the news

[dbskyler]

Yesterday I was feeling shocked and devastated. Today I'm just feeling kind of numb. It still doesn't seem real. I mean, I've been watching Elisabeth Sladen portray Sarah Jane Smith for practically my entire life. Literally.

Okay, so there was a bit of a gap there in the middle. But I still watched what I could. I even taped "K-9 and Company" when it came out because I was so excited that Sarah was finally back. (Later I taped over it, except for the part where K-9 tells her the message from the Doctor: "Give Sarah Jane Smith my fondest love; tell her I shall remember her always." Oh, melt.)

Then came 2006, after which I got gift upon gift: "School Reunion." Sarah Jane Adventures -- a whole new spinoff show, and this time it was good! Sarah showing up again in "Stolen Earth" and "Journey's End." Nicholas Courtney guest-starring in Sarah Jane Adventures. David Tennant guest-starring in Sarah Jane Adventures. Matt Smith guest-starring in Sarah Jane Adventures. Katy Manning guest-starring in Sarah Jane Adventures. Sarah's cameo in "End of Time."

I'm so, so sad that it's over, but also so, so grateful that we got what we did.

There's a reaction from RTD floating around the internet today, and one of the things he says is that if he's glad of anything he's done in his career, it's that he created Sarah Jane Adventures and introduced Sarah Jane Smith to a whole new generation of children. I admit that I love him a little bit for that -- for wanting to do it, and for being so happy about it. He really is a fan of Sarah, just as I am.

The CBBC website is collecting comments from children, and I think this comment from a 10-year-old sums it up best: "It's very sad about Elisabeth, as I have watched The Sarah Jane Adventures for a long time. My dad is also upset because he remembers when she was on Doctor Who."

Young and old, we're all united in our love for Elisabeth Sladen. What a huge loss.

I'm going to try to put together an SJS fanfic and fanvid rec post a little later in the week. (Shouldn't be too difficult -- it will bear a striking resemblance to a "these are my favorite fanfics and fanvids" post.) In the meantime, I am selfishly glad that I finished up and posted my own Doctor/Sarah fanvid a few days ago, as I don't think I'd be able to finish it if I were still trying to work on it now. It would just be too hard.

Lis, thank you for being part of my life, and thank you for the legacy you've left behind. Peace to your family and friends, and may they take comfort in knowing how much you were loved by us all.

Comments

[minerva-fan.livejournal.com]

It's interesting--your subject line reads "The News" and I don't even have to ask which news. I loved RTD's comment about how he "didn't want to let her go" when she did School Reunion.

[tempestas-inu.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there's just this tense, think numbness that I've felt all day. I only knew of her for about a year, even less in fact, but it was enough for me to consider her one of, if not, my favorite female actress, and Sarah jane one of my most favorite female characters of all time.

I'm currently in the process of trying to draw her and Sarah Jane a tribute, but it's being difficult for me. Likely it won't get done for another week at least, which disappoints me just a little.

I saw the comments from the children, and it's beautiful and heartbreaking. She's a woman in her 60's and yet she's a childhood hero two multiple generations, not many actors can say that.

[tempestas-inu.livejournal.com]

I also wanted to add that I loved especially loved the statements put out to her from RTD, Moffat, Tom Baker, David Tennant, and Matt Smith. She touched them all.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

your subject line reads "The News" and I don't even have to ask which news

I could've had a more descriptive title, but I . . . just didn't want to. God, I don't even want to right now. I don't want to type those words.

I was really touched by what RTD said. He's right; Elisabeth Sladen was an incredibly talented and special actress -- "luminous" was the word Nick Briggs used in the Big Finish tribute, and I think that's a great adjective for her.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I only knew of her for about a year, even less in fact, but it was enough for me to consider her one of, if not, my favorite female actress, and Sarah jane one of my most favorite female characters of all time

It makes me so happy to hear that. I like to believe that she will continue to gain new fans for as long as Doctor Who is around -- i.e., forever.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

They were all super nice to read/hear, but I have to admit that David's reaction was the one that touched me most, I think because his reaction was my reaction. The others all spoke as work colleagues / friends / DW experts; David spoke as a fan.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

And thanks.

[shadowturquoise.livejournal.com]

The conversation in a thread you posted earlier this week about trying to keep RL and fandom separate came back to me as a dark foreboding omen when I read the news a couple of days ago. I was at work and literally had to hide in the bathroom until I could get the tears to stop because I certainly couldn't explain to my coworkers why I was so upset.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Oh, how horrible. *hugs*