Commentary and analysis of Doctor Who's first lost serial "Marco Polo!"

Stranded with a malfunctioning TARDIS on the "Roof of the World" in Cathay (China), Team TARDIS is taken in by Marco Polo on his vast caravan travelling to Kublai Khan. Marco takes possession of the TARDIS in order to gift it to Kublai Khan and the team must try to convince him to give it back. Meanwhile, the Mongol Warlord Tegana plots to take the TARDIS for himself....

KUBLAI KHAN: Oh, we want to tell you something, Marco. We owe half of Asia to our friend [The Doctor] at backgammon.
MARCO POLO: It is unusual for you to lose, my Lord.
KUBLAI KHAN: Oh, he is a fortunate one.

I discuss some of the historical content of the episode and how well the serial works to be accurate and to humanize its characters, the great relationships the serial portrays (particularly between Ping-Cho and Susan and between the Doctor and Kublai Khan), the FANTASTIC villain Tegana, and how this serial allows for the team to have fun and become the family they will be going forward.


NEXT TIME: Serial #5 The Keys of Marinus (Episodes: "The Sea of Death," "The Velvet Web," "The Screaming Jungle," "The Snows of Terror," "Sentence of Death," "The Keys of Marinus")


Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ 

Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: [email protected]

Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/

Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: [email protected]