Astrid's ambiguous allegiance and hidden motives create a web of mistrust between her, the Doctor, and Salamander's pursuers.

Cornered in the dunes by Anton’s assassins, the Doctor’s group debates their dwindling options—Victoria’s fear and Jamie’s frustration with their defenselessness contrast sharply with the Doctor’s detached observation of human …

After the Doctor insists on tending to Astrid’s wound—despite her protests—their tense exchange reveals her ignorance of their identity, which the Doctor finds suspicious. As he cleans her injury, Astrid …