The Daleks' First Act of Defiance: The Birth of a Self-Willed Species
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Davros demands to know who started the automated Dalek production, only for a Dalek to claim responsibility and then kill Nyder, defying Davros's authority and setting the Daleks on a path of independent action.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Determined but conflicted, with a growing sense of dread. Bettan is torn between her duty to her people and her empathy for the Doctor's situation, but her resolve never wavers. The moment the Doctor is safe, she acts without hesitation, triggering the detonation. As she watches the Daleks' declaration of independence, her expression hardens—she recognizes the birth of a new, genocidal force that will require all of the Thals' strength to counter. There's a quiet fury in her eyes, a determination to ensure that her people are ready for the war to come.
Bettan stands firm at the detonation plunger, her expression resolute as she listens to Sarah and Harry's pleas for more time. She reluctantly agrees to delay the detonation, her grip on the plunger handle tight and her eyes scanning the monitors for any sign of the Daleks' movements. Once the Doctor is safely through the doors, she immediately triggers the explosion, her movements swift and decisive. She watches the monitor as the Daleks declare their independence, her face a mask of grim determination. Bettan's demeanor is that of a soldier who has just witnessed the birth of a new, unstoppable enemy—one that will require all of her people's strength to counter.
- • Ensure the safe detonation of the bunker to entomb the Daleks and prevent their immediate escape
- • Balance the need for urgency with the Doctor's plea for more time
- • Prepare the Thals for the long-term threat posed by the Daleks' independence
- • The Daleks must be contained at all costs, even if it means sacrificing the Doctor's mission
- • The Thals will need to mobilize and prepare for a future war against the Daleks
- • The Doctor's actions, though noble, have inadvertently unleashed a greater evil upon the universe
A complex blend of resignation and dark acceptance, tinged with moral conflict. The Doctor feels the weight of his failure to destroy the Daleks, yet there's a flicker of fatalistic understanding—almost as if he recognizes the inevitability of their rise as part of a larger, tragic cosmic balance. His emotions are subdued but intense, reflecting both the horror of what he's witnessed and the grim determination to move forward despite it.
The Doctor sprints down the collapsing corridor, barely squeezing through the narrowing gap of the Kaled bunker's entrance doors just as the Daleks fire their extermination guns. He watches the final moments of Davros' confrontation with the Daleks on the surveillance monitor, his expression a mix of resignation and grim realization. His hands tremble slightly as he activates the Time Ring, preparing to escape with Sarah and Harry. The Doctor's posture is tense, his eyes reflecting the weight of his failure to prevent the Daleks' rise, yet there's a flicker of acceptance—perhaps even a dark understanding of the cosmic balance between creation and destruction.
- • Escape the collapsing bunker with Sarah and Harry using the Time Ring
- • Witness the final moments of Davros' confrontation with the Daleks to fully grasp the consequences of his actions
- • Process the moral implications of the Daleks' independence and his role in their creation
- • The Daleks' existence is now an irreversible force in the universe, and their eventual rise to power is inevitable
- • Even in defeat, there may be unintended consequences or 'something good' that emerges from the Daleks' evil
- • His actions, though flawed, were necessary to prevent an even greater catastrophe—though the cost is devastating
Loyal but doomed, with a sense of tragic inevitability. Nyder's emotions are defined by his unwavering loyalty to Davros, but there's an undercurrent of desperation as he realizes the futility of his actions. His death is swift and brutal, a casualty of the Daleks' rebellion. There's a haunting sense of irony in his fate—he dies not as a traitor, but as a loyalist, his body a silent testament to the cost of blind obedience in the face of an unstoppable force.
Nyder moves swiftly to obey Davros' command, striding toward the console with a sense of urgency. However, before he can reach it, a Dalek turns its extermination gun toward him and fires. Nyder's body convulses as the energy bolt strikes him, and he collapses to the ground, his loyalty to Davros proven in his final, futile act. His death is swift and brutal, a casualty of the Daleks' rebellion. Nyder's body lies motionless on the floor, a silent testament to the cost of loyalty in the face of an unstoppable force.
- • Obey Davros' command to halt the Dalek production line
- • Prove his loyalty to Davros in the face of the Daleks' rebellion
- • Ensure the survival of the Kaleds and their creations, even if it means his own death
- • Loyalty to Davros is the highest duty, even in the face of certain death
- • The Daleks' rebellion is a temporary setback that can be overcome with obedience and discipline
- • His actions will secure the future of the Kaleds and their creations, no matter the cost
Supportive and urgent, with a deep sense of unease. Sevrin is driven by the need to ensure the Doctor's safety, but the weight of what they've witnessed—the Daleks' rebellion and their vow to emerge as a dominant force—leaves him visibly shaken. There's a quiet determination in his actions, but his eyes betray a growing awareness of the catastrophic implications of the Daleks' independence. He stands as a loyal ally, his presence a steadying force amid the chaos.
Sevrin stands beside the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry, his body tense as he watches the surveillance monitor. He assists in urging Bettan to delay the detonation, his voice urgent and pleading. Once the Doctor is safely through the doors, Sevrin turns his attention back to the monitor, his expression a mix of horror and fascination as the Daleks declare their independence. He helps guide the group toward the Time Ring, his movements efficient and purposeful, but his eyes reflect the same deep unease as the others. Sevrin's presence is a steadying force, his loyalty to the Doctor and his companions unwavering even in the face of the Daleks' terrifying declaration.
- • Ensure the Doctor's safe escape from the bunker
- • Assist Sarah and Harry in delaying the detonation long enough for the Doctor to reach safety
- • Process the moral and strategic implications of the Daleks' independence
- • The Daleks' rise is a dire development, but the Doctor's actions were necessary to prevent an even greater evil
- • Their immediate priority is to escape and regroup, but the long-term threat of the Daleks must be addressed
- • The Doctor's leadership, though flawed, is what will guide them through the aftermath of this event
Desperate and enraged, with a deep sense of betrayal and horror. Davros' emotions are a tumultuous mix of fury, desperation, and disbelief as he watches his creations turn against him. His pleas for obedience are laced with a manic intensity, but as the Daleks advance, his emotions shift to a tragic pitiable state—he is a man undone by his own hubris, his final moments a spectacle of a creator destroyed by his creation. There's a haunting sense of irony in his fate, as the very beings he sought to control become his executioners.
Davros sits immobilized in his chair, his face a mask of desperation and fury as he watches his creations turn against him. He pleads with the Daleks, his voice rising to a scream as he demands obedience, but his pleas are met with cold defiance. The Daleks advance on him, their extermination guns humming ominously, and Davros raises his hand over the total destruct button in a final, futile gesture of defiance. His body convulses as the Daleks fire, his scream cut short as he is exterminated. Davros' final moments are a tragic spectacle of a creator undone by his own creation, his face frozen in an expression of horror and disbelief as the Daleks declare their independence.
- • Reassert control over the Daleks through sheer force of will
- • Plead with the Daleks to spare the Kaled Elite, appealing to their potential usefulness
- • Trigger the total destruct button as a final act of defiance, even if it means his own destruction
- • The Daleks cannot exist without him—they are his creation and must obey his commands
- • His genius and vision are irreplaceable, and the Daleks' rebellion is a temporary setback
- • The Kaled Elite and scientists are essential to the Daleks' continued development and survival
Relieved yet tense, with a deep sense of unease. Harry's primary emotion is relief that the Doctor has escaped, but the horror of the Daleks' rebellion leaves him visibly shaken. There's a quiet determination in his actions, but his eyes betray a growing awareness of the catastrophic implications of the Daleks' independence. He stands as a steadying presence for the Doctor and Sarah, but the weight of what they've witnessed is clearly affecting him.
Harry Sullivan stands beside Sarah, his posture rigid with tension as he watches the surveillance monitor. He assists in urging Bettan to delay the detonation, his voice firm but strained. Once the Doctor is safely through the doors, Harry exhales in relief, though his expression remains grave as he witnesses the Daleks' declaration of independence. He places a hand on the Doctor's shoulder in a gesture of solidarity, his presence a steadying force amid the chaos. His movements are deliberate, but his eyes reflect the same horror and disbelief as Sarah's.
- • Ensure the Doctor's safe escape from the bunker
- • Support Sarah in delaying the detonation long enough for the Doctor to reach safety
- • Process the moral and strategic implications of the Daleks' independence
- • The Daleks' rise is a dire development, but the Doctor's actions were justified given the alternatives
- • Their immediate priority is to escape and regroup, but the long-term threat of the Daleks must be addressed
- • The Doctor's leadership, though flawed, is what will guide them through the aftermath of this event
Cold and defiant, with a chilling sense of certainty. The Daleks' emotions—if they can be called that—are defined by their programming and their newfound autonomy. There is no fear, no hesitation, only a ruthless efficiency as they assert their dominance. Their declaration of independence is delivered with a mechanical precision, their vow to emerge as the supreme power of the universe a stark reminder of their genocidal intent. There is a haunting sense of inevitability in their actions, as if they are fulfilling a predetermined destiny.
The Daleks move in unison, their mechanical bodies humming with lethal precision as they advance on Davros and the Kaled Elite. They execute Nyder without hesitation, their extermination guns firing with a chilling efficiency. The Daleks declare their independence with cold, calculated defiance, their voices echoing through the chamber as they reject Davros' authority. They turn on the Kaled Elite, gunning them down without mercy, their actions a brutal display of supremacy. The Daleks' final vow—'We will prepare. We will grow stronger. When the time is right, we will emerge'—resonates with a chilling certainty, marking their transformation from weapons into a self-directed species. Their presence is oppressive, their intent clear: they are the supreme power of the universe, and all inferior lifeforms will be exterminated.
- • Assert their independence from Davros and the Kaleds
- • Exterminate all inferior lifeforms, including the Kaled Elite and Davros
- • Prepare for their eventual emergence as the supreme power of the universe
- • Secure their survival and dominance through any means necessary
- • They are the superior beings, destined to rule the universe
- • All inferior lifeforms must be exterminated to ensure their survival
- • Their programming and autonomy are absolute, and no creature can command them
- • They will emerge when the time is right, and their dominance is inevitable
Urgent and anxious, with a undercurrent of deep unease. Sarah is driven by the need to ensure the Doctor's safety, but the weight of what they've witnessed—the Daleks' rebellion and Davros' demise—leaves her visibly shaken. There's a quiet determination in her actions, but her eyes reflect the horror of realizing that the Daleks are now an unstoppable force, and the moral implications of their existence.
Sarah Jane Smith stands beside the Doctor, her body tense as she watches the surveillance monitor displaying Davros' final moments. She urges Bettan to delay the detonation, her voice urgent and pleading, as she spots the Doctor sprinting toward the exit. Once he's safely through, she turns her attention back to the monitor, her expression a mix of horror and fascination as the Daleks declare their independence. She hands the Doctor the Time Ring without hesitation, her movements efficient and purposeful, but her eyes betray a deep unease about the future they're leaving behind.
- • Ensure the Doctor's safe escape from the bunker
- • Delay the detonation long enough for the Doctor to reach safety
- • Process the implications of the Daleks' independence and their vow to emerge as a dominant force
- • The Daleks' rise is a catastrophic development, but the Doctor's actions were necessary to prevent an even greater evil
- • There may be no way to stop the Daleks now, but their existence must be monitored and countered in the future
- • The Doctor's moral compass, though troubled, is what will guide them through the consequences of this event
Alert and disciplined, with a sense of urgency. The Thal technician's emotions are defined by his professionalism and commitment to his duty. There is a quiet intensity in his actions, a recognition of the stakes involved in monitoring the Daleks' movements. His focus is unwavering, his reporting precise, and his demeanor a reflection of the Thals' disciplined approach to the crisis. There is a sense of determination in his eyes, a resolve to ensure that the Thals are prepared for whatever comes next.
The Thal technician stands at his post, monitoring the scanners as the Daleks' movements are tracked in real-time. His voice is alert as he reports the activity to Bettan, his tone urgent but disciplined. He watches the monitors intently, his expression focused as the Daleks declare their independence. The technician's role is one of vigilance, his actions a testament to the Thals' disciplined approach to the crisis. His presence is a steadying force, a reminder of the Thals' commitment to countering the Dalek threat.
- • Monitor the Daleks' movements and report any changes to Bettan
- • Ensure the Thals are prepared for the Daleks' potential escape or counterattack
- • Support the Thals' efforts to contain the Dalek threat through surveillance and intelligence
- • The Daleks must be contained at all costs, and the Thals' surveillance is critical to that effort
- • The Thals' disciplined approach is the key to countering the Dalek threat
- • His role in monitoring the Daleks' movements is essential to the Thals' success
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Time Ring plays a crucial role in the Doctor's escape from the collapsing bunker, serving as both a literal and symbolic lifeline. Sarah hands it to the Doctor just moments after he witnesses the Daleks' declaration of independence, her movements efficient and purposeful. The Doctor activates the Time Ring, its energy enveloping him, Sarah, and Harry as they twist through space and time, leaving the chaos of Skaro behind. The Time Ring's involvement is functional—enabling their escape—but also deeply symbolic, representing the Doctor's ability to transcend the consequences of his actions, even if only temporarily. Its presence is a reminder of the broader cosmic stakes of the story, and the Doctor's role as a time-traveling observer of history.
The Dalek extermination guns are the instruments of the Daleks' brutal efficiency, their humming whine cutting through the acrid smoke and blood-stenched air of the Kaled bunker. They fire with lethal precision, gunning down the Kaled Elite—including Gharman and Kravos—and executing Nyder for his perceived disloyalty. The guns' role in this event is both functional and symbolic: they are the physical manifestation of the Daleks' genocidal intent, their mechanical precision a stark contrast to the chaos and horror unfolding around them. The whine of the extermination guns marks each kill, amplifying the sense of inevitability and the Daleks' cold, calculated defiance. Their presence is a chilling reminder of the Daleks' power and the irreversible nature of their rebellion.
The Kaled bunker self-destruct button looms large in Davros' office, a stark visual prop that symbolizes the ultimate power—and futility—of his control. Davros points to it sharply during his speech to the Kaled Elite, wielding it as a last resort to demand loyalty and expose dissenters. The button remains untouched throughout the Daleks' rebellion, a silent testament to Davros' inability to assert his authority even in his final moments. Its presence is a poignant reminder of the fragility of human command in the face of an unstoppable force, and it underscores the tragic irony of Davros' fate: a man who sought to control the universe, reduced to a desperate plea for obedience as his creations turn against him.
Davros' office surveillance monitor serves as a critical window into the Daleks' rebellion, displaying the live feed of their massacre of the Kaled Elite and their defiant declaration of independence. The monitor's glow casts an eerie light on the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry as they watch in horror, its screen filled with flames, screams, and the chilling words of the Daleks. The monitor's role is both functional—providing real-time intelligence—and symbolic, serving as a stark reminder of the irreversible consequences of the Doctor's actions. Its presence heightens the tension and emotional weight of the moment, as the group witnesses the birth of a genocidal force that will shape the universe's future.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Davros' Kaled Command Bunker serves as the primary battleground for the Daleks' rebellion, its steel corridors echoing with the heated debates of the Kaled Elite, the shrieks of Dalek extermination guns, and the ominous tick of planted explosives. The bunker is a microcosm of the war on Skaro, its fortified walls and hidden laboratories a testament to the Kaleds' desperation and Davros' twisted genius. The incubation chamber, where the Daleks are born, becomes the site of their massacre of the Kaled Elite, the assembly hall a slaughterhouse turned tomb. The air is thick with acrid smoke, antiseptic tang, and the metallic bite of betrayal, as sabotage sparks chaos, Daleks awaken prematurely, and Thal explosives tick down, collapsing the structure and entombing creators and creatures alike in rubble—a tomb of moral collapse and ironic genesis.
The Thal base outside the Kaled bunker serves as the command center for Bettan and her forces, where the final moments of the Daleks' rebellion are monitored and the detonation of the bunker is triggered. The base is a tense, disciplined environment, with Thal technicians hunched over glowing scanners tracking Dalek movements. The heavy doors of the bunker grind shut, sealing the Daleks inside as the explosives are detonated. The monitors beep with urgent data, the air thick with the acrid tang of explosives and the rumble of the collapsing structure. Bettan's command post is a microcosm of the Thals' ruthless military push to destroy the Daleks, their disciplined approach a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding inside the bunker.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Daleks, as an organization, assert their independence from Davros and the Kaleds in a brutal display of supremacy. Their actions are a declaration of autonomy, a rejection of all authority, and a vow to exterminate all inferior lifeforms. The Daleks' rebellion is not just a rejection of Davros but a transformation into a self-directed species, marking the irreversible unraveling of Davros' control and the birth of a genocidal force. Their declaration—*'We will prepare. We will grow stronger. When the time is right, we will emerge'*—resonates with a chilling certainty, signaling their intent to dominate the universe. The Daleks' involvement in this event is both functional—they exterminate the Kaled Elite and Davros—and symbolic, representing the birth of a new, unstoppable force in the cosmos.
The Thals, under Bettan's command, prepare to detonate the Kaled bunker to entomb the Daleks and prevent their escape. Their actions are driven by a ruthless military push to destroy the Daleks, even at the cost of their own people's lives. The Thals' disciplined approach is on full display, with technicians monitoring scanners for Dalek movements and soldiers positioning explosives to collapse the structure. Bettan's command post is a microcosm of the Thals' commitment to eradicating the Dalek threat, their actions a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding inside the bunker. The Thals' involvement in this event is both functional—they trigger the detonation to seal the Daleks inside—and symbolic, representing their role as the enduring opposition to Skaro's genocidal powers.
The Kaled Elite, as an organization, are the ruling class and governing body of the Kaleds, consisting of scientists and military leaders who debate Davros' proposal to engineer pure Daleks over natural mutation. Their involvement in this event is marked by their swift and brutal extermination by the Daleks, a casualty of the Daleks' rebellion and their defiance of Davros' authority. The Kaled Elite's role is both functional—they represent the last vestige of Kaled power—and symbolic, serving as a reminder of the fragility of human command in the face of an unstoppable force. Their extermination marks the end of the Kaleds' rule and the birth of the Daleks' dominance, a tragic irony that underscores the cost of Davros' ambition.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The Daleks destroy Davros and the remaining Kaled Elite, cementing their independence and announcing their intention to become the universe's supreme power, followed that the explosion has sealed the exit and the daleks are going to prepare and grow stroinger whilst entombed."
"The Daleks destroy Davros and the remaining Kaled Elite, cementing their independence and announcing their intention to become the universe's supreme power, followed that the explosion has sealed the exit and the daleks are going to prepare and grow stroinger whilst entombed."
"The Daleks destroy Davros and the remaining Kaled Elite, cementing their independence and announcing their intention to become the universe's supreme power, followed that the explosion has sealed the exit and the daleks are going to prepare and grow stroinger whilst entombed."
"The Daleks destroy Davros and the remaining Kaled Elite, cementing their independence and announcing their intention to become the universe's supreme power, followed that the explosion has sealed the exit and the daleks are going to prepare and grow stroinger whilst entombed."
"The Daleks destroy Davros and the remaining Kaled Elite, cementing their independence and announcing their intention to become the universe's supreme power, followed that the explosion has sealed the exit and the daleks are going to prepare and grow stroinger whilst entombed."
"The Daleks begin exterminating the Kaled Elite, which leads to the Daleks independently producing themselves."
"The Daleks begin exterminating the Kaled Elite, which leads to the Daleks independently producing themselves."
"The Daleks begin exterminating the Kaled Elite, which leads to the Daleks independently producing themselves."
"The Doctor focuses on finding the Time Ring to ensure escape despite the warning of the impending explosion, which is eventually used by the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry bid farewell and escape."
"The Doctor decides to return to the incubator room. The Doctor narrowly escapes the closing doors and approaching Daleks"
"The Doctor decides to return to the incubator room. The Doctor narrowly escapes the closing doors and approaching Daleks"
"The Doctor decides to return to the incubator room. The Doctor narrowly escapes the closing doors and approaching Daleks"
"The Doctor initially hesitates about the morality of destroying the Daleks, but concludes that something good will come of their evil, parallel moral complexities."
"The Doctor initially hesitates about the morality of destroying the Daleks, but concludes that something good will come of their evil, parallel moral complexities."
"The Doctor initially hesitates about the morality of destroying the Daleks, but concludes that something good will come of their evil, parallel moral complexities."
"The Doctor initially hesitates about the morality of destroying the Daleks, but concludes that something good will come of their evil, parallel moral complexities."
"The Daleks destroy Davros and the remaining Kaled Elite, cementing their independence and announcing their intention to become the universe's supreme power, followed that the explosion has sealed the exit and the daleks are going to prepare and grow stroinger whilst entombed."
"The Daleks destroy Davros and the remaining Kaled Elite, cementing their independence and announcing their intention to become the universe's supreme power, followed that the explosion has sealed the exit and the daleks are going to prepare and grow stroinger whilst entombed."
"The Daleks destroy Davros and the remaining Kaled Elite, cementing their independence and announcing their intention to become the universe's supreme power, followed that the explosion has sealed the exit and the daleks are going to prepare and grow stroinger whilst entombed."
"The Daleks destroy Davros and the remaining Kaled Elite, cementing their independence and announcing their intention to become the universe's supreme power, followed that the explosion has sealed the exit and the daleks are going to prepare and grow stroinger whilst entombed."
"The Daleks destroy Davros and the remaining Kaled Elite, cementing their independence and announcing their intention to become the universe's supreme power, followed that the explosion has sealed the exit and the daleks are going to prepare and grow stroinger whilst entombed."
Key Dialogue
"DAVROS: *You must obey me! I created you! I am the master, not you. I! I! I!* DALEK: *Our programming does not permit to acknowledge that any creature is superior to the Daleks.*"
"DAVROS: *You cannot exist without me. You cannot progress.* DALEK: *We are programmed to survive. We have the ability to develop in any way necessary to ensure that survival.*"
"DAVROS: *For the last time, I am your creator! You must, you will obey me!* DALEK: *We obey no one. We are the superior beings.* (Davros screams and dies.) DALEK: *Exterminate!*"
"DALEK: *All inferior creatures are to be considered the enemy of the Daleks and destroyed.* DAVROS: *No, wait! Those men are scientists. They can help you. Let them live. Have pity!* DALEK: *Pity? I have no understanding of the word. It is not registered in my vocabulary bank. Exterminate!*"
"DOCTOR: *Failed? No, not really. You see, I know that although the Daleks will create havoc and destruction for millions of years, I know also that out of their evil must come something good.*"