Davros Unleashes the Daleks: The Birth of Genocide
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Davros declares the end of the Kaled race and the rise of the Daleks as the ultimate conquerors, programming them to carry out their mission of universal supremacy and absolute obedience.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Horror and guilt, tinged with a deep sense of helplessness and moral failure. His emotional state is one of profound despair, as the weight of his inability to prevent the catastrophe presses down on him.
The Doctor stands frozen in the Thal control room, his eyes locked on the monitor as the Kaled dome explodes in a fiery blast. His face is a mask of horror and guilt, his body tense with the weight of his failure. He had sent Harry and Sarah into the dome, and now they are trapped in the destruction. His attempt to lunge for the abort button is thwarted by the Thals, leaving him powerless as Davros unleashes the Daleks. The Doctor’s emotional state is one of profound helplessness, his moral dilemma laid bare as the consequences of his actions unfold before him.
- • To prevent the destruction of the Kaled dome and save Harry and Sarah.
- • To stop Davros from unleashing the Daleks and altering the course of history.
- • That the creation of the Daleks must be prevented at all costs to avoid the destruction they will bring.
- • That even in the face of overwhelming odds, there is always a way to avert disaster through moral action.
None. The Daleks operate purely on programming, their actions driven by cold logic and the directives of Davros. There is no emotion, only the unfeeling execution of their orders.
The three Daleks glide into the Thal control room with mechanical precision, their metallic shells gleaming under the sterile lights. They respond to Davros' command with chilling obedience, 'We obey,' as they turn their weapons on Ronson. Their execution of Ronson is swift and merciless, a demonstration of their programmed purpose: annihilation. The Daleks' presence is a harbinger of the terror to come, their cold efficiency a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil of the other characters in the room.
- • To carry out Davros' command to execute Ronson as the first act of Dalek vengeance.
- • To demonstrate their obedience and lethal efficiency as the ultimate instruments of annihilation.
- • That their programming is absolute and must be followed without question.
- • That the destruction of their enemies is their sole purpose and justification for existence.
Terrified and desperate, his emotional state is one of sheer panic and helplessness as he faces his impending death. There is a flicker of defiance in his final moments, but it is quickly extinguished by the cold efficiency of the Daleks' execution.
Ronson stands bound in the Thal control room, his face a picture of terror as Davros condemns him as a Thal spy. He pleads for mercy, his voice trembling with desperation as the Daleks turn their weapons on him. His final moments are filled with a mix of fear and disbelief, his pleas falling on deaf ears as the Daleks carry out their first execution. Ronson’s death is swift and brutal, a stark illustration of the Daleks' merciless nature and the beginning of their reign of terror.
- • To plead for mercy and avoid execution by the Daleks.
- • To somehow convey the truth of his loyalty to the Kaleds before his death.
- • That he is innocent of the charges leveled against him by Davros.
- • That the Daleks represent a monstrous perversion of Kaled science and must be stopped.
Cold, triumphant, and ruthless. His emotional state is one of unbridled ambition and satisfaction, as he orchestrates the birth of the Daleks and the annihilation of the Kaleds. There is no remorse or hesitation in his actions, only the ironclad resolve to see his vision of universal conquest realized.
Davros stands in the Thal control room, his presence commanding and malevolent. He flicks a switch with deliberate precision, and a door opens to reveal the first operational Daleks. His voice is cold and calculating as he orders the execution of Ronson, framing it as the beginning of Dalek vengeance. He declares the Kaled race extinct and proclaims the birth of the Daleks as the supreme conquerors of the universe. His demeanor is one of ruthless triumph, his words dripping with the promise of universal domination. The Daleks respond with chilling obedience, 'We obey,' sealing their allegiance to his vision of annihilation.
- • To avenge the annihilation of the Kaleds by unleashing the Daleks and beginning their reign of terror.
- • To declare the birth of the Daleks as the supreme race and ensure their dominance over the universe.
- • That the Kaleds are weak and deserving of annihilation for their betrayal.
- • That the Daleks are the ultimate evolutionary step, destined to conquer the universe and enforce his will.
Triumphant and self-assured, reveling in the destruction of the Kaleds and the perceived victory of the Thals. His emotional state is one of blind confidence, unaware of the impending doom that Davros’s Daleks will bring.
The Thal Councillor stands triumphantly in the control room, his back straight and his expression one of cold satisfaction as he watches the Kaled dome explode on the monitor. He has just pressed the launch button, sealing the fate of the Kaleds and celebrating what he believes to be a decisive victory. His focus is entirely on the destruction unfolding before him, oblivious to the darker forces at play. The Thals around him cheer, their voices a chorus of misplaced triumph, as the Councillor basking in the moment of perceived victory.
- • To annihilate the Kaleds and secure a decisive victory for the Thals.
- • To assert the Thals' dominance over Skaro and end the thousand-year war.
- • That the Kaleds are an existential threat that must be eradicated to ensure Thal survival.
- • That the destruction of the Kaled dome is a just and necessary act to achieve peace.
Triumphant and unaware, their emotional state is one of blind confidence in the Thals' victory. They are caught up in the moment, celebrating the destruction of the Kaleds and oblivious to the impending doom that Davros’s Daleks will bring.
The Thal Guards are present in the control room, their focus on restraining the Doctor and ensuring the smooth execution of the rocket launch. They cheer along with the Councillor as the Kaled dome explodes, their voices a chorus of misplaced triumph. Their role is largely peripheral to the central action, but they serve as a reminder of the Thals' collective blind spot—their inability to see the darker forces at play or the true nature of the threat posed by the Daleks. Their celebration is a stark contrast to the Doctor's horror and Davros' cold calculation.
- • To ensure the successful launch of the rocket and the destruction of the Kaled dome.
- • To maintain order in the control room and prevent any interference with the Thals' plans.
- • That the destruction of the Kaleds is a just and necessary act to secure Thal survival.
- • That the Doctor and his companions are a threat to Thal security and must be contained.
Implied fear and desperation, though not directly observed. Their emotional state is one of terror and helplessness as they face the destruction of the Kaled dome, their survival hanging in the balance. The Doctor's horror on their behalf amplifies the gravity of their situation.
Harry and Sarah are not physically present in the Thal control room during this event, but their fate is central to the Doctor's horror. They are trapped in the Kaled dome as it explodes under Thal rocket fire, their survival uncertain. The Doctor's mention of them—'I sent Harry and Sarah in there'—serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the Doctor's personal stake in the unfolding tragedy. Their absence is a haunting presence, underscoring the stakes of the Doctor's mission and the irreversible consequences of his actions.
- • To survive the destruction of the Kaled dome and escape the chaos.
- • To reunite with the Doctor and continue their mission to prevent the creation of the Daleks.
- • That the Doctor will find a way to save them, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
- • That their presence in the Kaled dome is crucial to understanding the full scope of the conflict and the stakes of the Doctor's mission.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Thal Control Room Wall Monitor is the visual centerpiece of this event, displaying the live footage of the Kaled dome as it explodes under Thal rocket fire. The monitor serves as a brutal reminder of the destruction unfolding, its glowing screen casting a harsh light on the faces of the Doctor, Davros, and the Thal Councillor. For the Doctor, the monitor is a source of horror, as it confirms the fate of Harry and Sarah, who are trapped inside the dome. For Davros, it is a symbol of vengeance and the beginning of the Daleks' reign. The monitor's imagery is visceral and unrelenting, driving home the irreversible nature of the event and the high stakes of the conflict.
The Thal Genocidal Rocket is the instrument of destruction that seals the fate of the Kaleds. Launched on the Councillor's command, it streaks toward the Kaled dome with deadly precision, its engines roaring as it carries out the Thals' final solution. The rocket's impact is catastrophic, reducing the dome to rubble and trapping Harry and Sarah inside. Its destruction is not just physical but symbolic, marking the end of the Kaled race and the birth of the Daleks. The rocket's role in the event is one of irreversible consequence, its launch setting in motion a chain of events that will reshape the universe.
The Thal Control Room Abort Button is a symbol of the Doctor's futile attempt to halt the rocket launch. As the countdown reaches its final moments, the Doctor lunges for the button, desperate to stop the destruction of the Kaled dome and save Harry and Sarah. However, his efforts are thwarted by the Thal Guards, who restrain him before he can press the button. The abort button remains untouched, its potential to avert disaster unrealized. Its presence in the scene underscores the Doctor's helplessness and the inevitability of the catastrophe unfolding before him.
The Thal Rocket Launch Button is the instrument of the Thals' triumph and the Kaleds' annihilation. Pressed by the Councillor with cold finality, it triggers the rocket's launch, setting in motion the destruction of the Kaled dome. The button's activation is a pivotal moment in the event, marking the transition from tension to catastrophe. Its function is one of irreversible consequence, its press sealing the fate of the Kaleds and the birth of the Daleks. The button's role is both practical and symbolic, embodying the Thals' blind confidence and the Doctor's despair.
Davros' Dalek Deployment Switch is the mechanism that unleashes the first operational Daleks into the Thal control room. With a flick of his wrist, Davros activates the switch, and a door slides open to reveal the Daleks, their metallic shells gleaming with lethal purpose. The switch's function is one of transformation, marking the transition from the old order of the Kaleds to the new reign of the Daleks. Its activation is a deliberate and calculated move by Davros, signaling the beginning of his vengeance and the birth of his ultimate weapons. The switch serves as a metaphor for the irreversible shift in power on Skaro, as the Daleks emerge to claim their place as the supreme conquerors of the universe.
The Thal Rocket Engines are the driving force behind the destruction of the Kaled dome. As the countdown reaches zero, the engines roar to life, propelling the rocket toward its target with deadly precision. Their power is unleashed in a burst of flame and fury, the sound of their ignition a harbinger of the doom to come. The engines' role in the event is one of irreversible consequence, their thrust carrying the rocket to its destination and sealing the fate of the Kaleds. Their roar is a stark contrast to the eerie silence that follows, as the dome explodes and the Daleks emerge to claim their place in history.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Thal Control Room serves as the epicenter of this event, a high-tech battleground where the fates of the Kaleds, Thals, and Daleks are decided. The room is filled with glowing consoles, wall monitors, and the tense hum of machinery, its sterile environment a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil unfolding within. The Doctor stands restrained, his horror reflected in the monitor's glow as the Kaled dome explodes. The Thal Councillor celebrates his perceived victory, while Davros orchestrates the birth of the Daleks with cold precision. The room's atmosphere is one of tension and inevitability, as the characters' actions and the Daleks' emergence reshape the course of history. The control room is not just a setting but a symbol of the power dynamics at play, where the Thals' triumph is short-lived and the Daleks' reign begins.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Daleks are represented in this event through their first operational deployment, as Davros activates them and orders the execution of Ronson. Their involvement is one of cold, merciless efficiency, as they carry out their programming with chilling obedience. The Daleks' emergence marks the beginning of their reign of terror, as they execute their first victim and affirm their loyalty to Davros' vision of universal conquest. Their role in the event is both active and symbolic, embodying the birth of a new era of annihilation and the fulfillment of Davros' ambitions.
The Kaleds are represented in this event through their annihilation, as the Thal rocket destroys their dome and Davros declares their race extinct. Their involvement is largely symbolic, as they are no longer present to participate in the action. However, their fate serves as the catalyst for the Daleks' emergence and the beginning of their reign of terror. The Kaleds' role in the event is one of tragic precursor, their destruction the crucible from which the Daleks are born. Their annihilation is not just a physical event but a symbolic one, marking the end of an era and the birth of a new, more terrifying force in the universe.
The Thals are represented in this event through the actions of the Councillor and the Guards, who celebrate the destruction of the Kaled dome as a decisive victory. Their collective triumph is short-lived, however, as Davros unleashes the Daleks, turning their moment of glory into the harbinger of their own doom. The Thals' involvement in the event is one of misplaced confidence, their institutional protocols and military might serving as a foil to the Daleks' emergence. Their celebration underscores their blind spot—the inability to see the darker forces at play or the true nature of the threat posed by the Daleks. The Thals' role in the event is both active and symbolic, embodying the hubris that will lead to their downfall.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The Councillor's decision to launch the rocket directly leads to the destruction of the Kaled dome in the next beat."
"The destruction of the Kaled dome enables Davros to unleash the Daleks, starting with the extermination of Ronson; direct cause and effect."
"Davros's order to exterminate Ronson immediately precedes his declaration of the Daleks' rise and their mission of universal conquest; it's a narrative progression."
"The destruction of the Kaled dome enables Davros to unleash the Daleks, starting with the extermination of Ronson; direct cause and effect."
"Davros's order to exterminate Ronson immediately precedes his declaration of the Daleks' rise and their mission of universal conquest; it's a narrative progression."
"While Davros declares the Daleks' rise, the Councillor celebrates a false peace, creating dramatic irony and highlighting the thematic contrast between Davros's destructive ambition and the Thals' naive hope."
"While Davros declares the Daleks' rise, the Councillor celebrates a false peace, creating dramatic irony and highlighting the thematic contrast between Davros's destructive ambition and the Thals' naive hope."
"While Davros declares the Daleks' rise, the Councillor celebrates a false peace, creating dramatic irony and highlighting the thematic contrast between Davros's destructive ambition and the Thals' naive hope."
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"DOCTOR: (On the monitor, the Kaled dome explodes.) I sent Harry and Sarah in there."
"DAVROS: Let the vengeance begin with the death of the arch traitor, the Thal spy Ronson! ... Exterminate! Exterminate!"
"DAVROS: Today, the Kaled race is ended, consumed in a fire of war, but from its ashes will rise a new race, the supreme creature, the ultimate conqueror of the universe, the Dalek! ... You have been conditioned and programmed to complete a task. You will now carry out that programme."
"DALEK: We obey."