Classic Who S20 • Serial 6 · (2 episodes)

The King’s Demons

Sets:
Doctor Who (1963-1996)
Fifth Doctor

60% 865 votes

First aired Tuesday, March 15, 1983

Production Code 6J

Written by Terence Dudley

Directed by Tony Virgo

Runtime 50 minutes

Story Type Series Finale

Time Travel Past

Tropes: (Potential Spoilers!)

Celebrity Historical Fencing Original Song Master of Disguise

Locations Earth England

Historical Characters King John

Synopsis

England, March 1215. King John is visiting the castle of Sir Ranulph Fitzwilliam. The arrival of the TARDIS disturbs a medieval joust, but the Doctor and his companions are proclaimed to be friendly demons by the King, who seems strangely interested in their "blue engine". It soon becomes clear that neither King John or his Champion, Sir Gilles Estram, are who they pretend to be. One of the Doctor's oldest and deadliest enemies threatens the future of democracy on Earth, and he must be stopped!

2 Episodes:

First aired Tuesday, March 15, 1983

Runtime 25 minutes

Written by Terence Dudley

Directed by Tony Virgo

UK Viewers 5.8 million

Appreciation Index 65

Synopsis

In 1215 at the castle of Ranulf Fitzwilliam, son Hugh is jousting on a matter of honor against Sir Gillis Estram, the champion of King John, when the TARDIS appears. The Doctor, Turlough and Tegan are immediately hailed as demons and welcomed warmly by the King. Something is wrong with this picture, observes the Doctor.

First aired Wednesday, March 16, 1983

Runtime 25 minutes

Written by Terence Dudley

Directed by Tony Virgo

UK Viewers 7.2 million

Appreciation Index 63

Synopsis

England, 1215. With the historic signing of the Magna Carta supposedly only days away, the Doctor is startled to find King John apparently intent on provoking civil war - and seemingly in two places at once...

Signal Strength: 30%

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