Doctor Who
S6E41
· The War Games Part 7

War Chief abandons Smythe to mission

In a tense, high-stakes exchange, Smythe—cornered by the resistance and desperate for survival—pleads with the War Chief for reinforcements, his voice cracking with urgency. The War Chief, however, remains coldly detached, prioritizing the strategic imperative of deactivating the area control over saving Smythe. This ruthless dismissal underscores the War Chief’s single-minded devotion to the war game’s objectives, even at the cost of a subordinate’s life. The moment escalates the Doctor’s team’s peril, as Smythe’s abandonment leaves him vulnerable to the resistance’s attack, while also deepening the moral stakes of the conflict. The War Chief’s decision reveals the alien operators’ callous disregard for individual lives, framing them as relentless, inhuman forces in the simulation’s brutal hierarchy. The exchange also foreshadows Smythe’s imminent demise, as his failure to secure help seals his fate in the resistance’s assault.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Smythe, under attack by the resistance, urgently requests help from the War Chief, who is more concerned with the processing machine and mentions the preparation of new master circuit rods.

panic to frustration

Ignoring Smythe's pleas, the War Chief commands him to deactivate the area control, prioritizing strategic objectives over immediate defense.

desperation to resignation

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
General Smythe (War Lords' Alien Controller)
General
 primary

Desperate and fearful, with a sense of abandonment and impending doom as his pleas for help are ignored.

Smythe is cornered and under attack by the resistance, his voice cracking with desperation as he pleads for reinforcements from the War Chief. He emphasizes the immediate threat and his inability to recover the machine or deactivate the area control, revealing his vulnerability and fear. His pleas go unanswered, leaving him abandoned and doomed to face the resistance’s assault alone.

Goals in this moment
  • • Secure reinforcements from the War Chief to survive the resistance’s attack.
  • • Convince the War Chief of the urgency of his situation and the need for immediate assistance.
Active beliefs
  • • The War Chief has the power and authority to save him if he can just make him understand the severity of the situation.
  • • His loyalty to the war games and his superiors should be rewarded with protection, not abandonment.
Character traits
Desperate Vulnerable Pleading Fearful Frustrated
Follow General Smythe …'s journey
War Chief
primary

Coldly detached, with a focus on operational efficiency over personal loyalty or survival.

The War Chief appears on a monitor, his voice calm and detached as he responds to Smythe’s desperate pleas. He prioritizes the strategic needs of the war games over Smythe’s survival, focusing on the preparation of new master circuit rods and the deactivation of the area control. His cold demeanor and lack of empathy highlight his ruthless commitment to the war games’ objectives, even at the expense of his subordinates.

Goals in this moment
  • • Ensure the smooth operation of the war games by prioritizing the preparation of new master circuit rods for the travel machines.
  • • Maintain control over the war games by deactivating the area control, regardless of the consequences for Smythe.
Active beliefs
  • • The success of the war games is more important than the lives of individual subordinates.
  • • Smythe’s failure to recover the machine is a sign of weakness and incompetence, warranting abandonment.
Character traits
Ruthless Detached Strategic Authoritative Unempathetic
Follow War Chief's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

3
Critical War Games Machine

The Critical War Games Machine is referenced indirectly in Smythe’s plea to the War Chief, as he admits he hasn’t had a chance to recover it due to the resistance’s attack. Its absence and the War Chief’s focus on other priorities highlight its importance as a critical component of the war games, one that Smythe failed to secure. The machine’s status as unrecovered underscores the chaos and desperation of the moment, as Smythe’s inability to fulfill his duties leaves him vulnerable and abandoned.

Before: Unrecovered and in the possession of the resistance …
After: Still unrecovered, as the War Chief’s priorities shift …
Before: Unrecovered and in the possession of the resistance or another unknown party, given Smythe’s admission that he hasn’t had a chance to retrieve it.
After: Still unrecovered, as the War Chief’s priorities shift to deactivating the area control and preparing new master circuit rods, leaving Smythe without the resources or time to secure it.
Sidrat Master Circuit Rods

The new master circuit rods are mentioned by the War Chief as being prepared for the travel machines. Their preparation is prioritized over sending reinforcements to Smythe, highlighting their critical role in maintaining the war games’ operations. The rods symbolize the War Chief’s focus on restoring and securing the infrastructure of the simulation, even at the cost of abandoning a subordinate in a life-or-death situation.

Before: In the process of being prepared, as indicated …
After: Likely completed and installed, given the War Chief’s …
Before: In the process of being prepared, as indicated by the War Chief’s statement.
After: Likely completed and installed, given the War Chief’s emphasis on their preparation as a priority over Smythe’s survival.
Smythe's Area Control System

The area control is directly referenced by the War Chief, who orders Smythe to deactivate it. This command underscores the War Chief’s strategic priorities and his willingness to sacrifice Smythe to achieve his goals. The area control’s deactivation is framed as a critical step in maintaining control over the war games, even as it leaves Smythe defenseless against the resistance’s assault. Its role as a strategic tool highlights the ruthless efficiency of the war games’ operators.

Before: Active and operational, as Smythe has not yet …
After: Deactivated, as ordered by the War Chief, likely …
Before: Active and operational, as Smythe has not yet deactivated it due to the resistance’s attack.
After: Deactivated, as ordered by the War Chief, likely to prevent further disruption or to secure the area from the resistance’s influence.

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
British Resistance (Russell's Guerrilla Faction)

The Resistance is indirectly but critically involved in this event, as their attack on Smythe’s position forces him into a desperate plea for reinforcements. Their assault creates the immediate threat that drives the tension of the scene, highlighting the resistance’s growing power and the fragility of the war games’ operators. The resistance’s actions also expose the callousness of the War Chief, who prioritizes strategic objectives over the survival of his subordinates, even in the face of such a direct threat.

Representation Via their physical assault on Smythe’s position, creating the immediate threat that drives the scene’s …
Power Dynamics Challenging the authority and control of the war games’ operators, as their attack forces Smythe …
Impact The resistance’s actions highlight the growing instability of the war games’ operations and the potential …
Internal Dynamics The resistance’s coordinated attack suggests a growing organization with the capability to challenge the war …
Disrupt the operations of the war games by targeting key personnel and command posts. Force the war games’ operators to divert resources and attention, creating opportunities for further attacks and sabotage. Direct physical assault on command posts and personnel, creating immediate threats and vulnerabilities. Disruption of communication and coordination within the war games’ command structure, as seen in Smythe’s inability to secure reinforcements.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph

Key Dialogue

"SMYTHE: It's the resistance. They're attacking in force. You must send help!"
"WAR CHIEF [ON MONITOR]: Did you recover the machine?"
"SMYTHE: I haven't had a chance. You must send help now!"
"WAR CHIEF [ON MONITOR]: Smythe, deactivate the area control."