Ep 17. The Deadly Assassin, Episode 1
- October 30, 1976
The fourth Doctor returns in "The Deadly Assassin," the first episode of season one of Doctor Who: The Best of The Fourth Doctor. The Doctor, played by Tom Baker, finds himself on Gallifrey, the planet of the Time Lords, in the midst of political turmoil. The President of Gallifrey has been assassinated and a new President must be elected. The Doctor is drawn into the investigation of the President's murder, and uncovers a plot involving a dangerous cult and an ancient artifact that could bring destruction to the entire universe.
The episode opens with a haunting dream sequence in which the Doctor sees himself being executed. He wakes up in the TARDIS, shaken by the vision. The TARDIS is drawn to Gallifrey, where the Doctor is soon caught up in the aftermath of the President's assassination. The Doctor is persuaded by the Castellan, a high-ranking Time Lord, to help with the investigation, despite his reluctance to get involved in Gallifreyan politics.
As the Doctor begins to investigate, he discovers that an ancient and evil cult known as the Master has infiltrated Gallifrey. The Master is after an artifact called the Eye of Harmony, which is said to be the power source of all Time Lords. The Doctor must work quickly to stop the Master from getting his hands on the Eye of Harmony, before the cult can use it to destroy the universe.
The Doctor's investigation leads him to a sinister and ancient tower at the heart of Gallifrey, where he discovers shocking truths about his own past and the nature of Time Lord society. As the Doctor engages in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the Master, he must confront his own moral code and decide whether to risk everything to protect the universe from destruction.
The Deadly Assassin is a gripping and dramatic episode of Doctor Who, full of twists and turns that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Tom Baker's performance as the Doctor is as captivating as ever, and the episode is a masterclass in the show's trademark blend of science fiction, mystery, and action. Doctor Who fans old and new will find much to enjoy in this classic episode from the show's iconic fourth season.