Sinbad Episode 1.04 Old Man of the Sea

The Providence is stuck on a windless sea, water supply is low and Cook is dehydrated and confused when a ship appears. Sinbad and Rina investigate for supplies. But it is deserted and sinister apart from a strange old man, who they bring back despite Cook's objections. Cook's condition worsens and he blames the Old Man for their misfortune. The Old Man has an uncanny ability to stir up unbearable memories. His insinuations persuade Nala that her father can return from the dead. That night he leads her to his ship. Anwar is alarmed to discover that the Old Man's name translates to 'Death'. Sinbad realises Nala is missing and races to the Old Man's ship with Gunnar.

Nala's secret past has caught up with her: she and her father fled their homeland when she refused to take part in an arranged marriage to Death. In each generation a woman is chosen to be sacrificed to Death as payment for his help in an ancient war. Here to wreak his revenge, Death is intent on marrying and killing Nala, who has been brainwashed by guilt: she believes going through with the marriage will bring back her father, who died during their escape.

Death releases a swarm of butterflies which overwhelm Gunnar, but Sinbad pushes in and finds Nala deep in the deathly ritual. Nala won't listen and it is only when Death accidentally reveals he has no knowledge of Nala's grief that the spell breaks. Nala escapes as the ghost ship disintegrates.

Returning to the Providence the gang feel the first drops of rain - at last! The water begins to revive Cook and wind fills the sails.

Meanwhile Taryn's dark magic is working - she has found Sinbad's location. She uses this to inveigle her way back into Akbari's affections and pull him away from his brother's calming influence - the hunt for Sinbad is back on.