A Fix with Sontarans (TV story)
A Fix with Sontarans is the name of a specially written "episode" for the BBC's children's programme Jim'll Fix It, featuring the Sixth Doctor. It was broadcast on 23 February 1985. It is not generally considered to be canonical by Doctor Who fans.
Plot
The Doctor is working the controls in the TARDIS, and 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 Sontarans are on board, and they possess 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 his own. Gareth agrees to help in any way he can, and 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 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; and 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 "Meson gun" the Sontarans used.
Cast
- The Doctor - Colin Baker
- Tegan Jovanka - Janet Fielding
- Gareth Jenkins - Himself
- Group Marshall Nathan - Clinton Greyn
- 2nd Sontaran -Tim Raynham
- Jimmy Savile - Himself
Story notes
- The format of Jim'll Fix It involved viewers asking request of the host, Jimmy Savile. Gareth Jenkins had his own Sixth Doctor costume made for him by his grandmother and requested to appear in a Doctor Who story as the Doctor.
- Despite rumours to the contrary, the young Gareth Jenkins in this broadcast is not the same Gareth Jenkins who currently works as a composer, audio engineer, and actor for Doctor Who audio play producers Big Finish.
- "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.
- 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.
- Janet Fielding was asked to participate in the sketch when it was discovered that Nicola Bryant was out of the country on holiday, and thus would not be available to reprise her role as the Doctor's then-current assistant Peri Brown. She wore the flight attendant uniform she had on in Logopolis during most of Season 19, though since leaving the series Fielding's hair had grown much longer and she had dyed it blonde.
- Although this skit is not considered part of the canon, attempts are made to fit it into continuity. Peri's absence is not explained, though the special is said to be set around after her death, but 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 she lost her job at the airline, later this is explained as she had got her job back after parting ways with the Doctor), the Doctor explains that he has regenerated; since Tegan witnessed this once 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. Although it was produced prior to The Trial of a Time Lord, it is possible to place this in the Doctor's timeframe after the events of that storyline, and before his official first meeting with Melanie Bush. It could possibly take place at around the time of the Big Finish audio Davros.
- This is the only televised meeting between the Sixth Doctor and Tegan.
Timeline
- This story takes place after PDA: Palace of the Red Sun
- This story takes place before ST: Fixing a Hole (takes place during the Doctor's dream)
See also
- Tonight's the Night, a 2009 mini-episode also created around a contest winner.
