Barbara reprograms Robomen to attack Daleks
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
The Doctor explains stopping the bomb isn't immediately possible and encourages Barbara to find an alternative, prompting her to suggest reprogramming the Robomen.
The Doctor approves Barbara's idea to reprogram the Robomen, urging her to proceed; Barbara, mimicking a Dalek, issues her order to the Robomen.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Determined and focused, with a sense of urgency and confidence in her plan. She is fully engaged in the moment, leveraging her intelligence and adaptability to turn the tide of the battle.
Barbara is the driving force behind the Robomen reprogramming gambit. She identifies the Robo-Control device, proposes the plan to the Doctor, and executes it by mimicking a Dalek's voice to issue the command. Her quick thinking and resourcefulness are on full display, demonstrating her ability to adapt under pressure and leverage the Daleks' own tools against them.
- • Repurpose the Robomen to attack the Daleks and disrupt their operations
- • Demonstrate her strategic value to the Doctor and the resistance team
- • The Daleks' own technology can be turned against them with the right approach
- • Quick thinking and adaptability are key to overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds
Urgent and focused, with a sense of determination and trust in his team. He is fully invested in the moment, leveraging every opportunity to turn the tide against the Daleks.
The Doctor is fully engaged in the high-stakes situation, acknowledging the risks of their current sabotage tactic and immediately approving Barbara's bold plan to reprogram the Robomen. He reinforces Barbara's command, ensuring the Robomen receive clear orders to attack the Daleks. His trust in Barbara's instincts and his own strategic acumen are on full display, demonstrating his role as both a leader and a mentor.
- • Approving and reinforcing Barbara's plan to reprogram the Robomen
- • Ensuring the Robomen receive clear and unambiguous orders to attack the Daleks
- • Barbara's strategic thinking is invaluable in high-pressure situations
- • Leveraging the Daleks' own technology against them is a viable and necessary tactic
Distressed and reactive, with a sense of urgency bordering on panic as its systems fail.
The Dalek in the Control Centre is in a state of distress, reporting critical system failures such as heat increase and power loss. Its mechanical voice conveys urgency and frustration, indicating that the sabotage efforts by the resistance are taking effect. The Dalek's focus is on the immediate technical crisis, leaving it vulnerable to further disruption.
- • Maintain control over the Dalek systems and infrastructure
- • Identify and neutralize the source of the sabotage
- • The Dalek systems are infallible and should not be compromised by human interference
- • Any deviation from protocol is a direct threat to Dalek supremacy
Tense and alert, fully aware of the stakes and the need for immediate action. He is supportive of the team's efforts but recognizes the high risk involved.
Tyler is observing the scanner, which shows David and Susan working on their sabotage mission. He acknowledges the Doctor's risky strategy and the urgency of the situation. While not directly involved in the Robomen reprogramming, his presence and observations provide context for the high-stakes environment and the need for bold action.
- • Monitor the progress of David and Susan's sabotage mission
- • Support the Doctor and Barbara in their efforts to disrupt the Daleks
- • The resistance's efforts are critical to the survival of Earth and its people
- • Bold and unconventional strategies are necessary to counter the Daleks' technological superiority
Susan is mentioned indirectly through Tyler's observation on the scanner, where she is seen working with David to sabotage the …
David is mentioned indirectly through Tyler's observation on the scanner, where he is seen working with Susan to sabotage the …
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Dalek Power Source is indirectly referenced through the Dalek's reports of power loss, which are a direct result of David and Susan's sabotage. This power loss is a critical factor in the vulnerability of the Dalek systems, creating the window of opportunity for Barbara's plan to reprogram the Robomen. The compromised power source is essential in making the Robomen reprogramming gambit feasible.
The Dalek Control Centre Scanner is used by Tyler to monitor David and Susan's sabotage mission. It provides real-time visual feedback on their progress, allowing the team in the Control Centre to assess the situation and make strategic decisions. The scanner's feed is critical in confirming the effectiveness of the sabotage and the urgency of the moment, which Barbara leverages to propose her plan.
The Dalek Core-Bomb Mechanism is indirectly referenced through the Dalek's reports of system failures, including heat increase and power loss. These failures are a direct result of the sabotage efforts by David and Susan, creating a critical vulnerability that Barbara exploits by proposing the Robomen reprogramming gambit. The mechanism's instability is pivotal in setting the stage for this high-risk strategy.
The Robo-Control device is the central object of this event. Barbara identifies it as the means to control the Robomen and proposes repurposing it to turn the Robomen against the Daleks. She mimics a Dalek's voice to issue the command through this device, effectively reprogramming the Robomen to attack their former masters. The device's vulnerability and the Daleks' oversight create the perfect opportunity for this high-risk gambit, which could alter the course of the battle.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Dalek Control Centre is the epicenter of this high-stakes event. It is a sterile, high-tech environment filled with Dalek reports, mechanical clatter, and the hum of advanced machinery. The tension is palpable as the Doctor, Barbara, and Tyler work to disrupt the Daleks' operations. The Control Centre's layout and technology provide the tools necessary for Barbara's plan, including the Robo-Control device and the scanner monitoring David and Susan's sabotage. The atmosphere is one of urgency and desperation, with the fate of Earth hanging in the balance.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Daleks are the primary antagonists in this event, represented through their distressed reports of system failures and their mechanical voices issuing orders. Their organization is under direct threat from the resistance's sabotage efforts, creating a moment of vulnerability that Barbara exploits. The Daleks' reliance on their technology and control systems makes them susceptible to the Robomen reprogramming gambit, which could turn their own forces against them.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The Doctor tasks David and Susan with a mission to sabotage the Daleks which leads to them successfully disabling the Dalek power source and is acknowledged later (beat_82511c851283b282)."
Doctor assigns sabotage missions to team"The Doctor tasks David and Susan with a mission to sabotage the Daleks which leads to them successfully disabling the Dalek power source and is acknowledged later (beat_82511c851283b282)."
Doctor dispatches David and Susan to sabotage cable"Wanting to stop the bomb, Barbara's query prompts the Doctor to explain that stopping it isn't immediately possible and encourage her to come up with another option."
Barbara’s Robomen gambit and the bomb’s countdown"Wanting to stop the bomb, Barbara's query prompts the Doctor to explain that stopping it isn't immediately possible and encourage her to come up with another option."
Barbara reprograms Robomen to attack Daleks"Wanting to stop the bomb, Barbara's query prompts the Doctor to explain that stopping it isn't immediately possible and encourage her to come up with another option."
Barbara’s Robomen gambit and the bomb’s countdown"Wanting to stop the bomb, Barbara's query prompts the Doctor to explain that stopping it isn't immediately possible and encourage her to come up with another option."
Barbara reprograms Robomen to attack DaleksThemes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Key Dialogue
"BARBARA: Can you stop the bomb, Doctor?"
"DOCTOR: Not now, Barbara. We don't know how long this little trick of ours will hold the Daleks. We may have to find something else."
"BARBARA: Well, look. That thing over there controls the Robomen. We discovered that earlier. Er, maybe we could give it new orders?"
"DOCTOR: Yes! That's brilliant, my dear! Good. Carry on."
"BARBARA: ((as a Dalek)) Robomen, this is your last order. Obey it and no other."
"DOCTOR: Turn on the Daleks, turn on the Daleks, kill the Daleks, do you hear?"