Sezom betrays then is killed saving Romana

Sezom lures the Nimons to sacrifice himself so Romana can escape in the capsule. Though he begs her to flee, Romana tries to pull him inside but he insists she carry his warning to Skonnos. Within moments of pushing her to safety, Sezom kills another Nimon before they cut him down. His final act turns Romana’s grief to resolve to honor his sacrifice by completing their mission. key_dialogue: [ SEZOM: I, I'm done for. ROMANA: Come with me. SEZOM: No, it's too late for me. ]

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Sezom alerts the Nimon guard about the invasion, and Romana prepares to take action.

calm to urgency ['transmat area']

Romana and Sezom deal with the Nimons, Sezom gets killed, and Romana takes charge.

urgency to desperation ['transmat area']

Romana tries to save Sezom and urges him to escape, but he sacrifices himself.

desperation to determination ['transmat area']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3

Tormented by indecision yet ultimately resolved to honor Sezom's sacrifice by completing the mission

Romana initially holds position in hiding before springing into lethal motion, targeting every Nimon that threatens Sezom or the capsule, then grappling with the choice to save or flee before finally obeying Sezom’s wishes.

Goals in this moment
  • Protect Sezom and allow him to complete his ruse
  • Escape in the capsule and deliver Sezom’s warning
Active beliefs
  • Holds life precious above her own instinct to flee
  • Trusts Sezom’s knowledge of the Nimons’ hierarchy
Character traits
loyal resolute grief-stricken
Follow Romana's journey
Sezom
primary

Resigned to his fate yet determined to fulfill his mission through Romana

Lying vulnerably, Sezom goads the Nimons into attacking by shouting false alarms, then rolls aside as a blast sears the air, before finally falling to a Nimon’s blast after protecting Romana’s escape.

Goals in this moment
  • Distract the Nimons long enough for Romana to reach and board the capsule
  • Ensure Romana conveys the warning to Skonnos and the wider universe
Active beliefs
  • Accepts death as atonement for Crinoth’s fall
  • Believes in a greater cause worth surrendering everything for
Character traits
self-sacrificing resolved exhausted
Follow Sezom's journey
Supporting 1
Nimon
secondary

Indifferent to individual suffering, driven by the singular directive of guarding the capsule and eliminating perceived threats

The Nimon remains on guard at the capsule until Sezom’s baiting calls it back, then attacks Sezom when he rolls aside and again when Sezom’s body lies prone, only to be shot down by Romana.

Goals in this moment
  • Protect the launched capsule from intrusion
  • Eliminate Sezom and any companions
Active beliefs
  • The weak exist to serve its supremacy
  • Violence is the only validated communication with others
Character traits
predatory obedient to hierarchy relentless
Follow Nimon's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Sezom's Modified Jasonite Staff (with Diamond Focus Crystal)

Sezom seizes the moment to hand the modified Jasonite staff to Romana, transferring both tool and responsibility as he begins his vocal ruse; it later crackles with lethal energy when Romana deploys it.

Before: In Sezom’s possession, gnarled and cracked, stored energy …
After: Romana grips the charged weapon, striking two Nimons …
Before: In Sezom’s possession, gnarled and cracked, stored energy glowing faintly via embedded Jasonite crystals
After: Romana grips the charged weapon, striking two Nimons with its beam before boarding the capsule
Romana's Space Capsule

The capsule’s emergency hatch stands ajar after Romana’s hasty escape plan; its angular hull becomes the focal point of both retreat and last-minute bidding between the elderly Crinoth elder and the Time Lady.

Before: Stationary beside the Nimon guard, entry hatch slightly …
After: Retreats on automatic guidance as Romana seals herself …
Before: Stationary beside the Nimon guard, entry hatch slightly ajar from previous hasty exit
After: Retreats on automatic guidance as Romana seals herself inside, hurtling toward an uncertain trajectory

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Crinoth Transmat Area

The vast metal chamber reverberates with Sezom’s fabricated alarms and the sharp blasts of Nimon weaponry, forcing figures behind ducts and cover; its narrow transmat tunnels narrow escape options while allowing deadly surprises.

Atmosphere Pressured and stifling, punctuated by sudden flashes and echoes of gunfire in a once sterile …
Function Open battleground laced with choke points that dictates both confrontation and desperate flight
Symbolism Echoes Crinoth’s architectural grandeur now reduced to a deadly maze of power and isolation
Access No formal restrictions but inherently dangerous due to heavy Nimon presence
Sterile metallic walls lined with silver transmat tunnels Residual energy hums and flickers in the air

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 2

"Sezom's sacrificial act for Romana echoes his earlier confession of guilt over Crinoth's destruction. Both beats highlight the tragic cost of the Nimons' invasion and the burden of responsibility carried by allies of the Doctor."

Sezom confesses his role in Crinoth’s fall
S17E20 · The Horns of Nimon Part …

"Sezom's sacrificial act for Romana echoes his earlier confession of guilt over Crinoth's destruction. Both beats highlight the tragic cost of the Nimons' invasion and the burden of responsibility carried by allies of the Doctor."

Sezom falls dying after saving Romana
S17E20 · The Horns of Nimon Part …

Themes This Exemplifies

Thematic resonance and meaning

Part of Larger Arcs