Doctor Who (1963) s01e19 Episode Script

Grandfather! MIGHTY KUBLAI KHAN - Tegana - Stand still.
- Let her go.
- No.
Let us all go.
I appeal to you.
What possible difference could it make to you - you hate Marco.
- Is the old man inside the caravan? - Yes.
- And the other woman? - Yes.
Tell them to come out.
Do as I command! (Barbara and the Doctor emerge.
The Doctor locks the ship as Marco arrives.
) - There is no need.
- What's happened? - They would all have escaped if I had not caught this one.
Tell that man to take his hands off my grandchild.
- The key first, Doctor.
(The Doctor hands over the key.
) - Release her, Tegana.
(Tegana pushes Susan aside and lunges at the travellers.
) - What are you (Marco stops him.
) - let me kill them, and be done with it.
- We will kill no-one.
- Are you mad? They will only escape again.
- I don't think so.
- I'm sorry grandfather.
- So long as you're safe Susan.
That's all that matters.
- Where did you get the key, Doctor? - Messr Marco (Ping-Cho enters the stables.
) - I took it.
- You did? - Yes, I searched your room last night.
- I see.
- What are you going to do about it? - Tomorrow morning at dawn, we ride to Shang-Tu.
When next you see your caravan, it will be at the great Khan's summer palace, and that will make an end of it.
A day of hard riding.
We left Cheng-Ting at dawn, and by dusk, had covered forty miles.
As this is a densely populated area of Cathay, accommodation is not hard to find, and we have stopped for the night at an inn.
Our baggage, including the Doctor's caravan, is following on with a trade caravan.
- How's the Doctor? Got over his ride yet? - No, I don't think we'll ever get him on another horse as long as he lives.
- Listen, we need the TARDIS.
You must talk to Marco.
- Talk to Marco! I've done nothing else but talk to Marco.
Oh, Marco, Ian wants a word with you.
I'm feeling a bit tired, so I think I'll go off to bed.
- But just a minute Barbara, come here! - Well? - Marco, you must give us back the TARDIS.
- Is that what you want to talk to me about? - Yes.
- Look, I've told you before Ian, you know what this caravan means to me.
- If I give it to the Khan, he'll let me go home.
- But we want to go home too Marco.
- And we can't go home without the TARDIS.
- I have offered to take you back to Venice with me, - and see you safely on your way home from there.
- By boat.
We can't go by boat, Marco, we need the TARDIS.
- Why Ian? Why? - All right, I'll tell you why.
And I'll tell you the truth.
I don't suppose you'll believe it, but still.
As I told you, I come from England.
Barbara as well.
Well, I grant you England's a long way, but the journey's not impossible, Ian.
The Crusaders did it.
The Crusaders! Oh, Marco, to me, the Crusaders lived seven hundred years ago.
What are you talking about, Ian? The Crusaders were in the holy land, twenty-five years ago.
I come from another time.
Our caravan, it not only covers distance, it can cross time.
- Travel into the past and the future? - Yes I know it's difficult to believe, but it's the truth.
On my travels to Cathay, Ian, I have come to believe many things which I previously doubted.
For instance, when I was a boy in Venice, they told me that in Cathay, there was a stone which burned.
I did not believe them, but there is such a stone.
I have seen it.
- It's black isn't it? - Yes.
- Coal.
In Cathay, we call it the burning stone.
And if a stone burns, why not a caravan that flies? Birds fly.
I have even seen fish that fly.
You are asking me to believe that your caravan can defy the passage of the sun, move, not merely from one place to another, but from today into tomorrow, today into yesterday? - No Ian that I cannot accept.
- I'm telling you the truth, Marco.
- Are you Ian? - I swear it.
(Marco gets out the TARDIS key.
) - Where did you get that? - From your room.
Whereabouts? Where had I hidden it? Come Ian, surely you know where you found it? You didn't find it, did you? It was given to you, and you lied about finding it to protect Ping-Cho.
Ian, don't you see it doesn't matter to me why you lied.
What is important is the fact that you are capable of lying.
So you don't believe me when I say I came from another time.
If I did Ian, I would give you the key.
Goodbye Susan.
(As Susan sleeps Ping-Cho puts on her cloak and leaves.
) - Well? - There's no sign of her.
- She must have run away.
But why? - Because of that key, obviously.
- I'm sorry, Messr Marco, I didn't hear a word - I'm not blaming you, Susan.
But we must find her, and quickly.
Susan, have you any idea where she'd go? Well, speak up.
- There are robbers and cut-throats on the road! - I I think she might have tried to reach home.
- Samarkand? But that's a thousand miles from here! - Will we go back and find her? - I suppose we must - The Khan ordered you to ride without delay to Shang-Tu.
- I am also responsible for Ping-Cho's safety.
- Well you're the one who will face his wrath.
- Will the Khan be angry, Marco? - Of course, he will.
- Very well then.
You ride on, I'll go back and find Ping-Cho.
- Alone? Why not? I can remember the road we came along.
She can't be far.
But she is in danger, and you yourself can't go What do you hope to gain by this gesture, Ian? I'm sorry.
When do you want to start? - As soon as possible.
- Go with Messr Ian and prepare a horse and provisions.
(Ian leaves the room.
) Don't worry Marco.
He'll bring her back.
You mustn't underestimate him.
Very good advice, Marco.
(Ping-Cho has arrived back at the Cheng-Ting Way Station.
) When the embroiderers arrive, take them straight to the lady May-Ching.
- My ladies, I cannot tell you how hmmm how wonderful it is to (Wang-Lo is talking to two ladies.
Kuiju tugs at his sleeve.
) - Please forgive us - Excuse me.
- What do you want? - The trade caravan to Shang-Tu.
- Where is the other man? - The old man isn't here (Kuiju hands Wang-Lo a document.
) - It's my authority to collect the - I see! I've got eyes.
It's in the stables.
- Hey! Give that to me! - Now, about your business! - The old man is a fool - Please follow me.
(Kuiju heads for the stables to collect the TARDIS.
) - My lord? - Yes.
- Are you with the caravan, my lord? - I am, my lady.
- Is your caravan bound for Samarkand? - It might, why? - I would like to journey with your caravan, unless it is going to Shang-Tu.
- Err it's possible - I can pay.
- Err come to think of it - we do strike inland I'll talk to the commander of the caravan.
- Shall I come with you? No, you wait here.
Give me the money - Don't worry, little one.
I'll arrange it.
(Kuiju leaves Ping-Cho alone in the garden.
) You paid money? You foolish child.
You've been robbed.
Robbed? What shall I do? It was all the money I had.
Haven't I seen you before? Not long since I know! You were with Messr Marco Polo's caravan.
- No, my lord, no - What have you done child? Run away? Oh (She tries to leave, but he grabs hold of her.
) - Ping-Cho, (Ian arrives.
) - why did you do it? The key and I can't marry a man old enough to be my grandfather.
- I can't.
Please don't take me back.
Please - I must Ping-Cho.
I promised Marco.
I knew I'd seen her before, my lord.
Silly child - let herself be robbed.
- What? - Oh, some villain, posing as a caravan driver, took all her money on the promise of letting her travel inland with the caravan.
- Where did you meet this man? - Here.
- At my way-station? Impossible! - No, my lord, he was in the courtyard with you.
Oh, that one! But he was going to Shang-Tu.
I have the document authorising him to take the old lord's caravan from the stables.
Here it is.
- So the TARDIS is on the road to Shang-Tu, eh? - Yes my lord.
(An old man shuffles over to Wang-Lo.
) - The trade caravan to Shang-Tu, excellency - there is something here for us to take.
- Oh, but the other man said you were ill! - What other man? - The one that took the old lord's caravan.
(He also hands Wang-Lo a scroll.
) - But here's my authorisation.
- But but - What's the matter? - Oh, nothing, my lord.
Just a slight confusion.
I'm sure it can be rectified.
It's been stolen? The TARDIS has been stolen! I hope all is well and Ian has found Ping-Cho.
Our progress towards Shang-Tu continues to be excellent, and we are now beyond the Great Wall, spending the fourth night of our journey at an inn about fifty miles from the summer palace.
- You trust too much, and doubt too little! Marco, let me go back after him.
- I will not agree to this! - But Marco - Look, it's no good how will it appear if I stand before the Khan without you? - You speak for Noghai silence could mean war - But You must be at the summer palace.
You must be, I say! Marco, the magician's caravan.
Why do you think Ian offered so readily so so eagerly to go back after after Ping-Cho? - What's your point? - Ping-Cho could be anywhere - the the chances of finding her are very small.
But, Ian knows where the caravan is he knows exactly where it is.
- You're wrong Tegana.
I think I know something of Ian's character - You can't know it all.
Marco, just give me a strong horse now by using your name, I can bring them both back to you.
I can bring the girl to you, and the caravan will be safe.
You need the caravan.
Because when peace is concluded with Kublai Khan, he might very well exchange this magician's caravan for your return to Venice.
(They hear Barbara and Susan approaching.
) - Ah all their sympathies are with Ping-Cho.
- They are all against this marriage.
- Then why did Ian go back to look for her? - Exactly.
(Barbara and Susan enter.
) - I'm glad to see that your humour is not impaired by our misfortune.
- What do you mean? What misfortune? Well your friend Ian has not returned.
We can only assume that he has failed to find Ping-Cho.
- Oh, you haven't given him enough time yet.
- Anyway, I'm glad.
I hope he doesn't.
Oh I see.
You want to see her alone, do you? Without friends? She might be kidnapped, murdered.
Well, that won't happen to her.
She's got money.
She can buy a safe passage home Money! Are we all sit in fear for her and her intended husband sits in despair? Oh, even you couldn't be so cruel as to want her to marry a man four times her age! Even I? I thank you, lady.
And this is your opinion too, I suppose? - I suppose so.
- One moment.
Are you opposed to Ping-Cho's marriage? - Look, why are we - Answer my question please.
- Yes I am - completely opposed to it.
- How very unusual for you and Ian to disagree.
It isn't unusual at all.
We don't agree about everything.
And in this case, we're in complete agreement - all of us.
This marriage has the Khan's blessing.
- Am I to understand that you oppose it? Am I?? - Yes.
- All four of you? - Yes, all four of us.
Take your horse Tegana.
You have my leave to go.
Use my name or such powers as you will, but bring them both to the summer palace.
- I shall do so.
(Tegana leaves.
) - Why did you do that? - To make certain.
- Certain of what? - That Ian has gone back to look for Ping-Cho, and not your caravan.
- I've got to find it.
I've got to.
But where? - Perhaps it is still here.
No, no, Ping-Cho.
We should have heard.
No, it's been taken, all right.
Is must have been taken by some old road some route that's no longer used - The Karakorum road.
- Karakorum? But Karakorum's the capital of the Mongol empire.
- Not any more.
Not since the Khan built his palace at Peking.
- Yes, but it'll still be an important place.
I mean caravans will still go there.
Karakorum was not a city of stone.
It was just a collection of tents.
- When the Khan moved, the Mongols dispersed.
- So the road isn't used any more? - Never.
- Then, that will be the answer! - Why would someone take the TARDIS to Karakorum? - I don't know Ping-Cho.
But until I find it, we shall never leave Kublai Khan's Cathay (In the Summer Palace at Shang-Tu await the Khan.
) The Great War Lord and Master of the World, mighty Kublai Khan is pleased to grant you an audience.
We wait the Great Khan's pleasure.
(The Vizier bows and leaves.
) It's all Chinese - very interesting.
It's odd that a Mongol should choose Chinese architecture.
- Did you see those beautiful pavillions? - Yes - weren't they magnificent? - Some of them are made of solid gold.
- Are they? Oh, they're enormous.
They have to be to accommodate the Khan's two great passions - hunting and falconry.
- Do you know in his stables, he has ten thousand white stallions? - Yes, well one's enough for me, young man.
Red, white or blue! (The Vizier returns.
) - When great Kublai Khan appears, you will make your obeisance to him so that he may look kindly upon you, and spare your worthless lives.
- Pray then, what am I supposed to do, sir? - Kowtow - Kneel upon the ground and touch your forehead upon the floor three times.
- I shall do no such thing! Kublai Khan is the mightiest man the world has ever seen.
Not to pay him homage will cost you your head.
Well, if it breaks my back, then he can take all of me! So why waste time on small items? - Grandfather please - Oh, do be quiet child! I'm not going to make a spectacle of Silence! Those who dare to come before the sight of the great Kublai Khan, kowtow.
Kowtow before the War Lord of War Lords.
Mighty and fearful in his strength.
Kowtow before the Ruler of Asia, India, Cathay and other territories.
Kowtow before the Master of the World.
(Everybody except the Doctor falls to their hands and knees.
) - Grandfather, go on, get down - Kowtow! Kowtow! - Yes, yes, yes I'll manage it - Kowtow! (The Khan hobbles painfully into the room.
) (The Doctor cannot bend his back down enough to Kowtow.
) - Do you mock our afflictions? - It's my back - What ails it? - It's broken! - Don't be impertinent! - I am not being impertinent, sir.
I'm far from unwell - How dare you speak out! - This gout will be the end of us! - Get up.
- My lord - Get up all of you.
(They all rise to their feet.
) - These gracious ladies also accompany you? - They do, my lord.
- We bid you welcome to our Court ladies.
(The Khan sees the Doctor rubbing and rotating his shoulder.
) - What's the matter with him? - Oh, five days hard riding on horseback, my lord.
The Doctor's not accustomed to it.
Doctor? Oh? Is he? Are you perchance, a physician? I am not a doctor of medicine, sir, otherwise I should be able to cure these pains.
Oh, what a pity.
Where is the War Lord Tegana? Riding for Shang-Tu, my lord, with the lady Ping-Cho and a companion of theirs.
- Noghai's army is encamped at Karakorum.
- But that's impossible my lord! When Tegana joined my caravan, Noghai's army was only forty miles north of Samarkand.
Then it stands hundred miles from Shang-Tu.
We are very anxious to hear Tegana's explanation of his master's conduct.
I can understand my lord's concern, and it is my fault that he is not here.
We are on our guard against treachery our patrols watch the Karakorum road, and tomorrow, we ride for Peking.
- Must we go too? - Silence! Speak only when you are addressed.
- Tut tut tut.
What was it you say? - Well, I wondered if we might wait for Ping-Cho, my lord.
- No, I think it is better that you ride with us.
- Oh, not another horse! - You spoke?! - I said I don't think I could get on another horse.
- Then walk! - In my present condition sir? And what about that lump of yours, hmmm? - The Master of the World has a carriage of state.
- Well, well, he's lucky he won't be jogged about - Tomorrow, you will ride in state, with us.
- Thank you.
(The Khan descends from the throne in agony.
) - Find suitable accommodation for our guests.
- As my lord commands.
- Marco - My lord? - When Tegana arrives, bring him directly to us.
- Very good, my lord.
- We we have healing waters here which relieve my gout.
- Come let us observe their effects upon your aches and pains.
- Very well very well.
Oh, what a trial old age is.
- It must be borne with dignity, sir.
- Oh, dignity yes of course.
Now, take my arm friend.
(The Doctor takes the Khan's arm as they both hobble out.
) That's the mighty Kublai Khan! Laugh if you will, Susan, but he is the greatest administrator the world has ever seen.
I'm sorry Messr Marco.
Marco, we can't leave here tomorrow, not without Ian and Ping-Cho.
I'm afraid we have no choice, Barbara.
Don't worry, Tegana will bring them.
Will he? (Ping-Cho and Ian creep along searching for Kuiju.
) (They see Kuiju tending a fire.
) That's him, Messr Ian.
That's the man who robbed me.
Yes it looks as though he's waiting for something.
Waiting for somebody that's why he's brought the TARDIS here.
Take cover get down, Ping-Cho.
(Ian creeps forwards, Kuiju hears him and draws a dagger.
) Who are you? What do you want? Speak! (Distracted, Kuiju turns to Ping-Cho and Ian jumps him.
) - Where's my money? (Kuiju drops his knife, Ping-Cho passes it to Ian.
) - Where is it? Where's the young girl's money? - In my pouch, lord.
- Get it, Ping-Cho (Ping-Cho takes the money from Kuiju's belt.
) You're a greedy man aren't you? And you brought the old lord's caravan here, I suppose, to get money? - Well, was it? - Yes lord! - And who's going to give you that money? Tell me! Tell me! (Ian holds the knife to Kuiju's throat.
) - Arghh! The War Lord Tegana! - Tegana .
! - I'll kill him.
- Do so.
He is of no importance.
(Ian pushes Kuiju away.
) (Tegana cuts the air with his sword.
) - Come come NEXT EPISODE - ASSASSIN AT PEKING