   the deadly assassin is the third serial of the 14th season of the british science fiction television programme doctor who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 30 october to 20 november 1976. it is known for being the first story to feature the doctor without a companion, with sarah jane smith departing in the previous story and leela joining in the next story. ==plot==  the fourth doctor has arrived on gallifrey after receiving a mysterious summons from the time lords and having a precognitive vision about the president of the time lords being murdered. as soon as the tardis materialises within the citadel, it is surrounded by the chancellery guard. commander hilred reports to castellan spandrell, noting the tardis is a type 40 time capsule, which is no longer in service. the soldiers are ordered to impound the tardis and arrest the occupant. the doctor realises that the time lords did not summon him. spandrell goes to see coordinator engin in the archives section. hilred and his troops enter the tardis, but the doctor sneaks out and makes his way to a service lift that leads to the main tower. a soldier threatens to place the doctor under arrest but is killed by a phantom-like figure who disappears. all of this has been observed by the doctor's old adversary, the master. chancellor goth arrives outside the tardis. inside the tardis, the doctor is watching a news broadcast by a reporter he recognises as runc
1976_television_episodes Doctor_Who_serials_novelised_by_Terrance_Dicks Fourth_Doctor_serials Television_episodes_about_elections The_Master_television_stories Virtual_reality_in_fiction