Temmosus challenges Alydon’s trust in Susan
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Temmosus voices hope for exchanging ideas with the Daleks, but then questions Alydon's trust in the newcomers; Alydon trusts Susan but Temmosus is hesitant, inquiring about Susan's age and gender, leading to rising tension, particularly with Dyoni's subtle jealousy over Alydon's interactions with Susan.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Defensive yet resolute, masking deep frustration with the Thals’ internal divisions and the desperation of their situation.
Alydon arrives at the TARDIS site and immediately defends his trust in Susan, outlining his plan for her to negotiate with the Daleks. He expresses frustration at Temmosus’ skepticism and Dyoni’s jealousy, emphasizing the urgency of the Thals’ survival. His determination clashes with Temmosus’ caution, revealing his idealism and the high stakes of his gamble on Susan’s reliability.
- • To secure food for the Thals by trusting Susan to negotiate with the Daleks.
- • To unite the Thals behind his plan despite their skepticism.
- • Susan is trustworthy and capable of negotiating with the Daleks.
- • The Thals’ survival depends on taking risks and forming alliances, even with outsiders.
Unseen but implied to be calculating and dominant, exploiting the Thals’ desperation.
The Daleks are discussed as a potential ally or threat, with Ganatus and Temmosus debating their possible nature (warriors, teachers, philosophers) and current intentions. Their mention looms as an ominous presence, shaping the Thals’ decisions and exposing their fear of manipulation. Though physically absent, their influence is palpable in the Thals’ cautious and divided responses.
- • To control the Thals through deception or force.
- • To secure the anti-radiation drugs for their own survival.
- • Outsiders (Thals and prisoners) are inferior and can be exploited.
- • Trust is a weakness to be manipulated.
Unseen but implied to be determined (to help the Thals) and anxious (as a prisoner of the Daleks).
Susan is mentioned as a young prisoner who Alydon trusts to negotiate with the Daleks for food. Her name ('Susan') is proposed as a verification tool for the Thals to confirm the authenticity of any message sent from the Daleks. Though physically absent, her role as a potential bridge between the Thals and the Daleks is central to the Thals' survival strategy, and her absence creates tension about whether she can be trusted or if she is being manipulated by the Daleks.
- • To secure food for the Thals by negotiating with the Daleks.
- • To prove her trustworthiness to the Thals through a signed message.
- • The Daleks may be open to negotiation if approached carefully.
- • Her name can serve as proof of her identity and the message's authenticity.
Cautiously authoritative, masking concern about the Thals’ fragile unity and the high stakes of their survival.
Temmosus leads the Thals with cautious pragmatism, questioning Alydon’s trust in Susan and the prisoners. He exposes the Thals’ internal divisions, particularly Dyoni’s unspoken jealousy, and emphasizes the need for verification before trusting any message from the Daleks. His leadership style balances Alydon’s idealism with the group’s survival instincts, creating tension between hope and skepticism.
- • To ensure the Thals do not blindly trust Susan or the Daleks without verification.
- • To maintain the group’s cohesion and survival through careful decision-making.
- • Trust must be earned, not given freely, especially in desperate situations.
- • The Daleks are likely hostile and cannot be trusted without proof.
Jealous and embarrassed, masking deeper insecurity about her place in the group and Alydon’s affections.
Dyoni remains largely silent during the discussion but subtly expresses jealousy over Alydon’s attention to Susan. She stalks off when Temmosus teases her about her feelings, revealing her unspoken emotional conflict. Her reserved demeanor contrasts with the group’s urgent debates, highlighting the personal stakes beneath the Thals’ survival struggles.
- • To suppress her jealousy and maintain her composure in front of the group.
- • To avoid drawing attention to her personal feelings amid the Thals’ survival crisis.
- • Alydon’s focus on Susan is a threat to her personal connection with him.
- • The Thals’ survival is more important than her personal emotions.
Cautiously amused, masking underlying anxiety about the Thals’ precarious situation.
Ganatus arrives with the Thals and reports the rough path to the TARDIS site. He voices suspicion about the Daleks’ intentions, subtly mocks Dyoni’s jealousy, and participates in the debate about trusting outsiders. His pragmatic humor lightens the tension but underscores the Thals’ deep-seated distrust of the Daleks and each other.
- • To ensure the Thals do not blindly trust the Daleks or outsiders like Susan.
- • To maintain group cohesion through humor and pragmatism.
- • The Daleks are likely hostile and cannot be trusted without proof.
- • The Thals’ survival depends on careful, skeptical decision-making.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The TARDIS is described as the 'weird object' in which the strangers (Susan and her companions) arrived. It serves as a symbolic focal point for the Thals’ curiosity and suspicion, representing the unknown and the potential for alliance or conflict. Temmosus’ question about the TARDIS (‘And these others, they arrived here in this weird object?’) highlights its role as a mystery that could either save or endanger the Thals.
The Thal anti-radiation serum is referenced as a critical bargaining tool that Alydon gave to Susan to take back to the Daleks. Its mention underscores the high stakes of the Thals’ survival and the Daleks’ desperation for the drug. The serum symbolizes both the Thals’ vulnerability (as they rely on it for survival) and their leverage in negotiating with the Daleks, who seek to replicate its formula.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The jungle outside the TARDIS serves as the neutral meeting ground where the Thals gather to debate their next steps. Its oppressive silence and rough terrain mirror the Thals’ desperation and the high stakes of their survival. The location symbolizes both a refuge and a battleground, where the Thals must decide whether to trust outsiders like Susan or risk starvation. The TARDIS, standing as a mysterious object in the jungle, adds to the tension and uncertainty of the Thals’ situation.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Thals are represented through their leaders (Temmosus, Alydon) and members (Ganatus, Dyoni), who debate the risks and potential benefits of trusting Susan and the prisoners. Their organization is fractured by internal divisions—Alydon’s idealism clashes with Temmosus’ caution, while Dyoni’s jealousy adds personal tension. The Thals’ survival depends on their ability to unite despite these conflicts, as they weigh the Daleks’ potential hostility against their desperate need for food.
The Daleks are discussed as a potential ally or threat, with their past as teachers and philosophers contrasted with their current role as suspected warriors. The Thals’ debate about the Daleks’ intentions reveals the organization’s manipulative and xenophobic nature, as they are implied to view outsiders as inferior and exploitable. Though physically absent, the Daleks’ influence looms over the Thals’ decisions, shaping their fear and desperation.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Susan's intent to help the Thals due to their food shortage is directly linked to Alydon and Temmosus planning how they will know if a message from Susan is actually genuine."
Susan Defends Thal Alliance to Barbara"Susan's intent to help the Thals due to their food shortage is directly linked to Alydon and Temmosus planning how they will know if a message from Susan is actually genuine."
Doctor’s Urgency Collides with Captivity"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."
Susan defies Dalek control over Thal message"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."
Daleks expose human emotional bonds"Barbara's question about the Daleks' view of the Thals as mutations echoes in Temmosus's questioning of Alydon's trust in the newcomers. Both scenarios highlight the theme of prejudice and distrust between different groups."
Susan Defends Thal Alliance to Barbara"Barbara's question about the Daleks' view of the Thals as mutations echoes in Temmosus's questioning of Alydon's trust in the newcomers. Both scenarios highlight the theme of prejudice and distrust between different groups."
Doctor’s Urgency Collides with Captivity"Temmosus reveals they came due to the craft, confirming the city's inhabitation. Ganatus arrives with a message discovered by the city gates and they are both led to believe that the Daleks intend to help the Thals, which provides a renewed hope for the Thals' future because of the message."
Thals debate Dalek offer and future"Temmosus reveals they came due to the craft, confirming the city's inhabitation. Ganatus arrives with a message discovered by the city gates and they are both led to believe that the Daleks intend to help the Thals, which provides a renewed hope for the Thals' future because of the message."
Susan’s message revives Thal hopeKey Dialogue
"TEMMOSUS: I wonder what they'll be like. How they'll be disposed towards us."
"ALYDON: I have only spoken with the young girl, but if the others are anything like her, I would trust them absolutely."
"TEMMOSUS: I hope you're not too generous in your beliefs. What do you say, Dyoni?"
"DYONI: I have no opinions in the matter."
"ALYDON: If we don't find a new food supply for next year, we're finished. Doesn't she understand that? We're all working towards the same end."
"TEMMOSUS: But don't you realise that Dyoni sees her personal future in you."
"TEMMOSUS: But how shall we know that it is not a trick?"
"ALYDON: Well, she told me her name— Susan. And that is how the message is to be signed. Otherwise, we shall know the Daleks are hostile to us."