Doctor Who (1963–1989): Season 2, Episode 24 - The Wheel of Fortune - full transcript

- Two heads without the brains of one.
- Thank you for helping me. Who are you?

- I am Haroun Ed-diin.
- I'm Barbara.

We have a common enemy in El Akir.
Come with me.

- Where?
- To a place of safety. Come!

Oh, you look marvellous!

Marvellous indeed, my lord.
The birds will envy you.

- The multi-coloured fish are put to shame!
- Don't get so carried away, my friend.

It's a fine cloak.
You've done a good job.

My lord is most gracious.

Now, the next question is: what can you do
for my boy?

I want something of finer quality.



Like yours, my lord? Then I can
provide all the quality you need.

Jewelled tunics with fur collars.

Ruby-studded belts,
quilted sleeves, laced boots...

Quite so. Thank you. Have a think, and let
me know in the morning what you've decided.

I will, my lord.

And when the sun rises.

I shall be here to transform the boy
into a veritable strutting peacock!

And then, perhaps, my lord will recommend
the name of Ben Daheer to the King?

Who's your friend

Why have I got to go on pretending to
be a boy? Why can't I be a girl again?

I'm sorry, my dear.
But you know how we're placed here. It's...

- Why have you deceived us?
- Forgive me. Your Highness.

This is my young ward.

Having found ourselves in hostile
county, I decided to use this disguise.



We are not hostile. The open country
within reach of the merciless Saracen, yes.

- But here in Jaffa?
- Please don't be angry with him.

He only did what he
thought was best for me.

A pretty advocate. Well. I won't
be a partner to this deception.

But while you are here. You shall be in my
company given my protection.

We are indeed grateful your highness.

I saw the Chamberlain in the corridor.
Bring him to me.

You say you are grateful.

I cannot command
what I ask of you now, nor will I.

But I am in some quandary.

Can I help you, madam?

I am my brother's favourite, yet now I
find I am excluded from his confidence.

I sense he's made a
plan of which I am a part.

May I ask why.
Of all people here, you've come to me?

There's something new in you.
Yet something older than the sky itself.

I sense that I can trust you.

If there is a plan. I'll find out
what it is and keep close in touch.

Then I am satisfied.

- Ah, good Chamberlain.
- Your Highness.

Bid your servants go about the town
and find nimble hands to dress this child.

Good weaving well spun cloth.

The dresses shall be
of silk and satins and brocaded stuff.

Dresses? Silks? Satins?

For the boy?

I... I thought there was
some amusement. Your Highness.

Did you. Chamberlain?

- I don't understand.
- It's perfectly simple.

- I'm a girl.
- A girl? Dressed as a boy?

Is nothing understandable these days?

The dresses - silks, satins.

- Where's the money to come from?
- The household purse, hm?

Thank goodness for that. I didn't see
myself as a veritable strutting peacock.

In one way. I don't think
things turned out too badly after all.

How do you mean "in one way"?

You will be much safer under Joanna's wing.

- I'll still see you, won't I?
- Of course.

- Barbara's gone off, and lan.
- Only temporarily.

- You wouldn't leave me, would you?
- What a question!

Your ship's the only home I've got now.
And I couldn't bear it if...

Now, now. What is all this, eh?

When you said a good thing in one way.

I thought you meant that I was
some sort of problem or something.

Surely you know me better than that, child?

My reservation was that I might get
entangled in court intrigue.

That can be very dangerous, hm?

Very dangerous indeed!

Safiya?

Safiya!

Father! I have been so frightened.

My poor house is yours. Barbara.

This is my daughter Safiya. Treat her
as you would your closest cousin, child.

Now, see to some food.

The soldiers of El Akir are searching
the streets. You must wait here.

- I don't want to endanger you.
- I am in constant danger.

I have sworn to kill the emir.

- El Akir?
- Yes.

That vile and evil man.

Last year my house was
a fine and happy place.

A gentle wife.

A son who honoured and obeyed me.

And two daughters who adorned
whatever place they visited.

Then El Akir came to Lydda
and imposed his will.

He desired my eldest daughter Maimuna.
But I refused him.

So he took her?

Yes.

When Safiya and I were away.

He came and burned my house.

My wife and son were put to the sword.

Why do you stay in Lydda?

I live for one thing alone
- the death of El Akir.

Now I will see if the way
is clear for your escape.

No! Please...

I feel that I'm making
things worse for you.

Rest here. I shall not be long.

If danger threatens. Safiya will hide you.

But if the soldiers persist.
And you think that they will find you.

Take this and use it.

- Kill her?
- Yes. And afterward yourself.

- No!
- You must.

- No. Life is better than this!
- You do not know El Akir.

- You would not let them take Safiya?
- No of course I...

Then I'll leave the knife.

Where has my father gone?

He went outside
to see if the soldiers had gone.

More likely to ask our
neighbours questions.

Questions? I don't understand.

My mother, my brother and my sister Maimuna
disappeared last year.

My father searches everywhere for them.

We live in hope they will return one day.

Then you don't know...

Where they are?

No. It is a strange mystery.

They've gone away.
And we must simply wait for their return.

It is the will of Allah.

You will eat?

My father's knife!

Yes. He just left it behind.

How strange. He never goes without it.

We should carry on searching.

Who have you got there?

I do not know, my lord.
He was going to slay me.

- I seem to know that face.
- You cannot, my lord.

He's a poor man of the town.
He lives in the northern quarter.

- Have you searched there?
- A little. A den of thieves and beggars.

It's not wise to venture
into such a place of squalor.

The runaway can find a host of allies
in the northern quarter.

Each individual as desperate as herself.

Take what men you need and find her!

And when Sir Ian Has Returned

We trust he will bring your lady
and Sir William des Preaux.

And the answers
to several letters we have written.

Tell me your plan, sire.

A new demand of Saladin? A
battle planned? A victory like Arsuf?

Not this time my lord of Leicester
we've had another thought.

To give our sister's hand in marriage
to Saphadin, brother of the Sultan.

And so make an end to this war.

I am indeed glad sir to know that you are
thinking of terms in peace.

The Princess to marry Saphadin?
I beg you to explain.

We do not feel obliged to explain anything
to anyone. Our words were plain enough.

It is a good scheme.
Sire, if the Princess agrees.

- Joanna knows nothing of this matter.
- Will she agree?

You should rather ask how can she refuse.

To stem the blood, bind up the wounds
and give a host of men lives and futures?

There's a marriage contract
to make a saint of any woman.

With all the strength of my command.
I urge you, abandon this pretence of peace!

Pretence, sir? Here's an opportunity
to save the lives of many men.

And you do naught but turn it down
without any kind of thought.

- What do you think you are doing?
- I speak as a soldier.

Why are we here if not to fight?

The Devil's horde, Saracen
and Turk, possess Jerusalem.

We will not wrest it from them with words!

With swords, I suppose?

Aye, with swords and lances or the axe.

You stupid butcher!
Can you think of nothing else but killing?

You're a man for talk. I can see that.

You like a table and a ring of men -
a parley here, arrangements there.

But when you men of eloquence
have stunned each other with your words.

We the soldiers have to face it out.

Some half-started morning while you
speakers lie abed, armies settle everything.

Giving sweat, sinew.
Bodies and life itself.

I admire bravery and loyalty, sir.
You have both of these.

Unfortunately, you haven't
any brain at all. I hate fools!

- A fool can match a coward any day!
- Enough of this!

You dare to flourish arms before your king?

Know this, my lord of Leicester.

We will not be advised.
We have decided on a pact with Saladin.

If that fails, then a trial of arms.

We have set our mind and heart
upon this marriage.

And it shall go forward!

Why do you smile, brother? Is it a trap?

No. The English king writes sincerely.

It is so guileless, it can only be genuine.

Think seriously about
it. Alliance with Joanna

would give me title to much land -
a glittering empire, brother.

I did not know you were so ambitious.

I...

I would be the name.
Yours would be the voice.

- Ah...
- Of course!

Of course.

Do not look so troubled. I will humour you.
And let this proposition go ahead.

But listen to me well.

Strategy is worth a hundred lances.

Think, brother. How does this proposed
marriage help us to win our future battles?

You do not mean to think
of this alliance seriously?

If you can marry with this sister of the English
king, then do so, and I will help you to it.

Write a letter.
Say the idea pleases both of us.

But yet you doubt it?

Have England. France and all the rest

come here to cheer a man and woman
and a love match?

No. This is a last appeal for peace
from a weary man.

So you write your letter.
And I'll alert the armies.

Then on either day - the day of
blissful union or the day of awful battle -

we will be prepared.

You are wise.

I was wrong to doubt you.

Hold one hand out in friendship.
But keep the other on your sword.

Sir lan of Jaffa, who brought a
plea for the release of Sir William...

Sir William I cannot return. Not yet.
But write that he is well cared for.

Sir lan begged to be allowed
to search for the lady Barbara.

The brave deserve their favours.

Go, brother. Write your letter.

His sincerity deserves our honest dealings.

But caution...

Yes, caution insists
that my armies are ready.

You pigs!

They're getting nearer.
Where's your hiding place?

Let me go, you dogs! You pigs!

In case we have to defend ourselves.

No! Get away!

Nothing in here. Look out there.

- Anything?
- No.

Wait.

Still warm.

No other window. Only one door.

Look on the rooftop.

They'll find us! Poor Father!

- Nothing?
- No. Nothing.

Someone must be here somewhere.
Search every corner.

No, wait. I've a better plan.

Bring a torch. We'll smoke the secret out.

Or watch a burning funeral.

Here. Cover yourself with this blanket.
Stay huddled in the corner.

- Why?
- Just do as you're told. Take this.

Let's try over in that house.

Come here. Get the others.

Get away!

In the name of El Akir, open the door!

- Where did you come from?
- I was hiding in the shadows.

Who hid you in this place?
- No one.

What does it matter? You found me,
that's what you wanted, wasn't it?

When you're on your knees before my master,
your defiance will change to screams for pity.

Thank you, my brother.

Sweet child. You look so innocent.

- I have nothing but love for you.
- You've been very kind.

- We are both grateful to you. Your Highness.
- You shall be my close companion.

Your name is not Victor now?

No. It's Vicki, really.

I do not know it. Is it a Venetian name?
It doesn't matter.

The eye should have contentment where it
rests. Do you not agree, my lord Leicester?

- Is she not beautiful?
- Indeed, madam.

A fair rose of England
in this foreign land.

- Do you have news for me?
- I'm afraid not. Your Highness.

Did my brother tell you
nothing of his plans?

He said he wished to speak to you himself.

I thought I had your friendship.

You have, but the King spoke to me in
confidence, I must not steal his thunder.

- I thought this would happen, child.
- Can't you tell her?

- That she's getting married? Of course not.
- Can't you drop her a hint?

We can't afford to make an enemy of her.

I have no desire to upset the King.

All this intrigue! I
knew it. All this trouble.

- Here comes the King.
- I would speak with my brother.

What's this I hear? Marriage to
that heathenish man? That infidel?

We will give you reasons for it.

This unconsulted partner has no wish to marry.
I am no sack of flour to be given in exchange!

- The decision has been made.
- Not by me!

The war is full of wounded men.

Give this marriage thought.
Then you'll see the right of it.

And how would you have me go to Saphadin?

Bathed in oriental perfume?
Suppliant, tender and affectionate?

Soft-eyed and trembling? Eager with a
thousand words of compliment and love?

I like a different way
to meet the man I am to wed!

- Well, if it's a meeting you want...
- I do not want. I will not have it!

Joanna!

Get out. Get out!

- I beg you to accept.
- No!

- I entreat you. Joanna.
- No!

Very well. I am the King.

- We command you!
- You cannot command this of me.

Cannot?!

No. There is a higher authority than yours
to which I answer.

I am the King. Where is there any man
who has greater power?

In Rome. His Holiness the Pope will not
allow this marriage of mine to that infidel!

But. Joanna...

- You defy me with the Pope!
- No!

You defy the world with your politics.

The reason you are here
is the reason on my side.

You are here to fight these dogs.

Mary me to them, and you
make a pact with the devil.

Force me to it, and I'll turn the
world we know into your enemy.

Who gave away my plan?

Your Majesty, if you believe that I...

You are not welcome in our sight.

Let go of me!

The only pleasure left for you is death.

And death is very far away.