Cousins

(2 episodes)

Upon arrival at his home in the House of Moonhaven, the newly regenerated Stan learns that his Matriarch, Sister Louella, has but hours to live.  Stan goes to see his Matriarch, but she is unconscious and near death.  Stan visits with all his Cousins who have gathered at the House.

Stan hadn't been at the House in over 350 years.  While he did live here, he never really got along with any of his Cousins, in particular Menelaus 'Trick', the oldest, who seemed unaffected by the grim situation. He talked with all his Cousins including Calandreen who teaches agriculture at the University. Treena, the only one Stan even remotely got along with when he was younger, who is a secretarial assistant for a member of the High Council. Goransteelagrat, who is the only Cousin (other than Stan of course) who has used up a regeneration (he is on his 3rd body), a member of the Guard.  And the two youngest, Jayan and Rubeeinstaliat who still lived at the House.

Through his conversations, Stan considers the possibility that not is all as it seems as Sister Louella was a strong woman with perhaps decades left to her life.  She suddenly took ill and will die within hours?  As Stan considers these thoughts, Sister Louella dies.  Friends and Guests gather and give their respects.  One guest stays behind when the others leave.  His name is Thelonius and he works for I-Branch.  He says he was sent to watch Stan and make sure he doesn't leave the House, and that he leaves Gallifrey immediately after the funeral.

The Cousins then gather for the Will.  A hologram of Sister Louella gives her thoughts on the various Cousins.  Stan suddenly jumps up and states that someone murdered the Matriarch!  Menelaus Trick storms out of the room and Stan follows. Thelonius follows Stan.  They lose Menelaus and Stan convinces Thelonius that something is amiss.  They agree to conduct an autopsy on Sister Louella's body to determine if she was murdered.  Thelonius and Alpha head to the TARDIS to gather the pertinent equipment, while Stan searches through Menelaus' chambers.

Thelonius and Alpha arrive at the TARDIS to find Menelaus with a member of Security and an agent of I-Branch.  They are taking Magnus out of the TARDIS on a stasis bed.  The I-Branch agent, Chant, accuses Stan of harbouring criminals.  Thelonius is proven to be an imposter, and he flees from the scene.  Alpha is rendered unconscious.

Thelonius returns to Stan and tells him of the situation.  Stan tells Thelonius to continue with the autopsy, while he sees about rescuing Alpha.  Stan turns himself in to straighten out the mess, but finds himself charged with numerous crimes including the murder of Sister Louella!  With the aid of Treena, Thelonius conducts the autopsy scan, and the information gathered shows that she was poisoned.  The time frame for the poisoning is enough to exhonerate Stan, and implicate Menelaus Trick! 

Treena and Thelonius take the information to the Castellan who drops the charges of murder against Stan.  He still stands guilty of numerous crimes against Time.  Thelonius is recognized as a thief who had been at large and is also imprisoned.  While awaiting sentence, Stan is approached by Chant.  He offers Stan an option other than imprisonment on Shada (where the evil Magnus was sent).  If Stan will work for I-Branch when called upon, Chant would see to it that all charges against him were suspended.  Stan agrees if Thelonius is allowed to join him and Alpha is returned to him.  Chant agrees.

Stan, Alpha and Thelonius leave on the TARDIS.  Natasha reappears!