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In the second episode of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the Doctor and his companions reluctantly accompany Marco Polo (Mark Eden) on a long journey to the Peking stronghold of Kublai Khan. The first leg of their journey requires them to cross the Gobi Desert, known as "the singing sands" due to the eerie sounds made by the relentless wind. What no one yet suspects is that Marco's "trusted" associate Tegana (Derren Nesbitt) plans to use the Doctor's TARDIS to topple Kublai Khan from power -- and it is Tegana who has volunteered to search for water on behalf of Marco and his entourage. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Singing Sands" first aired on February 29, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived.