Daleks expose human emotional bonds
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Ian and Barbara's concerns about Susan's safety are viewed on the monitor by the Daleks. Dalek 1 dismisses their worries and reveals that they now have the message.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Dalek 1 displays no emotional warmth, operating with cold authority. Its giggle-like reaction to Susan's name is a chilling reminder of its inhumanity, and its refusal to allow Susan to deliver the message herself reinforces its total control over the situation. There is no empathy or hesitation in its actions.
Dalek 1 oversees the entire interaction, interrogating Susan about her name and the message's content. It asserts the Daleks' control by refusing Susan's plea to deliver the message herself and by switching off the monitor to silence Ian and Barbara's concerns. Dalek 1's cold, authoritative tone and giggle-like reaction to Susan's name underscore its contempt for individuality and emotional bonds.
- • To ensure the message is delivered in a way that maximizes the Daleks' control over the Thals.
- • To assert dominance over Susan and the other prisoners by demonstrating the Daleks' omniscience and power.
- • The Thals and humans are inferior and can be easily manipulated.
- • Individuality and emotional bonds are weaknesses that can be exploited for control.
Susan is torn between fear of the Daleks and her deep empathy for the starving Thals. Her defiance in signing her name reveals a quiet resistance, but her compliance in writing the message reflects her awareness of the Daleks' power. She is anxious about the consequences of her actions but remains hopeful that the Thals can be helped.
Susan Foreman is seated in the Dalek Control Room, taking dictation from Dalek 2 with a mix of reluctance and defiance. She pauses to question the Daleks' demands, insisting she cannot accept the offer on behalf of the Thals. When Dalek 1 interrogates her about signing the message with her name, she asserts her identity and defends the Thals, arguing that they are not a threat and only seek food. Her plea to deliver the message herself is met with cold refusal, leaving her in a state of anxious compliance.
- • To protect the Thals from further harm by ensuring they receive food.
- • To assert her humanity and individuality in the face of the Daleks' dehumanizing control.
- • The Thals are innocent and desperate, not a threat to the Daleks.
- • The Daleks' offer is a manipulation, but she must comply to some extent to avoid worse consequences.
Dalek 2 exhibits no emotional state, operating purely as an extension of the Daleks' collective will. Its actions are cold and calculated, reflecting the Daleks' ruthless efficiency. There is no hint of empathy or hesitation in its interactions with Susan.
Dalek 2 dictates the details of the deceptive message to Susan, emphasizing the Daleks' offer of food and water in exchange for the Thals' labor. It holds the written message up for Dalek 1's inspection, demonstrating its role as a subordinate but proactive participant in the Daleks' manipulation. Dalek 2's cold, mechanical tone reinforces the Daleks' lack of empathy and their focus on control.
- • To ensure the message is accurately transcribed and conveys the Daleks' demands.
- • To manipulate the Thals into compliance by exploiting their desperation.
- • The Thals are weak and can be easily controlled through their need for food.
- • Susan is a useful tool for delivering the message and ensuring its credibility.
Ian is deeply anxious about Susan's well-being and frustrated by his inability to act. His concern is palpable, and the abrupt cutoff of the monitor amplifies his sense of powerlessness. He is clearly protective of Susan and eager to understand the Daleks' plans.
Ian Chesterton is seen on the Daleks' surveillance monitor, expressing concern for Susan's safety and questioning the Daleks' intentions. His voice conveys anxiety and a sense of helplessness, as he and Barbara are unable to intervene directly. The Daleks' decision to switch off the monitor cuts off his line of questioning, leaving his concerns unanswered.
- • To ensure Susan's safety and well-being.
- • To uncover the Daleks' true intentions and find a way to counter their manipulation.
- • The Daleks are using Susan as a pawn in their schemes.
- • The group must find a way to resist the Daleks' control, even if it means taking risks.
Barbara is deeply concerned for Susan's well-being and frustrated by her inability to intervene. Her suspicion of the Daleks' motives is evident, and the abrupt cutoff of the monitor leaves her feeling powerless. She is clearly protective of Susan and eager to uncover the truth behind the Daleks' actions.
Barbara Wright is seen on the Daleks' surveillance monitor, expressing concern for Susan's safety and questioning the Daleks' intentions. Her voice conveys suspicion and a desire to understand what the Daleks want with Susan. The Daleks' decision to switch off the monitor cuts off her line of questioning, leaving her concerns unanswered and amplifying her sense of helplessness.
- • To ensure Susan's safety and well-being.
- • To understand the Daleks' true intentions and find a way to counter their manipulation.
- • The Daleks are using Susan for their own ends, and her safety is at risk.
- • The group must work together to resist the Daleks' control, even in the face of uncertainty.
The Doctor appears uncertain and somewhat passive in this moment, as his voice on the monitor reflects his lack of a clear strategy. His speculative tone suggests he is trying to make sense of the Daleks' actions but is unable to offer concrete reassurance to Ian and Barbara.
The Doctor is referenced indirectly through the Daleks' surveillance monitor, where his voice is heard speculating about the Daleks' intentions toward the prisoners. His uncertainty and lack of a clear plan are evident in his vague response to Ian and Barbara's concerns about Susan. The Daleks switch off the monitor, cutting off further discussion, which underscores their control over the situation.
- • To understand the Daleks' motives and find a way to protect Susan and the group.
- • To maintain a sense of hope, even in the face of uncertainty.
- • The Daleks may have a plan that could potentially benefit the group, but their intentions are unclear.
- • Susan's safety is a priority, but the Doctor is limited in his ability to act directly.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The deceptive message is the central object in this event, serving as both a tool of manipulation and a symbol of Susan's forced complicity. Dictated by Dalek 2 and scrutinized by Dalek 1, the message offers food and water to the starving Thals in exchange for their labor in re-cultivating the land. Susan's act of signing her name to the message humanizes the transaction, but it also underscores her moral conflict. The message is a tangible representation of the Daleks' power to exploit desperation and manipulate trust.
The Dalek surveillance monitor plays a critical role in this event by revealing the Daleks' omniscience and their ability to manipulate the prisoners' emotions. It displays live feeds of Ian and Barbara expressing concern for Susan's safety, which the Daleks reference to demonstrate their total control over the situation. The monitor is a tool of psychological domination, reinforcing the Daleks' power to eavesdrop and exploit the prisoners' fears. When Dalek 1 switches it off, it underscores the Daleks' authority and their ability to silence dissent.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Dalek Control Room is the oppressive heart of the Daleks' power, where Susan is forced to transcribe the deceptive message. The sterile, metallic environment is filled with humming machinery and flickering monitors, creating an atmosphere of cold efficiency and unyielding control. The Daleks' static-electricity-powered floors and surveillance equipment reinforce their dominance, making the room a symbol of their insurmountable authority. Susan's presence here underscores her vulnerability, as she is physically and psychologically trapped in a space designed to crush individuality.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Thals are indirectly involved in this event as the intended recipients of the Daleks' deceptive message. Though not physically present, their desperation for food and their potential alliance with the prisoners are central to the Daleks' manipulation. Susan's defense of the Thals and her insistence that they are 'very friendly people' highlights their vulnerability and the moral conflict at the heart of this event. The Daleks' exploitation of the Thals' starvation underscores the organization's role as pawns in the Daleks' larger scheme.
The Daleks are the driving force behind this event, using their deceptive message to manipulate both Susan and the Thals. Through Dalek 1 and Dalek 2, they dictate the terms of the offer, interrogate Susan, and assert their control over the situation. Their ability to monitor the prisoners' conversations via the surveillance monitor demonstrates their omniscience and reinforces their power. The Daleks' goal is to exploit the Thals' desperation for food, ensuring their compliance while maintaining total dominance over all parties involved.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Alydon wants the Daleks to supply the Thals with food which then causes Susan to take dictation from Dalek 2, writing a message seemingly offering food to the Thals in exchange for their help in re-cultivating the land."
Daleks exploit Thal desperation with false treaty"Alydon wants the Daleks to supply the Thals with food which then causes Susan to take dictation from Dalek 2, writing a message seemingly offering food to the Thals in exchange for their help in re-cultivating the land."
Daleks manipulate Thals through false security"Susan writing a message offering food to the Thals is the message that Ganatus discovers by the city gates that informs Temmosus that the Daleks intend to help the Thals."
Thals debate Dalek offer and future"Susan writing a message offering food to the Thals is the message that Ganatus discovers by the city gates that informs Temmosus that the Daleks intend to help the Thals."
Susan’s message revives Thal hope"The Daleks question Susan about writing her name on the message. Alydon states the message must be signed 'Susan', which will signal authenticity.This emphasizes the manipulation involved."
Thals debate Dalek intentions and Susan’s trustworthiness"The Daleks question Susan about writing her name on the message. Alydon states the message must be signed 'Susan', which will signal authenticity.This emphasizes the manipulation involved."
Temmosus challenges Alydon’s trust in Susan"The Daleks question Susan about writing her name on the message. Alydon states the message must be signed 'Susan', which will signal authenticity.This emphasizes the manipulation involved."
Alydon reveals Susan’s capture and message planThemes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"DALEK 1: We have the message now."
"SUSAN: We knew you could hear us, 'cause you knew about the Thals and the food."
"DALEK 1: It does not matter. We have the message now."