The Doctor and Amy are in the power of the Black Guardian. The Guardian implores the Doctor to hand him the Keys of Time, until the Doctor figures out his power is waning.
After explaining the situation, that the universe is ending and he's merely trying to preserve it, he manages to convince the Doctor to keep looking for the Keys of Time. He and Amy end up on Sudan on Earth, in the 9th Century, where a monstrous Djinni is terrorizing the local people.
But can you truly trust the Black Guardian?
- Antagonist Title: Subverted, it's actually just the local name for "Death".
- Beethoven Was an Alien Spy: Lord Cassim from 9th century Sudan was actually the Black Guardian.
- Brick Joke: When the Lord Cassim calls for a celebration, he mentions not having the Darets be invited.note
- Brought Down to Normal: Not completely, but the Black and White Guardians have been depowered immensely compared to what they used to be.
- Call-Back:
- Fantastic Measurement System: The "Djinni"'s ship measures things in Pazu. No conversion method is provided.
- Large Ham: The Black Guardian starts out as a carbon copy of the late Valentine Dyall's portrayal from the TV series, before he realizes his false bravado isn't working on the Doctor and he employs a more subdued performance.
- Though even this more laid-back incarnation still has his hammy moments.
Black Guardian: A haaaaandbaaaag?! - Light Is Not Good/Dark Is Not Evil: The Black Guardian says this about the White Guardian. Yes, his side is order, but order includes bureaucracy, executions and persecutions. He also points out he's not "just" evil.
- Mistaken for Spies: The *moment* the Doctor lands in Sudan, somebody thinks he's a spy for Desert Brigands.
- Mythology Gag: The Doctor doesn't like being called "Master" by the slaves.
- Never Recycle Your Schemes: Subverted when the Doctor realizes he's pulling the same trick he's done before, but it's attributed to the Black Guardian not being able to come up with anything better due to his deterioration.
- The Nth Doctor: The Black Guardian is stated to "cloak a new body", played by David Troughton, Patrick's son. The White Guardian as well is played by a new actor.
- Open Sesame: The original phrase "Iftaḥ yā Simsim" is used.
- Pardon My Klingon: The people in Sudan employ "H'Raffa"note which the TARDIS doesn't translate. Justified seeing as it's a name of a person.
- Previously on…: Snippets from The Judgement of Isskar are played before the opening theme.
- Speak of the Devil: The Maker of Orphans, whose name cannot be spoken.
- Time Stands Still: The Black Guardian is pausing time to save the Doctor from death.
- Toilet Humour: Prince Omar, apparently, has a troupe of Darets, whom are professional farters that wish to perform for him.