Benton Challenges Hawthorne’s Authority

Bert’s tattered coat hangs loosely on his frame as he leads the Morris Dancers past the Cloven Hoof Bar. The coat’s frayed, dirt-streaked condition marks his possession by the Master, serving as a visual symbol of his corruption and the Master’s influence over the villagers. Benton, Hawthorne, Yates, Jo Grant, and the Doctor spot the procession outside, and the coat’s appearance amplifies the tension and unease in the scene. It is a stark reminder of the Master’s control and the villagers’ compliance.

The Morris Dancers’ Maypole ribbons are detached from the pole as the dancers stream into view outside the Cloven Hoof Bar. The fluttering ribbons, combined with the rhythmic advance of the dancers, create a visually striking and ominous interruption to Benton’s standoff with Hawthorne. The ribbons symbolize the villagers’ participation in the May Day revels, which Benton perceives as a sign of their irrational behavior ('round the twist'). Their involvement in the ritual underscores the Master’s growing control over the village.

The Morris Dancers’ sticks are gripped by the dancers as they approach the Cloven Hoof Bar, led by Bert. The sticks, traditionally part of Morris Dancing, take on a more ominous tone in this context, as Benton eyes them warily. Their rhythmic clashing amplifies the cultural friction between UNIT’s urgency and the village’s ritualistic behavior. The sticks serve as both a symbol of tradition and a potential weapon, reflecting the duality of the villagers’ actions—participating in a festival while under the Master’s influence.

The Cloven Hoof Bar serves as the tense meeting point for Benton and Hawthorne, where their power struggle unfolds. The wooden counters and tables host their raised voices, creating a nerve center for UNIT’s response to the supernatural crisis. The bar’s warm glow and clinking glasses contrast with the growing tension, turning this village gathering spot into a battleground of clashing authorities. The arrival of the Morris Dancers outside interrupts their argument, shifting the dynamic and signaling the escalation of the Master’s influence.

Villagers’ Homes in Devil’s End serve as temporary safe havens as the Morris Dancers approach. A housewife takes her little girl indoors, and windows darken as the procession passes. These clustered cottages along the lanes become hasty shelters, where villagers huddle amid fear or the Master’s compelled obedience. The homes contrast with the ritualistic activities outside, highlighting the tension between tradition and the supernatural threat. Benton and Hawthorne observe from the Cloven Hoof Bar, noting the villagers’ retreat as a sign of their unease.

The Village Green is the ritual ground where the Morris Dancers gather, led by Bert in his tattered coat. Villagers retreat to their homes as the dancers approach, and the green becomes the stage for the May Day revels. The Maypole stands prominently, and the dancers’ rhythmic advance with fluttering ribbons and clashing sticks creates a visually striking and ominous display. Benton watches from the Cloven Hoof Bar, his frustration mounting as the villagers’ behavior signals their compliance with the Master’s influence. The green transitions from a peaceful village space to a battleground of cultural and supernatural conflict.

The Master’s Cult is represented in this event through Bert’s leadership of the Morris Dancers and the villagers’ participation in the May Day revels. The cult’s influence is subtly exerted through tradition, as the dancers’ rhythmic advance and the taking of ribbons from the Maypole serve as a front for the Master’s control. Benton’s skepticism of the villagers’ behavior (‘round the twist’) contrasts with Hawthorne’s defense of tradition, exposing the cult’s manipulation of local customs. The arrival of the dancers interrupts the argument inside the Cloven Hoof Bar, shifting the dynamic and signaling the escalation of the Master’s influence.

UNIT is represented in this event through Sergeant Benton, who acts as the voice of urgency and military discipline. His insistence on leaving to search for Yates and Jo Grant reflects UNIT’s mission to protect its members and counter the Master’s threat. The organization’s urgency contrasts with Hawthorne’s defense of tradition, creating a power struggle that highlights the cultural divide between UNIT’s objectives and the village’s customs. Benton’s defiance of Hawthorne’s authority underscores UNIT’s operational independence and its focus on the supernatural threat.