Ep 21. The Keys of Marinus: The Sea of Death

The Keys of Marinus: The Sea of Death is the twenty-first episode of Classic Doctor Who's first season. In this episode, the Doctor and his companions Ian, Barbara, and Susan journey to the planet of Marinus in pursuit of the TARDIS keys, which have been scattered across different locations on the planet.

Upon arriving at Marinus, the group discovers that the planet is ruled by a machine called the Conscience, which controls the thoughts and actions of the inhabitants. The Conscience has been damaged, allowing its former operator, the evil scientist Yartek and his band of Voord warriors, to seize control and spread chaos and destruction across Marinus.

The episode begins with the Doctor and his companions aboard their ship, the TARDIS, attempting to navigate a dangerous stretch of space called the Glass Dalek. As they struggle to pilot the ship out of harm's way, they receive a distress signal from another ship in the vicinity. The Doctor decides to investigate, and he and his companions teleport across to the other vessel. There, they discover that the ship belongs to Arbitan, the Keeper of the Conscience of Marinus.

Arbitan explains that he has been entrusted with the task of safeguarding the Conscience, which is capable of controlling the thoughts and actions of all the inhabitants of Marinus. He tells the Doctor and his companions that the Conscience has been sabotaged, and the TARDIS keys have been stolen by Yartek and his Voord warriors. Without the keys, the Doctor and his companions will be stranded on Marinus forever.

Arbitan tells the group that the keys have been hidden across different parts of Marinus, and he provides them with a tracking device to help them locate the keys. The device takes the Doctor and his companions to the dangerous Sea of Death, a treacherous body of water that is home to deadly sea creatures and treacherous whirlpools.

As the group sets out across the Sea of Death, they encounter a number of hazards and obstacles. They must navigate the treacherous waters, evade the attacks of the sea creatures, and outwit the Voord warriors who are also searching for the TARDIS keys. Along the way, they meet a number of interesting characters, including an old scientist who has been living alone on an island for years, and a group of sailors who have been stranded on a drifting ship for decades.

Throughout their adventure on the Sea of Death, the Doctor and his companions must use their wits and their resourcefulness to stay ahead of their enemies and uncover the location of the TARDIS keys. They must also contend with the dangerous effects of the Conscience, which causes them to question their own thoughts and beliefs.

As the episode draws to a close, the Doctor and his companions face a final confrontation with Yartek and the Voord. Using their ingenuity and their courage, they manage to defeat their enemies and retrieve the TARDIS keys. With the keys in hand, the group is able to make their way back to the TARDIS and continue their journey through time and space.

Overall, The Keys of Marinus: The Sea of Death is an exciting and action-packed episode of Classic Doctor Who. It combines elements of science fiction, adventure, and mystery, and it features a colorful cast of characters and a fascinating alien world. With its intricate plot and suspenseful twists and turns, this episode will keep viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.