Post by Cyggy on Nov 29, 2023 18:40:38 GMT
Behind the scenes of this story....
After Eric Saward's resignation during production of "Terror of the Vervoids", Jonathan Powell suggested to JN-T that he persuade him to return, making it clear that he could offer no replacement. Saward refused, but agreed to continue with the task of writing the season finale...
Then...
Saward agreed - and delivered - but John was not happy with the final scene.
Unable to reach Saward by phone, John suggested a meeting on either Monday 26th or Tuesday 27th.
Instead, on 28th May, Saward's final draft of episode 14 was delivered by hand with a covering letter...
Saward furiously rejected John's "patronizing denial", suggesting cryptically that he:
Powell ordered John to draft a reply, which he then signed.
But it was not Saward's, of course. Next stop was Starburst magazine
From JNT by Richard Marson
After Eric Saward's resignation during production of "Terror of the Vervoids", Jonathan Powell suggested to JN-T that he persuade him to return, making it clear that he could offer no replacement. Saward refused, but agreed to continue with the task of writing the season finale...
Then...
Eric Saward to JN-T (21st April, 1986):
"When I last spoke to you, I had a story that seemed to be working - I'm sorry to say that it now longer is. Strangely, I can no longer find the conviction, energy or whatever it is necessary to write this sort of tale at the moment. If, as M Grade stated, this part of the production team (ie me) had become complacent, I would be able to throw any s*** down on the page (after all, don't most of the current writers do that anyway?) take the money and run - but I can't.
"As Pip and Jane seem to be liked by their director, I suggest that you ask them to write the last episode. Better still, junk the current episode thirteen and ask them to write the last two - it could in the long run prove easier.
Thank you for your support and kind understanding over the last few weeks (I sincerely mean that). I wish it wasn't ending so messily (I should never have renewed my contract in March - neither should I have returned after I'd quit!) but I really can't go on. Don't hate me too much - I really would stay and continue if I could. Good luck with the season.
"PS: A copy of this isn't going to J. Powell, so you can tell him what you like about my departure. "
"When I last spoke to you, I had a story that seemed to be working - I'm sorry to say that it now longer is. Strangely, I can no longer find the conviction, energy or whatever it is necessary to write this sort of tale at the moment. If, as M Grade stated, this part of the production team (ie me) had become complacent, I would be able to throw any s*** down on the page (after all, don't most of the current writers do that anyway?) take the money and run - but I can't.
"As Pip and Jane seem to be liked by their director, I suggest that you ask them to write the last episode. Better still, junk the current episode thirteen and ask them to write the last two - it could in the long run prove easier.
Thank you for your support and kind understanding over the last few weeks (I sincerely mean that). I wish it wasn't ending so messily (I should never have renewed my contract in March - neither should I have returned after I'd quit!) but I really can't go on. Don't hate me too much - I really would stay and continue if I could. Good luck with the season.
"PS: A copy of this isn't going to J. Powell, so you can tell him what you like about my departure. "
JN-T to Eric Saward:
"I'm sorry you've decided that you feel unable to continue script editing the programme and I should like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work, support and camaraderie over the last five years. I shall miss you. However, as you will not have the pressures of script editing, I would very much like you to continue writing episode 14. I accept the problems you mention with regard to writing this particular episode - it's not easy to wrap up all the loose ends of a 14-part serial in 25 minutes and keep the audience enthralled. But I know you can do it. You have always been best able to emulate (Bob's) style. Perhaps rather than rushing at it, if you took another week, you would be able to see the whole thing a little more clearly. I do hope you agree to this proposal and would be grateful to hear from you asap."
"I'm sorry you've decided that you feel unable to continue script editing the programme and I should like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work, support and camaraderie over the last five years. I shall miss you. However, as you will not have the pressures of script editing, I would very much like you to continue writing episode 14. I accept the problems you mention with regard to writing this particular episode - it's not easy to wrap up all the loose ends of a 14-part serial in 25 minutes and keep the audience enthralled. But I know you can do it. You have always been best able to emulate (Bob's) style. Perhaps rather than rushing at it, if you took another week, you would be able to see the whole thing a little more clearly. I do hope you agree to this proposal and would be grateful to hear from you asap."
Eric Saward to JN-T (20th May, 1986)
"As with every story we've ever worked on together, you've always wanted a 'pantomime walkdown' as you call it. I've never agreed with this rather old-fashioned way of ending a story, or in this case, the season. I have offered you the ultimate in cliffhangers, which is more likely to have the audience screaming for more, than having Colin cooing into the camera and Bonnie slapping her 'principal boy' thigh. As I've said- you can have your 'walkdown' but I shall require detailed notes on how this is to be achieved."
"As with every story we've ever worked on together, you've always wanted a 'pantomime walkdown' as you call it. I've never agreed with this rather old-fashioned way of ending a story, or in this case, the season. I have offered you the ultimate in cliffhangers, which is more likely to have the audience screaming for more, than having Colin cooing into the camera and Bonnie slapping her 'principal boy' thigh. As I've said- you can have your 'walkdown' but I shall require detailed notes on how this is to be achieved."
Unable to reach Saward by phone, John suggested a meeting on either Monday 26th or Tuesday 27th.
Instead, on 28th May, Saward's final draft of episode 14 was delivered by hand with a covering letter...
"What I haven't changed - don't start grinding your teeth until you've read the whole note - is the end. This type of ending had been planned from the very beginning. I am also certain that I told you, albeit a long time ago, what was proposed.
"Even if I hadn't... I think it's stronger, more gripping and gives you the opportunity to take Doctor Who wherever you want next season - for it certainly needs to go further than it did in this one (as I was responsible for ten of it's episodes, I mean that kindly!)
"If you think M Grade will take it off because of what I'm proposing, I think you're mistaken. He'll take it off, if he so chooses, however it ends. You could have "see you next season" flashing in neon throughout the last episode and he would still cancel it. As you well know it seems to be down to audience figures and his personal whim. I feel in my very bones that your 'walkdown' ending is wrong! It's weak, far too predictable and anyway, we've seen it all before. Neither is it very dramatic. If you don't like my ending - fine. If you want to suggest an alternative - strong, powerful and dramatic ending I will, subject to discussion, happily incorporate it, but not your current suggestion."
"Even if I hadn't... I think it's stronger, more gripping and gives you the opportunity to take Doctor Who wherever you want next season - for it certainly needs to go further than it did in this one (as I was responsible for ten of it's episodes, I mean that kindly!)
"If you think M Grade will take it off because of what I'm proposing, I think you're mistaken. He'll take it off, if he so chooses, however it ends. You could have "see you next season" flashing in neon throughout the last episode and he would still cancel it. As you well know it seems to be down to audience figures and his personal whim. I feel in my very bones that your 'walkdown' ending is wrong! It's weak, far too predictable and anyway, we've seen it all before. Neither is it very dramatic. If you don't like my ending - fine. If you want to suggest an alternative - strong, powerful and dramatic ending I will, subject to discussion, happily incorporate it, but not your current suggestion."
Eric Saward to JN-T (1st June, 1986- with a copy going to Jonathan Powell):
"Do you not feel it would be more useful to discuss our difference of opinion privately?, reasonably and in a professional manner, rather than you airing it publicly to a group of fans in the bar at Television Centre? To slag me off to fans, knowing that what you said would be broadcast far and wide in a totally indiscriminate manner, is unforgivable. Among the many things you allegedly said was your intention to personally rewrite my episode. What makes you think you have that authority? If you don't like my rewrite, we either talk some more (a bit late now) or you reject the script totally and start again. I feel sickened by what you've done, especially after having worked together for so long. I have always been aware of your obsession with the fans - especially the American ones - but I had always put that down to the large amounts of money you've told me you earn by attending their conventions. Little did I know that you also opened your mind to them before conferring with the people with whom you work. Does Chris Cluff (sic) know that you allegedly said you were co-directing the last episode? As I can no longer trust you, I am withdrawing the last episode."
"Do you not feel it would be more useful to discuss our difference of opinion privately?, reasonably and in a professional manner, rather than you airing it publicly to a group of fans in the bar at Television Centre? To slag me off to fans, knowing that what you said would be broadcast far and wide in a totally indiscriminate manner, is unforgivable. Among the many things you allegedly said was your intention to personally rewrite my episode. What makes you think you have that authority? If you don't like my rewrite, we either talk some more (a bit late now) or you reject the script totally and start again. I feel sickened by what you've done, especially after having worked together for so long. I have always been aware of your obsession with the fans - especially the American ones - but I had always put that down to the large amounts of money you've told me you earn by attending their conventions. Little did I know that you also opened your mind to them before conferring with the people with whom you work. Does Chris Cluff (sic) know that you allegedly said you were co-directing the last episode? As I can no longer trust you, I am withdrawing the last episode."
JN-T to Eric Saward:
"I am amazed... and appalled at the accusations...
"With regard to the allegation of 'slagging you off' or discussing the script publicly with a group of fans, this is simply totally untrue. Consequently, it is obvious that I have no intention of rewriting your episode. If you had responded to my secretary's attempt to make an appointment to see me today, I would have told you that Im absolutely delighted with the rewrites and that the only thing I wish to discuss is the end... which Jonathan, Chris and I feel is not yet acceptable.
"The only obsession I have with the fans, as you well know, is that I despise their destructive attitude to those that work on the programme. As you are aware, they always feel they can do better. Consequently, fuelling their fires is the last thing I would ever do. It also goes without saying that the allegation that I was 'co-directing' the last episode is just plain ridiculous. Could you give me a ring as soon as possible to make a date to discuss the end? Rather than being angry about your letter, I am more saddened that you should believe allegations from youngsters whose sole ambition is to muck-rake where there is no muck."
"I am amazed... and appalled at the accusations...
"With regard to the allegation of 'slagging you off' or discussing the script publicly with a group of fans, this is simply totally untrue. Consequently, it is obvious that I have no intention of rewriting your episode. If you had responded to my secretary's attempt to make an appointment to see me today, I would have told you that Im absolutely delighted with the rewrites and that the only thing I wish to discuss is the end... which Jonathan, Chris and I feel is not yet acceptable.
"The only obsession I have with the fans, as you well know, is that I despise their destructive attitude to those that work on the programme. As you are aware, they always feel they can do better. Consequently, fuelling their fires is the last thing I would ever do. It also goes without saying that the allegation that I was 'co-directing' the last episode is just plain ridiculous. Could you give me a ring as soon as possible to make a date to discuss the end? Rather than being angry about your letter, I am more saddened that you should believe allegations from youngsters whose sole ambition is to muck-rake where there is no muck."
"chew on a name with the initials A.W. I'm sure it'll bring back tragic memories."
Eric Saward to Brian Turner of BBC Copyright (5th June)
"To make my episode (13) work, I had to rewrite a sizeable chunk. As I wrote the material, unpaid, I am very keen that (the scenes) should not be used in the episode as it stands. I should be grateful if you would confirm, as soon as possible, that the above material has been withdrawn from production."
The BBCs response was that the rewrites on episode 13 had all been conducted within the reasonable remit of any script editor's job.
"To make my episode (13) work, I had to rewrite a sizeable chunk. As I wrote the material, unpaid, I am very keen that (the scenes) should not be used in the episode as it stands. I should be grateful if you would confirm, as soon as possible, that the above material has been withdrawn from production."
The BBCs response was that the rewrites on episode 13 had all been conducted within the reasonable remit of any script editor's job.
Eric Saward to Jonathan Powell (16th June)
"How much longer must I put up with John Nathan Turner's abuse, unprofessionalism and now theft of copywrite material (episode 13)?"
"How much longer must I put up with John Nathan Turner's abuse, unprofessionalism and now theft of copywrite material (episode 13)?"
"I have your letter of 16th of June, which I consider to be grossly defamatory of John-Nathan Turner and the BBC. You would be well-advised to consider the legal risks you run in writing in these terms. As Stephen Edwards (of BBC copyright) has already informed you, the BBC considers that the work you did on episode 13 was within the course of your duties under your contract. Accordingly the copyright in it belongs to the BBC. The BBC is therefore free to use it. That is our final statement on the matter."
From JNT by Richard Marson