BBC Doctor Who - The Stories BBC
QuickNav to a Season: 
QuickNav to a Story: 
 
The Previous Story
School Reunion
 The Previous Story
The Previous Story
(Tooth and Claw)
 The Next Story
(The Girl in the Fireplace)
Season
Details
SynopsisGeneral
Information
The
Episodes
Audience
Appreciation
ArchivesNotesFirst and LastThe PlotQuote of
the Story
Release
Information
In PrintPhoto
Gallery
 

David Tennant
School Reunion
Tenth Doctor Logo


Synopsis


Sarah Jane Smith
Sarah Jane Smith
 The Doctor meets an old friend, Sarah Jane Smith, and Rose discovers the legacy of being a Time Lord’s companion.

Source: BBC DVD


General Information

Season: Twenty Eight (New Series 2)
Production Code: 2-3
Story Number: 170 (New Series: 14)
Episode Number:713 (New Series: 17)
Number of Episodes: 1
Percentage of Episodes Held:100%
Working Titles:"Old Friends" and "Black Ops"
Production Dates: August - October 2005
Broadcast Date: 29 April 2006
Colour Status: Colour
Studio: BBC Wales (Unit Q2, Newport) and Enfys Television Studios (Cardiff)
Location: Fitzalan High School (Leckwith, Cardiff), Duffryn High School (Newport) and Da Vinci's Coffee Shop (Newport).
Writer:Toby Whithouse
Director:James Hawes
Producer:Phil Collinson
Executive Producers:Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies
Associate Producer:Helen Vallis
Script Editor:Helen Raynor
Editor:Liana Del Giudice
Production Manager:Tracie Simpson
Production Designer:Edward Thomas
Director of Photography:Ernie Vincze BSC
Casting Director:Andy Pryor CDG
Costume Designer:Louise Page
Make-Up Designer:Sheelagh Wells
Cameraman:Julian Barber (Operator)
Visual Effects:The Mill
Special Effects:Any Effects
Prosthetics:Millennium Effects and Neill Gorton
Stunt Co-ordinator:Peter Brayham
Stunt Performer:Maurice Lee
Incidental Music:Murray Gold
Special Sounds (SFX Editor):Paul Jefferies
Sound Recordist:Simon Fraser
Sound Editors:Doug Sinclair and Paul McFadden
Music Performed By:The BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Title Music:Ron Grainer and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Arranged by Murray Gold
K9 Originally Created By: Bob Baker and Dave Martin
Number of Doctors: 1
The Doctor: David Tennant (The Tenth Doctor)
Number of Companions: 3The Companions: Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith) (Rejoins and Departs), John Leeson (voice only) (K9 Mk III) (Rejoins and Departs) and Billie Piper (Rose Tyler) Number of Acquaintances: 1The Acquaintance: Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith) Guest Cast: Anthony Head (Mr Finch) Additional Cast: Rod Arthur (Mr Parsons), Eugene Washington (Mr Wagner), Heather Cameron (Nina), Joe Pickley (Kenny), Benjamin Smith (Luke), Clem Tibber (Milo), Lucinda Dryzek (Melissa), Caroline Berry (Dinner Lady)Setting: Deffry Vale High School, London (2007) Villain: Krillitanes

The Episodes

No. Episodes Broadcast
(UK)
Duration Viewers
(Millions)
In Archive
713School Reunion29 April 200644'11"8.3Yes

Total Duration 44 Minutes


Audience Appreciation

Average Viewers (Millions) 8.3
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2006)83.75%  (Position = 4 out of 11)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2009)81.45% Lower (Position = 33 out of 200)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2014)82.09% Higher (Position = 36 out of 241)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2023) Position = 10 out of 36


Archives


 This story exists and is held in the BBC's Film and Videotape Library.



Return to the top of this page
 


Notes


This story features the long-awaited return of one of the most beloved of The Doctor's companions, Sarah Jane Smith (played by Elisabeth Sladen) and the robot dog K9 (voiced by John Leeson). Interestingly Sarah Jane was never actually given K9 in a Doctor Who adventure. Imstead she receive one as a gift in the 1981 spin-off story "K9 and Company: A Girl's Best Friend".

Actress Elisabeth Sladen initially turned down the chance to resurrect Sarah Jane, mistakenly thinking that she was only being offered a cameo role, rather than a major one.

Guest star Anthony Stewart Head originally starred in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He has also appeared in two of the BBC's animated Doctor Who adventures - "Death Comes to Time" and "The Infinite Quest" and has also narrated many episodes of Doctor Who Confidential.

Viewers learn that Sarah Jane Smith was left behind in Aberdeen and not Croydon. Sarah though seems to have forgotten the events in the 1983 Twentieth Anniversary Special "The Five Doctors".

During the bragging match between Rose and Sarah Jane the former companion mentions: "Death to the Daleks" and "Genesis of the Daleks" for the Daleks; "Robot", "The Sontaran Experiment" and "The Android Invasion" for 'lots of robots'; "Planet of Evil" for anti-matter monsters; "Pyramids of Mars" for mummies; "Invasion of the Dinosaurs" for dinosaurs and "Terror of the Zygons" for the Loch Ness Monster.

The Doctor refers to K9 as being a "mark three" which we learned in the 1981 spin-off story "K9 and Company: A Girl's Best Friend".

The aged K9 prop is based on an original lightweight body shell used in the 1970s and 1980s, when he had to be carried by actors. The rebuilt version is the proper radio controlled version last seen in the Thirtieth-Anniversary Children In Need special "Dimensions in Time", in 1993 and owned by former BBC Special Effects designer Mat Irvine.

The Krillitanes were originally called 'Krillians', until it was discovered that the name was trademarked.

The 50 second TARDISode for this story depicted Mickey phoning Rose to alert her to the strange goings-on at Deffry Vale. This was filmed on the 8th October 2005 at the Da Vinci's Coffee Shop in Newport. As with all the other TARDISode's - all of which were written by Gareth Roberts - it could be downloaded from the BBC Doctor Who website or via a mobile phone a week before the broadcast of the main story.

The ending of this story contains a trailer for the next story - "The Girl in the Fireplace".

Following on immediately after this story, on BBC3, was the third chapter of the second series of Doctor Who Confidential, "Friends Reunited" presented by Mark Gatiss.

Writer Toby Whithouse went on to write the Torchwood episode "Greeks Bearing Gifts".



First and Last

The Firsts:

 The first time a companion from the original series appears in the revised show.

 The first time former companion Sarah Jane Smith, played by Elisabeth Sladen, appears in the revised show.

 The first time former companion K9, voiced by John Leeson, appears in the revised show.

 The first Doctor Who story to be written by Toby Whithouse.


Return to the top of this page
 


The Plot

WARNING: May Contain SpoilersHide Text
The New Teacher
The New Teacher

The Doctor meets an old friend, Sarah Jane Smith, and Rose Tyler discovers the legacy of being a Time Lord’s companion.

Led to Deffry Vale High School by Mickey, who's been following mysterious UFO sightings and some strange staff changes, The Doctor infiltrates the school as a new teacher while Rose is a dinner lady.

There they witness strange goings on especially with some very intelligent children and some very strange lessons. They soon discover that Mr. Finch, the headmaster has been changing the school to improve the students' performance - changes that include free lunches with special chips. The Doctor and Rose discover that alien Krillitanes, beings who have evolved by taking on the characteristics of other species, have taken over the school.

Rose Tyler
Rose Tyler

But there is someone else in the school – a journalist called Sarah Jane Smith who is also investigating the school. But a shock awaits her when she discovers the TARDIS in the school and so she finds herself reunited with The Doctor.

With the help of Sarah Jane and his current travelling companions The Doctor is able to uncover the reason for the Krillitanes presence at the school - they are brainwashing the children so that they can crack the Skasis Paradigm, the universal theory that controls the building blocks of the universe. With this power the Krillitanes will then be able to take full control over time and space.

Sarah Jane Smith
Sarah Jane Smith

The Doctor also discovers that Sarah Jane has brought along K9. But K9 is no longer functioning. The Doctor though manages to fix K9 who, after analysing the cooking oil being used in the kitchen, tells The Doctor that it is what is being used to enhance the intelligence of the children – The Doctor also realises that the oil is harmful to the Krillitanes and so can be used to defeat them.

With the paradigm nearly solved Mr. Finch propositions The Doctor by tempting him with the ability to save the Time Lords and override human mortality. The Doctor though refuses – which angers Mr. Finch causing the Krillitanes to take revenge. As Mickey unplugs all the computers, allowing the children to flee, The Doctor leads the Krillitanes to the kitchen. Upon their arrival, K9 opens fire on the oil barrels, destroying the Krillitanes, the school, and himself.

As the TARDIS departs, leaving Sarah Jane behind to carry on with her life, she finds that not all is not lost as The Doctor has left behind a brand new K9 as a parting gift. Meanwhile aboard the TARDIS The Doctor has a new travelling companion as Mickey has requested to join him and Rose in the TARDIS.

 
Special Class
Special Class
The Doctor
The Doctor
Sarah Jane Smith
Sarah Jane Smith
Sarah Jane and Rose
Sarah Jane and Rose
 
A Krillitane
A Krillitane
Mickey with K9
Mickey with K9
Mickey Pulls the Plug
Mickey Pulls the Plug
The Doctor and K9 Reunited
The Doctor and K9 Reunited




Quote of the Story


 'Aww, mate! The missus and the ex! Welcome to every man's worst nightmare!'

Mickey Smith



Return to the top of this page
 


Release Information

FormatTitleRelease Date (UK)Code NumberCover ArtRemarks
Video
DVD
Tooth and Claw - School Reunion - The Girl in the FireplaceJune 2006BBCDVD 1961Photo-montage
Video
DVD
The Complete Second SeriesNovember 2006BBCDVD 2122Photo-montageBoxed set containing all 11 stories
Video
DVD
The Complete Second Series (Amazon Version)November 2006BBCDVD 2122Photo-montageLimited Edition 'Cyberman Head' box set containing all 11 stories
Audio
CD
Original Television SoundtrackDecember 2006SILCD1224Photo-montageMusic by Murray Gold
Audio
CD
Original Television Soundtrack - Series 1 and 22007Photo-montageMusic by Murray Gold
Video
DVD
Series 1 - 4 Box SetOctober 2009BBCDVD 3058Boxed set containing all 43 stories on 23 Discs
Video
Blu-Ray
The Complete Series 1-7 Box Set (Limited Edition)December 2013BBCBD 0242Photo-montageLimited Edition Blu-Ray boxed set containing all Series 1-7 stories at full 1080p high definition
Video
DVD
The Complete Second Series (2014 Re-release)August 2014BBCDVD 3966Photo-montageBoxed set containing all 11 stories
Video
DVD
The Complete David Tennant Years Box SetNovember 2014BBCDVD 4000Photo-montageBoxed set containing all 37 stories on 26 Discs
Video
Blu-Ray
The Complete Second Series Box SetAugust 2015BBCBD 0262Photo-montageBlu-Ray boxed set containing 11 stories
Audio
LP
Original Television Soundtrack - Series 1 and 22016Photo-montageMusic by Murray Gold
Video
DVD
The Complete Second Series Box Set (Limited Edition Steelbook)July 2017BBCDVD 2317Photo-montageLimited Edition DVD Steelbook boxed set containing 10 stories (Amazon Exclusive)
Video
Blu-Ray
The Complete Second Series Box Set (Limited Edition Steelbook)July 2017BBCBD 0393Photo-montageLimited Edition Blu-Ray Steelbook boxed set containing 10 stories (Amazon Exclusive)
Video
Blu-Ray
Series 1 - 4 & Specials Blu-Ray CollectionNovember 2023BBCBD 0582Photo-montageBoxed set containing all Ninth and Tenth Doctor stories upscaled to high definition


In Print

No Book Release
Doctor Who Magazine - PreviewIssue 369 (Released: May 2006)
Doctor Who Magazine - ArticleIssue 370 (Released: June 2006)
Doctor Who Magazine - After ImageIssue 371 (Released: July 2006)
Doctor Who Magazine - Time TeamIssue 445 (Released: April 2012)
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of FictionIssue 530 (Released: November 2018)
Doctor Who DVD FilesVolume 9 (Released: May 2009)

Return to the top of this page
 


Photo Gallery


The Doctor and Companions/Acquaintance

 
David Tennant
The Tenth Doctor

   

Elisabeth Sladen
Sarah Jane Smith
John Leeson (voice only)
K9 Mk III
Billie Piper
Rose Tyler
   
Noel Clarke
Mickey Smith





On Release

DVD Cover
DVD Cover

BBC
VIDEO
Complete Series DVD Box Set
Complete Series DVD Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
DVD Box Set<BR>(Amazon Version)
DVD Box Set
(Amazon Version)

BBC
VIDEO
Original Television Soundtrack Cover
Original Television Soundtrack Cover

BBC
AUDIO
   
Original Television Soundtrack Silva Screen CD Cover
Original Television Soundtrack Silva Screen CD Cover

Silva Screen
AUDIO
Series 1-4 DVD Box Set
Series 1-4 DVD Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
Complete Series 1-7 Ltd Edition Blu-Ray Box Set
Complete Series 1-7 Ltd Edition Blu-Ray Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
Complete Series DVD Box Set<BR>(2014 Re-release)
Complete Series DVD Box Set
(2014 Re-release)

BBC
VIDEO
   
Complete David Tennant Years DVD Box Set
Complete David Tennant Years DVD Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
Complete Series Blu-Ray Box Set
Complete Series Blu-Ray Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
Original Television Soundtrack Vinyl Cover
Original Television Soundtrack Vinyl Cover

Silva Screen
AUDIO
Complete Series DVD Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set
Complete Series DVD Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
   
Complete Series Blu-Ray Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set
Complete Series Blu-Ray Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
Series 1 - 4 & Specials Blu-Ray Collection Cover
Series 1 - 4 & Specials Blu-Ray Collection Cover

BBC
VIDEO



Magazines

Doctor Who Magazine - Preview: Issue 369
Doctor Who Magazine - Preview: Issue 369

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Article: Issue 370
Doctor Who Magazine - Article: Issue 370

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - After Image: Issue 371
Doctor Who Magazine - After Image: Issue 371

Marvel Comics
   
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 445
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 445

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of Fiction: Issue 530
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of Fiction: Issue 530

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who DVD Files: Volume 9
Doctor Who DVD Files: Volume 9

GE Fabbri
   

Return to the top of this page
 
 
Who's Who
KJ Software
Who Me
Episodes of the
Tenth Doctor


Season 28 (New Series 2) Press to go back to the previous visited page References
 
 
Doctor Who is the copyright of the British Broadcasting Corporation. No infringements intended. This site is not endorsed by the BBC or any representatives thereof.