TARDIS arrives as Trojan shrine
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Paris returns from patrol with a captured 'shrine,' which is actually the TARDIS, drawing King Priam's attention and prompting Cassandra to voice her immediate distrust and foreboding.
Cassandra warns that the captured shrine is a trick by the Greeks, recalling a dream where soldiers emerged from such a gift to attack Troy, leading to growing tension and disagreement with Paris.
Priam attempts to open the TARDIS door with Paris's sword but fails, reinforcing Cassandra's claim that it's locked from the inside and filled with danger, escalating the debate over the object's true nature and threat to Troy.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Horror-stricken and helpless, her emotions oscillating between fear for her own safety and empathy for the Trojans, who are unknowingly debating the destruction of her only means of escape. Her dread is compounded by the realization that she cannot intervene, leaving her fate—and potentially history—in the hands of others.
Vicki is trapped inside the TARDIS, watching the confrontation unfold through the TARDIS scanner. Her horror grows as Priam and Paris attempt to open the door and as Cassandra warns of burning the TARDIS as a sacrificial offering. She is helpless to intervene, her fear mounting as the Trojans debate the object’s fate, unaware that their decision could alter history itself. Her emotional state is one of paralyzing dread, compounded by her inability to communicate or act.
- • To find a way to communicate with the Trojans or escape the TARDIS before it is destroyed.
- • To survive the immediate threat, ensuring that the TARDIS—and her companions—are not lost to the flames.
- • That the TARDIS is in grave danger of being destroyed, and with it, her chance of reuniting with the Doctor and Steven.
- • That the Trojans’ decision is being influenced by Cassandra’s prophetic warnings, which may or may not be accurate, but carry significant weight.
Alarmed and insistent, driven by a deep sense of foreboding. Her emotional state is one of urgent conviction, bordering on desperation, as she seeks to avert the doom she has foreseen. She is frustrated by the dismissal of her warnings, particularly by Paris, whose pride blinds him to the danger.
Cassandra, the High Priestess of Troy, immediately recognizes the TARDIS as a Greek deception upon its arrival. She recounts her prophetic dream of soldiers emerging from such an object to destroy Troy, vehemently opposing any attempt to bring it into the temple or leave it in the city square. Her warnings grow more urgent as Priam and Paris fail to open the TARDIS, culminating in her demand to burn it as a sacrificial offering to the gods. Her presence looms large over the debate, her prophetic authority clashing with Paris’s pride and Priam’s skepticism.
- • To convince Priam and Paris that the TARDIS is a Greek trap and must be destroyed to prevent Troy’s downfall.
- • To assert her prophetic authority, challenging the male leadership’s dismissal of her warnings and ensuring her voice is heard in matters of the city’s survival.
- • That the TARDIS is a deliberate Greek deception, left unguarded on the plain to lure Troy into a trap.
- • That burning the TARDIS as a sacrifice is the only way to appease the gods and prevent the fulfillment of her prophetic dream.
Defensively proud, masking deep insecurity about his role as a leader and the consequences of his actions. His frustration grows as his credibility is challenged, particularly by Cassandra’s prophetic warnings.
Paris stands at the center of the city square, proudly presenting the TARDIS as a trophy of war to his father, King Priam. He defends his decision to bring it into Troy, dismissing Cassandra’s warnings as paranoid and mocking her prophetic dream. He offers his sword to Priam to attempt opening the TARDIS door, only to have it fail, leaving him visibly frustrated. His body language shifts from confidence to defensiveness as the debate escalates, revealing his insecurity about his leadership and the weight of his actions.
- • To justify bringing the TARDIS into Troy as a trophy to prove his worth as a warrior and leader.
- • To defend his decision against Cassandra’s accusations of being manipulated by the Greeks, thereby preserving his reputation.
- • That the TARDIS is a legitimate trophy and not a Greek deception, despite the lack of evidence.
- • That Cassandra’s prophetic warnings are baseless paranoia, rooted in her desire to undermine his authority.
Cautiously alarmed, torn between his trust in Paris and the growing weight of Cassandra’s warnings. His skepticism gives way to a sense of impending doom as the TARDIS resists all attempts to open, forcing him to confront the possibility of a Greek deception.
Priam, the aging king of Troy, initially greets Paris with skepticism, questioning the purpose and origin of the TARDIS. He attempts to open the door using Paris’s sword, failing to make any impact. As Cassandra’s warnings grow more insistent, Priam’s demeanor shifts from cautious curiosity to alarm, particularly when she suggests burning the TARDIS as a sacrificial offering. His leadership is tested as he must choose between his son’s pride and his daughter’s prophetic foresight, revealing his struggle to balance familial loyalty with the safety of his city.
- • To determine the true nature of the TARDIS and whether it poses a threat to Troy, thereby protecting his city and people.
- • To mediate the conflict between Paris and Cassandra, seeking a solution that aligns with both his paternal instincts and his royal duty.
- • That the TARDIS may indeed be a Greek trick, given its unnatural resistance to being opened and Cassandra’s prophetic dream.
- • That burning the TARDIS as a sacrifice could be a necessary precaution, despite the potential loss of a valuable trophy.
Anxious and tense, reflecting the uncertainty and fear that permeates Troy during the siege. Their silence speaks volumes, amplifying the weight of the royal family’s debate and the potential consequences for the city.
The Trojan citizens gather in the city square, witnessing the arrival of the TARDIS and the heated debate between Paris, Priam, and Cassandra. Their presence adds to the tension, turning a private family conflict into a public spectacle. They observe in silence, their collective anxiety palpable as the fate of the mysterious object—and potentially the city—hangs in the balance. Their reactions are not explicitly shown, but their presence underscores the high stakes of the decision.
- • To witness the outcome of the debate, as it may directly impact their lives and the fate of Troy.
- • To remain loyal to their leaders, even as the city’s future hangs in the balance.
- • That the royal family’s decisions will determine Troy’s survival, for better or worse.
- • That the TARDIS is a sign of either hope (a trophy) or doom (a Greek trap), depending on the interpretation of the leaders.
Neutral and professional, focused on executing their duties without personal investment in the outcome. Their presence amplifies the tension, serving as a reminder of the city’s military might and the stakes of the decision.
The Trojan soldiers manhandle the TARDIS off the cart that brought it into the city, following Paris’s orders. They position it in the city square, where it becomes the focal point of the debate between Paris, Priam, and Cassandra. Their actions are methodical and disciplined, reflecting their role as enforcers of royal commands. They stand ready to act on Priam’s or Paris’s instructions, whether to attempt opening the TARDIS or to prepare it for burning.
- • To follow the orders of their superiors (Paris and Priam) without question, ensuring the TARDIS is positioned and handled as directed.
- • To stand ready to enforce any decision made regarding the TARDIS, whether it involves attempting to open it or preparing it for destruction.
- • That their role is to support the royal family’s decisions, regardless of the outcome.
- • That the TARDIS is a matter of strategic importance, given the attention it has garnered from the royal family.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Branches, fire, and sacrificial oil are proposed by Cassandra as tools to destroy the TARDIS, framing it as a necessary sacrifice to the gods of Troy. These objects symbolize the Trojans’ desperation to avert the doom foreseen in Cassandra’s prophecy, as well as their willingness to resort to extreme measures. Their presence in the city square—primed and ready for use—heightens the tension, as the TARDIS’s fate hangs in the balance between Paris’s pride, Priam’s caution, and Cassandra’s insistence.
Paris’s sword is wielded by Priam in an attempt to open the TARDIS door, symbolizing the Trojans’ desperation to uncover the object’s secrets. The sword scrapes harmlessly against the unyielding surface, highlighting the TARDIS’s otherworldly nature and the futility of brute force. This failed attempt underscores the growing tension and the Trojans’ inability to control the situation, as well as Cassandra’s insistence that the object is not what it seems.
Paris’s transport cart is the vehicle that brings the TARDIS into Troy, serving as the initial catalyst for the event. The soldiers manhandle the TARDIS off the cart, positioning it in the city square where it becomes the focal point of the debate. The cart’s role is functional, transporting the object from the Grecian plain to the heart of Troy, where its true nature—and the Trojans’ response to it—will be revealed. Its presence underscores the Trojans’ initial perception of the TARDIS as a trophy, before it is recontextualized as a potential threat.
The TARDIS scanner is Vicki’s sole connection to the external world during this event. Through it, she witnesses the confrontation between Paris, Priam, and Cassandra, her horror growing as the Trojans debate burning the TARDIS. The scanner’s limited perspective—showing Priam’s face looming as he strikes the door, Cassandra’s insistent warnings, and the gathering crowd—amplifies her sense of helplessness. It serves as a narrative device, allowing the audience to experience the event from her trapped vantage point while underscoring the high stakes of the debate.
The TARDIS, disguised as a captured Greek shrine, is the central object of contention in this event. Paris presents it as a trophy of war, but its unyielding door—resistant to Priam’s sword strikes—transforms it into a symbol of mystery and potential threat. Cassandra’s prophetic warnings frame it as a Greek deception, while Vicki’s trapped perspective (via the TARDIS scanner) reveals the high stakes: the Trojans’ debate over whether to burn it as a sacrifice could result in the destruction of the time machine and the travelers’ only means of escape. The TARDIS’s role shifts from trophy to potential doom, embodying the tension between pride, prophecy, and survival.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Troy City Square serves as the neutral ground where the TARDIS’s fate is debated, transforming a private family conflict into a public spectacle. The open space amplifies the tension, as the Trojan citizens gather to witness Paris’s presentation of the TARDIS, Priam’s attempts to open it, and Cassandra’s prophetic warnings. The square’s symbolic significance lies in its role as the heart of Troy, where decisions made by the royal family directly impact the city’s survival. The atmosphere is charged with anxiety and uncertainty, as the Trojans’ collective fate hangs in the balance.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Greek Forces, though physically absent from the scene, loom large as the unseen antagonists in this event. Their influence is felt through the TARDIS, which Paris claims to have captured from the Grecian lines. Cassandra’s prophetic warnings frame the TARDIS as a deliberate Greek deception, left unguarded to lure Troy into a trap. The Greeks’ cunning strategies—embodied by figures like Odysseus—are invoked as the Trojans debate whether to destroy the object. The organization’s presence is indirect but critical, as their potential deception drives the conflict and forces the Trojans to confront their own vulnerabilities.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Paris's return to Troy with the TARDIS prompts Cassandra to immediately distrust it, leading to her warning about a Greek trick."
Cassandra Demands the Shrine Burned"Paris's return to Troy with the TARDIS prompts Cassandra to immediately distrust it, leading to her warning about a Greek trick."
Cassandra Demands the Shrine Burned"Cassandra wants to burn the 'shrine' to eliminate any threat, directly foreshadowing the danger that will result from the TARDIS being opened."
Vicki emerges from the TARDIS"Cassandra wants to burn the 'shrine' to eliminate any threat, directly foreshadowing the danger that will result from the TARDIS being opened."
Vicki claims future origins in Troy"Cassandra wants to burn the 'shrine' to eliminate any threat, directly foreshadowing the danger that will result from the TARDIS being opened."
Priam Adopts Vicki as Cressida"Cassandra's suggestion to burn the shrine (TARDIS) leads to the Trojans consulting her for a sign, setting the stage for Vicki's dramatic appearance."
Vicki emerges from the TARDIS"Cassandra's suggestion to burn the shrine (TARDIS) leads to the Trojans consulting her for a sign, setting the stage for Vicki's dramatic appearance."
Vicki claims future origins in Troy"Cassandra's suggestion to burn the shrine (TARDIS) leads to the Trojans consulting her for a sign, setting the stage for Vicki's dramatic appearance."
Priam Adopts Vicki as CressidaThemes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"PARIS: What is it? Well, it's, ah it's, ah sort of, er, a shrine, or so it seems."
"CASSANDRA: Ha! You're not putting that in my temple."
"CASSANDRA: I dreamed that out on the plain the Greeks had left a gift, and although what it was remained unclear, we brought it into Troy. Then at night, from out its belly, soldiers came and fell upon us as we slept."
"PRIAM: Why don't we open the thing and see?"
"CASSANDRA: The thing need not be opened. Bring branches, fire and sacrificial oil. We'll make of it an offering to the gods of Troy. And if there be someone within, so much the greater gift."