#20: Marco Polo: Assassin at Peking
Doctor Who S1E20
Title: Doctor Who (1963)
Director:
Waris Hussein
Writer:
John Lucarotti
Release Date:
April 4, 1964
Network: BBC
Production No: 120
Times Watched: 141
Times Rated: 78
Loading...
Log in to post a comment.
8 Comments
Sort:
Baron Karza
Nov 3, 2025
I think on this watch through I was pulled a more into Ping-Cho's story and her friendship with Susan. The backgammon game between The Doctor and Khan is so great. Ping-Cho is thankfully saved from her marriage. Marco Polo was a well fleshed out character, Tegana was an over the top performance but fun. Overall I liked this more than on my first watch through five years ago.
Sep 11, 2025
This was pretty fun. I love the backgammon game and the Doctor’s ridiculous luck…until the stakes are the Tardis. Also the fate of Ping-Cho’s betrothed; drinking quicksilver and sulfur has to be a nasty way to go.
Apr 24, 2025
I quite enjoyed this story, and would place it ahead of An Unearthly Child, on par with The Daleks, and slightly behind The Edge of Destruction. Into the Sea of Death we go...
Aug 24, 2020
DOCTOR: "Yes, Marco. We're playing for the Tardis." POLO: "But my Lord" KHAN: "Well?" POLO: "Nothing, my Lord. I will leave you to your game." DOCTOR: "My throw." KHAN: "But. Yes, your throw."
This was a good episode but overall I was disappointed after hearing such great things about this story for years.
This was a good episode but overall I was disappointed after hearing such great things about this story for years.
DELTA
+1
Aug 30, 2019
Wasn't a bad story in itself. Marco Polo, Tegana and Ping-Cho were compelling characters. But the place was all over the pace.
Jan 3, 2019
And so this serial ends. Thankfully. Agree about underwhelming. I wonder how this was received back then. It still chugged along for many more seasons.
ScottG12
+1
Aug 16, 2018
Underwhelming finale to an already underwhelming serial.
Magik_Rune
+8
May 13, 2017
Doctor : Can I have the keys to the TARDIS?
Polo (episode 1) : No.
Polo (episode 2) : No.
Polo (episode 3) : No.
Polo (episode 4) : No.
Polo (episode 5) : No.
Polo (episode 6) : No.
Polo (episode 7) : Ok, ok, FINE!
Polo (episode 1) : No.
Polo (episode 2) : No.
Polo (episode 3) : No.
Polo (episode 4) : No.
Polo (episode 5) : No.
Polo (episode 6) : No.
Polo (episode 7) : Ok, ok, FINE!
