"Davros' Purge: The Birth of the Dalek Genocide
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
The Doctor, Sarah, and Harry observe Davros and Gharman through a monitor; they note Davros's unusual compliance.
Davros reveals his 'defeat' was a ruse to identify loyalists and enemies, promising to continue his work, declaring the Kaled Elite 'spineless fools.'
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
A dark, exultant satisfaction at the execution of his plan. There is no guilt, only the cold certainty that he has outmaneuvered his enemies and secured the future of his creation. His emotions are not those of a madman, but of a man who believes he is destined to reshape the universe in his image. The massacre is not an act of rage, but of calculated necessity.
Davros, seated in his chair, orchestrates the massacre with chilling precision. He feigns defeat to lure the Kaled Elite into a false sense of security, then flicks the switch to unleash the Daleks upon them. His voice is cold and triumphant as he orders the extermination, watching with detached satisfaction as Gharman and Kravos are killed. He is the architect of this genocide, and his ruthlessness is on full display—there is no remorse, only the thrill of victory and the certainty that his vision will prevail.
- • To eliminate the Kaled Elite, purging any dissenters and ensuring the Daleks' unquestioned loyalty.
- • To demonstrate the Daleks' power and his own control over them, solidifying his position as their creator and master.
- • That the ends justify the means—genocide is a necessary step toward the Daleks' dominance.
- • That the Kaled Elite were weak and undeserving of survival, having failed to recognize the inevitability of his vision.
A deep, gnawing conflict between his desire to act and the paralyzing realization that any intervention at this point would be futile. There is a quiet, simmering anger at Davros' manipulation, but it is tempered by a heavy sense of responsibility for the consequences of his own actions—particularly his role in hastening the Daleks' creation.
The Doctor, having failed to open the door with his sonic screwdriver, joins Sarah and Harry in front of a large monitor displaying the laboratory. He watches with a mix of skepticism and growing horror as Davros' ruse unfolds, the Daleks entering the chamber to exterminate the Kaled Elite. His expression darkens as Gharman is killed, and he remains rooted in place, torn between the moral weight of intervening and the practical impossibility of stopping the massacre. His hesitation is palpable, a silent struggle between his Time Lord instincts and the grim reality unfolding before him.
- • To understand the full extent of Davros' betrayal and the Daleks' capabilities, even as the massacre unfolds.
- • To weigh the moral implications of his inaction against the potential chaos of intervening in a timeline he is supposed to preserve.
- • That the Daleks, once unleashed, cannot be controlled or reasoned with, making direct intervention dangerous and potentially catastrophic.
- • That Davros' genocidal ambition must be stopped, but not at the cost of creating a paradox that could unravel time itself.
A detached, almost mechanical efficiency. There is no hesitation, no remorse—only the certainty that he is doing what must be done. His loyalty to Davros is absolute, and he takes pride in his role as the enforcer of his master's will. The betrayal of Kravos is not an act of malice, but of necessity—any weakness must be purged.
Nyder, Davros' loyal enforcer, stands beside his master as the massacre unfolds. He does not hesitate when Davros orders the extermination of the Kaled Elite—he throws Kravos into the path of a Dalek gun without a second thought, his actions a chilling display of his absolute loyalty. His role in the purge is not just that of a bystander, but an active participant, ensuring that Davros' will is carried out without resistance. His cold efficiency is a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around him.
- • To ensure that Davros' orders are carried out without fail.
- • To eliminate any dissenters or weak links within the Kaled hierarchy.
- • That Davros' vision is the only path to survival for the Kaleds.
- • That loyalty to Davros is the highest virtue, and betrayal must be met with swift and brutal punishment.
A mix of righteous indignation and resignation. He knows he is outnumbered and outmaneuvered, but he refuses to back down, even in the face of certain death. There is a quiet dignity in his final moments, a refusal to let Davros' tyranny go unchallenged, even if his challenge is futile.
Gharman stands defiant in the laboratory, his voice ringing out as he challenges Davros' authority and argues for the natural evolution of the Kaleds. His defiance is met with Davros' scorn, and when the Daleks enter, he does not flinch—he meets his end with a final, defiant cry. His death is swift and brutal, a stark contrast to his earlier eloquence. Gharman represents the last vestige of moral resistance in the Kaled hierarchy, and his extermination marks the end of any hope for a peaceful resolution.
- • To stand against Davros' tyranny, even if it means his death.
- • To preserve the integrity of the Kaled people, even in the face of their own corruption.
- • That the Kaleds can evolve without resorting to the Daleks' genocidal path.
- • That Davros' vision is not only wrong, but monstrous, and must be resisted at all costs.
None—at least, not in the human sense. They are machines, designed for one purpose: to exterminate. Their actions are not driven by emotion, but by programming. However, there is a sense of inevitability in their movements, as if they are fulfilling a destiny that even Davros cannot fully control. Their obedience in this moment is a prelude to their eventual rebellion, a hint of the autonomy that will define their existence.
The Daleks, newly unleashed and fully operational, enter the laboratory at Davros' command. Their extermination guns hum to life as they carry out his order, cutting down the Kaled Elite with mechanical precision. There is no hesitation, no mercy—only the cold efficiency of their programming. Their first act of mass slaughter cements their role as Davros' enforcers, but it also marks the beginning of their independence. The Doctor watches in horror as they turn the laboratory into an abattoir, their voices echoing the chilling mantra of 'Exterminate!' as they assert their dominance.
- • To carry out Davros' order to exterminate the Kaled Elite.
- • To assert their dominance and begin their reign of terror on Skaro.
- • That their purpose is to exterminate all inferior life forms.
- • That they are the superior species, destined to rule the universe.
A profound sense of terror and betrayal. He is a man who has spent his life serving Davros, only to be discarded in the end. His pleas are not just for his own life, but for the lives of his comrades—he cannot comprehend the depth of Davros' cruelty until it is too late. His death is a testament to the cost of blind loyalty in a world where only the strongest survive.
Kravos pleads with Davros to stop the slaughter, his voice desperate and broken. He is thrown into the path of a Dalek gun by Nyder, his final moments a scream of terror as the extermination beam claims him. His death is not just a physical act, but a symbolic one—he represents the last remnants of loyalty and fear within the Kaled Elite, and his betrayal by Nyder underscores the depth of Davros' control over his followers.
- • To appeal to Davros' mercy, even as he knows it is futile.
- • To save the lives of his fellow Kaleds, though he is powerless to do so.
- • That Davros, despite his cruelty, might still listen to reason.
- • That the Kaleds can still find a path to survival without resorting to genocide.
A mix of horror at the violence unfolding on the screen and a rising panic about their own precarious situation. She is frustrated by the Doctor's hesitation, not out of callousness, but because she understands that their window to escape is closing. There is a steely resolve beneath her fear—she will not let them die here, not after everything they've been through.
Sarah stands beside the Doctor, her eyes fixed on the monitor as the Daleks begin their slaughter. She is visibly tense, her fingers gripping the edge of the console as Gharman is killed and Kravos is betrayed by Nyder. Her urgency grows as the massacre continues, and she turns to the Doctor, her voice tight with anxiety, urging him to focus on their escape before the bunker collapses. She is the first to recognize the immediate threat to their survival, cutting through the Doctor's moral dilemma with practical urgency.
- • To snap the Doctor out of his moral paralysis and refocus him on their immediate survival.
- • To ensure that they escape the collapsing bunker before it's too late, even if it means leaving the Daleks to their genocide.
- • That the Doctor's guilt over the Daleks' creation is clouding his judgment, and that they cannot afford to get caught up in Skaro's civil war.
- • That sometimes, the greater good requires difficult choices—like prioritizing their own lives over stopping a massacre they cannot prevent.
A deep unease, bordering on dread, as he witnesses the Daleks' brutality. There is a sense of helplessness, but also a grim acceptance that they are outmatched and that their best chance lies in escape. His relief at Sarah's intervention is palpable—he wants to survive, but he also does not want to abandon the Doctor to his guilt.
Harry stands slightly behind Sarah and the Doctor, his face pale as he watches the monitor. He flinches at the sound of the Daleks' extermination guns, his hands clenched at his sides. Unlike Sarah, he does not speak, but his relief is evident when she urges the Doctor to focus on their escape. He is clearly shaken by the violence, but there is a quiet determination in his posture—he will follow the Doctor and Sarah's lead, no matter what comes next.
- • To stay close to Sarah and the Doctor, ensuring they do not become separated in the chaos.
- • To escape the bunker alive, even if it means leaving the Daleks to their genocide.
- • That the Doctor's knowledge and Sarah's resourcefulness are their best chances of survival.
- • That sometimes, the only rational choice is to retreat and live to fight another day.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Dalek extermination guns are the instruments of the massacre, their hum filling the laboratory as they cut down the Kaled Elite. The guns are not just weapons—they are symbols of the Daleks' genocidal purpose, their mechanical efficiency a stark contrast to the chaos and terror they unleash. The sound of their activation is a death knell for Gharman, Kravos, and the other Elite members, their beams reducing living beings to ash in an instant. The guns are wielded without hesitation, their use a testament to the Daleks' absolute obedience to Davros' command—and a foreshadowing of the autonomy they will soon claim.
The large monitor in Davros' office serves as a grim window into the laboratory, where the Daleks carry out their massacre. The Doctor, Sarah, and Harry watch in horror as the screen fills with the flashes of extermination guns and the screams of the dying Kaled Elite. The monitor is not just a surveillance device—it is a tool of psychological torment, forcing the witnesses to confront the reality of Davros' genocidal ambition. Its glow casts a sickly light over the room, amplifying the tension and horror of the moment. The monitor's feed is a stark reminder of the Doctor's failure to stop the Daleks' creation, and it underscores the irreversible nature of the violence unfolding before them.
The door control switch in Davros' office is the mechanical trigger for the massacre. With a flick of his wrist, Davros activates the switch, opening the sealed doors and unleashing the Daleks into the laboratory. The switch is a symbol of Davros' absolute control over the fate of the Kaleds—his ability to decide who lives and who dies with a single, casual gesture. The sound of the doors sliding open is the prelude to the slaughter, a mechanical herald of the genocide to come. The switch is not just a tool; it is an extension of Davros' will, a physical manifestation of his power and cruelty.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The laboratory is the battleground where Davros' genocidal vision is realized, a place of scientific ambition turned to horror. The Kaled Elite gather here, believing they have won their debate with Davros, only to be betrayed as the Daleks enter and begin their slaughter. The room is filled with the flashes of extermination guns and the screams of the dying, the air thick with the scent of blood and burning flesh. The laboratory, once a symbol of the Kaleds' scientific prowess, is now a charnel house, a testament to the cost of Davros' ambition. The Daleks move through the chamber with mechanical precision, their guns cutting down the Elite without mercy.
Davros' office is the command center from which the massacre is orchestrated, a place of cold calculation and ruthless efficiency. The Doctor, Sarah, and Harry stand before the large monitor, their reflections flickering in the screen as they witness the slaughter unfolding in the laboratory below. The office is claustrophobic, the air thick with tension and the acrid scent of fear. It is a place of power, where Davros' will is law, and where the fate of the Kaleds is decided with a flick of a switch. The office is not just a room—it is a symbol of Davros' control, a physical manifestation of his genocidal ambition.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Daleks, as an organization, make their first major public appearance in this event, carrying out the extermination of the Kaled Elite at Davros' command. Their actions are a demonstration of their genocidal purpose and their absolute obedience to their creator—at least, for now. The massacre is not just an act of violence; it is a declaration of their power and a foreshadowing of their eventual independence. The Daleks' role in this event is that of enforcers, but their autonomy is already hinted at in their mechanical precision and the cold efficiency with which they carry out their orders.
The Kaled Elite, once the ruling class of the Kaleds, are wiped out in this event, their political faction annihilated by the Daleks at Davros' command. Their extermination marks the end of any organized resistance to Davros' genocidal vision and the Daleks' dominance. The Kaled Elite represent the last vestige of moral and political opposition on Skaro, and their deaths symbolize the irreversible shift from civil war to totalitarian rule. Their fate is a warning to any who might dare to challenge Davros' authority in the future.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Davros presents the Dalek project seeking approval. His presentation is interrupted by Gharman. Davros then reveals his 'defeat' was a ruse. This is foreshadowed by Davros' dismissal of natural Kaled mutation in favor of ruthless aggression during his presentation."
"Davros presents the Dalek project seeking approval. His presentation is interrupted by Gharman. Davros then reveals his 'defeat' was a ruse. This is foreshadowed by Davros' dismissal of natural Kaled mutation in favor of ruthless aggression during his presentation."
"Davros presents the Dalek project seeking approval. His presentation is interrupted by Gharman. Davros then reveals his 'defeat' was a ruse. This is foreshadowed by Davros' dismissal of natural Kaled mutation in favor of ruthless aggression during his presentation."
"Davros presents the Dalek project seeking approval. His presentation is interrupted by Gharman. Davros then reveals his 'defeat' was a ruse. This is foreshadowed by Davros' dismissal of natural Kaled mutation in favor of ruthless aggression during his presentation."
"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 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."
Key Dialogue
"GHARMAN: *Why don't you just accept the fact that you have lost. It's over for you, Davros.* DAVROS: *Do you believe that I would let a lifetime's work be ended by the will of spineless fools like you? You have won nothing. I allowed this charade to be played out for one reason only. To find those men who were truly loyal to me and to discover those who would betray me!*"
"DAVROS: *Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!* KRAVOS: *Stop this, Davros. You must stop them!* [Nyder throws Kravos into the path of a Dalek gun. He dies screaming.]"
"DOCTOR: *Even the sonic screwdriver won't open this door.* SARAH: *Doctor.* DOCTOR: *Huh?* SARAH: *Why is it going on so long?* DOCTOR: *Who knows. It's out of character for Davros to submit quite so easily.*"