Narrative Web
S4E3
· The Smugglers Part 3

Squire and Kewper Enter the Church

The Squire and Kewper arrive at the church to find the vestry door suspiciously open, signaling that someone has entered ahead of them. Their dialogue reveals their shared suspicion that the Doctor—whom they believe holds the key to Avery’s gold—is inside. The Squire’s observation that Pike and Blake would be more cautious implies they see the Doctor as reckless or desperate, while Kewper’s confidence that the Doctor ‘holds the secret of the treasure’ underscores their belief that he is the final obstacle to their claim. Their cautious but determined entry into the church marks a critical escalation in the treasure hunt, as they now directly challenge the Doctor’s party rather than working through intermediaries like Pike or Blake. The moment also highlights their growing alliance, as they move in unison toward their shared goal, contrasting with their earlier distrust of one another. The open door serves as a visual cue that the Doctor’s group has already begun their search, forcing the Squire and Kewper to act decisively to avoid being outmaneuvered. This confrontation sets up a direct clash between the Doctor’s party and the village’s corrupt power structure, raising the stakes for the treasure’s discovery and the fate of the village.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

The Squire and Kewper notice the open vestry door, which strikes them as strange, and wonder if they've been anticipated in their search for the treasure.

curiosity to suspicion ['churchyard', 'vestry']

The Squire and Kewper discuss who might have entered the church, dismissing Pike and Blake before suspecting the Doctor, deducing he likely knows the treasure's location.

suspicion to determination ['church']

The Squire, now certain the Doctor is in the church with knowledge of the treasure, decides to enter the church with Kewper to find him.

determination to action ['church']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

4
Edwards
Squire
 primary

Determined with a hint of arrogance, believing he is on the verge of outmaneuvering his rivals.

The Squire stands in the churchyard, his gaze fixed on the open vestry door. He speculates aloud about who might be inside, quickly concluding it is likely the Doctor. His dialogue reveals a mix of suspicion and confidence, as he leads Kewper into the church with a determined stride, ready to confront the Doctor and claim the treasure for himself.

Goals in this moment
  • • Confront the Doctor to seize Avery’s gold before anyone else can claim it.
  • • Assert his authority over Kewper and the village by outsmarting the Doctor.
Active beliefs
  • • The Doctor is the only one who knows the secret to Avery’s treasure.
  • • Pike and Blake are more cautious and better prepared, but he can still outmaneuver them.
Character traits
Strategic Dominant Confident Impatient
Follow Edwards's journey
The Second Doctor
Time Lord
 primary

Not directly observable, but inferred as focused and possibly desperate (based on the Squire and Kewper’s assumptions).

The Doctor is not physically present in this scene but is the central focus of the Squire and Kewper’s dialogue. They suspect he is inside the church, having entered through the open vestry door. Their belief that he holds the secret to Avery’s gold drives their actions, as they prepare to confront him directly.

Goals in this moment
  • • Find Avery’s treasure before the Squire and Kewper can claim it.
  • • Protect his companions (Ben and Polly) from the village’s corrupt power structure.
Active beliefs
  • • The treasure’s location is hidden within the church or crypt.
  • • He must act quickly to outmaneuver the Squire and Kewper.
Character traits
Resourceful (implied by their belief he knows the treasure’s secret) Reckless (implied by the Squire’s comparison to Pike and Blake’s caution) Determined (implied by his presumed actions in the church)
Follow The Second …'s journey
Josiah Blake

Josiah Blake is mentioned in the dialogue but is not physically present. The Squire and Kewper compare their own approach …

Pike

Pike is referenced in the dialogue but is not physically present. The Squire and Kewper imply that Pike would be …

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Vestry Door

The vestry door stands ajar in the churchyard, its weathered wood slightly creaking in the wind. This open door serves as a critical visual cue, signaling to the Squire and Kewper that someone—likely the Doctor—has entered the church ahead of them. Its unlocked state creates a sense of urgency and suspicion, driving their decision to proceed cautiously but determinedly into the church. The door’s condition implies that the Doctor’s group may have forced or hurriedly opened it, adding to the tension of the moment.

Before: Closed and locked, as part of the church’s …
After: Left open by the Squire and Kewper as …
Before: Closed and locked, as part of the church’s usual security measures.
After: Left open by the Squire and Kewper as they enter the church, now serving as a point of no return in their confrontation with the Doctor.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Church Crypt

The churchyard serves as the setting for this pivotal moment, where the Squire and Kewper first notice the open vestry door. The graveyard’s eerie atmosphere—marked by weathered tombstones and the looming presence of the church—heightens the tension of their discovery. The open door acts as a threshold, symbolizing the transition from suspicion to direct action. The churchyard’s isolation and the absence of witnesses make it the perfect place for the Squire and Kewper to plot their next move without interference.

Atmosphere Tense and foreboding, with a sense of impending confrontation. The stillness of the graveyard amplifies …
Function Threshold for the confrontation with the Doctor, serving as the point where the Squire and …
Symbolism Represents the boundary between the village’s corrupt dealings and the hidden truths (like the treasure) …
Access Open to the public during the day, but the church itself is typically locked. The …
Weathered tombstones with cryptic inscriptions (e.g., Lucinda Maltree’s grave). The open vestry door, slightly ajar and creaking in the wind. Lengthening shadows as dusk approaches, casting an ominous tone over the scene.
Churchyard

The church crypt is implied as the next destination for the Squire and Kewper, as the Squire mentions, 'Below the church, aye, in the crypt.' This location is where the Doctor is presumed to be searching for Avery’s treasure. The crypt’s dimly lit, enclosed space—filled with ancient tombstones and hidden passages—will serve as the battleground for the confrontation between the Doctor’s group and the Squire and Kewper. Its confined and oppressive atmosphere will amplify the tension of their clash.

Atmosphere Dimly lit and oppressive, with a sense of hidden danger. The crypt’s enclosed stone walls …
Function Battleground for the confrontation between the Doctor’s group and the Squire and Kewper, where the …
Symbolism Represents the hidden truths and corruption beneath the village’s surface. The crypt’s association with death …
Access Typically restricted to church officials, but the open vestry door suggests that the Doctor’s group …
Dim light filtering through narrow windows, casting long shadows over tombstones. Weathered tombstones with names like Ringwood, Gurney, and Smallbeer, hinting at the cryptic rhyme guiding the treasure hunt. A hidden passage leading to smugglers’ tunnels toward the beach, spotted by Ben earlier.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 2
Thematic Parallel medium

"The Squire and Kewper's racing to the church parallels the Doctor beginning his search for names in the Churchyard. This intensifies the race to find the treasure."

Squire and Kewper seal their betrayal
S4E3 · The Smugglers Part 3
Thematic Parallel medium

"The Squire and Kewper's racing to the church parallels the Doctor beginning his search for names in the Churchyard. This intensifies the race to find the treasure."

Squire and Kewper ride toward betrayal
S4E3 · The Smugglers Part 3

Themes This Exemplifies

Thematic resonance and meaning

The Peril of Greed and the Illusion of Security
4
Avery’s gold—long buried and forgotten—becomes the fatal catalyst for betrayal, murder, and escalating violence. The Squire, Kewper, and Pike all believe the treasure offers power …

Part of Larger Arcs

The struggle for Avery's gold and control of the village, pitting the Doctor, Ben, and Polly against a web of corrupt officials, pirates, and opportunists, all vying for power and wealth.

Key Dialogue

"SQUIRE: Below the church, aye, in the crypt."
"KEWPER: Open? But this is strange indeed."
"SQUIRE: Are we forestalled?"
"KEWPER: We will see. But we'd best proceed with caution."
"SQUIRE: Aye, they'd be few in number, I'd say."
"KEWPER: Aye, no guards, no horses."
"SQUIRE: Pike would be more watchful."
"KEWPER: And Blake would be better equipped."
"SQUIRE: Could it be this pestiferous Doctor?"
"KEWPER: If it is, then providence is on our side, for he holds the secret of the treasure, of that I'm sure."