As a countdown to the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who I and my wife will be watching an episode a day until we are caught up to whatever the Beeb has planned. This is a record of my initial reaction to each day's episode published with minimal editing and crappy synopsis.
"I underestimated you Tegana."
"No, you overestimated yourself."
Tegana nearly made it. He was a few inches (and a Vizier's abdomen) away from killing the great Kublai Khan.
His downfall was Barbara. She remembered a crucial clue that made it clear that Tegana was going to assassinate the old Khan leaving the path clear for his master to assume power. The travelers warned Marco Polo and Polo saved the Khan's life.
At least my favorite villain (so far) was brought down by my favorite companion (so far.)
Ping-Cho's husband-to be wanted to get jiggy for the wedding the next day so he took the 13th century equivalent of viagra. He didn't consult a physician first and he died. This happened off screen. Unlike Susan's off screen goodbye to Ping-Cho a couple of episodes ago I don't mind this. Lucarotti has very little time to wrap everything up. Having a character show up in the final episode only to kill them off within minutes of their introduction only to tie up a loose end would have taken away valuable screen time and not really served the story.
There is a nice bit early in the episode where the Doctor is kicking ass at backgammon. The Khan is in deep to the silver haired time traveler and all too willing to wager the flying caravan versus the half of Asia that he's already lost. You're led to believe that the Doctor will win back the TARDIS and dematerialize off into the sunset.
They didn't take that easy way out.
There are several moments when the narration described elaborate sets or stunning sword play. My worst, if wiser, self suspects that the transmitted version wouldn't live up to the hype.
In the end Tegana is defeated by Marco. Instead of being humbled by the Khan's justice Tegana chooses to kill himself on a guards sword. Marco has a change of heart and gives the Doctor back the TARDIS key. The old Khan has a change of heart and grants Marco his freedom.
There's something in Marco's voice that makes me wonder. He's an explorer. Is there just a hint of regret that he isn't going on the journey?
Next up: The Sea of Death
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