Small Prophet, Quick Return
When the TARDIS disappears outside the walls of Troy, the Doctor, Steven, and Vicki find themselves entangled in the Trojan War, where they must use their wits to survive and retrieve their ship before history is irrevocably altered.
Following the disappearance of the TARDIS, the Doctor, Steven, and Vicki are caught in the midst of the Trojan War. The Doctor and Steven are captured by Agamemnon's forces, who suspect them of being Trojan spies. Meanwhile, Vicki, still inside the TARDIS, is accidentally transported into the city of Troy itself when Prince Paris captures it, mistaking it for a shrine.
To secure their release, Odysseus tasks the Doctor and Steven with devising a way for the Greeks to capture Troy within two days, subtly threatening them with dire consequences if they fail. Steven volunteers to infiltrate Troy as a prisoner of war, hoping to locate and rescue Vicki. He manages to get captured by Paris, who is easily flattered and manipulated into believing Steven is surrendering out of respect for Paris's (nonexistent) fighting prowess.
Inside Troy, Vicki emerges from the TARDIS, unexpectedly dressed in an elegant gown. Her sudden appearance is interpreted as a sign from the gods. Cassandra, the Trojan priestess, foresees doom, while King Priam, swayed by Vicki's claim of being from the future, renames her Cressida and takes her into the palace, hoping she will bring Troy good fortune. As Steven is being led into Troy as a prisoner, he is unaware that Vicki is gaining favor with the King.
Amidst these events, the Doctor struggles to come up with a plan to help the Greeks capture Troy, dismissing the idea of the Trojan Horse as absurd. As the episode closes, Steven is in Troy, Vicki is now "Cressida," and the Doctor is being pressed by Odysseus to devise a plan to sack the city, all while the clock is ticking on their two-day deadline.
Events in This Episode
The narrative beats that drive the story
This act establishes the critical predicament of the Doctor, Steven, and Vicki, immediately following the TARDIS's disappearance and their entanglement in the Trojan War. The Doctor and Steven, on the plains outside Troy, are captured by Agamemnon and Odysseus, who suspect them of being Trojan spies. Odysseus, after a tense interrogation, gives them a two-day ultimatum: devise a plan to capture Troy or face execution. This sets a formidable ticking clock, forcing the Doctor into an impossible strategic role. Concurrently, inside Troy, Prince Paris brings the TARDIS into the city, mistaking it for a captured Greek shrine. Cassandra, the High Priestess, immediately foresees doom, interpreting the 'gift' as a harbinger of destruction, echoing the legend of the Trojan Horse. As the Trojans prepare to burn the TARDIS, Vicki emerges, elegantly dressed, and claims to be from the future. King Priam, captivated by her story and seeking a sign of good fortune, renames her Cressida and welcomes her into the palace, dismissing Cassandra's dire warnings. Meanwhile, Steven, determined to rescue Vicki, volunteers to infiltrate Troy by allowing himself to be captured by Paris. He successfully executes this plan, flattering Paris's ego during a staged duel to ensure his entry into the city as a 'prisoner of war.' The act concludes with the companions strategically separated: the Doctor grappling with the impossible task of conquering Troy, Vicki unknowingly integrated into the Trojan court, and Steven having successfully entered the city, all while the two-day deadline looms, setting the stage for escalating conflict and the race against time.
The TARDIS, disguised as a captured Greek shrine, is paraded into Troy by Paris, who presents it to King Priam as a trophy of war. Priam’s initial skepticism turns to …
In the heart of Troy’s city square, Paris presents the TARDIS—mistaken for a captured Greek shrine—to King Priam, who dismisses it as a worthless trophy. Cassandra, Troy’s High Priestess, immediately …
In the heart of Troy’s city square, Paris hesitates before burning the TARDIS, suggesting they consult Cassandra for divine guidance. As Cassandra begins a ritual invocation, Vicki dramatically steps out …
Vicki’s sudden emergence from the TARDIS in Troy’s city square disrupts Priam’s plan to destroy the ship, forcing her to defend her identity as a time traveler. Cassandra immediately brands …
In a tense confrontation in Troy’s city square, Vicki’s sudden emergence from the TARDIS disrupts Priam’s plan to burn it as a potential Greek trick. While Cassandra immediately brands her …