“The Walls of Jericho” is episode twenty of season one of The Time Tunnel.
At the end of the previous episode, “The Ghost of Nero”, Doug and Tony appeared outside a tent. They were attacked by the guards and caught after a struggle. Before they could be killed, a man entered and told the guards to halt. He is Joshua, commander of the Israelites. Who are they? They are from the future. Joshua thinks that’s possible. Tik-Toc is watching. General Kirk says Joshua is the warrior prophet who brought down the walls of Jericho. Ann asks if they are supposed to take the story literally. Kirk says Joshua is proof. Ann thinks that’s only proof the existence of a man called Joshua. As a scientist, she doesn’t permit herself to believe in the existence of miracles. They will see whether the walls of Jericho come tumbling down.
Joshua is questioning Doug and Tony; he may believe they are possible, but wants to make sure they are not from the king of Jericho. Tony recounts the story of Jericho to Joshua, which includes things Joshua has not told anyone yet. He asks if the people inside Jericho will fight. They don’t know; only that Joshua sent two spies inside the walls to find out. Joshua decides that Doug and Tony must be those spies. Doug is worried their ignorance of the time and customs will endanger the mission. Joshua does not; he has faith.
They got over the wall as Joshua stages a diversion. Tony says the spies took shelter in the house of Rahab. The high priest of Jericho tells the captain that he has consulted Chemosh. The walls of Jericho are impregnable. The diversion over, the army retreats, and the high priest, Malek, says they will make an offering to Chemosh in the morning.
Doug and Tony are watching. Doug says the sacrifice is usually a sheep or a lamb. Of course, this time it isn’t; it’s a young girl. Her sister’s maid tells her that this is a great honour. Doug intervenes before the sacrifice can be carried out, but are both caught. The sister and the maid think it’s a miracle from Chemosh, the two strangers appearing at the last minute. The sacrifice is defiled, though, and no longer worthy. Malek wants Doug and Tony to be taken to the dungeon for interrogation and then death.
Whilst fleeing, Tony ends up inside a house. The sister enters and Tony calls her by name, Rahab. Rahab is willing to help Tony escape, but her servant, Ahza, is less certain. Tony needs to find Doug first, who Rahab tells him has been taken to the dungeon beneath the palace. There might be another way in; Rahab tells Azha to bring her father.
Doug is told by Malek that he will have an easy death if he talks. Doug tells him it’s no use; no matter what, Joshua will destroy Malek’s king and city. Malek asks why the god Doug speaks of helped Tony escape, but not him. He does have a point. Malek is also certain that Tony must have an accomplice in the city, and wants the name from Doug.
Tik-Toc are watching. Ann is worried but General Kirk reassures her the Bible says both spies escape. Ray is worried; if Doug cracks, they will get Rahab and Tony as well. Ann wants to shift Doug, but they lose the fix.
Tony and Rahab are watching Joshua’s soldiers marching around the city. Rahab is bitter at what she’s been forced to do to keep her family fed. She dreamt of the destruction of Jericho. Tony tells her more from the Bible, about how only the house of Rahab was spared. Ahza returns with Rahab’s father. He used to be an architect and built the king his new palace. Then the king had him blinded so he couldn’t reveal its secrets. Which hasn’t exactly worked; Rahab’s father can still remember them. Like the secret entrances.
Tik-Toc is still having problems getting a fix. This episode is a very Biblical story, naturally enough.