It added an immediately iconic creature to the shows monster canonin the Sontarans.
But its most lasting contribution, and its greatest, will forever beSarah Jane Smith.
If there was a story to be found, Sarah Jane Smith was going to find it.
Image: BBC
What cruel fate it is that Sladen left us with so many of those adventures still left untold.
But it also clearly broke Doctor Whos heart, too.
She simply had to be.
Screenshot: BBC
Even in acknowledging it, its like Doctor Who still cant believe it.
She made her mark, and we just have to keep dealing with it, consequences be damned.
How very Sarah Jane, indeed.
Screenshot: BBC
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