To rescue Tegan and Adric, captured and interrogated by the Terileptil fugitive leader, the Doctor must get past the locals under alien control and overcome Death (an android servant dressed up as The Grim Reaper).

With Tegan and Richard under alien control, and the manor sealed against anyone leaving or entering, it's a question whether or not the Doctor can get to London before the Terileptils release their improved strain of black death upon the world.