Obituary: Elisabeth Sladen 1948 - 2011

It is with deep regret that we have to inform you of the untimely death of Elisabeth Sladen.

Lis, who is best known for her role as Sarah Jane Smith alongside seven incarnations of the Doctor on screen. Lis made her first appearance as Sarah Jane in the 1973/74 story The Time Warrior alongside Jon Pertwee's Doctor, she stayed in the role until 1976, then alongside Tom Baker's fourth incarnation. Elisabeth returned to Doctor Who in the shows twentieth anniversary story The Five Doctors, then she made another appearance in 2006's School Reunion with David Tennant's Doctor, Billie Piper's Rose Tyler and John Leeson's K9 Mk III. After her amazing performance in School Reunion, Lis was asked to return again, this time in her own show, the Sarah Jane Adventures, this went onto be a hit and four series later, the Doctor has made two appearances in SJA (David Tennant and Matt Smith). Sarah Jane Adventures is CBBC's top show and has earnt the channel its highest ratings. Lis had her own spin-off pilot in 1981 called K9 and Company, which sadly proved unsuccessful. In 2009, Elisabeth was voted Best Companion in a Doctor Who Magazine Poll.

Lis died of cancer earlier today, she leaves her husband, Brian Miler, and daughter Sadie. Frontier in Space wishes to extend it's sympathies to Lis' close friends and family.

The BBC have issued a statement.

BBC Statement:

It is with much sadness that we can announce Elisabeth Sladen, the much-loved actress best known for her role as Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who and CBBC’s The Sarah Jane Adventures, passed away this morning. She was 63.

Lis first appeared as Sarah Jane in Doctor Who in 1973 alongside the Third Doctor Jon Pertwee and stayed for three and half seasons working alongside Jon and the Fourth Doctor Tom Baker. She returned to the role on numerous occasions over the years and, in 2007, was given her own spin-off series on CBBC - The Sarah Jane Adventures - where she would appear alongside new Doctors David Tennant and Matt Smith.

The Sarah Jane Adventures brought Lis a whole new generation of fans who grew up to love her alien-busting adventures. The series was hugely popular with fans young and old and won this year’s RTS Award for best children’s drama.

Controller of CBBC Damian Kavanagh said tonight: “I’m deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Lis’ untimely death. Lis brought joy, excitement and a sense of wonder to her many fans in her role as Sarah Jane Smith. She was adored by our young audience and I know all of them will miss her as much as I will.”

The creator of The Sarah Jane Adventures Russell T Davies said: “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.”

Steven Moffat, Doctor Who’s Lead Writer and Executive Producer said: "’Never meet your heroes’ wise people say. They weren't thinking of Lis Sladen.

“Sarah Jane Smith was everybody's hero when I was younger, and as brave and funny and brilliant as people only ever are in stories. But many years later, when I met the real Sarah-Jane - Lis Sladen herself - she was exactly as any child ever have wanted her to be. Kind and gentle and clever; and a ferociously talented actress, of course, but in that perfectly English unassuming way.

“There are a blessed few who can carry a whole television show on their talent and charisma - but I can't think of one other who's done it quite so politely. I once showed my son Joshua an old episode of Doctor Who, in which Lis appeared. "But that's Sarah Jane," he said, confused "In old Doctor Who. From years ago. How come she always look exactly the same?" It's not a comfort today, of course, but children will still be saying that fifty years from now.”

Keith Jones, Director, BBC Cymru Wales, said: "The Sarah Jane Adventures has been one of the most successful children's programmes on television in recent years - and without Elisabeth Sladen it would not have happened. A brilliant presence on screen and on set, she brought the excitement and energy of the Doctor Who family of programmes, of which we are very proud at BBC Wales, to a whole new generation. She will be missed by all at BBC Wales who worked with her."

Roger Carey, who represented Lis for many years, said. “She was not just a client, but a dear friend. She was so positive about life and her natural energy was intoxicating. She couldn’t believe her luck when her career was resurrected in her own series.”

Lis had been suffering from cancer. She leaves behind a husband, actor Brian Miller, and her daughter, Sadie.



Although unconfirmed, it is likely that Series 5 of Sarah Jane Adventures will be shown in dedication of Lis.

Elisabeth Sladen 1948 - 2011

“The universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it’s a world, or a relationship… Everything has its time. And everything ends.”
— Sarah Jane Smith - Doctor Who: School Reunion

The Eleventh Hour Review by Christopher Kerr [Part 1]

*Seeker, I shall PM you part 2 later.I need to log off now.

To be fair, folks, these reviews will ask more questions than Series 5 answered.

[The Eleventh Hour (1/13)]
We are introduced to Series 5 by a, let's face it, rather comical 'prequel'; the Doctor hanging onto the edge of the TARDIS, screwdriver in mouth, TARDIS flying without a pilot...Now, I'm amazed hardly anyone has brought up these questions: Why is he hanging out of the TARDIS and why is it flying 'itself'? Hmm...Interesting.
Crash-landing in a beautiful garden, surrounding a big house (Perhaps too big...), the newly regenerated Eleventh Doctor emerges from his damaged TARDIS.I often wondered: why hasn't this happened before? Every regeneration has been a straight-forward morph into the next doctor but Ten into Eleven was quite dramatic and violent.Quite a coincidence that Amelia prayed for 'Santa' to come and fix her crack.
After spitting out beans, scoffing on yoghurt, gagging at bacon and settling for fish fingers and custard, the pair eventually investigate Amelia's crack in the wall.Someone clearly doesn't want anyone to go near it, as the Doctor is shot by a blast of energy.On examining the crack, the Doctor discovers it's 'two parts of time and space that should never have touched'. Now, what 'parts of time and space that should never have touched' is he on about? There's too many possibilities! After promising Amelia to return in a minute, the Doctor returns to her 12 years later.Wow! It's bad when it's a one year gap ala Aliens Of London but 12 years? Blimey!

The Claws of Axos DVD Review by Christopher Kerr

My first ever DVD review will be the first ever DVD I bought; the Claws Of Axos.

[Cover]

It is quite obvious where Clayton Hickman got the inspiration for the Golden cover; the Golden Axons themselves.But, a part of me would oddly prefer to see this cover with a fire or something in the background.I also would've liked an arrangement of Pertwee in the centre, an Axon Man's face on the left, Axon monster on the right, Axos Eye at the top and Master at the bottom.Reason being there is quite alot of moments where the Axos head floats around in a circle.The back? Quite basic really.Promo images.I'd expected more.But, then again, perhaps I expect too much from the Merchandise.

[Story]
The Claws Of Axos [A.k.a The Vampire From Space] would really make a great modern day story.I can really see Modern Day UNIT fighting these golden baddies; guns ablazing 'n' all.I feel a lot of Pertwee's era scarily focuses on Present Day events; famine, pollution, greedy governments etc.Claws Of Axos shows how scary the Government would snap up an unknown alien substance; perhaps too quickly.I find it quite ironic that the Doctor stops the missiles from destroying Axos yet is shocked when Axos turns out to be evil and in it for it's own gain.Now, is that shock or guilt? Personally, I think it's guilt.For a full two episodes the Axons played nicely.And then: WHAM! You're suddenly tied up in Axos' claws.
The return of the Master, if I'm honest, wasn't as 'in your face' as it should be.I especially liked the Master/Brig conversation at the end of Part 3.Both men on an equal par: Witty, wary of the other side and prepared to take risks.But, I was shocked that the Brigadier would let the Doctor die to save the World.So much for 'Old Friends'; he was prepared to murder him! We got a few hypnosis moments from the Master which was nice.But when he emerged from Axos and murdered that soldier? I actually laughed.A huge alien ship lands in the middle of the country side and there's only one soldier.Pa-lease!
Nice little alliance between the Doctor and the Master; friends once more but not long enough.And, after Axos is stuck in a time-loop [time-loop time-loop] he flees again.Oh well.You win some, you loose some.If you compare Pertwee's reaction to Delgado fleeing and Tennant's reaction to Simm's return in The End Of Time, you certainly see a huge contrast; the latter Doctor is shocked and horrified but Pertwee acted as if Delgado was a little boy running away from his Dad's hand!

[Extras]
Commentary: I loved this commentary very much but there was room for improvement.Katy and Richard had a good banter, but I felt Barry was quite quiet.That is understandable though.Commentaries are a good extra, but, if I'm honest, I only watch 'returning' stories or 'Regeneration' commentaries now.Planet Of The Spiders is a real gem, which I shall review later.

R.S.C-The Axon Legacy: The Claws Of Axos was originally in black and white?! Really?! I assumed that from Spearhead onwards that everything was in colour.Well, they've certainly done a great job in restoring it.I just hope Ambassadors lives up to it's 'sister story'.

Production Subtitles: I have a 'religion' of watching a new DVD in original form, then with commentary and then with Production Subtitles.The subtitles are nothing special, really.But, I did notice a error: When the Third Doctor is talking to Axos in Episode 3, Axos says 'Lies are useless, timelord!' yet the subtitles [At least on mine!] say 'Your lies are useless, timelord!'.


Overall, Claws is a Golden 9/10; based on plot-line, extras, and the cover!

Revelation of the Daleks Collectors Set by Gareth Thomas

Action Figure Collectors Set: Revelation Of The Daleks [5/4/11]
Reviewing Character Options Sixth Doctor with Davros, Necros Dalek & Skaro Dalek

OK, starting with the Sixth Doctor Colin Baker in blue cloak, The Revelation Set Sixth Doctor figure is the same as the first carded collect and build figure from 2008 that went onto be re-released with the Stealth Cyberman last year. With this variant, the figure has the beautiful removeable cloak which comes off easily. No Sonic Lance in this release but the figure is wonderfully accurate, the only downside I have found is the cloak causes a slight inbalance which is easily rectified by some re-posturing.

We move on to The Revelation Davros, ok for those people that might have missed it the microphone is now on the opposite side which is a nice touch as its totally screen correct, the control panel buttons have been painted differently, Davros still has the reveal panel from Resurrection and includes a swappable hand, the hand simply pulls out with a little effort and you can attach a blood soaked stump.

Next we have the Skaro Dalek, at first glance this is very similar to the Resurrection Dalek release but look closer and you will find subtle differences, the first being a slightly darker paint job you will also find the base is double tiered the mesh has silver highlighting and the eye rings are of a different arrangement.

Saving the best till last we have the Necros Dalek, this Dalek is one of the more unique models in its white, gold and black colour scheme, this Dalek again has a double tiered base but differ's as it is split into half black and then half white. not totally screen accurate as their should be a noticable gap between main body and dome section also the base configuration is wrong but on the whole character options have done incredibly well.

Overall, the set is excellent, it is a nice set to play with or display, obviously some will moan about the repetitive Dalek/Davros releases but you can't knock the effort that has been put into developing and releasing the classic Dalek range, and personally I love the range.
I would give the Revelation Of The Daleks collectors set 8/10.

By Gareth Thomas

Leaked Yeti Prototype

Right guys, this isn't something the Frontier in Space team would normally do, but as it's such an exciting leak, it's worthy of our reviewing space!

Leaked prototype Yeti figure from the Second Doctor story 'The Web of Fear.'

Presumably, this figure will be similar to the previously released Axon figure.

Hopefully, this will be released shortly, or even as an SDCC release. Maybe with a Jamie or even a Second Doctor in furry coat! Who knows? Only time will tell!

Frontier in Space.

'Crash Set' by Ryan Wigley

In today's review, I shall be reviewing the Crash set released in 2010, to mark the arrival of Matt Smith as the Eleventh Incarnation of the Doctor. As we get closer and closer to the 23rd of April, it seems like the perfect time to go back a year and have a look at this set.

The set contains the Eleventh Doctor in his tweed jacket, red shirt and bow tie as seen in the majority of Series 5 and the 'Raggedy' Doctor in his battered regeneration clothes from David Tennants Tenth Doctor.

I'll start of with what is considered the least popular of the set, the Raggedy Doctor. Basically, this figure is the Doctor as seen in the majority of The Eleventh Hour, in his past incarnations worn out brown pinstripe suit. The level of detail on this figure is great, not the best, but certainly not the worst of Character Options highly regarded figure line. Detail has been covered down to the last rip and crease on the shirt. The articulation is slightly below Characters usual standard, 360 degrees head, bicep and arms, elbow goes up and down as normal, but there is a lack of articulation in the thighs, this is due to the fact that the legs are used from the Tenth Doctor figures, which sadly has basic articulation that CO released back in the figures launch in 2005. To be honest, there isn't much to say about this figure, it's a nice addition and beyond this set, we would never have seen it in a normal wave, which is unfortunate as I would have rather had Amy Pond in her Police Uniform (which has since been released in the Pandorica figure was and in the Christmas Adventure set). That's not to say the figure is rubbish as that is far from the truth, it is definately a nice addition to the set, but sadly a not much sought after figure, which is disappointing because had it been the Amy figure mentioned above, it probably would have made collectors buy both the normal set and the Toys R Us set that will be mentioned later. Overall, I'd give the figure a 6/10. An average figure that is quite nice, just not amazing or has a special space cleared for in any collection.

Now, moving onto the other figure in this set, the Eleventh Doctor in his red shirt, bow tie and tweed jacket from the end of The Eleventh Hour and the majority of Series 5. The detail on this figure is superb, like the Raggedy Doctor figure and the Regenerated Eleventh Doctor before it, the head is still the same. Nothing wrong with that as the likeness is brilliant. Believe it or not, the prototype figure had the floppy hair at the front to the side, similar to the Eleventh Doctor with Fez from the Pandorica wave. It was an interesting sculpt, and a head I'd like to see on future figures to add a bit of variation. The tweed effect on the jacket is remarkable, unlike the figure released late last year which had the Doctor based on Series 6, with awful red stripes on the jacket. Although, Character did use the same jacket, they ruined it with the red stripes on it, but that's for another review. The tweed is on scale with the Fourth Doctor figure from The Seeds of Doom in terms of detail. The shirt is great, the stripes are applied well, it looks almost as if they've been printed on it's that great! The bow tie is to scale, unlike other figure lines which have huge ties and dickie bows that just ruin the figure. The articulation is the norm from Charactet, the same as the Raggedy Doctor figure, but with thigh articulation. This figure, unlike the other has an accessory and that is the Sonic Screwdriver, it's odd that the prongs on it are sculpted to be open, which makes me think we could well see a closed variant along the line. The Sonic also has it's own special hole on the TARDIS playset for it to go on, which is nice. The hands on the figure are different to those of other Doctors, usually, the hands are sculpted downwards so that the Sonic faces down when in the figures hand, it's not like that on this figure, the Sonic is straight.
Toys R Us released an exclusive variant of this figure, with blue shirt and tie rather than the normal red. This was never mentioned by Character and only noticed when people started to pick these up on the afternoon The Eleventh Hour was first broadcast. I do love a good exclusive, and I prefer the blue variant, but unfortunately my local Toys R Us was being refurbished, meaning that they only got a few of the red variants. Now, my TRU is now plagued with them. This doesn't mean the figures didn't sell well, the set went down a storm and at least two re-stocks happened, it was unfortunate that when the third re-stock happened, Wave 1 had been announced and the difference between a shirt is not noticeable to the casual buyer that is in a rush. I give this figure a 9/10.

Overall, the set is excellent, the Raggedy Doctors playability is lost due to it being only in The Ekeventh Hour, similar to the Fez Doctor. The normal Eleventh Doctor is as expected, the star of the set, having both figures side by side show that there is a considerable height difference between the two, due to the Tenth Doctor legs being re-used. I would have been grateful had the Tenth Doctors Sonic been included in this set as I find it's the one that I lose the most. An overall score is a 8/10.

Feel free to comment about this review and what you thought of the set.