The Production GuideScript To Screen: Alpha Child
by Martin Willey
The Production Guide
The original story idea for Alpha Child was by producer Gerry Anderson with story consultant Christopher Penfold. The final shooting script was written by script editor Edward di Lorenzo, and the title page dated 19th June 1974 only credits di Lorenzo. The on-screen credit is for Christopher Penfold only. This was Penfold's first script credit for the series, although he rewrote many of the previous episodes.
On the 1st July, 17 replacement blue pages were issued. Further pink pages were issued before main filmed starting on 8th July.
One loose storyline was the death of Jack Crawford, Jackie's father. In the completed episode, it an excuse to show off the nuclear generating area set, but the original script had a little more emphasis on the mystery of his death. Ultimately, however, the subplot is a red herring, unconnected to Jarak.
In scene 16, Koenig meets five year old Jackie in Medical. In the 19th June di Lorenzo script, the dialogue includes the following:
KOENIG
Helena, it's impossible....
HELENA
We knew there would be problems but ...
She cannot find words to express her thoughts.
KOENIG looks at her. He adds, with a sense of desolation.
KOENIG
Jack Crawford's death made it
seem like a good idea.
HELENA reacts.
HELENA
I'm sorry, John. It's all gone
terribly wrong.
(she indicates the CHILD)
I'll do every test I can think of
but... I don't even know what to
expect, what to look for ...
KOENIG
(cuts in with a sudden thought)
Jack Crawford, the father. You never
knew why he died?
HELENA
It was a cell mutation of some kind.
KOENIG
I think we should re-open that
inquiry. We have to know what
has come amongst us.
On 1st July, the blue pages have the same lines until Koenig's sudden thought about Jack. Oddly it reverses Helena's statement about cell mutation.
KOENIG
(cuts in with a sudden thought)
Jack Crawford, the father. You
never went along with the theory
that he died of a cell mutation.
HELENA
I don't know why he died. At
times we have to accept the
unknown. But there's one thing
I'm sure of ... it was not cell
mutation.
All this dialogue is rewritten for the final episode. It is Koenig, not Helena, who says "We knew there could be a problem.". Helena answers "He doesn't even have a father to help him cope." Koenig snaps his fingers "That could have something to do with it.". The whole "mutation" subplot is eliminated. It was filmed on Monday 15th July 1974.