Fabula
S11E23 · Planet of the Spiders Part 3

Lupton begins forbidden Metebelis ritual

Lupton arrives in the cellar carrying a cushion and the Metebelis mandala, immediately positioning himself for a dangerous occult ceremony. Sarah watches concealed from his line of sight as he settles on the cushion and begins chanting the mantra Om mani padme hum repeatedly. The ritual marks the point of no return as Lupton seeks to harness the crystal’s power regardless of the cosmic consequences, drawing on the alien forces he has foolishly courted. His determination goes beyond ambition—it is a surrender to forces he cannot control, setting in motion Sarah’s inevitable discovery and the Doctor’s delayed confrontation with altered reality.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Lupton begins his ritual, chanting 'Om mani padme hum. Om mani padme hum.' as he sits on a cushion with the mandala in front of him. Sarah hides, observing him.

calm to anticipation ['cellar']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2

Calmly fanatical, suppressing any doubt to fully surrender to the ritual’s escalating power.

Lupton enters the cellar with deliberate quiet, places the mandala and cushion on the floor, then assumes a seated position. His chant builds steadily with each repetition of the mantra, his spine straight and eyes downcast, lost in the rhythm of invocation.

Goals in this moment
  • To successfully complete the Metebelis ritual
  • To prove mastery over the crystal’s alien energies
Active beliefs
  • The mantra holds sufficient power to channel the crystal's energy
  • That risk is justified by the potential transcendence the ritual promises
Character traits
determined committed obsessive
Follow Victor Lupton's journey
Supporting 1

Tense but resolute, suppressing her urgency to act until the right moment.

Sarah hides among the shadows of the rough-hewn cellar, remaining motionless as Lupton unknowingly passes her position. She observes the placement of objects and the onset of chanting with quiet intensity, her breath controlled and eyes fixed.

Goals in this moment
  • To understand Lupton’s intentions and the nature of the ritual
  • To avoid detection while gathering information
Active beliefs
  • That Lupton’s actions are connected to the wider threat of the Spiders
  • That intervention may soon become necessary
Character traits
observant cautious patient
Follow Sarah Jane …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Doctor's Cellar Occult Cushion

Lupton carries in the ritual cushion and places it on the cellar floor, kneeling upon it as he begins the chant. The cushion stabilizes his posture during the sustained mantra, grounding him physically while the cosmic weight of the ritual grows heavier.

Before: Stored away, undisturbed beneath the Spiritual Retreat or …
After: Slightly compressed from Lupton’s weight, now positioned at …
Before: Stored away, undisturbed beneath the Spiritual Retreat or brought specifically for this moment.
After: Slightly compressed from Lupton’s weight, now positioned at the center of the ritual space marked by the mandala.
Spiritual Retreat Mandala (Metebelis Mandala)

Lupton lays out the Metebelis mandala on the floor, where the concentric rings of stone and silver begin to pulse faintly with blue light when energized by his chant. The mandala serves as the conduit for alien forces, channeling their power toward Lupton’s bidding.

Before: Unlit and immobile, waiting beneath the cellar’s neglected …
After: Activated by Lupton’s chanting, its surface emitting a …
Before: Unlit and immobile, waiting beneath the cellar’s neglected chamber.
After: Activated by Lupton’s chanting, its surface emitting a growing blue luminescence that intensifies with each repetition.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Spiritual Retreat Cellar

The cellar functions as a hidden ritual chamber, its low ceiling and damp air amplifying the unnatural hum of the rising mandala’s energy. Cracked tiles and ancient residues of past rites serve as silent witnesses to Lupton’s forbidden act.

Atmosphere Heavy with foreboding and the scent of decay, lit only by an eerie blue radiance …
Function Concealed sanctuary for occult preparation and invocation
Symbolism Represents the interface between human ambition and incomprehensible cosmic forces.
Access Restricted to those initiated in Lupton’s purposes
Sickly blue pulse from the Metebelis mandala Close quarters with rough stone walls and stale damp air

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 4

"Tommy revealing he has the crystal (beat_43fd640d53ddee92) leads Lupton to prepare for a ritual with the mandala in the cellar (beat_ec24d70f4379421b), as he sees an opportunity to regain control."

Sarah follows Tommy to hidden cupboard
S11E23 · Planet of the Spiders Part …

"Tommy revealing he has the crystal (beat_43fd640d53ddee92) leads Lupton to prepare for a ritual with the mandala in the cellar (beat_ec24d70f4379421b), as he sees an opportunity to regain control."

Sarah tasks Tommy with warning Mike Yates
S11E23 · Planet of the Spiders Part …

"Tommy revealing he has the crystal (beat_43fd640d53ddee92) leads Lupton to prepare for a ritual with the mandala in the cellar (beat_ec24d70f4379421b), as he sees an opportunity to regain control."

Lupton bluffs to control the cellar ritual
S11E23 · Planet of the Spiders Part …

"Tommy revealing he has the crystal (beat_43fd640d53ddee92) leads Lupton to prepare for a ritual with the mandala in the cellar (beat_ec24d70f4379421b), as he sees an opportunity to regain control."

Tommy reveals the crystal to Lupton
S11E23 · Planet of the Spiders Part …
What this causes 1

"Lupton beginning his ritual chanting in the cellar (beat_ec24d70f4379421b) directly leads to him vanishing after glowing blue (beat_f867b25d94de0247), as the ritual triggers a dimensional shift."

Crystal wreath drives Lupton's vanishing
S11E23 · Planet of the Spiders Part …

Key Dialogue

"LUPTON: Om mani padme hum. Om mani padme hum."