Memories Of Elisabeth Sladen by @The_Knights87

A tear, Sarah Jane?

Has it really been a year since the whoniverse lost one of its most beloved actresses who also played one of the most beloved characters Sarah Jane Smith? I do believe so, unfortunately. I can still remember where I was when I heard the very sad and gut wrenching news. April 19, 2011 was a Tuesday last year and I was vacationing (or on holiday for you Brits) at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. I had just gotten back to the camp ground after a day filled with fun and to be honest quite a bit of walking. I headed into the mobile home and decided to unwind by checking my emails and maybe peruse the Doctor Who websites to see what news there was on the new season of Doctor Who. I did not expect the news that I did happen upon. That Elisabeth Sladen had passed away after a battle with cancer. I was devastated and crushed beyond all belief that Sarah Jane was no more. I couldn’t believe the evidence before my eyes and went to other sites for more confirmation.

 

Well needless to say reality fell in and after a phone call I started to remember all the good memories of Elisabeth Sladen and her time on Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures. Sarah Jane was the first companion that I saw when I started watching Doctor Who and every companion that I saw thereafter was probably unfairly judged by how they stood up to Sarah Jane’s standards as a companion.

Sarah Jane is my favorite companion and her time in the TARDIS heralded some of the best stories in the shows history. So to me any companion that comes along has to measure up to Sarah Jane. Maybe because I consider Sarah Jane as the quintessential companion who hardly screamed and was actually looked upon by the Doctor as an equal. Or maybe the real reason is that Elisabeth Sladen was just so perfectly cast as Sarah Jane and her performance was always spot on no matter who was in the role of the Doctor.

Sarah Jane was a perfect compliment to the main star. I mean, is it no wonder that Sarah Jane Smith always came back. From The Five Doctors to School Reunion, Sarah Jane had made quite an impact and has withstood the test of time to garner two spinoffs. The Sarah Jane Adventures which brought Elisabeth Sladen a new and younger fan base. Elisabeth Sladen's Sarah Jane was just such a memorable character that the Producers of Doctor Who were so much a fan of hers. I am so glad that Russell T. Davies decided to bring her back and then gave Lis her own show.

I had the very good fortune to meet Elisabeth Sladen. It was in 2005 right before the show returned to our screens with Christopher Eccleston and a whole year before she met the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant. It was such a joy to finally get to meet her. Elisabeth Sladen was there at a convention signing autographs and doing a question and answer for her many American fans. If she was in a bad mood or annoyed with the convention organiser she didn't let on. (In fact she was actually, as were so many, this promoters guests through the years.) She went on with a smile and a kind word forthe fans that waited for a while in line to meet her and get her signature on their items. It was truly a great moment that will be one of the major highlights of my Doctor Who convention experiences.

So here is to Elisabeth Sladen our dear Sarah Jane Smith. To some she was a fixture of our childhood memories of Doctor Who. Elisabeth Sladen was a great actress and played a wonderful character that was unfairly took away from us and the world of Doctor Who way too early. In those memorable words by David Tennant’s Doctor in School Reunion she was “My Sarah Jane.”

Death to the Daleks out soon on DVD

An inexplicable power failure of the TARDIS energy systems forces the time machine off course. The Doctor and his faithful companion Sarah Jane Smith materialise on the bleak planet of Exxilon. They soon meet members of an Earth Marine Space Corps. expedition who have also been left stranded on the planet.

The expedition are searching for a rare mineral, Parrinium which can bring relief to a plague sweeping the galaxy, but first they must discover what is draining their power supplies aboard their ships?

Unfortunately another stranded space vessel arrives on Exxilon, and this one is carrying the Daleks....

 

Jon Pertwee and Elisabeth Sladen star in a thrilling adventure with the Daleks, who are even more sinister and manipulative in this story!

Available on DVD from 18th June, 2012. 

Please support the Official Doctor Who DVD releases from BBC Worldwide.  

The Curse of Fenric

World War II. A time in history well known for conflict and trouble, but add an ancient curse, the Doctor and Ace into the mix and things get a tad complicated.

The duo discover a military base where one of their researchers is gathering information on Viking runes, depicting an evil powerful being called Fenric. The Commander of the base is interested in taking this power for his own use, and things go horribly wrong.

Cue aquatic vampires, possession and lots of conflict. A particularly powerful Seventh Doctors story with wonderful rapport (and argument) between the Doctor & Ace, with lots of twists and turns. It also gives an insight into Ace’s troubled and tragic past.

So join us this evening for vampires who desperately need a manicure, and lots of wartime fashion (Oh dear Ace, that hairnet looks like something oranges are packed in!) Oh, and Nicholas Parsons. Bar opens at 7:30pm, pressing Play at 8pm.

No swimming in the water please!  

Tonight in the #DWBarUSA

Tax Day is approaching here in the States so to celebrate recognize that, we thought we'd watch an episode exploring the ways in which governments waste money - "Boomtown." The Doctor, Rose, and Jack land in Cardiff so the TARDIS can refuel from the rift. Mickey comes to meet them, but he's not bringing good news. An old enemy is in Cardiff and her plans (funded with government money - see what we did there?) could destroy the world! It's up to our four friends to find a way to stop her, but once they've caught her, what will it cost the Doctor to look a condemned woman in the eye? We'll open at 6:45pm EDT and press play at 7!

After "Boomtown" we'll do a lock-in and watch "The King's Demons" in honor of today being Peter Davison's birthday! The episode will start shortly after "Boomtown" finishes.

A Dalek Poem by @Treehugger71

Daleks hail from the planet of Skaro,

They are enemies of The Doctor you know,

Hated and feared throughout time and space,

They’ll pull one off the plunger into your face.

Their fearful leader is called Davros,

He’ll scream out orders if you make him cross,

Dare call them gay Daleks and you they will hate,

They will not hesitate to exterminate!

Davros has Daleks of white and gold,

They sure are a spectacle to behold,

Beware of Supreme Daleks, they are black,

Try to stop their plans, they’ll shoot you in the back.

The Doctor has fought them for many a year,

When it comes to Daleks he has no fear,

You think he’s eradicated them from our lives,

But they soon re-appear like a nasty surprise.

By Cheryl Riches, @Treehugger71

Destiny of the Daleks

After the events of the Key to Time, the Doctor installs a Randomiser into the TARDIS to elude the evil Black Guardian.

The Doctor and Romana arrive on a rocky desolate planet, and the Doctor makes a horrifying discovery.  The planet is Skaro the homeworld of the Daleks. They soon discover that the Daleks are using explosives to unearth something hidden beneath the surface of the planet, but what could it be?

Locked in a battle against the funky Movellans for two hundred years, the only way that the Daleks can overcome the Movellans is to resurrect their long dead creator: Davros!

This story was the final time that Terry Nation, the creator of the Daleks wrote for Doctor Who, because Douglas Adams almost completely rewrote his script. There are even a few references to his novel The Hitch-hikers guide to the Galaxy.

The Doctor Who Bar will be open at 7pm BST and we will press Play at 7.30pm, 

we hope to see you on Twitter!

The Original Daleks Are Coming Back!

It's unbelievable, but look who's returning to Doctor Who this year when it comes back in the Autumn.

It's the Daleks! The one in the picture is an Evil of the Daleks model, which is said to be Matt Smith's favourite design.

We have it on good authority from the Moff himself via recent twitter musings that all the Dalek types from 1963 to present are returning.

In the wake of the Fiftieth Anniversary what more could a Doctor Who fan want?

So great times ahead for all Doctor Who fans.

To celebrate this news we thought we should watch Destiny of the Daleks on Wednesday have a Dalek Poll this week to watch on Saturday at 8pm.

The Companion Poll Part Three

The third and final article looking at the Bar's selection of companions to the last three Doctors. As before, choose which companion you think was best and vote for the story we have chosen. The most voted for companion's story will be played on our special Bar Birthday session on Saturday pressing Play at 8:00pm.

Companion 9: Rose Tyler (Played by Billie Piper)
Stories Chosen: The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances

Rose Tyler, another streetwise girl, who doesn't take no for an answer but wears her heart on her sleeve. Someone who saved the Doctor's life and would literally die for him. A companion who had a boyfriend and was in constant conflict with her emotions for both her boyfriend Mickey, and the Doctor.

In The Empty child/ The Doctor Dances, Rose finds herself dangling from a great height only to be rescued by the dashing Captain Jack Harkness. She also helps the Doctor solve the mystery of a strange child wandering around in a gas mask which it transpires wasn't because of the feisty Gallifreyan curry the Doctor had the night before.

So, if you think Miss Tyler deserves to win, vote on The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances.


Companion 10: Donna Noble (Played by Catherine Tate)
Stories Chosen: The Fires of Pompei / Turn Left

The Doctor had many companions who spoke their mind and wouldn't take no for an answer. Then Miss Noble bumped into the Doctor on her wedding day.

Other companions step aside, this girl is the definition of feisty. Donna renders the Doctor speechless (unheard of) as she's bolshy, and not one to upset in an argument. Yet again however, she is another companion who is deep down very sensitive and caring about the Doctor, and individuals suffering or in pain.

This underlying tender character is clearly seen in The Fires of Pompei, and in Turn Left she needs to control her stubbornness to save the world.

So, if you'd like to see Donna, vote for The Fires of Pompei / Turn Left.


Companion 11: Amelia 'Amy' Jessica Pond (Played by Karen Gillian)
Stories Chosen: Amy's Choice / The Girl Who Waited

Who can forget little Amelia Pond who had to do an impromptu Ready Steady Cook session for a recently regenerated Doctor who had a ravenous, yet strange appetite. Then she waited for years for the Doctor to return by which time he was in serious trouble. Another strongwilled companion with a soon to be husband (cue the confusion again for a companion between the man she loved and the Doctor) but also had a softer interior.

In Amy's Choice, the gang catch up on their beauty sleep and find it hard to differentiate between dream and reality, and the choice Amy makes is crucial to their survival. The Girl Who Waited, Amy is stranded for many years and becomes cold and battle weary. Thinking back on the last time she was abandoned by the Doctor it becomes difficult to make the older Amy save her younger self in a different time stream.

So, if you'd like to see Pond run along, vote for Amy's Choice / The Girl Who Waited.

Don't forget to vote for our Birthday Poll!

The Companion Poll Part Two

Just a recap to those who missed Part One:

Saturday's Birthday Bar Poll is based on companions. The Bar team have selected one from each Doctor and a story that they feature heavily in. Choose which one you think was the best, and the one with the most votes will be played Saturday, Usual time of Bar opening at 7:30pm, pressing Play at 8:00pm.

So lets continue with selected companions of Doctors Five to Eighth.

Companion 5: Tegan Jovanka (played by Janet Fielding)
Story chosen: Kinda

Tegan was about to embark on a new career as a 'trolley dolly' when her Auntie's car developed a flat tyre. Instead of the AA, the Doctor came to her aid after she entered the TARDIS looking for help. She was a very vocal companion, not afraid to voice her opinion no matter how unfavourable her opinion, and if things didn't go her way she wasn't going to back down quietly! However, she was very affectionate and fond of her fellow companions and the Doctor himself and demonstrated her vulnerable sensitive side when Adric died.

In Kinda, Tegan's mind is taken over by the Mara, and just when you thought there was only one Tegan,.think again!

If you think Tegan deserves to win the Poll, vote for Kinda.


Companion 6: Perpugilliam 'Peri' Brown (Played by Nicola Bryant)
Story Chosen: Vengeance on Varos

Ah yes, Peri. One of the most infamous companions (aside from Leela) for making fathers and hormonal teenage boys drool. However, Peri was more than just a pretty face with a cracking figure. She was very adept at giving as good as she got when the Sixth Doctor used to bicker with her. On the outside it would seem they didn't like each other but there was affection from both parties, and both seemed to enjoy their sparring moments. She was bubbly and very open minded to what time and space had to offer. She would also come up with ideas which the Doctor himself hadn't thought of (which he disliked!)

In Vengeance on Varos, Peri and the Doctor find themselves the subject of a form of intergalactic Big Brother, and poor Peri's task is to keep her stunning looks intact when subjected to a cell mutator.

If you would like to see pretty little Peri, vote for Vengeance on Varos.


Companion 7: Dorothy 'Ace' McShane (Played by Sophie Aldred)
Story Chosen: Survival

Ace appeared as very streetwise, and tough. She liked nothing better than to play with nitroglycerin in her room (Don't try that at home kids!) Her feistiness hid her vulnerability and insecurities as poor Ace had suffered a traumatic childhood which, no doubt contributed to her hard exterior. Also as a result of the tragedies she faced, she was fiercely loyal and protective of the Doctor and had total respect for him.

In Survival, Ace is concerned as to why all her friends have disappeared in Perivale. She and the Doctor find humans are being transported to a different planet, where Ace suddenly acquires a taste for Whiskas.

If you would like to see Ace star in the Sci-fi version of Cats, vote for Survival.


Companion 8: Dr Grace Holloway (Played by Daphne Ashbrook)
Story Chosen: Doctor Who The Movie

Poor Dr Holloway, her opera night is ruined by her pager notifying her of an unusual cardiac arrest. Not knowing the unusual anatomy of the stranger, her treatment unfortunately kills the patient. A man begins to follow her the next day and tries to convince her that he is the man who died, despite his appearance being completely different. He convinces her and she decides to help him defeat the Master. Bet she's glad she missed the opera now! An intelligent, loyal and inquisitive companion and good all round person to aid the Doctor.

If you would like to see Grace with the Doctor, vote for The 1996 Television Movie.

That's all folks for now, Part Three tomorrow. Don't forget to vote!

The Knights: Daleks Set To Return In Series 7

The Knights: Daleks Set To Return In Series 7: Lost in all the hub bub about the new companion Dr Who Magazine tweeted that the Daleks will be making a return in series 7 also.

Read more at the Knights blog

The Companion Poll Part One

This Saturday's Poll celebrates the many individuals who have assisted and on many occasions saved the Doctor's life. The Doctor cannot deny that although he sometimes perceives himself as a self sufficient Time Lord, without his companions he would be nothing. 

Here are the Bar's selection of companions to represent the first four Doctors, read all three parts to this Poll (Thursday and Friday Parts Two & Three respectively) and vote for which story involving the companion who you think was the perfect right hand man or woman to our beloved Time Lord.

Companion 1: Steven Taylor (played by Peter Purves)
Story Chosen: The Gunfighters

Steven was stranded when he first met the Doctor in The Chase. A very strong willed individual who fought for what he believed in and who he respected. Someone who thinks rapidly on his feet and has a very balanced, if passionate sense of right and wrong, a perfect companion to the Doctor.

The Gunfighters is a strong Steven story, with Steven demonstrating his respect for the Doctor and protecting him from the Clantons who have mistaken him for their nemesis, Doc Holliday.

So if you'd like to see Steven in a crazy cowboy costume, vote for The Gunfighters in the Poll.


Companion 2: James 'Jamie' Robert McCrimmon (played by Frazer Hines)
Story Chosen: The Dominators

A feisty highlander who is arguably, the best companion to the second Doctor. A little headstrong at times but fiercely loyal; Jamie had such a unique rapport with the Doctor but was also not afraid to argue with him if he felt the Doctor was making a poor decision.

In The Dominators Jamie demonstrates his closeness to the Doctor by almost being able to read his mind to know what he needs to do next, and the rapport between them is wonderful.

If you'd like to see the kilted one, select The Dominators in the Poll.


Companion 3: Liz Shaw (played by Caroline John)
Story Chosen: Doctor Who and the Silurians

Liz is first seen in Spearhead from Space, as a scientist with a closed mind to such nonsense as aliens, and is seen to make the Brigadier quite bemused as she questions his integrity. She soon changes her mind and is willing to participate in the Doctors escapades, her intelligent mind being an invaluable source of information.

In the Silurians she demonstrates what a good team player she is by working closely with the Doctor and the Brigadier, and manages to uncover the Silurians master plan.

If you would like to see the lovely Liz, vote for Doctor Who and the Silurians in the Poll.


Companion 4: Sarah-Jane Smith (Played by Elisabeth Sladen)
Story Chosen: Pyramids of Mars

Ah, this is the hardest bit of this article to write because she captured our hearts. I apologise if I don't do this bit justice. Sarah-Jane; an inquisitive, thoughtful journalist who was passionate about finding out the truth and maintaining justice and peace. So far out of all the companions she is the one that cared the most for the Doctor (and some may argue she still is)

In Pyramids of Mars Sarah-Jane is invaluable, working closely alongside the Doctor to defeat Sutekh, and controlling those pesky robot mummies.

So, If you would like to see wonderful Sarah-Jane, don't hesitate in voting for Pyramids from Mars in our Poll.

Hope you've enjoyed this very brief overview, part two is tomorrow and will include companions of Doctors Five to Eight.

Please Remember to Vote!

Terror of the Autons

A story of many firsts.

It introduced Jo Grant, The Master and Mike Yates. It was also the first story that Barry Letts was able to have complete control over.

He wanted a character to explain what was going on and for audience to identify with. Thus Jo Grant was created. Barry Letts had auditions a hundred actresses, but one turned up late who was very short sighted and clumsy- the lovely Katy Manning. Barry asked her to pretend she was alone in a room, with a hat on a stand. Slowly the hat came to life and turned into a monster.  She did so well at this that Barry gave her the part.

A thin bearded man, dressed in black arrives as at a circus. He steals the Nestene unit from the circus’s owner and actives it..

Earth is in terrible danger from a renegade Time Lord who is using the power of the nestene duplicates, the Autons to invade earth. Will the Doctor’s new companion help or hinder him?

It's Spring so the Auton dummy heads are handing out daffodils, won't you take one?  It's only a harmless flower after all.

Join us from the slightly later time of 7.30pm GMT and we will press Play at 8pm.