Fitz’s Story

Fitz Kreiner, Private Eye. Dishes the dirt.

Fitz Kreiner

Synopsis

On the planet Entusso, the Doctor and Fitz Kreiner investigate Alien Defence Incorporated — your one-stop shop for protection against extraterrestrial invasion! But which is the greatest menace: the hideous Vermin Queens or ADI itself?

Review

Fitz Kreiner is a character that I will admit that I am unfamiliar with. Originating in the novels, Fitz comes from the 1960s and makes his only appearance in audio to date in this story.

This story is really quite good fun. The Doctor’s image is being used as an endorsement for Alien Defence Incorporated, which feels like a very good business strategy if you work in defence. Stephen Cole creates a good world and some good character work, with some nice moments of humour. The recreation of the Doctor being a water machine and Fitz posing as the true brains behind the Doctor’s world saving heroics, despite the evidence to the contrary. Given how incompetent the ADI are at spotting an alien in their midst, it’s probably not a bad idea that they want the Doctor to be a freelance contractor.

There’s a small guest cast here, with perhaps the most notable name being Fenella Woolgar, who played Agatha Christie in The Unicorn and the Wasp. Here she plays the leader of ADI, Femor, who is certainly set up  to be a villain. Then we have Michael Rond, played by Paul Thornley, who directed the adverts starring the Doctor, which turns out to have been a repurposed water robot. Then there is Gastan, a seemingly inept cleaner who turns out to be an alien plotting to take over Entusso.

I really liked Fitz, and his portrayal by Matt di Angelo is really quite charming. Di Angelo plays the part inspired by Danny Dyer, and it’s quite enjoyable having a Cockney lad as the companion to the Doctor, especially as a double act as they are in this story. It’s rare to get a story with the Eighth Doctor travelling with a male companion, so this feels all the more different.

The Doctor takes a back seat to Fitz in this story, with the narrative mostly following him. McGann does do really well with the work he has to do and is good at handling the moments of humour. It’s an unencumbered Doctor here again, and he feels quite upbeat in this light-hearted story.

Verdict: Fitz’s Storyis a great romp. 9/10

Cast: Paul McGann (The Doctor), Matt di Angelo (Fitz Kreiner), Fenella Woolgar (Commander Hellan Femor), Paul Thornley (Michael Rond), Su Douglas (Gem Weston) & Richard Earl (Gastan).

Writer: Stephen Cole

Director: Nicholas Briggs

Music and Sound: Thea Cochrane

Main Range Release Number: 123b

Release Date: 28 July 2009

Behind the Scenes

• This is the only performed story featuring Fitz. Stephen Cole has written five stories featuring the character, including his last story To the Slaughter.
• Matt Smith was considered to play the role of Fitz.

Cast Notes

• Fenella Woolgar played Agatha Christie in the Tenth Doctor television story The Unicorn and the Wasp. She has also appeared in a number of Big Finish productions, including Ghost Walk, Planet of the Drashigs and Pursuit of the Nightjar.
• Paul Thornley has appeared in a number of Big Finish stories including Paper Cuts, Criss-Cross and Pursuit of the Nightjar.

Best Quote

I hate to refute the irrefutable – actually, that’s not true, I revel in it.

The Eighth Doctor

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