Vastra Investigates: A Christmas Prequel (webcast)

Vastra Investigates: A Christmas Prequel was a webcast and prequel produced for the 2012 Christmas special. It was the second prequel to The Snowmen to be produced, after The Great Detective, which aired in November during Children in Need.

Synopsis
Madame Vastra, accompanied by her loyal companions Jenny Flint and Strax, is called upon to investigate a Victorian murder mystery. But where is the Doctor?

Plot
Another case has been cracked by Madame Vastra; Strax keeps the criminal secure while a Scotland Yard officer, Inspector Gregson, thanks Vastra for her help, commenting how odd Strax looks. Vastra explains the Sontaran's origins, and hers as well when he asks if the skin condition hurts, mistakenly believing her to be human. She perplexes him further by saying she fell in love with her assistant Jenny Flint. Departing in a carriage, both are saddened that the Doctor appears unwilling to leave his TARDIS. However, they then both notice something very odd: it is snowing, yet there are no clouds in the sky...

Cast

 * Vastra - Neve McIntosh
 * Strax - Dan Starkey
 * Jenny Flint - Catrin Stewart

Uncredited

 * Criminal - Unknown
 * Inspector Gregson - Paul Hickey

Crew

 * Writer - Steven Moffat

Worldbuilding

 * The criminal captured by Vastra, Jenny and Strax was wanted by Scotland Yard.

Story notes

 * This story is one of only a handful ever produced in which the Doctor and/or the TARDIS does not appear.

Filming locations
to be added

Production errors
to be added

Continuity

 * Vastra's awakening by the construction of the London Underground is again mentioned. (TV: A Good Man Goes To War)
 * Vastra and Jenny reiterate their relationship. (TV: A Good Man Goes to War)
 * Inspector Gregson would later appear. (TV: Deep Breath)

Home video releases
This mini-episode was released as part of The Complete Seventh Series on DVD and Blu Ray on September 24, 2013.