Vicki emerges from the TARDIS
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
As the Trojans prepare to burn the TARDIS as an offering to the gods, Paris suggests consulting Cassandra for a sign to avoid insulting the gods with a potentially treacherous gift.
During Cassandra's plea for a sign, Vicki dramatically appears from the TARDIS in an elegant gown, immediately captivating Paris and alarming Cassandra.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Confident, calm, and slightly amused by the Trojans’ reactions. She is relieved by Priam’s hospitality and intrigued by the opportunity to integrate into Troy’s royal court.
Vicki emerges dramatically from the TARDIS dressed in an elegant gown. She claims to be from the future, deflects Cassandra’s accusations, and engages with Priam and Paris. She is renamed 'Cressida' by Priam and invited into the palace, where she is promised food and a conversation.
- • To avoid being burned alive or executed as a spy
- • To gain Priam’s trust and secure a safe haven in Troy
- • Her knowledge of the future can be leveraged to her advantage
- • The Trojans’ superstitions and political divisions can be exploited for survival
Suspicious, hostile, and frustrated by the Trojans’ dismissal of her warnings. Her emotional state is one of righteous indignation, convinced that Vicki’s presence will lead to disaster.
Cassandra performs a ritual invocation to determine the gods’ will regarding the TARDIS but is interrupted by Vicki’s emergence. She immediately suspects Vicki of being a Greek spy or sorceress, accuses her of false prophecy, and warns Priam that Vicki will bring doom. Her warnings are ignored by both Priam and Paris.
- • To expose Vicki as a Greek spy or sorceress
- • To convince Priam and Paris to heed her warnings and destroy the TARDIS
- • Vicki is a Greek agent sent to deceive Troy
- • The gods’ will must be followed, and her prophecies are accurate
Charmed by Vicki’s appearance, frustrated by Priam’s insistence on his return to battle, and dismissive of Cassandra’s warnings. His emotions oscillate between playful curiosity and reluctant duty.
Paris hesitates before burning the TARDIS, suggesting they consult Cassandra for divine guidance. When Vicki emerges, he is immediately charmed by her appearance, defending her against Cassandra’s accusations and flirting with her. He argues with Priam about returning to the war, attempting to delegate his duties to Troilus or Hector, but ultimately complies with his father’s orders to confront Achilles by nightfall.
- • To avoid immediate confrontation with Achilles by delegating his duties to Troilus or Hector
- • To protect Vicki from Cassandra’s accusations and gain her favor
- • Cassandra’s prophecies are overly dramatic and unnecessary
- • Vicki’s claim of being from the future is intriguing and worth exploring
Intrigued by Vicki’s presence and potential value, dismissive of Cassandra’s warnings, and frustrated with Paris’s reluctance to fulfill his duties. His tone is authoritative but not unkind, balancing curiosity with royal pragmatism.
Priam oversees the preparation to burn the TARDIS but hesitates when Paris suggests consulting the gods. When Vicki emerges, he questions her identity, renames her 'Cressida,' and invites her into the palace, dismissing Cassandra’s warnings. He scolds Paris for neglecting his duties and orders him back to the war to fight Achilles by nightfall.
- • To determine Vicki’s true identity and potential usefulness to Troy
- • To maintain control over the royal court and enforce Paris’s return to battle
- • Vicki’s claim of being from the future could bring Troy luck or advantage
- • Cassandra’s warnings are exaggerated and counterproductive
Focused and methodical, showing no emotional reaction to the unfolding events. Her role is purely ceremonial and obedient.
The Priestess pours oil over the wood piled around the TARDIS as part of the ritual preparation to burn it. She follows Priam’s commands without question, contributing to the ceremonial aspect of the event.
- • To perform the ritual as commanded by Priam
- • To ensure the ceremonial aspects of the event are carried out correctly
- • Her duty is to follow Priam’s orders without question
- • The ritual must be performed according to tradition
Neutral and obedient, showing no emotional reaction to the events unfolding. Their focus is on following orders.
The Trojan soldiers stand ready with torches to burn the TARDIS but do not act further as the plan is interrupted by Vicki’s emergence. They remain passive, awaiting further orders from Priam or Paris.
- • To follow Priam’s or Paris’s commands without question
- • To maintain order in the city square
- • Their duty is to obey the royal family’s orders
- • The TARDIS is a potential threat that must be dealt with as directed
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The branches, fire, and sacrificial oil are prepared as part of the ritual to burn the TARDIS. The Priestess pours oil over the wood, and the soldiers stand ready with torches to ignite the pyre. However, Vicki’s emergence interrupts the ritual, rendering the materials unnecessary for their intended purpose. The branches and oil remain unused, symbolizing the shift from destruction to curiosity.
The TARDIS serves as the catalyst for the event, initially mistaken for a Greek shrine and paraded as a war trophy by Paris. It is surrounded by branches and oil, primed for burning as a ritual sacrifice to the gods. When Vicki emerges from the TARDIS, it shifts from being a suspected threat to a mysterious artifact housing a future traveler. The TARDIS’s locked door resists all attempts to open it, adding to its enigmatic nature.
The elegant gown Vicki wears upon emerging from the TARDIS serves as a symbolic tool for impression management. It contrasts sharply with the Trojans’ expectations of a Greek spy or soldier, immediately charming Paris and intrigue Priam. The gown underscores Vicki’s otherworldly origin and her ability to adapt to the Trojans’ cultural norms.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Troy City Square serves as the public arena for the event, where the Trojans gather to witness the preparation to burn the TARDIS. The square is packed with citizens, soldiers, and royal family members, creating a tense and volatile atmosphere. The open space amplifies the dramatic tension as Vicki’s emergence shifts the focus from ritual destruction to political intrigue.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Greek Forces are the implied antagonist in this event, as their suspected deception (the TARDIS as a trap) drives the Trojans’ actions. Cassandra accuses Vicki of being a 'drab of Agamemnon’s,’ linking her to the Greek Forces and their cunning strategies. The Greeks’ presence looms over the event, shaping the Trojans’ paranoia and defensive measures.
The Trojan Priesthood is represented by Cassandra, who invokes divine warnings and demands the destruction of the TARDIS as a ritual sacrifice. Her role reflects the priesthood’s spiritual authority and its influence over royal decisions. However, her warnings are ignored by Priam and Paris, undermining the priesthood’s power in this moment.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Cassandra wants to burn the 'shrine' to eliminate any threat, directly foreshadowing the danger that will result from the TARDIS being opened."
TARDIS arrives as Trojan shrine"Cassandra wants to burn the 'shrine' to eliminate any threat, directly foreshadowing the danger that will result from the TARDIS being opened."
Cassandra Demands the Shrine Burned"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."
TARDIS arrives as Trojan shrine"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."
Cassandra Demands the Shrine Burned"Following closely after, Steven acts on his plan to try and save Vicki."
Steven manipulates Paris with flattery"Vicki is integrated into Trojan society while Steven decides to infiltrate the city, both happening without knowledge of the other's status."
Steven Volunteers for High-Risk InfiltrationThemes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Key Dialogue
"CASSANDRA: Oh, hear me, you horses of the heavens, who gallop with our destiny. If you would accept this gift, let us see a sign. Show us your will, I pray you, for we are merely mortal and need your guidance."
"VICKI: I'm nobody of any importance. I'm just someone from the future."
"CASSANDRA: She's some drab of Agamemnon's, sent to spread dissention. VICKI: I'm nothing of the sort. I've never even met Agamemnon."
"PRIAM: I wish to question her. Come here, child... You shall die when I say so, and not a moment before."
"CASSANDRA: She will bring nothing but doom, death and disaster. PRIAM: Don't pay any attention to Cassandra. She takes the gloomiest view."