Vicki’s loyalty tested in the square
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Vicki and Steven discuss the Doctor's likely presence inside the Trojan Horse and the potential danger to Troy if the Greeks emerge. Steven suggests the Doctor must have a plan to rescue him and Vicki. Vicki has spotted Katarina, Cassandra's handmaiden, but Steven urges Vicki to leave to not raise suspicion knowing that Troy is in danger.
Steven urges Vicki, who clearly has feelings for Troilus, to tell him to get out of the city as a precaution, sensing danger from the horse. Elsewhere in the square, Troilus informs Priam, Paris, and Cassandra that Diomede has escaped.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Anxious and torn, caught between her growing love for Troilus and her duty to her companions, with a underlying fear of being exposed as an outsider.
Vicki navigates the crowded square with Steven, her demeanor shifting from casual conversation to defensive urgency as Cassandra accuses her of witchcraft. She denies the charges, her voice steady but strained, and engages in a tense exchange with Troilus about Diomede's escape. Physically, she stands her ground, her posture a mix of defiance and vulnerability, reflecting her internal conflict between loyalty to Troilus and her companions.
- • To defend herself against Cassandra's accusations and maintain her cover as Cressida.
- • To reconcile her loyalty to Troilus with Steven's urgent warning about his impending danger.
- • Her actions have unintentionally put Troilus and Troy in danger, and she must find a way to protect both him and her companions.
- • Cassandra's warnings, though extreme, contain a kernel of truth about the Trojan Horse being a trap.
Righteous indignation bordering on fanatical conviction, driven by her cursed inability to be believed and her fear for Troy's fate.
Cassandra seizes the moment of Diomede's escape to publicly accuse Vicki of witchcraft, her voice rising with prophetic urgency. She demands Vicki be burnt alongside the Trojan Horse, framing her as a harbinger of Troy's doom. Physically, she stands apart from the group, her body language rigid and accusatory, her gaze fixed on Vicki with unyielding intensity.
- • To expose Vicki as a witch and sorceress, linking her to Troy's impending doom.
- • To force Priam and the Trojans to heed her warnings and take drastic action against perceived threats.
- • Vicki is a witch who has brought sorcery and ruin to Troy, just as her visions foretold.
- • The Trojan Horse is a Greek trap, and Vicki's presence is inextricably tied to its danger.
Deeply concerned for Vicki's safety and the fate of Troy, masking his fear with practical urgency.
Steven moves through the crowd with Vicki, his voice low and urgent as he warns her of the risks of being caught with him. He suggests hiding to avoid detection and implores her to warn Troilus of the impending danger, his concern for her safety and the broader situation evident. Physically, he stays close to Vicki, his body language tense and alert, scanning the crowd for threats.
- • To ensure Vicki's safety by avoiding detection and potential recapture.
- • To warn Troilus of the impending danger, leveraging Vicki's relationship with him to save lives.
- • Vicki is in grave danger if her involvement in his escape is discovered.
- • The Trojan Horse is a trap, and Troilus's life is at risk if he remains in the city.
Calm and measured, but with an underlying tension as he balances the need to maintain peace with the urgency of Cassandra's warnings.
Priam intervenes to calm the situation, questioning Vicki about her whereabouts and defending her against Cassandra's accusations. He instructs his people to prepare for a celebration, prioritizing unity and optimism over paranoia. Physically, he stands as a central figure in the group, his posture authoritative yet conciliatory, reflecting his role as the mediator and leader of Troy.
- • To defuse the conflict between Cassandra and the others, prioritizing stability and unity.
- • To protect Vicki from unfounded accusations and maintain her trust in Troy.
- • Vicki is not a witch but an outsider who has been welcomed into Troy and deserves kindness.
- • Cassandra's warnings, while troubling, must be balanced with the need for hope and celebration.
Neutral but attentive, fulfilling her duty to Cassandra with quiet efficiency, devoid of personal judgment or emotion.
Katarina is spotted by Vicki in the crowd and later ordered by Cassandra to stay with her. She remains silent and obedient, her presence a subtle but constant reminder of Cassandra's surveillance and the looming threat of Vicki's exposure. Physically, she stands slightly apart from Vicki, her posture submissive and watchful, reflecting her role as both a handmaiden and a spy.
- • To obey Cassandra's commands and surveil Vicki as instructed.
- • To remain unnoticed while gathering information for Cassandra.
- • Vicki is a potential threat to Troy, and her actions must be monitored closely.
- • Cassandra's visions are divine truths, and it is her duty to uphold them.
Cautiously optimistic, tempered by a desire to maintain peace and unity within the royal family.
Paris questions Troilus about Diomede's escape but quickly dismisses Cassandra's accusations against Vicki, his skepticism evident in his tone and body language. He follows Priam's lead, prioritizing the celebration and unity of the Trojans over Cassandra's warnings. Physically, he stands between Priam and Cassandra, his posture relaxed but attentive, reflecting his role as a mediator in the family dynamic.
- • To defuse tensions between Cassandra and the others, prioritizing stability over paranoia.
- • To support Priam's vision for celebration and unity, even in the face of Cassandra's dire warnings.
- • Cassandra's accusations are exaggerated and counterproductive to Troy's current moment of perceived victory.
- • Vicki is not a witch but an outsider who has been welcomed into Troy and should be treated with kindness.
Cyclops is mentioned by Vicki as a potential source of information for the Doctor about their whereabouts. His role is …
The Doctor is mentioned in passing by Steven and Vicki, who speculate that he may be trapped inside the Trojan …
Diomede is mentioned as having escaped from his cell, prompting Troilus to question Vicki about her involvement. His escape is …
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Trojan Horse is the symbolic and literal centerpiece of the scene, dominating the city square and casting a long shadow over the characters' interactions. Steven and Vicki discuss its potential as a trap, speculating that the Doctor may be inside. Cassandra links it to Vicki's perceived sorcery, demanding that she be burnt alongside it. The Horse serves as a visual metaphor for the impending doom of Troy, its rickety construction hinting at the fragility of the Trojans' perceived victory and the Greek deception that will lead to their downfall.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Troy City Square is the primary setting for this event, serving as the stage for the confrontation between Vicki, Steven, Troilus, Cassandra, and Priam. The square's open and public nature amplifies the drama, as Cassandra's accusations are made in full view of the Trojan people, turning Vicki into a spectacle and a target. The crowd's presence adds to the tension, as Vicki's fate is debated in a highly visible and judgmental space. The square's role as a gathering place for both triumph and potential doom mirrors the broader themes of the episode, where victory and defeat are intertwined.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Vicki freeing Steven from the dungeons directly leads to their discussion about the Doctor, the horse, and the danger to Troy. This links their escape to the larger plot."
Vicki frees Steven from Troy’s dungeons"Vicki manipulates Troilus to leave Troy under the guise of capturing Diomede. This is a direct consequence of Steven urging her to warn Troilus, leading to his fatal encounter with Achilles."
Vicki manipulates Troilus into leaving Troy"Vicki leaves Katarina in the city square, which later leads to Katarina finding Steven injured and offering to help him to safety under the false pretense that Cressida sent her."
Katarina rescues Steven under false pretenses"Vicki's concern for Troilus, fueled by Steven's prompting, directly motivates her to seek him out inside the palace. This showcases her growing attachment and its consequences."
Vicki manipulates Troilus into leaving TroyThemes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Key Dialogue
"STEVEN: If you really are that fond of him you'd better tell him to get out of the city."
"TROILUS: Diomede. He's gone."
"CASSANDRA: That Cressida. Troy's doom is nigh!"
"VICKI: I am not a sorceress. Really, I'm not."
"STEVEN: Look, you didn't free Diomede, did you?"