Originally broadcast across two parts on 29 and 30 October 2009 as part of the third series of The Sarah Jane Adventures, The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith is not only a standout story for the spin-off—it is a milestone moment for the Doctor Who universe. Featuring David Tennant in what was actually his final filmed appearance as the Tenth Doctor, this two-parter beautifully balances light-hearted family drama, time-bending sci-fi peril, and a poignant meditation on love, sacrifice, and the inevitability of endings. Rewatching in 2025, it remains both a heartwarming celebration of character and a bittersweet turning point in a much larger narrative.
The setup is quintessential Sarah Jane: after years of loneliness and alien threats, she finally meets someone who might make her truly happy—Peter Dalton, a charming and kind man who proposes after a whirlwind romance. Her gang (Clyde, Rani, and Luke) are understandably sceptical, but supportive. There’s a subtle discomfort threading through the early scenes—something feels too perfect. And indeed, this is The Sarah Jane Adventures, so the perfect wedding day doesn’t go quite to plan.
The ceremony is interrupted in the most spectacular fashion by the arrival of the Trickster, one of the show’s most memorable villains. His ability to manipulate time and emotion makes him more than just another monster of the week—he's a thematic force, embodying the dangers of giving in to despair or longing for impossible futures. His deal with Peter is tragic in its simplicity: the chance to live, in return for binding Sarah Jane to a distorted reality where time is frozen.
And just when the episode seems like it couldn’t get more exciting, in steps the Tenth Doctor.
David Tennant arrives in style, stepping through a time fissure with urgency and presence. The chemistry between him and Elisabeth Sladen is instant, a reminder of their deep shared history. Their scenes together are among the most emotionally resonant of the story. He respects her independence, but he also knows what she’s had to give up. The reunion is joyous and sad, light and heavy all at once.
Tennant is magnificent here—witty, warm, and just on the cusp of the Doctor's coming darkness. He knows his time is nearly up, and there’s a quiet melancholy behind his smiles. Watching in 2025, knowing all that lies ahead for the Tenth Doctor, it adds a layer of foreboding and heartbreak to even his most casual line.
What makes this story sing is the emotional core. Sarah Jane has never been allowed to fully settle down. Her life has always been one of adventure and sacrifice. But this story gives her a glimpse of something more—and then, in true tragic fashion, takes it away. But crucially, she chooses to give it up. Peter, realising the cost of their union, breaks the contract with the Trickster, sacrificing himself so that Sarah Jane and her world can live. It's a moment of grace and pain, and it hits hard.
The young cast also shine here. Clyde and Rani get to be heroic, clever, and loyal. Luke is growing into his own. And together, they form the heart of the show’s message: that chosen family, resilience, and selflessness matter more than wish fulfilment.
Rewatching in 2025, The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith stands tall as a unique intersection of Doctor Who and its spin-offs. It captures everything that made The Sarah Jane Adventures such a success: the balance of grounded character drama with wild imagination, the embrace of youth and wisdom, and the unwavering belief in doing what is right, no matter the cost.
It is also a tribute to Elisabeth Sladen, whose performance here is stunning. She gives Sarah Jane such humanity—strong, hopeful, heartbroken, and forever brave.
This story isn’t just another adventure. It’s a farewell in disguise. Not just to Peter Dalton, or to a future that Sarah Jane can never have, but to the Tenth Doctor, who slips away once more, still smiling, still running, but closer than ever to the end.
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