A Fix with Sontarans (TV story): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox ClassicTV
{{Invalid}}
|name= A Fix with Sontarans
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image= A fix with Sontarans.jpg
|image          = A Fix with Sontarans.jpg
|series=
|season number =  
|season number=  
|story number   =  
|story number=
|doctor         = Sixth Doctor  
|doctor=Sixth Doctor  
|companions     = [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]], [[Gareth Jenkins|Gareth]]
|companions= [[Tegan Jovanka]]<br />[[Gareth Jenkins (A Fix with Sontarans)|Gareth Jenkins]]  
|enemy         = [[Nathan (A Fix with Sontarans)|Group Marshall Nathan]]  
|enemy= Group Marshall [[Nathan (A Fix with Sontarans)|Nathan]], [[Turner|Unnamed 2nd Sontaran]]
|setting        = [[The Doctor's TARDIS]]  
|year= [[The Doctor's TARDIS]]  
|writer         = Eric Saward  
|writer= [[Eric Saward]]
|director       = [[Marcus Mortimer]]  
|director= [[Marcus Mortimer]]  
|producer       =  
|producer=
|broadcast date = 23 February 1985
|broadcast date= [[23 February]] [[1985]]
|format         = 1x10-minute episode  
|format= 1x10-minute episode  
|production code =  
|production code=
|series        = ''Fix'' stories
|prev=  
|prev           =  
|next=  
|next           = Fixing a Hole (short story)
|}}
|thwr          = 107
'''''A Fix with Sontarans''''' was the name of an "episode" specially written for the [[BBC]]'s children's programme ''[[Jim'll Fix It]]'', featuring the [[Sixth Doctor]]. It was broadcast on [[23 February]] [[1985]].  
|thwr2          = 234
|adapted into = A Fix with Sontarans (home video)
}}{{you may|A Fix with Sontarans (home video)|n1=the recut 2022 edition}}
'''''A Fix with Sontarans''''' was a ''[[Doctor Who (TV series)|Doctor Who]]'' [[mini-episode]] specially written for the [[BBC]]'s children's programme ''[[Jim'll Fix It]]'', featuring the [[Sixth Doctor]]. It was broadcast on [[23 February (releases)|23 February]] [[1985 (releases)|1985]].
 
A re-edited ''[[A Fix with Sontarans (home video)|A Fix with Sontarans]]'' was re-released on [[20 July (releases)|20 June]] [[2022 (releases)|2022]] as part of ''Doctor Who'': ''[[The Collection]]'' — ''[[Season 22 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 22]]'', with all ''Jim'll Fix It'' connections and fourth-wall-breaking removed, instead ending on [[Sontaran]] ships appearing on the TARDIS scanner.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
The [[Sixth Doctor]] is operating the controls on [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] console. He accidentally transports his former companion [[Tegan Jovanka]] on board, who is less than happy about this, but reluctantly agrees to help when the Doctor reveals that two [[Sontaran]]s are on board. They have a powerful [[vitrox bomb]] with which they intend to blow up the ship.
The Doctor then accidentally beams on board a [[human]] boy, [[Gareth Jenkins]], who happens to be dressed in an outfit similar to the Doctor's own. Gareth agrees to help in any way he can. Tegan brings a box for Gareth to stand on so he can reach the controls and help the Doctor set a trap for the Sontarans. The aliens break into the [[console room]]. The leader introduces himself as Group Marshal [[Nathan (A Fix with Sontarans)|Nathan]] and demands that the Doctor introduce his group. Upon hearing Gareth's name, Nathan reveals that in [[2001]] their invasion of [[Earth]] would be foiled by a brave military leader called Gareth Jenkins. If they kill him now, their future success is assured. However, Gareth springs the trap and kills the Sontarans.


[[Sixth Doctor|The Doctor]] is working the controls in the [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]]. He accidentally transports his former companion [[Tegan Jovanka]] on board. She is less than happy about this, but reluctantly agrees to help him. He reveals that two [[Sontaran]]s are on board. They have a powerful vitrox bomb with which they intend to blow up the ship.
When the Doctor asks how Gareth knew where all the TARDIS controls were, he says, ''"Well, [[Doctor Who (in-universe)|I've seen you fly the TARDIS on telly]]."''


The Doctor then accidentally beams on board a [[human]] boy, [[Gareth Jenkins (A Fix with Sontarans)|Gareth Jenkins]], who happens to be dressed in an outfit similar to his own. Gareth agrees to help in any way he can. He helps The Doctor set a trap for the Sontarans. The two aliens break into the [[console room]]. The leader introduces himself as Group Marshall [[Nathan (A Fix with Sontarans)|Nathan]] and demands that the Doctor introduce his group. Upon hearing Gareth's name, Nathan reveals that in [[2001]] their invasion of [[Earth]] would be foiled by a brave rebel called Gareth Jenkins. If they kill him now, their future success is assured. However, Gareth springs their trap and kills the two villains. [[Jimmy Savile]] then appears on the scanner screen and then on the TARDIS set. The Doctor presents Gareth with his ''Jim'll Fix It'' medal and as an added treat, the prop "BBC meson gun" the Sontarans used.
[[Jimmy Savile]] appears on the scanner screen, and then enters the TARDIS. The Doctor presents Gareth with his ''Jim'll Fix It'' medal and as an added treat, the prop "BBC meson gun" that the Sontarans used.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
* [[The Doctor]] - [[Colin Baker]]
* [[Sixth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Colin Baker]]
* [[Tegan Jovanka]] - [[Janet Fielding]]
* [[Tegan Jovanka]] - [[Janet Fielding]]
* [[Gareth Jenkins (A Fix with Sontarans)|Gareth Jenkins]] - Himself
* [[Gareth Jenkins]] - [[Gareth Jenkins (actor)|Gareth Jenkins]]
* Group Marshall [[Nathan (A Fix with Sontarans)|Nathan]] - [[Clinton Greyn]]
* Group Marshall [[Nathan (A Fix with Sontarans)|Nathan]] - [[Clinton Greyn]]
* [[Turner|2nd Sontaran]] -[[Tim Raynham]]
* [[Turner (A Fix with Sontarans)|2nd Sontaran]] - [[Tim Raynham]]
* [[Jimmy Savile]] - Himself
* [[Jimmy Savile]] - Himself


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* The format of ''Jim'll Fix It'' involved viewers asking requests of the host, [[Jimmy Savile]]. [[Gareth Jenkins (A Fix with Sontarans)|Gareth Jenkins]] had his own [[Sixth Doctor]] costume made for him by his grandmother, and asked to meet Colin Baker and tour the TARDIS set. The producers of the two programmes expanded on the idea and wrote the mini-episode around him.
* ''A Fix with Sontarans'' was broadcast during the run of ''[[The Two Doctors (TV story)|The Two Doctors]]''. Jimmy Savile introduces the skit as a "specially written episode with two Doctor Whos in it".
* Despite rumours to the contrary, the young Gareth Jenkins in this broadcast is not the same [[Gareth Jenkins]] who worked as a composer, audio engineer and actor for [[Big Finish]] in the [[2000s]].
* Despite rumours to the contrary, the young [[Gareth Jenkins]] in this broadcast is not the same [[Gareth Jenkins (sound designer)|Gareth Jenkins]] who worked as a composer, audio engineer and actor for [[Big Finish]] in the [[2000s]].
* "A Fix with Sontarans" was broadcast during the run of ''[[The Two Doctors]]'' and is featured as an extra on the DVD release of that story.
* The Doctor asks Gareth to "co-ordinate the vespian transmogrifier ratchet override flange simulator". Tegan rolls her eyes and snaps that there's no such thing, only to be proven wrong. She admits to her theory that the Doctor sometimes makes up the control names, which he debunks.
* Unlike most mini-episodes in the BBC Wales era, ''A Fix with Sontarans'' features the complete opening titles sequence and theme song. The sequence differed, however, from the normal series episodes prior to the [[1996]] [[Doctor Who (TV story)|telefilm]], in that the star's name was billed in text: "Staring Colin Baker" ... "With Gareth Jenkins". Neither Janet Fielding nor Jimmy Savile was listed. Until 1996, only writers received billing in the opening titles of full-length episodes.  
* Gareth Jenkins reunited with [[Colin Baker]] for the first time since filming at a signing event in January 2013. <ref name="close encounters">http://sixthdoctorcostume.blogspot.com/2013/01/close-encounters-of-sixth-kind.html</ref>
* Group Marshal [[Nathan (A Fix with Sontarans)|Nathan]] and his subordinate, unnamed on-screen but referred to as "[[Turner]]" in the script, were a sly reference to the then-current ''Doctor Who'' producer [[John Nathan-Turner]].
* In 2015, Gareth Jenkins was interviewed by [[Toby Hadoke]] for [[THWR 107|Round 107]] of ''[[Toby Hadoke's Who's Round]]''.
* Janet Fielding was asked to participate in the sketch when it was discovered that [[Nicola Bryant]] was out of the country on holiday and unavailable to fill her role as the Doctor's then-current assistant, [[Peri Brown]]. She wore the flight attendant uniform she had on in ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'' during most of [[Season 19]], though since leaving the series her hair had grown much longer and she had bleached it blonde.
* Due to the [[Jimmy Savile]] controversy, the story is no longer available as an extra on the DVD release of ''[[The Two Doctors (TV story)|The Two Doctors]]'' as of [[2014 (releases)|2014]]. [[A Fix with Sontarans (home video)|It was, however, edited and re-added]] to the blu-ray as part of the release of ''[[The Collection]]: [[Season 22 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 22]]'' in [[2022 (releases)|2022]].
* This skit is not considered part of the canon. Attempts are occasionally made to fit it into continuity. Peri's absence is not explained. When Tegan arrives (wearing a flight attendant's uniform similar to the one she wore in the series, even though sometime between ''[[Time-Flight]]'' and ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'' she lost her job at the airline), the Doctor explains he has [[regeneration|regenerated]]; since Tegan witnessed this before, she is not surprised. She is also shown to be somewhat familiar with TARDIS controls, in keeping with her character in her earlier appearances. In retrospect, it is possible to place this story at any of these points:
 
** In the post-[[The Trial of a Time Lord|Trial of a Time Lord]] era, as the Doctor would have travelled alone after that story (in between meeting [[Melanie Bush]] at his trial, and taking on her slightly younger self as a companion).
=== Errors ===
** While Peri was asleep in her quarters (as in the case of [[Amy Pond]] and [[Rory Williams]] when three incarnations of their daughter [[River Song]] visited the [[Eleventh Doctor]] in ''[[First Night (TV story)|First Night]]'' & ''[[Last Night (TV story)|Last Night]]'', and in the case of Rory throughout ''[[Good Night (TV story)|Good Night]]'' and most of ''[[Bad Night (TV story)|Bad Night]]'' as well).
* Tegan is wearing a flight attendant's uniform similar to the one she wore in the series, even though she lost her job at the airline sometime between ''[[Time-Flight (TV story)|Time-Flight]]'' and ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]''. Though the short story ''[[Fixing a Hole (short story)|Fixing a Hole]]'', which acted as a sequel, addressed this by having Tegan say she had to call in favours to get back her job.
** While Peri was awake but busy elsewhere in the TARDIS (as was the case when [[Leela]] was in the swimming pool at the start of ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'').
* Whilst Tegan questions the Doctor about the vespian transmogrifier ratchet override flange simulator, a boom shadow is seen on the TARDIS console.
** While Peri was temporarily away during her companionship (as was the case when [[Donna Noble]] was at a spa in ''[[Midnight (TV story)|Midnight]]''; when [[Rose Tyler]] was at an [[ABBA]] concert in ''[[Attack of the Graske (video game)|Attack of the Graske]]''; and when Amy & Rory were honeymooning during ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'', settling into married life between ''[[Time (TV story)|Time]]'' and ''[[The Impossible Astronaut (TV story)|The Impossible Astronaut]]'', posing as fugitives to investigate the [[Silence]] between ''The Impossible Astronaut'' and ''[[Day of the Moon]]'', spending the summer in [[Leadworth]] between ''[[A Good Man Goes to War (TV story)|A Good Man Goes to war]]'' and ''[[Let's Kill Hitler]]'', pretending to mourn the Doctor's death for twenty months between ''[[The Wedding of River Song (TV story)|The Wedding of River Song]]'' and the end of ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'', and then dealing all of their myriad sojourns back in "real life" between the travelling with the Doctor until ''[[The Angels Take Manhattan (TV story)|The Angels Take Manhattan]] ''.
 
** Note also that [[K9 Mark II]] was nowhere to be seen during ''[[Mona Lisa's Revenge (TV story)|Mona Lisa's Revenge]]''; and [[Kamelion]] was absent from all of the episodes between ''[[The King's Demons (TV story)|The King's Demons]]'' and ''[[Planet of Fire (TV story)|Planet of Fire]]''. Long before either of those robotic companions, the flesh-and-blood characters would go missing – the early years, the Doctor or a companion would occasionally be written out of an episode in the middle of a serial, in order for that actor to take a week's holiday from the gruelling non-stop schedule.
=== Production ===
* The format of ''Jim'll Fix It'' involved viewers asking requests of the host, [[Jimmy Savile]]. The show had wanted to do a ''Doctor Who'' fix for "about four years", at one point almost getting the [[Terileptil]]s' [[Terileptil android|android]] from ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'' to do someone's homework, before new director Marcus Mortimer approached [[John Nathan-Turner]]. It was at Nathan-Turner's insistence that any sketch be in character and he also suggested [[Eric Saward]] write it.<ref name="DWM104">[[DWM 104]]</ref>
* Gareth Jenkins had his own [[Sixth Doctor]] costume made for him by his grandmother and asked to appear in a ''Doctor Who'' story as the Doctor. His letter to Jimmy Savile read as follows:
:: ''Dear Jim,''
:: ''I like Dr. Who very much because I have got Colin Baker's Doctor Who suit made by my Nan and a tent TARDIS. Please could I see Colin Baker and go inside the TARDIS.''
:: ''Yours sincerely''
:: ''Gareth Jenkins (Age 8).''
* Group Marshal [[Nathan (A Fix with Sontarans)|Nathan]] and his subordinate, unnamed on-screen but referred to as "[[Turner (A Fix with Sontarans)|Turner]]" in the script, were a sly reference to the then-current ''Doctor Who'' producer [[John Nathan-Turner]]. This happened in rehearsal: the script called him "Group Marshal Stern".<ref name="DWM104"/>
* According to one explanation, [[Janet Fielding]] was asked to participate in the sketch when it was discovered that [[Nicola Bryant]] was out of the country on holiday and unavailable to fill her role as the Doctor's then-current assistant, [[Peri Brown]]. She wore the flight attendant uniform she had worn in ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'' and during most of [[Season 19 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 19]], though since leaving the series her hair had grown much longer and she had bleached it blonde. Both of these issues were addressed in ''[[Fixing a Hole (short story)|Fixing a Hole]]'', which acted as a sequel.
** Bryant disputed this explanation of her absence, saying that her exclusion from the sketch was retaliation from Nathan-Turner and the BBC for her initially declining to appear in the ''Cinderella'' pantomime with Colin Baker and [[Mary Tamm]]. ([[DOC]]: ''Nicola Bryant in Conversation'')
* Gareth Jenkins learned all his lines but Colin Baker hadn't had time, so he wrote out some of them on the TARDIS console as [[Jon Pertwee]] had — even joking he "did a Pertwee". He claimed in interview that he'd improvised technobabble only for Gareth to repeat "not what I said but what he'd learned"<ref>[[DWM 323]]</ref>, though in the final version, Gareth does repeat Baker's lines. Again according to Baker, multiple retakes were necessary because of the differences between what they'd said.<ref>''[[The Colin Baker Years (VHS box set)|The Colin Baker Years]]''</ref>
* Colin Baker later told the newspaper ''[[Daily Mail]]'' that he found Jimmy Savile "creepy and patronising", with "none of the professional respect that one would expect to be shared when two programmes combine for a special purpose". ''"I recall clearly the disappointment I felt for the young boy [Gareth] for whom I suspect the whole experience was daunting and overwhelming."''<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2230497/Colin-Bakers-verdict-Jimmy-Savile-His-eyes-cold-behaved-like-child-indulged.html Daily Mail: "Colin Baker's verdict on Jimmy Saville"]</ref>
 
== Home media releases ==
The mini-episode was originally included as a bonus feature on the 2003 DVD release of [[TV]]: ''[[The Two Doctors (TV story)|The Two Doctors]]''. However, in the wake of widespread allegations of paedophilia against Jimmy Savile<ref name="close encounters" />, the host of ''Jim'll Fix It'' (who appears briefly in the mini-episode), as of 2014 BBC Worldwide has removed it from more recent pressings of the DVD.<ref>[http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2014/09/two-doctors-revised-release.html Doctor Who News: "Two Doctors Revised Release"]</ref> (Jenkins has said nothing inappropriate happened on ''A Fix with Sontarans''<ref name="close encounters" />)
 
The documentary ''[[Built for War (documentary)|Built for War]]'', included on DVD releases of ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'', features a discussion of this mini-episode that includes several clips. In its release as part of ''Doctor Who: The Collection - [[Season 12 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 12]]'', the ''A Fix with Sontarans'' segment is edited to remove Savile's image from the TARDIS scanner and cut Baker's subsequent comment alluding to the host's character.
 
With the release of ''Doctor Who: [[The Collection]] - [[Season 22 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 22]]'', ''[[A Fix with Sontarans (home video)|A Fix with Sontarans]]'' was again included with the ''The Two Doctors'' blu-ray. The mini-episode was edited to remove the entire Jimmy Savile segment from the story, with the documentary also omitting any mention of the host. Instead, the mini-episode had an added scene in place of the cut sequences.


== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[de:A Fix with Sontarans]]
[[Category:Articles that were originally Wikipedia forks]]
[[Category:Articles that were originally Wikipedia forks]]
[[Category:Parodies and pastiches]]
[[Category:Doctor Who mini-episodes]]
[[Category:Doctor Who mini-episodes]]
[[Category:Non-DWU stories]]
[[Category:1985 television stories]]
[[Category:1985 television stories]]
[[Category:Television stories that use the Peter Howell theme]]
[[Category:Crossovers with non-DWU series]]
[[Category:Non-DWU television stories]]

Latest revision as of 07:07, 3 December 2024

RealWorld.png
This subject is not a valid source for writing our in-universe articles, and may only be referenced in behind the scenes sections or other invalid-tagged articles.

You may be looking for the recut 2022 edition.

A Fix with Sontarans was a Doctor Who mini-episode specially written for the BBC's children's programme Jim'll Fix It, featuring the Sixth Doctor. It was broadcast on 23 February 1985.

A re-edited A Fix with Sontarans was re-released on 20 June 2022 as part of Doctor Who: The Collection — Season 22, with all Jim'll Fix It connections and fourth-wall-breaking removed, instead ending on Sontaran ships appearing on the TARDIS scanner.

Plot

The Sixth Doctor is operating the controls on the TARDIS console. He accidentally transports his former companion Tegan Jovanka on board, who is less than happy about this, but reluctantly agrees to help when the Doctor reveals that two Sontarans are on board. They have a powerful vitrox bomb with which they intend to blow up the ship.

The Doctor then accidentally beams on board a human boy, Gareth Jenkins, who happens to be dressed in an outfit similar to the Doctor's own. Gareth agrees to help in any way he can. Tegan brings a box for Gareth to stand on so he can reach the controls and help the Doctor set a trap for the Sontarans. The aliens break into the console room. The leader introduces himself as Group Marshal Nathan and demands that the Doctor introduce his group. Upon hearing Gareth's name, Nathan reveals that in 2001 their invasion of Earth would be foiled by a brave military leader called Gareth Jenkins. If they kill him now, their future success is assured. However, Gareth springs the trap and kills the Sontarans.

When the Doctor asks how Gareth knew where all the TARDIS controls were, he says, "Well, I've seen you fly the TARDIS on telly."

Jimmy Savile appears on the scanner screen, and then enters the TARDIS. The Doctor presents Gareth with his Jim'll Fix It medal and as an added treat, the prop "BBC meson gun" that the Sontarans used.

Cast

Story notes

  • A Fix with Sontarans was broadcast during the run of The Two Doctors. Jimmy Savile introduces the skit as a "specially written episode with two Doctor Whos in it".
  • Despite rumours to the contrary, the young Gareth Jenkins in this broadcast is not the same Gareth Jenkins who worked as a composer, audio engineer and actor for Big Finish in the 2000s.
  • The Doctor asks Gareth to "co-ordinate the vespian transmogrifier ratchet override flange simulator". Tegan rolls her eyes and snaps that there's no such thing, only to be proven wrong. She admits to her theory that the Doctor sometimes makes up the control names, which he debunks.
  • Gareth Jenkins reunited with Colin Baker for the first time since filming at a signing event in January 2013. [1]
  • In 2015, Gareth Jenkins was interviewed by Toby Hadoke for Round 107 of Toby Hadoke's Who's Round.
  • Due to the Jimmy Savile controversy, the story is no longer available as an extra on the DVD release of The Two Doctors as of 2014. It was, however, edited and re-added to the blu-ray as part of the release of The Collection: Season 22 in 2022.

Errors

  • Tegan is wearing a flight attendant's uniform similar to the one she wore in the series, even though she lost her job at the airline sometime between Time-Flight and Arc of Infinity. Though the short story Fixing a Hole, which acted as a sequel, addressed this by having Tegan say she had to call in favours to get back her job.
  • Whilst Tegan questions the Doctor about the vespian transmogrifier ratchet override flange simulator, a boom shadow is seen on the TARDIS console.

Production

  • The format of Jim'll Fix It involved viewers asking requests of the host, Jimmy Savile. The show had wanted to do a Doctor Who fix for "about four years", at one point almost getting the Terileptils' android from The Visitation to do someone's homework, before new director Marcus Mortimer approached John Nathan-Turner. It was at Nathan-Turner's insistence that any sketch be in character and he also suggested Eric Saward write it.[2]
  • Gareth Jenkins had his own Sixth Doctor costume made for him by his grandmother and asked to appear in a Doctor Who story as the Doctor. His letter to Jimmy Savile read as follows:
Dear Jim,
I like Dr. Who very much because I have got Colin Baker's Doctor Who suit made by my Nan and a tent TARDIS. Please could I see Colin Baker and go inside the TARDIS.
Yours sincerely
Gareth Jenkins (Age 8).
  • Group Marshal Nathan and his subordinate, unnamed on-screen but referred to as "Turner" in the script, were a sly reference to the then-current Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner. This happened in rehearsal: the script called him "Group Marshal Stern".[2]
  • According to one explanation, Janet Fielding was asked to participate in the sketch when it was discovered that Nicola Bryant was out of the country on holiday and unavailable to fill her role as the Doctor's then-current assistant, Peri Brown. She wore the flight attendant uniform she had worn in Logopolis and during most of Season 19, though since leaving the series her hair had grown much longer and she had bleached it blonde. Both of these issues were addressed in Fixing a Hole, which acted as a sequel.
    • Bryant disputed this explanation of her absence, saying that her exclusion from the sketch was retaliation from Nathan-Turner and the BBC for her initially declining to appear in the Cinderella pantomime with Colin Baker and Mary Tamm. (DOC: Nicola Bryant in Conversation)
  • Gareth Jenkins learned all his lines but Colin Baker hadn't had time, so he wrote out some of them on the TARDIS console as Jon Pertwee had — even joking he "did a Pertwee". He claimed in interview that he'd improvised technobabble only for Gareth to repeat "not what I said but what he'd learned"[3], though in the final version, Gareth does repeat Baker's lines. Again according to Baker, multiple retakes were necessary because of the differences between what they'd said.[4]
  • Colin Baker later told the newspaper Daily Mail that he found Jimmy Savile "creepy and patronising", with "none of the professional respect that one would expect to be shared when two programmes combine for a special purpose". "I recall clearly the disappointment I felt for the young boy [Gareth] for whom I suspect the whole experience was daunting and overwhelming."[5]

Home media releases

The mini-episode was originally included as a bonus feature on the 2003 DVD release of TV: The Two Doctors. However, in the wake of widespread allegations of paedophilia against Jimmy Savile[1], the host of Jim'll Fix It (who appears briefly in the mini-episode), as of 2014 BBC Worldwide has removed it from more recent pressings of the DVD.[6] (Jenkins has said nothing inappropriate happened on A Fix with Sontarans[1])

The documentary Built for War, included on DVD releases of The Sontaran Experiment, features a discussion of this mini-episode that includes several clips. In its release as part of Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 12, the A Fix with Sontarans segment is edited to remove Savile's image from the TARDIS scanner and cut Baker's subsequent comment alluding to the host's character.

With the release of Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 22, A Fix with Sontarans was again included with the The Two Doctors blu-ray. The mini-episode was edited to remove the entire Jimmy Savile segment from the story, with the documentary also omitting any mention of the host. Instead, the mini-episode had an added scene in place of the cut sequences.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://sixthdoctorcostume.blogspot.com/2013/01/close-encounters-of-sixth-kind.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 DWM 104
  3. ↑ DWM 323
  4. ↑ The Colin Baker Years
  5. ↑ Daily Mail: "Colin Baker's verdict on Jimmy Saville"
  6. ↑ Doctor Who News: "Two Doctors Revised Release"
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