Doctor Who (1963) 14.03.02

The Deadly Assassin - Part 2

The President is dead. The Doctor tries to escape but he is captured by the guards. Chancellor Goth orders that a trial be held right away. He wants the Doctor to be tried, convicted, and executed before the election for a new president can be held. One of his peers, Cardinal Borusa objects but Chancellor Goth gets his way.

The Doctor is locked up until the trial begins. He tries to convince Castellan Spandrell that he didn't do it. He tells Spandrell about the premonition he had that the President was going to get killed. Spandrell doesn't believe him. Spandrell talks to Engin about the matrix which contains the memories of all deceased Time Lords.

The trial of the Doctor begins. Lots of evidence is presented. The Doctor finally gets a chance to speak. He invokes Article 17 and declares himself to be a candidate for the office of President. Chancellor Goth doesn't like it but the trial has to be suspended until the election is over. Cardinal Borusa insists on it and this time he gets his way.

The Doctor works with the Castellan to try and figure out who killed the President. The Castellan doesn't fully believe the Doctor. He starts to change his mind as the Doctor shows him that the rifle doesn't shoot straight.

They go back to the Panopticon, where the assassination took place. They bring Runcible with them. They find evidence that the Master is behind the murder. Castellan Spandrell doesn't know who the Doctor is talking about. There is no record of any such Time Lord. Runcible is sent on a simple mission which leads to his death.

The Doctor decides that he must enter the Matrix. Engin counsels against it but the Doctor believes that it is the only way to figure out what the Master intends to do. He finds himself under attack as soon as he enters the world of the Matrix. 

Thoughts

I miss the companions but there are enough good supporting character to make up for the lack of Sarah Jane Smith. There are no women in this story that I have noticed or that I recall. That is a definite strike against this story.

When the Doctor wakes up in the Matrix he suddenly has his scarf. He puts it to good use. It is the only appearance of his scarf in this episode.

This really is a solid story so far. I like how it is all unfolding.