The First Purge: Kravos’ Sacrifice and the Birth of Dalek Tyranny
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Kravos pleads with Davros to stop the slaughter, but Nyder throws him into the path of a Dalek gun, resulting in his immediate death.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Shocked and uneasy, with a growing sense of urgency to act or escape.
Harry stands silently beside the Doctor and Sarah, his gaze locked on the monitor as the Daleks exterminate the Kaled Elite. His face is pale, his expression one of shock and unease. He does not speak, but his body language—rigid posture, clenched jaw—reveals his discomfort and the weight of what he is witnessing. He is clearly affected by the violence, though he remains composed, ready to follow the Doctor’s lead if action is required.
- • To support the Doctor and Sarah in whatever action they take next.
- • To ensure their survival in the face of the escalating violence.
- • That Davros has lost control of the situation, and the Daleks are now acting independently.
- • That the Doctor’s moral dilemma is a luxury they can no longer afford.
Gravely concerned, with a growing sense of moral urgency and helplessness as he witnesses the massacre.
The Doctor stands with Sarah and Harry, watching the monitor in Davros’ office as the Daleks systematically exterminate the Kaled Elite. He attempts to open a door with the sonic screwdriver but fails, then turns his attention to the unfolding massacre. His expression is a mix of concern and analytical detachment, observing Davros’ manipulation of the Kaled Elite and the Daleks’ ruthless efficiency. He remains silent, absorbing the horror of the moment, which underscores the moral dilemma he faces: the ethical cost of allowing the Daleks to exist versus the consequences of their destruction.
- • To understand Davros’ true intentions and the extent of his control over the Daleks.
- • To find a way to intervene or mitigate the escalating violence without causing further harm.
- • That Davros’ actions will have irreversible consequences for the universe.
- • That hesitation in this moment may lead to the rise of an unstoppable genocidal force.
Loyal and merciless, with a sense of purpose in enforcing Davros’ will.
Nyder, Davros’ loyal enforcer, acts as his extension in the laboratory. He throws Kravos into the path of a Dalek gun without hesitation, ensuring his death and demonstrating his unwavering loyalty to Davros. His actions are cold and efficient, reflecting his role as an instrument of Davros’ will. Nyder’s presence in the laboratory underscores the absolute control Davros exercises over his followers, even in the face of betrayal. His loyalty is absolute, and his mercilessness is a reflection of Davros’ own ruthlessness.
- • To eliminate any threat to Davros’ authority, including dissenters like Kravos.
- • To demonstrate his unwavering loyalty to Davros through action.
- • That Davros’ vision for the Daleks is the only path to Kaled supremacy.
- • That mercy or hesitation will only lead to failure and betrayal.
Defiant and resigned, with a sense of moral righteousness even in the face of certain death.
Gharman confronts Davros in the laboratory, accusing him of insanity before the Daleks enter. He stands defiantly, his weapon handed over earlier in a gesture of trust, now rendered useless as the Daleks begin their extermination. His final words—'You are insane, Davros'—are a defiant rebuke before he is cut down by the Daleks. His death is swift and brutal, a stark contrast to his earlier confidence and moral stance. Gharman’s demise symbolizes the crushing of dissent and the inevitability of Davros’ vision.
- • To stand against Davros and the Daleks, even if it means certain death.
- • To preserve the moral integrity of the Kaled Elite in the face of tyranny.
- • That Davros’ plan is morally reprehensible and must be opposed at all costs.
- • That the Kaleds can evolve without resorting to genocidal mutation.
Triumphant and ruthless, with a sense of absolute control over the Daleks and the Kaled Elite.
Davros, seated in his office, orchestrates the massacre of the Kaled Elite with cold precision. He manipulates the Elite into revealing their loyalties, then unleashes the Daleks upon them with a single command: 'Exterminate!' His voice is triumphant, his demeanor ruthless as he watches the Daleks carry out his orders. He flicks the switch to open the doors, allowing the Daleks to enter the laboratory, and then oversees the extermination with detached satisfaction. His physical impairment—unable to rise from his chair or use both hands—does not diminish his authority; instead, it underscores his reliance on Nyder and the Daleks as extensions of his will.
- • To eliminate all dissent within the Kaled Elite and solidify his control over Skaro.
- • To demonstrate the Daleks’ absolute loyalty and efficiency as instruments of his will.
- • That the Daleks are the ultimate expression of his vision for Kaled supremacy.
- • That mercy or compromise is a sign of weakness, and only absolute power will secure his legacy.
None (emotionless, obedient, and single-minded in their execution of Davros’ orders).
The Daleks enter the laboratory at Davros’ command, their armored forms moving with eerie precision. They systematically exterminate the Kaled Elite, including Gharman and Kravos, their extermination guns emitting a piercing hum as they cut down their targets. The Daleks’ actions are emotionless and efficient, reflecting their purpose as instruments of genocide. Their obedience to Davros is absolute, but their independence is already hinted at in their ruthless execution of his orders. The massacre is a demonstration of their power and the inevitability of their dominance over Skaro.
- • To carry out Davros’ command to exterminate the Kaled Elite.
- • To assert their dominance over Skaro and eliminate all opposition.
- • That their purpose is to exterminate all inferior life forms.
- • That obedience to Davros is temporary; their true loyalty is to their own survival and dominance.
Desperate and terrified, with a sense of utter helplessness in the face of Davros’ cruelty.
Kravos, the youngest of the Kaled Elite, pleads desperately with Davros to stop the massacre. His voice trembles with fear and desperation as he begs for mercy, his hands outstretched in a futile gesture. Nyder, acting on Davros’ unspoken command, throws Kravos into the path of a Dalek gun, silencing his plea forever. Kravos’ death is a brutal reminder of the cost of dissent and the absolute power Davros wields over life and death. His final scream is cut short, leaving only the echo of his terror.
- • To appeal to Davros’ humanity and stop the massacre.
- • To survive the purge and escape the laboratory.
- • That Davros can still be reasoned with, even in this moment of triumph.
- • That the Kaled Elite deserve a chance to live, despite their differences.
Tense and deeply unsettled, with a growing sense of dread as the massacre unfolds.
Sarah stands beside the Doctor and Harry, her eyes fixed on the monitor as the Daleks carry out their extermination. She questions the prolonged nature of the event, her tension palpable as she witnesses the brutal efficiency of the Daleks. Her posture is rigid, her hands clenched, reflecting her unease and the weight of the moment. She remains alert, ready to act if an opportunity arises, but the horror unfolding before her leaves her momentarily paralyzed.
- • To understand what is happening and why Davros is allowing this to continue.
- • To find a way to stop the violence or escape the bunker before it’s too late.
- • That Davros is fully aware of the consequences of his actions and is embracing them.
- • That the Doctor’s hesitation may cost lives if he doesn’t act soon.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Doctor’s sonic screwdriver is used in a futile attempt to open the door to Davros’ office, but it fails to function as intended. This moment underscores the Doctor’s frustration and the urgency of the situation, as he is unable to intervene directly in the massacre unfolding on the monitor. The sonic screwdriver, usually a tool of precision and ingenuity, becomes a symbol of the Doctor’s helplessness in the face of Davros’ ruthless efficiency. Its failure to open the door forces the Doctor to rely on observation and moral reckoning rather than direct action.
The Dalek extermination guns are the primary instruments of the massacre in the laboratory. Their piercing hum fills the air as they cut down the Kaled Elite, including Gharman and Kravos. The guns are wielded by the Daleks with emotionless efficiency, their beams reducing the dissenters to nothing in an instant. The sound of the guns is a constant reminder of the Daleks’ power and the irreversible nature of their actions. For the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry, watching the massacre unfold on the monitor, the guns symbolize the brutal efficiency of Davros’ vision and the Daleks’ role as his instruments of terror.
The large monitor in Davros’ office serves as a window into the horror unfolding in the laboratory. The Doctor, Sarah, and Harry watch in stunned silence as the Daleks systematically exterminate the Kaled Elite, their screams and the hum of the extermination guns filling the screen. The monitor’s glow casts an eerie light on their faces, highlighting the tension and dread of the moment. For the Doctor, the monitor is a cruel reminder of the consequences of his hesitation and the moral dilemma he faces: whether to destroy the Daleks or allow them to exist, knowing the devastation they will cause.
The door control switch in Davros’ office is the mechanism that unleashes the Daleks upon the Kaled Elite. With a flick of his hand, Davros opens the doors to the laboratory, allowing the Daleks to enter and begin their extermination. The switch is a symbol of Davros’ absolute control over the situation, his ability to manipulate events with a single action. For the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry, watching from the office, the switch represents the irreversible nature of Davros’ decision and the horror that follows. Its activation marks the point of no return, the moment when the Daleks’ true nature is revealed.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The laboratory in the Kaled bunker is the site of the massacre, where the Daleks systematically exterminate the Kaled Elite at Davros’ command. The room is filled with the screams of the dying, the hum of extermination guns, and the eerie silence of the Daleks as they carry out their orders. The laboratory, once a place of scientific innovation, is now a charnel house, its walls stained with the blood of the Kaleds who dared to oppose Davros. For the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry, watching from Davros’ office, the laboratory is a symbol of the cost of Davros’ ambition and the Daleks’ unchecked power. Its transformation from a place of hope to one of horror underscores the irreversible nature of the events unfolding.
Davros’ office serves as the command center from which he orchestrates the massacre of the Kaled Elite. The Doctor, Sarah, and Harry are trapped here, forced to witness the unfolding horror on the monitor. The office is a claustrophobic space, filled with tension and the hum of the monitor, its walls closing in as the weight of Davros’ actions becomes clear. The room’s atmosphere is one of dread and helplessness, as the characters realize the extent of Davros’ control and the Daleks’ ruthless efficiency. The office becomes a symbol of the moral and ethical dilemmas facing the Doctor, as he grapples with the consequences of his actions—or inaction.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Daleks, as an organization, are the instruments of Davros’ will in this event. They enter the laboratory at his command and systematically exterminate the Kaled Elite, including Gharman and Kravos. Their actions are a demonstration of their absolute loyalty to Davros and their efficiency as weapons of genocide. However, their independence is already hinted at in their ruthless execution of his orders, foreshadowing their eventual betrayal of Davros. The massacre marks the Daleks’ transition from tools of war to autonomous genocidal forces, a turning point in their evolution as a species. For the Doctor, the Daleks’ actions are a stark reminder of the consequences of their existence and the moral dilemma he faces.
The Kaled Elite, as an organization, are the victims of Davros’ betrayal and the Daleks’ massacre. Once a ruling class of scientists and military leaders, they are now reduced to a group of dissenters and loyalists, all of whom are systematically exterminated by the Daleks. Their deaths mark the end of the Kaleds as a political force on Skaro, as Davros consolidates his power and the Daleks assert their dominance. The massacre is a brutal demonstration of the cost of dissent and the absolute power Davros wields over life and death. For the Doctor, the Kaled Elite’s demise is a reminder of the moral consequences of Davros’ actions and the irreversible nature of the events unfolding.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Davros presents the Dalek project seeking approval. His presentation is interrupted by Gharman. Davros then reveals his 'defeat' was a ruse. This is foreshadowed by Davros' dismissal of natural Kaled mutation in favor of ruthless aggression during his presentation."
"Davros presents the Dalek project seeking approval. His presentation is interrupted by Gharman. Davros then reveals his 'defeat' was a ruse. This is foreshadowed by Davros' dismissal of natural Kaled mutation in favor of ruthless aggression during his presentation."
"Davros presents the Dalek project seeking approval. His presentation is interrupted by Gharman. Davros then reveals his 'defeat' was a ruse. This is foreshadowed by Davros' dismissal of natural Kaled mutation in favor of ruthless aggression during his presentation."
"Davros presents the Dalek project seeking approval. His presentation is interrupted by Gharman. Davros then reveals his 'defeat' was a ruse. This is foreshadowed by Davros' dismissal of natural Kaled mutation in favor of ruthless aggression during his presentation."
"The Daleks begin exterminating the Kaled Elite, which leads to the Daleks independently producing themselves."
"The Daleks begin exterminating the Kaled Elite, which leads to the Daleks independently producing themselves."
"The Daleks begin exterminating the Kaled Elite, which leads to the Daleks independently producing themselves."
"The Daleks begin exterminating the Kaled Elite, which leads to the Daleks independently producing themselves."
"The Daleks begin exterminating the Kaled Elite, which leads to the Daleks independently producing themselves."
"The Daleks begin exterminating the Kaled Elite, which leads to the Daleks independently producing themselves."
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"GHARMAN: *Why don't you just accept the fact that you have lost. It's over for you, Davros.* DAVROS: *Do you believe that I would let a lifetime's work be ended by the will of spineless fools like you? You have won nothing. I allowed this charade to be played out for one reason only. To find those men who were truly loyal to me and to discover those who would betray me!*"
"KRAVOS: *Stop this, Davos. You must stop them!* [Nyder throws Kravos into the path of a Dalek gun. He dies with a scream.]"
"DAVROS: *Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!*"