'SEED'-ING THE DEATH OF EARTH...

Now arrived at the London T-Mat station, and having already caused carnage in its escape, an armoured Ice Warrior has now taken control of an important weather control facility, it's plan to make Earth ready for the soon to be delivered 'Seeds of Death' that will make them the ultimate masters of this unique world.

A great image from the popular Ice Warriors adventure that was a welcome part of Patrick Troughton's finale season back in 1969.

OUT NOW - 'THE COLLECTION - SEASON 25'!

The Sylvester McCoy era's showcasing via The Collection Blu-ray sets comes to a spectacular and features-packed close with the new 1988 Season 25 release. Of all the eras released, the McCoy years have certainly had some of the finest treatment from the release producers, as demonstrated here with the excellent, all-new and lovingly crafted 'Special Editions' of that year's four memorable stories.

This set is definitely one you won't want to miss!

Set details:

Doctor Who The Collection Season 25 (Limited Edition) | doctorwhoshop

Get it here:

Doctor Who: The Collection Season 25 Blu-Ray (Limited Edition Packaging): Amazon.co.uk: Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, Bonnie Langford, Dame Sheila Hancock, Chris Clough, Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred

'MARCO POLO' AT SIXTY - THE COLLECTED LINKS

Target Books cover art by David McAllister, from 1995.

From arriving at the snowbound realms located at the' 'Roof of the World', to witnessing an Assassin at Peking, the original Doctor Who and his companions' epic travels alongside the legendary explorer Marco Polo continue to delight and capture the imaginations of Classic Series fans worldwide.

We hope you've enjoyed our week-long coverage of this important story in the genesis of the series, as well as its well-deserved esteem as part of the unique monochrome era.

Here are the complete links to enjoy...

The memorable cover art to the story's coverage within An Adventure In Space & Time.

DOCTOR WHO - ADVENTURES IN THE FIFTH DIMENSION!: 'MARCO POLO': CELEBRATING SIXTY YEARS OF THE LOST CLASSIC!

DOCTOR WHO - ADVENTURES IN THE FIFTH DIMENSION!: 'MARCO POLO' - DAY 1: 'THE ROOF OF THE WORLD'!

DOCTOR WHO - ADVENTURES IN THE FIFTH DIMENSION!: 'MARCO POLO' - DAY 2: 'THE SINGING SANDS'...

DOCTOR WHO - ADVENTURES IN THE FIFTH DIMENSION!: 'MARCO POLO' - DAY 3: ARRIVAL AT TUN-HUANG!

DOCTOR WHO - ADVENTURES IN THE FIFTH DIMENSION!: 'MARCO POLO' - DAY 4: INSIDE THE 'CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES'!

DOCTOR WHO - ADVENTURES IN THE FIFTH DIMENSION!: 'MARCO POLO' - DAY 5: ESCAPE FROM 'THE WHITE CITY'!

DOCTOR WHO - ADVENTURES IN THE FIFTH DIMENSION!: 'MARCO POLO' - DAY 6: TO ESCAPE FROM WEDDED BLISS!

DOCTOR WHO - ADVENTURES IN THE FIFTH DIMENSION!: 'MARCO POLO' - DAY 7 (PART ONE): 'MIGHTY KUBLAI KHAN!

DOCTOR WHO - ADVENTURES IN THE FIFTH DIMENSION!: 'MARCO POLO' - DAY 7 (PART TWO): 'ASSASSIN AT PEKING'!

Gorgeous Target cover fan art by Philip James Allison.

'MARCO POLO' - DAY 7 (PART TWO): 'ASSASSIN AT PEKING'!

Posed publicity image of Marco Polo and Tegana locking swords!

With his leader Noghai's Mongol hordes assembled at nearby Karakorum, much to the concern of Kublai Khan, the warrior Tegana, having now met the Emperor, makes his assassination ploy against the enemy ruler within the huge environs of the Peking palace, of which Khan's vizier is killed. Marco Polo, having finally heeded the Doctor's warning about Tegana. pursues his foe, where their fight takes them towards the arrived TARDIS. Tegana, ultimately defeated after a fierce sword duel struggle, commits suicide as the Noghai plan is thwarted.

Selected images by Barry Newbery and Don Smith/Radio Times/BBC Studios.

A bodyguard protects the mighty Kublai Khan (Martin Miller).

Now at the palace, Tegana, in his role as ambassador to the Lord Khan Noghai, meets the guarded Kublai Khan to discuss the flying caravan and to ward off accusations made against him by Ping-Cho, and the Doctor's friends.

Publicity shots of Derren Nesbitt as Tegana for the final episode.

Publicity shot of Mark Eden as Marco Polo for the final episode.

Marco Polo goes into danger once discovering that Tegana has tried to kill Kublai Khan.

Marco Polo goes into conflict.

Pre-filmed stunt choreography was handled by veteran Derek Ware.

One of the earliest scenes shot for the story, the fight was captured at Ealing Studios in mid-January, 1964.

 

With Ping-Cho now free to pursue her own destiny, having discovered that her elderly husband-to-be has now died from prior taking a drug to enhance his virility, the Doctor is finally given back the TARDIS by Marco Polo, a situation that Kublai Khan willingly accepts, knowing that the Doctor would likely have won it back anyway had their expansive backgammon games continued!  

Telesnaps for the final scene by John Cura.

Having said their fond goodbyes, our heroes depart in the the TARDIS. As the blue box disappears into time and space, a quietly astounded and humbled Marco wonders where they are travelling now. "The past or the future...?"  

THE END...

'MARCO POLO' - DAY 7 (PART ONE): 'MIGHTY KUBLAI KHAN!

When mighty men meet. Colourised image by Joe DiRenna.

Now arrived at the Shang-Tu Summer Palace, our time travellers enjoy the incredible surroundings of power and beauty whilst awaiting their meeting with the powerful ruler of Cathay, Kublai Khan himself! Soon enough, as adequate rooms are prepared for the caravan party, the Doctor enters into a unique rapport with the equally elderly warlord, with the duo sharing an interest in backgammon that the Doctor may be able to use to his advantage in winning back the TARDIS!

Selected images by Barry Newbery and Don Smith/Radio Times/ BBC Studios.

Having admired an oriental antiquity, Ian tries but fails to get Marco Polo to release the TARDIS back to the Doctor.

Inside the beauty and power of Kublai Khan's Shang-Tu court.

Barbara conveys her worries about Tegana once more with Marco.

Susan and Barbara enjoy the lavish surroundings of the court.

A defiant Doctor refuses to bow down to the Emperor as the retinue is fully assembled.

With the arrived ruler, his vizier (Peter Lawrence) demands that his subjects kowtow in respect.

The Doctor's bad back gets him the attention of the Khan, the leader at first thinking that he is being mocked by the stranger for his equally frail, gout-induced condition.

The Doctor and Kublai Khan (Martin Miller) soon strike up a unique conversation as interest builds in the Doctor's magical 'flying caravan'. 

Soon travelling 'ride in state' to Peking, the fascinating new friends will soon indulge in long gambling games of backgammon, a weakness in the Khan that the Doctor plans to exploit...

Moved on to Peking and the great estate of the Khan, Marco Polo meets the noble courier and warrior Ling-Tau (Paul Carson), as Ping-Cho's upcoming wedding are discussed, alongside prior hostiles between Ian and Tegana near Karakorum, and the near-stolen TARDIS are discussed.

'MARCO POLO' - DAY 6: TO ESCAPE FROM WEDDED BLISS!

A lovely posed shot of Ping-Cho (Zienia Merton) and the Doctor, from Five Hundred Eyes. Image restoration by Clayton Hickman.

In the months that she has shared her adventures with the Doctor and his companions, young bride-to-be Ping-Cho has become a more independent person and enjoys their company, especially the similar-of-age Susan whose forthright opinions and sense of wonder deeply resonate. Fearful of her impending marriage to a much older man, and with her prior relationship with Marco Polo strained. Ping-Cho ultimately chooses to desert his travelling caravan to Cathay and tries to buy passage back to her Samarkand homelands when returning to the way station of Cheng-Ting. Unfortunately, her trusting nature gets the better of her and she is soon conned out of what little money she has by the eye-patched fiend Kuiju (Tutte Lemkow). Thankfully, the ever heroic Ian Chesterton is to the eventual rescue, under promise to Marco Polo to bring her back, whilst also finding that the once briefly stolen TARDIS (by Tegana, as a gift to his warrior leader) is now being delivered to Kublai Khan. With Ping-Cho saved from further harm and emotional distress as they return to the caravan, she encounters one of Kublai Khan's dashing warrior couriers in Ling-Tau (Paul Carson). Marriage to such a handsome and heroic man such as Tau would be a much better choice for Ping, if only there was a way out for her from pre-arranged events.... 

Selected images by Barry Newbery and Don Smith/Radio Times/BBC Studios.

Ping-Cho is deceived into giving money to bandit thief Kuiju (Tutte Lemkow), thinking that he will help her escape home. 

Journeying back to Cheng-Ting, Ian rescues the vulnerable Ping-Cho and must take her back to the travelling party now reaching the Summer Palace, but soon receives disturbing news from local way station manager Wang-Lo (Gabor Baraker).

Ian and Ping-Cho discuss the recently stolen TARDIS. Thankfully it is soon recovered.

'MARCO POLO' - DAY 5: ESCAPE FROM 'THE WHITE CITY'!

Tegana has sounded the alarm as the Doctor and his companions plan a near successful escape using a duplicate TARDIS key (also confiscated by Polo) during the near ending to The Wall of Lies.  

Having survived a potential sneak attack from bandits within the bamboo forest (in reality, Tegana's Noghai warriors, the leader of which is efficiently killed by the Mongol warlord, so as to keep his ongoing caravan infiltration plans intact), our heroes are newly arrived at the Cheng-Ting way station. With Ping-Cho keeping their planned departure a secret from Polo, having retrieved one of their two keys from his quarters, our heroes night of escape to the now repaired TARDIS is once more thwarted by the devious Tegana, who sounds the alarm and holds Susan hostage. Marco now has both TARDIS keys, but the Doctor has prior warned him not to try and enter 'the flying caravan', as it will destroy itself.

Selected images by Barry Newbery and Don Smith/Radio Times/ BBC Studios.

Ian suspects an attack on the travelling party in the bamboo forest, and Tegana has no choice but to sacrifice his men, so as not to be discovered as an assassin, in Rider From Shang-Tu.

At the Cheng-Ting way station, Ping-Cho, continuing her friendship with Susan, goes on to retrieve a TARDIS key from its hidden location in Polo's quarters, during Rider From Shang-Tu. 

Our heroes second escape attempt at Cheng-Ting (aka 'the White City') is also thwarted when Tegana captures Susan, during the cliffhanger to Rider From Shang-Tu.

Marco Polo and Tegana confer on the Doctor and his friends latest escape attempt.