Fabula
S7E21 · Inferno Part 3

Doctor outmaneuvers Bromley in storage tank

The Doctor evades pursuit by Benton 2 and Latimer 2 after abandoning Bessie, scaling a storage tank to escape armed soldiers. At the summit, he encounters a hostile green Bromley—a transformed version of a familiar face—and disables the creature using a CO2 fire extinguisher, demonstrating his resourcefulness in this dystopian parallel world. The confrontation underscores the Doctor’s isolation, as even allies are now threats, and reveals the physical mutations plaguing this reality. His quick thinking buys time, but the encounter also highlights the escalating danger of his situation, as soldiers below mistake another figure for him, creating a critical misdirection. The Doctor’s desperation grows as he realizes the depth of the world’s corruption, where trust is nonexistent and survival depends on outsmarting both enemies and the environment itself.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Benton 2 and Latimer 2 pursue the Doctor as he flees on foot into the storage tank area, where he encounters and subdues a green Bromley with a CO2 fire extinguisher.

Tension to brief relief ['storage tank area']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

6

Coldly authoritative, masking any recognition or empathy beneath a veneer of institutional duty. Her emotional state is one of rigid control, prioritizing regime protocol over personal connection.

Liz Shaw, now a stern and unrecognizing figure in a brown RSF uniform, draws a pistol on the Doctor after he pleads for recognition. She blows a whistle to summon soldiers, orders his capture with cold authority ('Take him away'), and refers to herself as 'Leader,' signaling her elevated status in this militarized regime. Her actions reveal a world where trust is nonexistent, and her former ally is now a target.

Goals in this moment
  • Capture the Doctor as a suspected saboteur to uphold RSF security protocols.
  • Assert her authority as 'Leader' in the parallel world, reinforcing the regime's control.
Active beliefs
  • The Doctor is a threat to the drilling project and must be detained.
  • Her role as RSF Leader requires absolute loyalty to the regime, even if it means turning against former allies.
Character traits
Authoritative Unrecognizing (of the Doctor) Militarized (RSF uniform, whistle, pistol) Stern and unyielding Distrustful of outsiders
Follow Elizabeth Shaw …'s journey

A mix of desperation, shock, and indignation. The Doctor’s emotional state oscillates between disbelief ('Have you all gone mad?') and frustration ('Liz, this is ridiculous!'), revealing his struggle to reconcile this world with his memories of his allies.

The Doctor, desperate and resourceful, abandons Bessie and scales a storage tank to evade soldiers. He encounters a mutated Bromley, disables him with a CO2 extinguisher, and climbs higher—only to be mistaken for a saboteur by Liz Shaw. His pleas ('Liz, it's me!') reveal his shock at her transformation, while his final exclamation ('Liz, this is ridiculous!') underscores his disbelief in this hostile world.

Goals in this moment
  • Escape capture by soldiers to survive and uncover the truth about the drilling project.
  • Convince Liz Shaw of his identity to regain an ally in this hostile world.
Active beliefs
  • This parallel world is a corrupted version of his own, where his allies are enemies.
  • The drilling project is the source of the mutations and the regime's brutality.
Character traits
Resourceful (uses CO2 extinguisher as weapon) Desperate (fleeing armed soldiers) Shocked (by Liz's hostility) Pleading (for recognition) Quick-thinking (improvised escape tactics)
Follow The Third …'s journey
Supporting 4

Coldly dutiful, with no hesitation in carrying out orders. His emotional state is one of rigid adherence to the regime’s protocols, devoid of personal conflict or empathy.

Benton 2, a soldier in the parallel world, pursues the Doctor on foot after he abandons Bessie. He searches the storage tank area, follows Liz Shaw’s orders to capture the Doctor, and responds with obedience ('Yes, Leader'). His actions reflect the regime’s disciplined brutality, where orders are followed without question.

Goals in this moment
  • Capture the Doctor to uphold RSF security and prevent sabotage.
  • Follow Liz Shaw’s commands without question, reinforcing the chain of command.
Active beliefs
  • The Doctor is a dangerous saboteur who must be detained.
  • Loyalty to the RSF and its leaders is absolute.
Character traits
Obedient (to Liz Shaw’s orders) Hostile (pursuing the Doctor as a saboteur) Disciplined (military precision)
Follow Benton (RSF …'s journey

Feral and aggressive, driven by the mutation’s influence. His emotional state is reduced to primal hostility, with no recognition of the Doctor or his past self.

Green-skinned Bromley snarls at the Doctor from the storage tank, his mutation rendering him hostile. The Doctor disables him with a CO2 extinguisher, dropping him instantly. Bromley’s presence symbolizes the physical and moral decay of this world, where even familiar faces are twisted into threats.

Goals in this moment
  • Attack the Doctor as an intruder (implied by snarling and physical threat).
  • Defend the storage tank area (as part of the regime’s security).
Active beliefs
  • The Doctor is an enemy to be eliminated (due to mutation-induced aggression).
  • This world’s rules prioritize violence over reason.
Character traits
Hostile (snarling, aggressive) Mutated (green-skinned, feral) Physical threat (requires disabling)
Follow Latimer's journey

Focused and determined, driven by the need to capture the saboteur. His emotional state is one of single-minded pursuit, with no room for hesitation.

A soldier jumps onto Bessie while the Doctor is driving, clinging to the car before being thrown off into a pile of hay. His aggressive pursuit continues on foot, searching the storage tank area with Benton 2 and Latimer 2. His actions reflect the regime’s relentless hunt for the Doctor, using both vehicles and foot chases.

Goals in this moment
  • Capture the Doctor to prevent sabotage of the drilling project.
  • Support the RSF’s security operations.
Active beliefs
  • The Doctor is a direct threat to the regime’s stability.
  • Violence is justified to maintain control.
Character traits
Aggressive (jumps onto Bessie, pursues on foot) Determined (relentless in the chase) Tactical (coordinates with other soldiers)
Follow UNIT Research …'s journey

Adrenaline-driven and focused on the mission. His emotional state is one of heightened alertness, prioritizing the elimination of threats over precision.

An unnamed soldier fires at a figure on the storage tank, mistaking it for the Doctor. His actions contribute to the chaotic pursuit, highlighting the regime’s reflexive violence. His presence underscores the danger of being caught in the crossfire of this militarized world.

Goals in this moment
  • Eliminate the perceived saboteur (the Doctor or a mistaken figure).
  • Support Benton 2 and Latimer 2 in the pursuit.
Active beliefs
  • Any intruder must be stopped by force.
  • The regime’s security is paramount.
Character traits
Aggressive (fires without hesitation) Disciplined (follows orders to shoot) Mistaken (fires at the wrong target)
Follow Unidentified RSF …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

5
Bessie

Bessie, the Doctor’s yellow vintage roadster, serves as his initial escape vehicle but becomes a liability when soldiers pursue him. He abandons it after a soldier jumps onto the car, forcing him to flee on foot. Bessie’s reversal (facing the exit) foreshadows the Doctor’s eventual abandonment, symbolizing his loss of control in this hostile world.

Before: Parked facing the exit in the parallel workshop, …
After: Abandoned near the timbered buildings, with a soldier …
Before: Parked facing the exit in the parallel workshop, reversed from its usual inward position. Functional and ready for escape.
After: Abandoned near the timbered buildings, with a soldier thrown off into a pile of hay. No longer a viable escape route.
Doctor's CO2 Extinguisher

The CO2 fire extinguisher is repurposed by the Doctor as a weapon against the mutated Bromley. He blasts freezing gas directly at Bromley, disabling him instantly. This improvised tool highlights the Doctor’s resourcefulness in a world where even allies are threats, and it buys him critical seconds to climb higher and evade capture. The extinguisher’s functional role shifts from safety to survival, mirroring the moral ambiguity of this dystopian reality.

Before: Mounted on the storage tank, unused and part …
After: Used to disable Bromley, now empty or depleted. …
Before: Mounted on the storage tank, unused and part of standard safety equipment.
After: Used to disable Bromley, now empty or depleted. Left on the tank’s summit as the Doctor flees.
Liz Shaw's Whistle

Liz Shaw’s whistle is blown sharply to summon Benton 2 and Latimer 2, turning the pursuit into a coordinated capture. The whistle’s shrill sound cuts through the chaos, acting as a command tool that amplifies the regime’s control. Its use marks the transition from individual pursuit to institutional action, where the Doctor’s fate is sealed by the collective force of the RSF. The whistle’s role is purely functional: it enforces hierarchy and ensures obedience, stripping the Doctor of any chance to reason with Liz.

Before: Attached to Liz Shaw’s uniform, unused but part …
After: Blown to summon soldiers, now silent but effective …
Before: Attached to Liz Shaw’s uniform, unused but part of her authority symbols.
After: Blown to summon soldiers, now silent but effective in escalating the threat.
Shaw's Pistol

Liz Shaw’s pistol is drawn and leveled at the Doctor, symbolizing the regime’s authority and her transformation into an enemy. The weapon serves as a physical manifestation of the parallel world’s hostility, forcing the Doctor to confront the irreversible change in his allies. Its presence underscores the stakes: in this world, recognition means nothing, and trust is a liability. The pistol’s threat is both immediate (capture) and existential (the erosion of his identity).

Before: Holstered on Liz Shaw’s uniform, unused but readily …
After: Drawn and pointed at the Doctor, reinforcing her …
Before: Holstered on Liz Shaw’s uniform, unused but readily accessible.
After: Drawn and pointed at the Doctor, reinforcing her role as an antagonist. Not fired, but its threat lingers.
Timbered Buildings

The storage tank becomes a battleground where the Doctor climbs to evade soldiers, only to confront mutated Bromley and Wyatt. Its height provides temporary refuge but also traps him, as soldiers below mistake another figure for him. The tank’s industrial design—cold metal, echoing footsteps—amplifies the isolation and danger of the Doctor’s situation, while its summit serves as a symbolic threshold between escape and capture.

Before: Towering and accessible, with a ladder and walkway. …
After: Scene of confrontation, with Bromley disabled by the …
Before: Towering and accessible, with a ladder and walkway. Unoccupied but part of the regime’s secured complex.
After: Scene of confrontation, with Bromley disabled by the Doctor. Soldiers below fire at mistaken targets, creating chaos.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Research Complex Grounds

The research complex’s exterior serves as a chaotic battleground where the Doctor’s evasion unfolds. Hay bales, timbered buildings, and storage tanks create a labyrinth of obstacles and hiding spots, while soldiers’ shouts and gunfire amplify the tension. The complex’s industrial aesthetic—cold metal, weathered wood, scattered debris—reflects the parallel world’s decay, where science and militarization have eroded humanity. The Doctor’s desperate flight through this space mirrors his psychological unraveling as he grapples with the loss of his allies and the regime’s brutality.

Atmosphere Chaotic and oppressive, with the scent of hay, gunpowder, and industrial grime. The air is …
Function Primary battleground and escape zone, where the Doctor’s survival depends on outmaneuvering pursuers and improvising …
Symbolism Represents the parallel world’s corruption, where even familiar places (like the research complex) have become …
Access Heavily guarded by RSF soldiers; restricted to authorized personnel. The Doctor is an intruder, and …
Scattered hay bales and timbered buildings provide makeshift cover. Gunfire echoes off metal storage tanks, creating disorienting noise. Dim lighting casts long shadows, hiding pursuers and obstacles.
Storage Area (Research Complex)

The storage tank area becomes a vertical battleground where the Doctor climbs to evade soldiers, only to confront mutated figures like Bromley and Wyatt. The towering tanks and catwalks create a disorienting, industrial maze, where the Doctor’s agility is tested against the regime’s firepower. The height of the tanks amplifies the isolation and danger, as soldiers below fire blindly, mistaking targets. The clanging metal and echoing shouts reinforce the regime’s mechanical brutality, where even the environment is an extension of its control.

Atmosphere Cold, echoing, and precarious. The metal walkways groan underfoot, and the wind carries the distant …
Function Escape route and confrontation zone, where the Doctor’s survival depends on climbing higher while soldiers …
Symbolism Symbolizes the parallel world’s moral and physical heights—where the Doctor is literally and metaphorically climbing …
Access Restricted to authorized personnel; the Doctor is an intruder. Soldiers patrol the base, and the …
Narrow catwalks and ladders require careful footing. Echoing metal amplifies shouts and gunfire, disorienting the Doctor. Dim light from overhead fixtures casts stark shadows.

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
Research Security Force (RSF)

The Research Security Force (RSF) manifests in this event through Liz Shaw’s authority, Benton 2 and Latimer 2’s pursuit, and the unnamed soldiers’ aggressive tactics. The RSF’s power is exercised through institutional protocol—whistles, pistols, and coordinated chases—that strip the Doctor of agency. The organization’s presence is omnipresent, turning even former allies into enforcers. Its goals are clear: detain the Doctor as a saboteur and uphold the regime’s security at all costs, reflecting a world where dissent is met with violence.

Representation Through Liz Shaw’s leadership (whistle, pistol, orders) and soldiers’ collective action (pursuit, firing). The RSF’s …
Power Dynamics Exercising absolute authority over individuals, with no room for negotiation. The Doctor is treated as …
Impact The RSF’s involvement reinforces the parallel world’s militarized culture, where trust is nonexistent and survival …
Internal Dynamics Hierarchical and obedient, with no internal conflict visible. Soldiers follow Liz Shaw’s commands without hesitation, …
Capture the Doctor to prevent sabotage of the drilling project. Maintain regime security through disciplined pursuit and institutional protocols. Institutional authority (Liz Shaw’s orders as 'Leader'). Collective action (soldiers’ coordinated pursuit). Symbolic tools (whistles, pistols) to enforce control.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 4

"The Doctor's flight builds (chased on foot, then encounters/subdues Bromley) until he is at the gas tank and meets green Wyatt, while more soldiers arrive, demonstrating escalating conflict and danger."

Doctor evades soldiers, confronts Wyatt
S7E21 · Inferno Part 3

"The Doctor's flight in Bessie directly leads to him evading further soldiers, showcasing a series of escalating attempts to escape and ultimately reaching the storage tank area."

Doctor ambushed in hostile parallel world
S7E21 · Inferno Part 3

"The Doctor's flight in Bessie directly leads to him evading further soldiers, showcasing a series of escalating attempts to escape and ultimately reaching the storage tank area."

Doctor branded as saboteur
S7E21 · Inferno Part 3

"The encounter with Wyatt immediately leads to the arrival of Liz and the Doctor's capture: one flows directly from the other in terms of plot."

Doctor evades soldiers, confronts Wyatt
S7E21 · Inferno Part 3
What this causes 4

"The Doctor's capture by Liz directly results in him being brought to Stewart's office and interrogated, establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship."

Doctor Reveals Parallel World Knowledge
S7E21 · Inferno Part 3

"The Doctor's pleas with 'Liz' to recognize him in beat_2f7717d5c994f6d4 reflect his consistent character trait of seeking connection and understanding with his companions, a trait that continues as he seeks to establish some common ground with Stewart and Shaw in beat_9d372334573d885d."

Doctor Reveals Parallel World Knowledge
S7E21 · Inferno Part 3

"The Doctor's flight builds (chased on foot, then encounters/subdues Bromley) until he is at the gas tank and meets green Wyatt, while more soldiers arrive, demonstrating escalating conflict and danger."

Doctor evades soldiers, confronts Wyatt
S7E21 · Inferno Part 3

"The encounter with Wyatt immediately leads to the arrival of Liz and the Doctor's capture: one flows directly from the other in terms of plot."

Doctor evades soldiers, confronts Wyatt
S7E21 · Inferno Part 3

Key Dialogue

"SOLDIER: Halt! Halt, I say! Halt."
"DOCTOR: Liz? Liz, it's me. Don't you recognise me? What's happened to everyone round here? Have you all gone mad? What are you doing in that ridiculous get-up?"
"SHAW: Put your hands up."