the doctor, who has been trying not to get caught up in court politics, attempts to make a break for the tardis. he is caught by the earl of leicester, who thinks the doctor is a spy for saladin. he sentences the doctor to death. ian arrives and, presenting himself as "sir ian of jaffa," tells leicester that the doctor is a spy and that he is here to carry out the execution. the doctor plays along and asks for one last chance to see jaffa before he dies. leicester agrees, and the doctor is able to sneak away to the tardis with the rest of the crew and leave.