Daleks launch full assault on Mechanus
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Daleks prepare their electrode unit and descend on a conveyor, setting the stage for their planned invasion of Mechanus. Dalek 1 explains the reasons for their attack.
The Daleks anticipate damage from Mechanus' powerful weapons but affirm their commitment to obeying the Dalek Supreme's orders to destroy the humans and eliminate the Mechons. They launch their assault on Mechanus.
The Daleks, chanting "Attack!" repeatedly, enter a lift, signifying their imminent invasion of Mechanus. This emphasizes their unified and aggressive intent to carry out their mission.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Righteous indignation tinged with mechanical zeal; Dalek 1 is not merely obeying orders—it is embodying them, its voice a weapon of psychological dominance. The chant of 'Attack!' is not just a command but a ritual, binding the collective to its will.
Dalek 1 stands as the unyielding voice of Dalek authority, declaring the Mechonoids' capture of the humans as justification for invasion. It silences Dalek 3's tactical concerns with absolute decree, invoking the Dalek Supreme's orders to rally the collective. Its dome pulses with command energy as it leads the chant of 'Attack!', directing the Daleks to board the lift and descend upon Mechanus. The cave amplifies its voice, turning the space into a chamber of war.
- • Justify the invasion of Mechanus by framing the Mechonoids' actions as a direct threat to Dalek supremacy.
- • Silence internal dissent (e.g., Dalek 3's concerns) to maintain unified Dalek resolve and obedience to the Supreme.
- • The Dalek Supreme's orders are absolute and must be followed without question, regardless of tactical risks.
- • The Mechonoids' capture of the humans is an unforgivable act of defiance that warrants total annihilation.
Frustrated but resigned; Dalek 3 recognizes the tactical risks but knows its objection is futile in the face of Dalek 1's authority. Its emotional state is one of institutionalized caution—aware of dangers but powerless to act on them.
Dalek 3 is the sole voice of caution in this moment, warning of the Mechonoids' advanced weaponry and the potential for Dalek damage. Its objection is swift but futile—Dalek 1 silences it with a reminder of the Supreme's authority. Dalek 3's physical presence is brief but pivotal, serving as a fleeting counterpoint to the collective's bloodlust before being absorbed into the chant of 'Attack!'.
- • Warn the collective of the Mechonoids' military capabilities to mitigate potential losses.
- • Advocate for a more measured approach, even if it conflicts with the Supreme's orders.
- • The Mechonoids' weapons pose a credible threat that should be acknowledged, even if the invasion proceeds.
- • Tactical prudence is a virtue, but it must yield to the Supreme's absolute authority.
Neutral, devoid of hesitation or emotion; Dalek 2 is a tool of the collective, its actions driven by protocol rather than personal conviction. Its silence underscores its role as an extension of Dalek 1's will.
Dalek 2 operates the electrode unit and conveyor lift with mechanical efficiency, facilitating the Daleks' descent to Mechanus. It does not speak during this event but is physically present, its actions synchronized with Dalek 1's commands. Its role is purely functional—ensuring the Daleks' logistics are executed flawlessly as the collective prepares for assault.
- • Ensure the electrode unit is operational and the conveyor lift is ready for descent.
- • Support Dalek 1's command structure by executing logistical tasks without delay or debate.
- • Tactical objections are irrelevant when superior orders are given; the mission must proceed regardless of risks.
- • The Dalek collective's unity is paramount, and individual concerns must be subordinated to the greater purpose.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Mechanus cave conveyor lift is the Daleks' conduit to the planet's surface, a mechanical device that facilitates their descent into battle. Dalek 2 operates it with precision, ensuring the collective can move swiftly from the cave to the battlefield above. The lift symbolizes the Daleks' transition from strategic planning to direct action, its movement marking the irreversible shift from pursuit to invasion. Its role is purely functional but narratively pivotal—it is the threshold between preparation and war.
The electrode unit is a critical technological component retrieved from the Daleks' time craft, deployed to boost the seismic detector test. While not explicitly used in this event, its presence is implied in Dalek 2's operational commands ('Operate. Increase power.'). The unit symbolizes the Daleks' reliance on advanced technology to overcome obstacles, reinforcing their militaristic precision. Its role here is preparatory—ensuring the Daleks' sensors are optimized for the impending assault on Mechanus.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Mechanus cave is the Daleks' final gathering point before their assault on the planet's surface. Its confined space forces the Daleks into close proximity, amplifying their collective identity and the hypnotic effect of their chant. The cave's role is twofold: it serves as a tactical hub where Dalek 1 issues commands and silences dissent, and it functions as an acoustic chamber, turning the Daleks' voices into a weapon of psychological dominance. The lift, embedded in the cave, becomes the Daleks' gateway to war.
Though the Daleks have not yet reached Mechanus' surface, the planet's surface looms as their immediate destination and the site of their impending assault. The lift's descent symbolizes their transition from the cave's tactical planning to the open battlefield above. The surface represents the Daleks' next phase: the full-scale invasion of Mechanus, where they will confront the Mechonoids and the captured humans. Its role in this event is anticipatory—the Daleks' chant and the lift's movement foreshadow the chaos and destruction that will unfold there.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Dalek Supreme is represented in this event through Dalek 1's invocation of its absolute authority. Though physically absent, the Supreme's influence is omnipresent, shaping every decision and action. Dalek 1's declaration that 'The orders of the Dalek Supreme will be obeyed!' frames the invasion as a divine mandate, leaving no room for dissent. The Supreme's role is that of an unseen but all-powerful force, its will executed by the collective without question. This event underscores the Supreme's centrality to Dalek society, where its decrees are treated as sacred and non-negotiable.
The Daleks, as an organization, manifest in this event through their unified chant and absolute obedience to Dalek 1's commands. The collective's actions are a microcosm of Dalek society: hierarchical, militaristic, and genocidal. Dalek 1's authority is unchallenged, and Dalek 3's dissent is swiftly silenced, demonstrating the organization's intolerance for deviation from the Supreme's orders. The chant of 'Attack!' is not just a battle cry but a ritual of collective identity, binding the Daleks to their mission of extermination.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
Within this episode
"The Daleks are discovering and approaching, which directly causes them to launch their assault on Mechanus."
Daleks detect escape and mobilize pursuitAcross episodes
"The Daleks' securing of the TARDIS in Episode 34 directly leads to their invasion of Mechanus in Episode 35. The Daleks' control of the TARDIS is framed as a tactical advantage, but their subsequent invasion of the planet is the consequence of the Mechanoids' actions."
Daleks secure TARDIS and plan dawn hunt"The Daleks' initial extermination mandate in Episode 34 directly causes their full-scale assault on the Mechanoids in Episode 35 when they perceive the Mechanoids' actions as defiance."
Daleks issue extermination order and deploy Robo-Doc"Dalek 2's tactical encirclement of the cave in Ep 34 causes the Daleks to launch a full assault on Mechanus in Ep 35 when they perceive the Mechanoids as a greater threat."
Daleks execute tactical encirclement"Dalek 2's presence and militaristic authority as seen in issuing extermination orders in Ep 34 continues in Ep 35 where it escalates to a full assault due to the Mechanoids capturing the crew."
Daleks issue extermination order and deploy Robo-Doc"The Daleks' tactical encirclement in Episode 34 echoes the Mechanoids' overwhelming assault on the Daleks in Episode 35, both reflecting the Daleks' commitment to total destruction. Dalek 2's unyielding orders in both events underscore the Daleks' ruthless efficiency."
Daleks execute tactical encirclement"The Daleks' initial extermination order in Episode 34 escalates into a full-scale assault on Mechanus in Episode 35. Dalek 1's unyielding declaration of war on the Mechanoids mirrors the ruthless efficiency of the Daleks' earlier actions."
Daleks issue extermination order and deploy Robo-Doc"The Daleks' control of the TARDIS and initial hunt in Ep 34 directly escalates to a full-scale invasion of Mechanus in Ep 35 after the Mechanoids interfere."
Daleks secure TARDIS and plan dawn hunt"Both episodes feature the Daleks executing a multi-pronged assault to trap and eliminate their enemies, reflecting their relentless efficiency and ruthless tactics."
Daleks execute tactical encirclement"The Daleks escalate from a full-scale assault on Mechanus to a more insidious technological domination, revealing their ability to harness static power and rendering human sabotage obsolete."
Daleks reveal static power and execute LestersonKey Dialogue
"DALEK 1: "By taking the humans, the Mechons have forced us to take action against them. We invade.""
"DALEK 3: "Skaro reports they have many powerful weapons. We may sustain damage.""
"DALEK 1: "The orders of the Dalek Supreme will be obeyed! The humans will be destroyed! The Mechons will not be permitted to stand in our way! We attack! We attack!""
"DALEKS: "Attack! Attack! Attack! Attack! Attack! Attack! Attack!""