Companions haven't done their job properly if they don't imprint themselves on the lives of the Doctor and the viewers but some ultimately leave a longer lasting legacy than others. And then there's companions like Sarah Jane Smith, who will simply never be forgotten. As portrayed by the equally beloved Elisabeth Sladen, she is often cited as the definitive TARDIS co-resident and her original departure, in the 1976 Fourth Doctor serial The Hand of Fear, is still regarded as one of Doctor Who's most emotional moments to date. It was the end of an epic era featuring one of the most dynamic duos in TV history.
Dan Butler is the Doctor Who Editor at WhatCulture.com. When he isn't writing his own articles or editing other people's, he can be found trawling the internet for gifs of Steven Moffat laughing. Contact him via dan.butler@whatculture.co.uk.
