Difference between revisions of "Doctor Who: Kingdom of The Moon"

In a grand city, dominated by a large white castle, a party is taking place. The queen is entertaining her guests, while her daughter, the princess sits across the way, surrounded by her bodyguards, a group of girls dressed in sailor fuku. One of the bodyguards, a girl with long blond hair tied in a ribbon, asks if the princess is alright and why she isn’t dancing with the other guests. Another with a ponytail answers that it is “probably because of him” but before she can finish, she is silenced by another of the girls, this one with long blackish purple hair, who tells her fellows they are on high alert and to speak of such things is dangerous, even if the princess pines for such company. The princess for her part simply sighs and watches the goings on, while her mother looks back at her greatly concerned.

On one of the balconies of the castle, a guard watches as a shooting star arcs across the sky. His thoughts are soon interrupted, however, when he hears a strange noise emanating from the city. Alarmed, he rushes back in to report what he suspects to be an attack and get help from his fellow officers.

In a courtyard in the middle of the city, a tall blue box stands, the light on top of it flashing off and on. Inside, The Doctor is looking over the controls of the console and muttering how even though they had just left Paris, they seem to still be within the Solar System. Barbara wonders if they’ve arrived in the past or the future, but The Doctor explains that the time-space coordinate reader doesn’t seem to be working properly, so he cannot be absolutely certain where or when they are. When Ian suggest going out, The Doctor briskly reminds him that they aren’t sure it’s safe outside and that it is better they take a look at the scanner to get an idea of where they have landed. Turning on the scanner, they see a magnificent city, as well as a gigantic castle made of white stone. Susan finds the view amazing, especally the sight of shooting star in the sky, while Barbara wonders if they have arrived in the past or the present. Ian, however, feels uneasy, as if something is not right. Barbara tells Ian that he’s beginning to sound like her, while The Doctor decides that it seems to look safe enough and besides, he wishes to see the castle for himself. Opening the door, the four travelers step outside.

Looking about, they find the city even more spectacular then it seemed in the TARDIS. Susan spots the castle almost immediately, with The Doctor thinking it will simply take a few minutes’ walk to arrive. Barbara remarks that they must have arrived in the past, given the architecture, mentioning how they might be in Byzantium. Ian tells them all to be quiet, a suggestion which offends The Doctor greatly. However, Susan agrees and realizes how silent it is around them. Ian suggests that perhaps they should speak to a local and find out where they have arrived. The Doctor retorts that Ian is being far too paranoid and cautious. Ian replies that it may be true but he would rather be safe than sorry. The group is unaware that not far away from where they are standing, they are being observed by a guard who quickly sends a message via a device on his wrist.

Back at the party, the queen is interrupted by her captain of the guard, a man named Laocoon, who reports the sighting of the strangers in the city. Not wanting to alarm her guests, the queen follows the captain to one of the balconies to speak. Laocoon tells her that four unknown individuals seem to have been seen walking through the city and suggests that it may be tied to the sound that one of his guards reported earlier during the party. They may even be tied to the incident which occurred the previous week. Before the queen can answer this remark, the two are interrupted by the girl with the long black hair, who reveals that she had overheard the conversation and quickly volunteers to lead the guards in capturing these intruders. After a moment of consideration, the queen agrees, though warns her of getting overly zealous in her duties. Walking past her fellow bodyguards, the girl with the ponytail asks the long haired girl what she was talking about with the queen. When the long haired girl reveals it was about arresting a group of intruders, the princess becomes visibly agitated, worried that it may be related to “him”. The long haired girl comments that she will do her duty in protecting this world and the princess, and then walks off before any of her fellows can stop her.

Stopping in front of what seems to be a small shop, Ian waits until the others finally catch up to him, The Doctor especially complaining about the constant movement. Barbara wonders how it could be possible for such a large city to be nearly deserted, while Susan suggests maybe some sort of holiday is occurring. The Doctor continues to argue that they are simply overreacting and that it would be best if they made their way to the castle. At that moment, Ian spots someone hurrying into a nearby building and runs over, stopping the young woman from leaving. Obviously frightened, she asks Ian to let her move inside. When Susan asks her what’s wrong, she reveals that guards from the palace are coming to search for four suspects, this news especially troubling The Doctor.

In a darken room, several figures talk about the intruders and how they must be found and stopped. However, one of the figures overrule them, stating that they can use these travelers and soon, with their help, their plans will be complete.

The Doctor, having changed his tune, decides at that moment it’s best to make their way back to the TARDIS, something which greatly distresses Susan, who had hoped to see the rest of the city. Ian agrees with The Doctor and is about to leave with Barbara, when they hear an order for them to stop. The girl who Ian was talking to gasps in shock, muttering the word “Sailor Guardian” before quickly running into her home. The time travelers find themselves facing the young woman with the long black hair, who seems to be leading an entire battalion of guards. She pronounces them criminals and traitors, something which The Doctor vermently denies. Ian spots a means of escape and tries to get The Doctor to follow, but The Doctor refuses to take a chance. Before Ian can take a chance, the girl points a finger at the area in front of Ian, Barbara and Susan, causing it to burst into flame. Sarcastically suggesting that they best not try to escape, she orders the guards to take the four into custody. As they are lead away, Ian asks The Doctor in astonishment where on Earth he’s taken them, a place where people can just cause objects to burst into flame and dress in that manner. The Doctor confesses he has no idea but that they have to leave as soon as they can. Susan realizes Barbara has been very quiet this entire time and seems to be staring at the sky. When she asks Barbara what’s wrong, she tells the girl that she hadn’t noticed before because they had been so fixated on the city and the castle. When Susan presses for answers, Barbara simply points upward. The other three travelers look, with Susan gasping in surprise, Ian muttering that it’s impossible and The Doctor looking somewhat concerned. He tells Ian that there is the answer of the question, for they aren’t on Earth at all. Ian agrees that they aren’t on Earth. Rather, they’re on the moon, as they all stare at the large familiar blue and green planet hanging in the night sky.

As they are lead away, Ian asks The Doctor in astonishment where on Earth he’s taken them, a place where people can just cause objects to burst into flame and dress in that manner. The Doctor confesses he has no idea but that they have to leave as soon as they can. Susan realizes Barbara has been very quiet this entire time and seems to be staring at the sky. When she asks Barbara what’s wrong, she tells the girl that she hadn’t noticed before because they had been so fixated on the city and the castle. When Susan presses for answers, Barbara simply points upward. The other three travelers look, with Susan gasping in surprise, Ian muttering that it’s impossible and The Doctor looking somewhat concerned. He tells Ian that there is the answer of the question, for they aren’t on Earth at all. Ian agrees that they aren’t on Earth. Rather, they’re on the moon, as they all stare at the large familiar blue and green planet hanging in the night sky.

The four are soon led through the main entrance of the castle. When a girl with short blond hair asks the long haired girl if these are the suspects who were reported, the long haired girl tells the other to hurry and tell the Queen they had been found. The Doctor, hearing this, is certain they can explain their presence satisfactory to the monarch. Ian cuts in that if they’re all like this, it might be better to keep their mouth shut then the bother with explanations. The long haired girl takes offense at this and is about to warn him off when she is interrupted by Laocoon and the blond haired girl, the captain of the guards reporting that the queen will see them now. The Doctor coolly thanks him for this chance, though the man says nothing, simply looking over them. As they are lead down the hall, a man rushes past, bumping into Barbara. When she tries to help him up, he simply presses something into her hand and rushes off before she can ask him anything. When Susan tries to ask Barbara what she was given, the long haired girl announces that they have arrived. Pushing a large pair of doors open, the group is lead through.

Down the hall, the man pauses beside a large window. He whispers that he has done what he was asked and asks if there is anything else he must do. He is told to simply return to the location agreed upon and wait for further instructions. Agreeing to this, he silently runs off.

Finding themselves in a large throne room, the travelers are introduced to Queen Serenity of the Silver Millenium, her daughter Princess Serenity and their guardians, the ladies of Mercury, Mars, Venus and Jupiter. The Doctor is about to step forward to address the queen, something which Mars protests. However, the queen overrules her wishes and listens as The Doctor explains that they are simply travelers who arrived and lost their way and that they mean no indiscretion. Mars asks, tensely, if they are from Earth, something Ian also tensely confirms. Satisfied, she tries to convince the queen not to trust them, as they may be here to do further damage. However, the queen asks Laocoon his thoughts in the matter, as he himself is a recent arrival to their capitol. Laocoon agrees with Mars that there is a chance the four might be trouble but thinks that from everything he has heard, they seem to be innocent enough, something which causes Mars to start arguing him over the possible dangers.

During this, Barbara looks at the object she was given and finds that it’s a folded piece of paper. Noticing this, Ian asks what it is and she explains how the man shoved it in her hand. Before they can examine it, however, the queen quickly tells the court to be silent.

She has decided to trust the strangers for the time being but that if at any time they betray this trust, they will be dealt with in the harshest manner. The Doctor agrees to this and then requests to know if there is any place of learning, as he is interested to know more about this world, its people and culture. Mercury reveals that there is a library and would be happy to show The Doctor the research she has been compiling if he is interested. The queen then requests that Venus accompanies them to act as security for the two, something which bristles The Doctor a bit but he quickly controls himself and agrees to. Before he leaves, he walks over to his companions, suggesting that there might be more to this then they all realize and to be on their guard. As The Doctor, Mercury and Venus leave, the princess requests that she be allowed to show Susan the gardens, something which the queen gladly agrees to and something which Ian and Barbara encourage. Laocoon is about to ask Barbara if she would like to accompany him to see the city when Ian intercedes, telling the captain that they will manage by themselves very nicely, before leading Barbara away, something which seems to amuse the man. Watching this, Mars retreats from the throne room, her exit being noticed by Jupiter, who follows after her.

Leaving the palace, Barbara asks Ian why he pulled her away like that. Ian explains that something didn’t feel right about Laocoon and besides, after what had happened with Leon, he wants to be careful. Seeing that these words have slightly upset Barbara, he asks her about the note she was given. Looking it over, they find that it simply says “The Blue Moon”. Confused by this for a moment, Barbara suddenly realizes that when they passed through the city the first time, they went past a building with the symbol of a moon painted blue on it. Ian is eager to check on this hint but Barbara isn’t certain. She wonders if it might be some sort of trap. Ian says it’s a good point along with the fact that Susan is still in the palace grounds, as Barbara also points out. However, Ian decides it’s their best chance to find out what’s going on and so convinces her to head out into the city.

In another room, Mars speaks into a small communicator, telling someone on the other end to be prepared. Jupiter enters, asking Mars why she is so focused on these strangers. After all, she suggests, they may be exactly what they claim to be. Mars isn’t so certain and asks Jupiter if she is willing to chance possible danger to their kingdom. When Jupiter asks Mars what she is planning to do, Mars simply responds that everything is prepared.

Walking through the now much more busy streets of the city, Ian comments on how amazing this “silver millennium” truly is. Barbara quickly spots the Blue Moon building and tells Ian to hurry up. Ian is about to follow her, when he notices someone ducking into a nearby alleyway. Shouting to get Barbara’s attention, Ian decides to follow the stranger. As soon as he steps into the alley, however, he is quickly knocked out by a guard, who then orders his fellow soldiers to take him to the Lady Mars.

Meanwhile, Barbara has already arrived at the building and realizing Ian has vanished on her, is calling out to him. As she looks around in concern, she is suddenly grabbed from behind by a man who puts a strange looking blade to her throat. The man warns her not to scream and if she screams, she will die!

Barbara has already arrived at the blue moon building and realizing Ian has vanished on her, is calling out to him. As she looks around in concern, she is suddenly grabbed from behind by a man who puts a strange looking blade to her throat. The man warns her not to scream and if she screams, she will die!

In one of the gardens, Susan is looking over a strange alien flower, completely captivated by it’s beauty. When she turns back to show it to the princess, she finds the royal strangely distant and looking extremely worried. Asking her if there is something wrong, at first the princess denies this but then confesses that something is troubling her. She has fallen in love with the prince of the Earth and fears now that with tensions so high, that she may never be able to see him again. When Susan asks her if there is a way for her to keep in communication, the princess confesses that there is a way and that she has been relying on another to help her get messages through the ban on communications between the two worlds. When Susan presses for more information, Serenity reveals that she is about to go meet her contact. Though uncertain about this, Susan agrees to accompany the princess, at least as long as it’s to help her out.

In a darkened room, Ian slowly comes to, still a bit groggy from the attack. When he tries to stand, however, he finds himself bound to a wooden chair, metal latches over his wrists and ankles, presided by a group of guards. When he demands to know where is and what they’ve done to Barbara, Lady Mars walks in and tells him to be silent. She then asks him to confess to being a spy from Earth, something which Ian denies know anything about. Mars for her part simply presses a finger to one of the latches binding Ian’s wrist and causing it to heat up slightly, resulting in the man writhing slightly in pain. Mars tells Ian that he will tell her the truth and will tell her about his part in the incident.

Barbara tells her captors, who are standing around her brandishing weapons, that she has no idea what they’re talking about, especially anything about the incident, whatever it might be. One of them, a young woman, asks Barbara how she knew to come here then, if she wasn’t some sort of spy for the Moon Kingdom. When Barbara shows them the piece of paper and describes the man who gave it to her, she learns from another young man that the description matches one of their members, named Aella, their leader. Barbara presses them for details, managing to convince them that she really is an innocent traveler; otherwise he would not have given her the paper in the first place. Willing to give her their trust for the time being, the woman named Aoide, reveals that the group is made up of those who are Earth born as well as those who seek peace between the Earth and Moon against that “tyrant”, Queen Serenity. If Aella trusted her enough to give her that letter, then it must mean that Barbara can somehow help them with their goal. When Barbara inquires about this, Aoide reveals that they plan to remove Serenity and that she will help them do it, much to her surprise and horror!

Susan finds herself taken to a separate part of the garden, dominated by a large worn and partially cracked wall. Serenity moves towards the edge of the wall and presses her ear against it, as if listening to something. Susan asks her what she is doing but the princess quickly quiets her. After a rather long moment, Serenity suddenly seems to get excited and runs over to a larger crack in the wall. Susan follows, only to find the princess seemingly talking to someone. The princess asks the person if there have been any messages for her from “the prince”. The individual says he has better news, that the prince has found a way to make it through the blockades surrounding the world and is now waiting to meet with her on the edge of the city. The princess is excited and happy but Susan quickly tells her that it might be better if they waited for Ian and Barbara to return, just to be on the safe side. When the princess asks her why she is suddenly acting so uncertain, Susan replies that she isn’t sure, only that they shouldn’t go out. When the voice tells the princess that the prince will only be able to stay for a few moments, Serenity’s mind is made up and she tells Susan that she will go, even if it means without her. Not willing to let her leave on her own, Susan agrees if only to keep an eye on the princess. With that, the two head away from the gardens.

Barbara refuses to help them, as she could not possibly take down a government like that. This answer seems to turn most of the members of the group against her slightly and seeing this, Barbara decides to change tactics and asks more about the “incident”. This question seems to surprise the group into silence, forcing Barbara to repeat the question. Aoide suddenly realizes that Barbara might indeed be who she says she is, much to one of the other member’s amusement. Aoide quickly tells him to be quiet and turns to Barbara. She starts to explain it began several weeks back, just after the shooting stars were seen in the sky. Barbara quietly starts to wonder something about the stars.

Out near the edge of the city, Serenity running along a rocky path wrapped up in a cloak. Susan is trying to keep up and telling the princess to slow down. Serenity finally stops, telling her this is the place they were to meet. Susan looks around, commenting on how there is nobody there. A voice comes from behind them telling them that is not exactly true. Turning around, Serenity is revealed, saying that she is happy that he gave her the message but wonders where the prince is like he had promised her. Susan can only stare at this person in surprise.

Ian winces as Mars again heats up the bindings around his wrists. Ian finally agrees to confess, something which pleases Mars. Ian then states that it’s true…that he has no idea what she’s talking about. Mars frowns and states that he’s not making any of this easier. Ian says that if he doesn’t believe him she should just talk to The Doctor about it and let him show her his ship, though Mars points out he is just as much under suspicion. Just as Mars is about to continue the interrogation, she is interrupted by one of the guards, who tells her Lady Jupiter wishes to speak to her. Telling Ian she will be back to finish this, she leaves the room. Ian uses this time to try and free himself but finds that the bonds are far too tight. Before he can do anything else, Mars returns, angrier than ever and demands to know from Ian where is she. Ian is confused, tired and a bit offended and repeats he has no idea what she’s talking about. Mars repeats that she wants to know where is she. Ian asks her who she’s talking about and Mars reveals that Susan and the Princess have gone missing. They’ve been taken! Ian can only look at Mars with concern.