The Saxon Mystery (CON episode)

 was the episode of Doctor Who Confidential broadcast in conjunction with The Sound of Drums.

A condensed 5 minute version of this episode was made available to download in .mp4 format for seven days after broadcast, as part of a BBC trial of video podcasts or "vodcasts". It was later uploaded to the BBC's YouTube channel. Both of these were cropped into 4:3 aspect ratio.

Aspects of production covered

 * The necessity to bring the Master back, and how he stands as an equal to the Doctor.
 * The casting of John Simm as the Master.
 * Filming for the scene in which the Master kills the Cabinet Ministers.
 * The SFX work for exploding Martha's flat.

Additional topics covered

 * The previous incarnations of the Master within the classic series and the TV movie.

People interviewed

 * Russell T Davies, Head Writer, Doctor Who
 * David Tennant, The Doctor
 * Colin Teague, Director, Episode 12
 * John Simm, The Master
 * Phil Collinson, Series Producer, Doctor Who
 * Freema Agyeman, Martha Jones
 * Danny Hargreaves, Special Effects Supervisor
 * Nicholas Gecks, Albert Dumfries
 * Eric Roberts, The Master
 * Paul Kelly, Special Effects Supervisor
 * Tom Lucy, Stunt Co-ordinator
 * Ken Garside, Armourer
 * Trevor Laird & Adjoa Andoh, Clive & Francine Jones

Music list

 * "Mad World" by Michael Andrews & Gary Jules, Album: Mad World (Single)
 * "Johnny Appleseed" by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, Album: Global a Go-Go
 * "Always/Never" by Manic Street Preachers, Album: Lifeblood
 * "Burning Down the House" by Talking Heads, Album: Stop Making Sense
 * "The Chain (from 'BBC Formula One')" by Fleetwood Mac, Album: Rumours
 * "Things Can Only Get Better" by D:Ream, Album: D:Ream On Volume 1
 * "Voodoo Child" by Rogue Traders, Album: Here Comes The Drums (also used in TV: The Sound of Drums and CON: Stage Fright)

No licensed music was used for the "vodcast" version, instead it used the following pieces of stock music:
 * "Phretburn Phrenzy" by Freddie Funk, Jasper Dagger & Badger Flap, Album: Cyberfunk X-SERIES XCD043
 * "Schizoid Noize" by Lo-Fi, Album: Indie Rock 2 X-SERIES XCD051
 * "Mirrorball" by Phillmore Oakes, Album: Disco X-SERIES XCD017
 * "Morning After" by Phillmore Oakes, Album: Indie Rock X-SERIES XCD014

Elements retained in Cut Down
to be added

Home video releases
The "Cut Down" version of this episode was included on the Doctor Who: The Complete Third Series DVD box set released on 5 November 2007.