The Curse of Peladon Part 3

The Doctor, accused of sacrilege, must navigate the complexities of Peladon's ancient laws and superstitions to prove his innocence and avoid a deadly trial by combat, while also unraveling a conspiracy threatening the planet's relationship with the Federation.

In the third episode of 'The Curse of Peladon,' the Doctor faces accusations of sacrilege after inadvertently stumbling upon a sacred area beneath the citadel of Peladon. Hepesh, a high-ranking official, insists that the Doctor's death is the only way to purify the temple of Aggedor, a sacred entity central to Peladon's traditions. Despite the Doctor's protests of innocence, King Peladon feels bound by ancient laws and offers the Doctor a trial by combat as an alternative to execution. The Doctor accepts the challenge, but Hepesh plots to ensure his death. Meanwhile, Princess Josephine Jo and delegate Izlyr work behind the scenes to save the Doctor, with Izlyr ultimately deciding to help due to a debt of gratitude. The Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver to hypnotize Aggedor, a creature believed to be a manifestation of the planet's sacred spirit, and reveals that it is a real, noble beast. The Doctor and Jo escape and eventually convince King Peladon to listen to the Doctor's message about Aggedor. The episode culminates with the Doctor offering to take the Doctor to Aggedor, and Hepesh's plans for the Doctor's demise are temporarily foiled.

Events in This Episode

The narrative beats that drive the story

Act 1

The Doctor stands accused of sacrilege before King Peladon and the Federation delegates, including Hepesh, Arcturus, Alpha, and Izlyr. Hepesh, the high priest, demands the Doctor's death to purify the sacred temple of Aggedor, which the Doctor inadvertently entered through secret tunnels. Peladon denies knowledge of these passages, and Hepesh dismisses the Doctor's claims as lies. Jo fiercely defends the Doctor, appealing to Peladon's sense of justice. Izlyr, a Federation delegate, suggests a royal pardon would benefit Peladon's standing with the Federation, but Hepesh cites Federation charter forbidding interference with local holy laws. As the situation grows dire, Jo implores Peladon to act as a "civilized King." Peladon, feeling bound by ancient law, offers the Doctor a trial by combat as the only alternative to execution. Hepesh protests, arguing the Doctor is not of noble blood, but Peladon declares the Doctor an honorary nobleman due to his rank. The Doctor accepts the challenge, learning he will face the King's Champion, Grun, in a pit beneath the citadel at dawn. Outside his room, the Doctor warns Hepesh of the interplanetary scandal his death would cause. Jo confronts Peladon, questioning his mercy and compassion, especially after he proposes marriage to her moments later. Peladon separates his duty as King from his personal feelings, explaining his mother taught him justice and compassion, and he seeks a partner to help him break traditions.

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Act 2

Hepesh visits the Doctor in his room, offering a seemingly benevolent escape: the door will be left open, no guards will be present, the Doctor's TARDIS will be returned, and Jo will be allowed to leave with him. The Doctor immediately suspects a trap, discerning Hepesh's true intention is for him to be killed while attempting to escape. Hepesh, however, claims he fears Federation retaliation if the Doctor dies under official Peladonian decree. He then reveals his deeper motivation: a profound fear of the Federation's "real intent" to exploit Peladon's minerals, enslave its people with machines, and corrupt its culture with technology, thereby destroying Peladon's ancient traditions and values. Hepesh states he would rather live as a free cave dweller than see his world transformed, believing Peladon needs Aggedor's protection. He hints at unseen allies in his resistance. Meanwhile, in the Delegate's Conference Room, Arcturus concludes that the events point to a conspiracy to undermine Federation unity. Jo vehemently opposes the delegates' decision to abandon the Doctor, arguing that leaving him to die would amount to a declaration of war. Izlyr, initially aligned with leaving, unexpectedly changes his vote, citing a Federation rule requiring unanimous decisions. He confesses to Jo that the Doctor saved his life when the statue fell, and he intends to repay that debt by helping the Doctor escape. Jo and Izlyr quickly formulate a plan for Izlyr to retrieve the Doctor and meet Jo at the tunnels. Unbeknownst to them, Arcturus eavesdrops on their conversation. Simultaneously, Hepesh, having offered the Doctor a false escape, orders his Captain to gather all men and search the catacombs and dungeons for the Doctor, explicitly instructing them to kill him if he resists, ensuring the Doctor's demise while discrediting him.

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Act 3

Armed with his modified sonic screwdriver, which now features a revolving mirror and emits a hypnotizing hum, the Doctor navigates the secret tunnels using Hepesh's map. He soon encounters Aggedor, the sacred beast. The Doctor begins to sing a Venusian lullaby while using his sonic device, successfully mesmerizing the creature. He approaches Aggedor, stroking its head and demonstrating its docile nature when under his influence. Just as the Doctor believes he has fully connected with the beast, Jo bursts into the tunnel, having heard Aggedor's roar. Waving a torch, she attempts to "scare off" the creature, inadvertently breaking the Doctor's hypnotic hold and causing Aggedor to flee. The Doctor expresses his frustration, explaining he was on the verge of a breakthrough using "technical hypnosis" and "telepathic understanding." Despite the setback, Jo's brave but misguided attempt to save him is acknowledged. The Doctor and Jo then decide to return to the Throne Room to confront King Peladon and Hepesh. Their unexpected reappearance shocks Hepesh, who immediately calls for guards. Peladon intervenes, allowing the Doctor to speak. The Doctor dramatically announces he brings a message from Aggedor, further enraging Hepesh who declares it sacrilege. With Izlyr's support, the Doctor reveals Aggedor is not a spirit but a "truly noble beast" whose power is being falsely manipulated to prevent Peladon from joining the Galactic Federation. Jo corroborates the Doctor's account, confirming Aggedor's physical reality. Hepesh, desperate to maintain his narrative, challenges them to produce the creature. The Doctor explains Aggedor lives in the hidden tunnels, which Peladon still claims no knowledge of. Hepesh dismisses the tunnels as mythical and the Doctor's claims as a "coward's devious excuse" to avoid trial by combat. He reasserts his authority, ordering the guards to take the Doctor to the pit, despite Jo's desperate pleas to Peladon.

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