by Hal Erickson
synopsis
In the conclusion of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and Kublai Khan (Martin Miller) play a high-stakes game of backgammon. Whoever wins the game will be allowed to lay claim to the TARDIS -- and of course, the Doctor and his friends need the vessel to return to their own time. Meanwhile, the ruthless Tegana (Mark Eden) puts into motion his scheme to assassinate Kublai Khan and lay claim to all of Cathay. And where, in all this intrigue, is Venetian explorer Marco Polo (Mark Eden). Written by John Lucarotti, "Assassin at Peking" first aired on April 4, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived.
