The Stranger (Colin Baker) is feeling battered by his experience of traveling through time and space. The mysterious Stranger has rejected his long-time companion (Nicola Bryant) and exiled himself upon a barren, alien world. He seems to be determined to ignore the mysterious events occurring in the nearby marketplace where the circus tricks of a clown (Michael Wisher) are in fact claiming the souls of the local people. Even the Governor of the town(Wisher) seems unwilling to intervene. Meanwhile, The Stranger's erstwhile companion has stumbled upon a bizarre garden party in which the guests keep falling foul of their genial host (Wisher). Will the silent plea for help of a mute finally stir The Stranger?