Fabula
Season 20 · Episode 22
S20E22
Tragic
Written by Terence Dudley
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The King's Demons Part 2

The Doctor must stop the Master from altering history by impersonating King John and manipulating events to prevent the signing of the Magna Carta.

In 'The King's Demons - Part Two,' the Doctor and his companions find themselves in medieval England, where the Master has devised a plan to alter the course of history. By impersonating King John and using an android called Kamelion, the Master aims to turn the Barons against the King, ultimately preventing the signing of the Magna Carta, a foundational document of democracy. The Doctor, who has been dubbed the King's Champion, must navigate this complex web of deceit and timey-wimey politics to thwart the Master's plan. Along the way, he must also rescue his friends and allies, including Tegan, Turlough, and Geoffrey, from the clutches of the Master and his minions. As the story unfolds, the Doctor faces challenges from both the Master and the android Kamelion, which has a mind of its own. The Doctor's plan to stop the Master involves using his knowledge of time travel and his quick thinking to outmaneuver his enemies. In the end, the Doctor succeeds in foiling the Master's plan, but not before the Master activates his Tissue Compression Eliminator, which could have unforeseen consequences.


Events in This Episode

The narrative beats that drive the story

34
Act 1

The narrative opens with the Doctor and the Master in a tense standoff within the Great Hall, where the Master is impersonating King John. Tegan attempts to intervene, throwing a knife, but the Master effortlessly catches it. The Doctor seizes the Tissue Compression Eliminator (TCE) from the Master, who then challenges the Doctor to use it, knowing his moral code prevents him. The imposter King John orders the Master into the Iron Maiden, which then dematerializes, seemingly removing him from the scene. The Doctor quickly deduces that the Master's elaborate scheme involves using the imposter to discredit the real King John. Meanwhile, Geoffrey, a loyal baron, expresses his urgent need to warn the true King. The Master, having escaped the Iron Maiden (which is his disguised TARDIS), materializes in the dungeon, where he manipulates Isabella and Hugh, presenting himself as a savior against the 'Doctor demon.' Turlough, imprisoned, attempts to expose the Master's lies. The Doctor, now dubbed 'Sir Doctor' by the imposter King, cleverly uses his new status to have Geoffrey 'arrested' and led to the dungeon. There, the Doctor, Tegan, Turlough, and Geoffrey reunite. The Doctor reveals the Master's true objective: to prevent the signing of the Magna Carta, thereby altering the course of history and thwarting the foundations of parliamentary democracy. As a strategic move, the Doctor leaves the activated TCE within the Master's TARDIS, hoping to disrupt his plans.

Act 2

Following the revelation of the Master's plan, the Doctor attempts to send Geoffrey to London to warn the true King, promising a quicker journey via his TARDIS. However, upon returning to the tournament field, they discover the Master has already moved the Doctor's TARDIS. The Master, having consolidated power by gaining Ranulf's allegiance, dispatches men to capture the 'demons' and retrieve the 'blue engine.' From a castle window, the Master observes and orchestrates a crossbowman to shoot Geoffrey as he rides away, effectively foiling the Doctor's attempt to alert the King. Turlough is apprehended attempting to aid Geoffrey. The Doctor and Tegan are subsequently captured and brought before Ranulf, who boasts of possessing the Doctor's TARDIS. The Doctor maintains that Geoffrey is safely en route to London, despite the Master's intervention. As Ranulf orders the TARDIS opened, Tegan creates a diversion, allowing the Doctor to shed his medieval disguise and slip away unnoticed by most, though the Master observes him from the minstrel's gallery. The Doctor then locates the Master in the King's chamber, where he discovers the imposter King John is actually Kamelion, an advanced android capable of infinite forms and personalities. The Master reveals Kamelion was instrumental in his escape from Xeriphas and is now key to his plan to undermine civilizations across the universe. The Doctor and Master engage in a battle of wills, attempting to control Kamelion. Simultaneously, the gravely wounded Geoffrey, brought into the Great Hall, utters his last words, urging Ranulf to 'Seek the Doctor' before succumbing to his injuries, further intensifying the conflict and the urgency of the Doctor's mission.

Act 3

As Ranulf and Hugh burst into the King's chamber, interrupting the psychic struggle between the Doctor and the Master over Kamelion, Tegan successfully reactivates the Doctor's TARDIS console. The Master orders Ranulf to kill the Doctor, but Ranulf is momentarily distracted by the materialization of the TARDIS. Seizing the opportunity, the Doctor drags Kamelion (who has transformed into Tegan) and the real Tegan into the TARDIS. Turlough, grabbing a sword, confronts the Master before backing into the TARDIS, which then dematerializes, leaving the Master frustrated and alone. Inside the TARDIS, Kamelion reveals its android form and introduces itself, explaining its origins on Xeriphas. The Doctor discloses that he intentionally left the Master's Tissue Compression Eliminator activated in the Master's TARDIS, hoping to disrupt its dimension circuits and strand him. Down in the castle dungeon, the Master enters his Iron Maiden TARDIS and dematerializes, falling victim to the Doctor's trap. The Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough discuss Kamelion's future, with Tegan expressing distrust due to its machine nature and past control by the Master. However, Kamelion asserts its independent mind, and Turlough vouches for it, leading to Kamelion being accepted as a new companion. The Doctor then announces his intention to take Tegan home, believing she desires to return to her own time. To his surprise, Tegan expresses a strong desire to continue traveling, specifically asking to see the Eye of Orion, a place Turlough confirms is beautiful. The Doctor, pleased by her decision, agrees, and the TARDIS sets a course for their next adventure, solidifying the new, expanded crew.