes moving yet always leans on the side of optimism. The excerpts are top notch with none other than Katy Manning herself playing Jo as only she can- the character is now a grandmother! When it comes to the inserts from the `kids`- well they are now adults of course. We forget how much time has passed and each of them delivers the affectionate script with the right tone, stressing optimism, gratitude and happy memories which fits with what was essentially a children’s show. Yet RTD’s narrative is for fans of all ages and he ends with Bannerman Road in darkness yet “waiting” for the next occupant. Perhaps he sees it as a house with a destiny? 

Even though its being penned nine years on the minisode shows how much mileage there was still left in these characters. When we learn what Luke, Rani and Clyde have been doing it feels as if they would have been great developments had the series been able to carry on. It was only getting started in some ways; some of those last episodes had a sureness and sophistication that showed enormous potential. Yet in line with the optimism marbled throughout this production I think it is great that Lis Sladen did get to discover just how loved her character was and was able to gain a new generation of fans.

The only question that remains unanswered now is- whatever happened to Sarah Jane’s tiny car??