Doctor Who
S16E20
· The Power of Kroll Part 4

Doctor forces Kroll into retreat

Kroll's retreat into the swamp is halted by the Doctor and Romana's timely intervention, forcing the creature to abandon its escape attempt. Romana immediately grasps the lethal implications of direct confrontation with Kroll while the Doctor uses their knowledge of the creature's sensitivities to ensure its rapid withdrawal. This transient tactical victory reveals the persistent dangers of the Swampies' misplaced faith in Kroll's benevolence and underscores the ongoing threat posed by Ranquin's fanaticism.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Kroll sinks back into the water after being confronted by the Doctor, and the Doctor and Romana decide to leave the area.

relief to cautious optimism ['the water', 'the swamp']

The Doctor and Romana exchange a brief conversation about their successful intervention and then paddle away from the area.

cautious optimism to determination ['the water']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
The Fourth Doctor
Science Officer
 primary

Measured and pragmatic, with a hint of dry amusement at the situation's irony

The Doctor observes Kroll's retreat with calm acknowledgment before reinforcing Romana's insight about movement sensitivity. He promptly leads their rapid departure to avoid provoking further responses from the creature.

Goals in this moment
  • • Use knowledge of Kroll to prevent escalation or harm to himself and Romana
  • • Ensure their immediate safety by retreating promptly
Active beliefs
  • • Kroll's behavior is instinctive and based on environmental triggers like movement
  • • Withdrawal is the safest course when facing an unpredictable and massive threat
Character traits
Calm under pressure Pragmatic decisiveness Quick strategizing Dry wit
Follow The Fourth …'s journey
Romana
Time Lady
 primary

Relieved yet cautious, masking any deeper concern in favor of immediate practical action

Romana remains still, observing Kroll's retreat before commenting on its sensitivity to movement. She swiftly aligns with the Doctor's pragmatic retreat, prioritizing safety over confrontation despite the creature's collapse back into the water.

Goals in this moment
  • • Ensure safety by avoiding direct confrontation with Kroll
  • • Acknowledge and act on the creature's known vulnerabilities
Active beliefs
  • • Kroll's reactions are predictable and can be mitigated through measured action
  • • Retreat is a viable and necessary strategy when facing an uncontrollable force
Character traits
Observant Pragmatic Quick to adapt Methodical
Follow Romana's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Swamp Reeds Clearing

The dense, tangled Swamp Reeds Clearing serves as both battleground and refuge during this event. The murky water and reeds conceal Kroll's massive form and provide cover for the Doctor and Romana's escape. The location's oppressive atmosphere amplifies the tension of their strategic withdrawal.

Atmosphere Stifling and oppressive, thick with the tension of imminent danger and the relief of retreat
Function Confrontation zone and escape route, where Kroll's retreat allows temporary safety
Symbolism Represents the duality of refuge and peril; a place of survival where faith in divine …
Access Limited to creatures adapted to swamp terrain and those familiar with its dangers
Murky, stagnant water barely concealing movement beneath its surface Dense reeds crowding overhead, limiting visibility and complicating escape

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 2
Causal

"Kroll's initial retreat (beat_2128a06d1d83fee1) directly prompts the Doctor and Romana to return to the rocket silo to prevent its destruction (beat_b97db20b7acc75bc), demonstrating their immediate response to the threat of orbital destruction."

Doctor risks life to disable rocket
S16E20 · The Power of Kroll Part …
Causal

"Kroll's initial retreat (beat_2128a06d1d83fee1) directly prompts the Doctor and Romana to return to the rocket silo to prevent its destruction (beat_b97db20b7acc75bc), demonstrating their immediate response to the threat of orbital destruction."

Doctor and Romana prepare for sacrifice
S16E20 · The Power of Kroll Part …

Part of Larger Arcs

The android duplicate Romana II's internal conflict between her Gallifreyan programming for detached analysis and her growing emotional connection to the Doctor and concern for all life forms

Key Dialogue

"ROMANA: It's gone."
"DOCTOR: Yes."
"ROMANA: What a good thing we remembered it reacts to movement."
"DOCTOR: Yes, wasn't it. Let's get out of here before it changes its mind."