The TARDIS lands on a barren beach. The Doctor, Jamie and Victoria enjoy only a few minutes frolicking before they are fired upon by three men in a hovercraft. After a chance rescue by helicopter pilot Astrid, the Doctor discovers that he has arrived on Earth in the year 2017 and that he is the exact double of a would-be dictator called Salamander. Astrid's boss Giles Kent explains that underneath his guise as a public benefactor, Salamander has been ruthlessly solidifying his power base.
Giles Kent tests The Doctor's likeness to Salamander. Astrid, Jamie and Victoria, using travel passes provided by Denes, the leader of the Central European Zone, travel to Salamander's headquarters in the Central European Zone via rocket and put into place a plan that Astrid has been forming for some time.
Bruce is surprised to encounter Jamie, now in Salamander's personal guard. Victoria meanwhile thoroughly fails to impress Griffin, Salamander's chief cook, with her culinary skills. Kent shares his suspicions with The Doctor that Salamander is somehow engineering environmental disasters.
The Doctor, Giles, Astrid and Fariah team up to escape Benik's and his men. Salamander descends to a vast underground complex, where he has hoodwinked several scientists into believing that a nuclear war has devastated the Earth. Back at the caravan, Kent and Astrid prepare The Doctor to infiltrate the station.
Bruce has terrible news for Astrid, who demands to be taken to the Research Centre. Deep underground, Colin angrily confronts the leader, Swann about their situation. Victoria and Jamie confront Salamander with his crimes.
The Doctor, Jamie and Victoria try to convince Bruce of Salamander's plans. Deep underground, Swann learns from Astrid of Salamander's deception, as they journey to the scientists. On the surface, Giles Kent reveals his true colours as events take an explosive turn. When the dust clears Jamie and Victoria wait nervously near the TARDIS for The Doctor to return. But can they sure of who, in the end, is who?
