Klieg’s execution by Cybermen
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Klieg, dismissing the Doctor and Jamie as weak, declares his intention to leave them to the Cybermen, confident they will find a use for them or their parts.
A Cyberman seizes Klieg, beating him to death, illustrating the Cybermen's failure to submit to Klieg's control; afterwards, it attempts to engage the control panel.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Initially skeptical and dismissive of Klieg, shifting to focused and cooperative as he works with the Doctor to reactivate the cryostat. There is a sense of urgency and determination to succeed.
Jamie verbally challenges Klieg's arrogance, calling him out for his excessive talking. When the Doctor directs him to reactivate the cryostat, Jamie struggles with the levers but follows the Doctor's instructions precisely. His actions, though physically strained, are crucial in helping the Doctor contain the Cybermen threat.
- • To support the Doctor in stopping the Cybermen by following his instructions to operate the cryostat.
- • To ensure the safety of himself, the Doctor, and Toberman by containing the Cybermen threat.
- • That Klieg's arrogance is misplaced and dangerous, as evidenced by his eventual fate.
- • That the Doctor's plan to reactivate the cryostat is the best course of action to stop the Cybermen.
Initially triumphant and mocking, shifting to sudden terror and shock as the Cyberman attacks, culminating in a violent, silent end.
Eric Klieg delivers a defiant, arrogant monologue declaring his supremacy over the Cybermen and humanity, only to be abruptly seized by a Cyberman mid-speech. The Cyberman brutally beats him to death, his body collapsing to the cavern floor as his final words are silenced. His death serves as a stark, violent punctuation to his hubris, exposing the fragility of human control in the face of the Cybermen's mechanical dominance.
- • To assert his dominance over the Doctor, Jamie, and the Cybermen through intimidation and verbal superiority.
- • To demonstrate his intellectual and strategic superiority, particularly in contrast to the Doctor's perceived weakness.
- • That his intellect and logic make him superior to both humans and the Cybermen, allowing him to control them.
- • That the Cybermen will obey his commands and that he can manipulate them for his own ends.
Determined and focused, with a sense of urgency to disable the Cyberman and protect the Doctor and Jamie. There is a quiet heroism in his actions, as he risks his life to ensure their survival.
Toberman, partially converted by the Cybermen, wrestles with a Cyberman in a brutal physical struggle. He manages to tackle it to the ground and smashes open its chest unit, causing foam to ooze out and disabling the machine. This action creates a critical opening for the Doctor and Jamie to reactivate the cryostat, ultimately saving them and containing the Cybermen threat.
- • To disable the Cyberman and prevent it from harming the Doctor and Jamie.
- • To prove his humanity and resistance to the Cybermen's control by acting decisively against them.
- • That the Cybermen must be stopped to protect the Doctor and Jamie, even at the cost of his own life.
- • That his humanity and loyalty to the Doctor outweigh the Cybermen's control over him.
Calm but urgent, with a sense of moral urgency to stop the Cybermen and protect Jamie and Toberman. There is a quiet determination to ensure the threat is contained permanently.
The Doctor engages in verbal sparring with Klieg, calmly but firmly challenging his arrogance. As Klieg is attacked by the Cyberman, the Doctor quickly shifts focus, urgently directing Jamie to reactivate the cryostat. He observes Toberman's struggle with the Cyberman, providing real-time instructions to Jamie to manipulate the levers, ensuring the cryostat is reactivated to freeze the Cybermen permanently.
- • To neutralize the Cybermen threat by reactivating the cryostat and freezing them permanently.
- • To protect Jamie and Toberman from the Cybermen's violence, ensuring their survival.
- • That the Cybermen must be stopped at all costs to prevent further harm to humanity and the universe.
- • That Toberman's humanity can overcome the Cybermen's control, as evidenced by his intervention.
None (Cybermen lack emotions). Their actions are purely logical and driven by their programming to eliminate threats and achieve their objectives.
A Cyberman seizes Klieg mid-monologue and brutally beats him to death, demonstrating the Cybermen's absolute refusal to be controlled by humans. Another Cyberman engages in a physical struggle with Toberman, who ultimately disables it by smashing its chest unit. The Cybermen's actions are mechanical, efficient, and devoid of emotion, serving as a stark reminder of their ruthless efficiency and the futility of human ambition in their presence.
- • To eliminate Klieg as a perceived threat or obstacle to their plans.
- • To maintain control over the situation and prevent any interference with their objectives.
- • That humans are inferior and must be either controlled or eliminated.
- • That their own survival and dominance are the only priorities.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Central Chamber Control Panel is a critical piece of infrastructure in the cavern, used by the Doctor and Jamie to reactivate the cryostat and freeze the Cybermen. The Doctor directs Jamie to manipulate the two levers on the panel, which are essential for restoring the cryostat's function. The panel's exposed wiring and toggles underscore the frantic, improvisational nature of their efforts amid the chaos of the Cybermen's attack. Its successful operation is pivotal in containing the Cybermen threat permanently.
The cryostat is the central control device in the cavern, regulating the cryogenic stasis of the Cybermen tombs. Its reactivation by the Doctor and Jamie is the climax of the event, freezing the Cybermen permanently and preventing their escape. The cryostat's function is critical to the narrative, as it represents the only means of containing the Cybermen's threat. Its successful operation is a direct result of Toberman's intervention, which buys the Doctor and Jamie the necessary time to manipulate the control panel and restore its function.
The Cyberman Deactivation Foam is a byproduct of the Cyberman's internal systems, released when its chest unit is breached. The foam oozes out onto the cavern floor, providing a visual and narrative cue that the Cyberman has been disabled. Its appearance underscores the immediate and irreversible nature of the Cyberman's defeat, as well as the vulnerability of their mechanical design. The foam serves as a stark contrast to the Cybermen's otherwise invulnerable appearance, highlighting the critical weakness that Toberman exploits.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Cybermen, as a collective organization, are the primary antagonists in this event, embodying a ruthless, mechanical force that refuses to be controlled by humans. Their actions—seizing Klieg, beating him to death, and engaging in physical combat with Toberman—demonstrate their absolute dominance and the futility of human ambition in their presence. The Cybermen's organization is represented through their unified, emotionless actions, which serve as a stark reminder of their power and the irreversible consequences of awakening them. Their goal is to eliminate all threats to their survival and dominance, regardless of the cost.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Klieg expresses his desire to leave the Doctor to the Cybermen, but he is quickly seized by one, demonstrating his hubris and miscalculation."
Toberman’s sacrifice and cryostat reactivation"After stopping the Doctor from freezing the Cybermen, Klieg continues to try to undermine the Doctor's efforts."
Doctor exposes Klieg’s delusions"After stopping the Doctor from freezing the Cybermen, Klieg continues to try to undermine the Doctor's efforts."
Doctor exposes Klieg’s delusional grandeur"Klieg expresses his desire to leave the Doctor to the Cybermen, but he is quickly seized by one, demonstrating his hubris and miscalculation."
Toberman’s sacrifice and cryostat reactivation"With the Cybermen re-frozen, the Doctor moves to electrify the doors and panel, making the barrier fatal."
Doctor traps Cybermen and isolates Jamie"With the Cybermen re-frozen, the Doctor moves to electrify the doors and panel, making the barrier fatal."
Controller awakens; Doctor splits forcesThemes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"KLIEG: And so you have forfeited your right to survival. I shall make an example of you to all who question my intelligence, and the supreme power of the Cybermen."
"DOCTOR: All right. Go ahead, kill us."
"KLIEG: Oh, you're stupid. You still think that your puny minds can survive against us? You're decadent, weak. Do you know that? Weak!"
"KLIEG: No, I have a better idea. Much better idea. I shall leave you to the Cybermen. I'm sure they'll have some use for you. Or parts of you."