Fabula
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks Part 5

Quinn disables Kebble in violent confrontation

In a sudden, brutal skirmish within Lesterson’s lab, Quinn ambushes Kebble—who is armed with an improvised wrench—by seizing Lesterson’s laser and firing at his hand, forcing him to drop the weapon. Quinn then knocks Kebble unconscious, neutralizing him as a threat. The violence is swift and decisive, marking a critical escalation in the colony’s hidden power struggle. The Doctor’s immediate praise for Quinn’s actions underscores the urgency of their situation, while Polly’s revelation about Valmar’s betrayal and Ben’s capture introduces a new layer of danger. The Doctor’s cold dismissal of Ben’s fate—prioritizing escape over personal loyalty—reveals his ruthless pragmatism, while the Daleks’ subsequent pursuit of the group through the lab doors heightens the immediate threat. This moment not only demonstrates Quinn’s combat skills but also sets up Kebble as a potential obstacle or liability in the unfolding Dalek conspiracy, while reinforcing the Doctor’s willingness to make difficult choices for the greater good.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Quinn attacks Kebble, who is armed with a wrench, but Quinn manages to disarm and knock him unconscious using Lesterson's laser.

tense to relief

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

8

Concerned, urgent, and frustrated. Polly’s emotional state is marked by a deep sense of loyalty and protectiveness toward her friends, particularly Ben. She is visibly upset by the Doctor’s dismissal of Ben’s capture and frustrated by the group’s inability to act immediately to save him. Her urgency reflects her desire to address the crisis and ensure the safety of those she cares about.

Polly checks on Quinn’s well-being after the fight and reveals Valmar’s betrayal and Ben’s capture to the Doctor. She attempts to persuade the Doctor to act, expressing concern for Ben’s fate. Polly flees the lab with Quinn and the Doctor upon the Doctor’s orders, her actions reflecting her loyalty to her friends and her urgency in the face of the Dalek threat. Her dialogue reveals her emotional investment in Ben’s safety and her frustration with the Doctor’s dismissive attitude.

Goals in this moment
  • Persuade the Doctor to prioritize Ben’s rescue and address the immediate threat posed by the Daleks.
  • Ensure the group’s safety and escape from the lab, while also advocating for Ben’s well-being.
Active beliefs
  • The group must act decisively to counter the Dalek threat and protect one another, even in the face of the Doctor’s pragmatism.
  • Ben’s life and safety are of paramount importance, and his capture cannot be dismissed or ignored.
Character traits
Loyal and empathetic Urgent and concerned Frustrated with the Doctor’s pragmatism Quick to act in crises Protective of her friends
Follow Polly Wright's journey
Kebble
primary

Aggressive and hostile initially, but his emotional state shifts to incapacitation and defeat as he is overpowered by Quinn. His feelings of aggression are abruptly cut short by the pain and shock of being shot and knocked out.

Kebble is armed with an improvised wrench and initially engages Quinn in a physical confrontation, swinging the wrench at Quinn’s head. He is ambushed by Quinn, who shoots him in the hand with Lesterson’s laser, forcing him to drop the wrench. Quinn then knocks Kebble unconscious, leaving him incapacitated on the lab floor. Kebble’s role in the event is limited to his aggressive but ultimately futile resistance, which is swiftly neutralized by Quinn.

Goals in this moment
  • Protect the rebel faction’s interests by confronting and neutralizing perceived threats (Quinn and the Doctor).
  • Maintain control over the lab and its resources, particularly the Dalek technology.
Active beliefs
  • The rebel faction’s cause is just, and outsiders like Quinn and the Doctor are a threat to their plans.
  • Physical force is an acceptable and effective means of resolving conflicts.
Character traits
Aggressive and confrontational Physically capable but overconfident Loyal to the rebel faction (Janley/Bragen) Quick to resort to violence
Follow Kebble's journey

Hostile and determined, with a cold, calculating demeanor. The Dalek’s actions reflect its single-minded focus on exterminating threats and maintaining control, even in the face of temporary setbacks.

The Dalek (Original Dalek) does not physically participate in the skirmish between Quinn and Kebble but is represented by its subordinate, Dalek 2. After the group escapes the lab, the Dalek fires its gun at the lab doors, buckling them but failing to breach immediately. It then orders Dalek 2 to return to the capsule and report the escape. The Dalek’s actions emphasize its relentless pursuit and methodical approach to neutralizing threats, even if temporarily thwarted.

Goals in this moment
  • Pursue and eliminate the escaping group (Quinn, Polly, the Doctor, and Valmar).
  • Maintain dominance over the colony by ensuring no threats or obstacles remain unchecked.
Active beliefs
  • Human resistance is futile, and the Daleks’ superiority must be enforced through overwhelming force.
  • Escape attempts by humans must be met with immediate and decisive action to reassert control.
Character traits
Relentless and methodical Hostile and dominant Strategic and calculating Unforgiving of failure or escape
Follow Original Dalek …'s journey

Focused and determined, with a sense of urgency and resolve. His actions suggest a mix of adrenaline-fueled intensity and calculated precision, driven by the need to protect the group and escape the Daleks.

Quinn launches himself at Kebble, who feints and swings the wrench at Quinn's head. Quinn ducks and rolls to the workbench, seizes Lesterson's laser, and shoots Kebble in the hand, forcing him to drop the wrench. He then knocks Kebble unconscious, neutralizing the immediate threat. Quinn follows the Doctor’s order to flee the lab and jams the lab doors with the wrench, delaying the Daleks’ pursuit. His actions are swift, decisive, and pragmatic, reflecting his combat skills and leadership in high-pressure situations.

Goals in this moment
  • Neutralize Kebble as an immediate threat to the group’s safety.
  • Follow the Doctor’s orders to escape the lab and delay the Daleks’ pursuit.
Active beliefs
  • The Daleks pose an existential threat that must be countered with force if necessary.
  • Loyalty to the Doctor and the mission outweighs personal safety or hesitation.
Character traits
Aggressive but controlled Quick-thinking under pressure Pragmatic and decisive Loyal to the Doctor’s directives Physically capable and resourceful
Follow Quinn's journey

Cold and calculating, with a sense of urgency and resolve. The Doctor’s emotional state is marked by a detached pragmatism, where the mission and the greater good take precedence over personal attachments or individual fates. His actions and dialogue reflect a willingness to make difficult choices for the sake of the larger objective.

The Doctor praises Quinn’s actions, dismisses Polly’s concerns about Ben’s capture, and orders the group to flee the lab. He picks up the wrench and jams the lab doors shut, delaying the Daleks’ pursuit. His actions are cold, calculating, and pragmatic, reflecting his focus on the broader mission over individual fates. The Doctor’s dialogue reveals his ruthless pragmatism, as he prioritizes escape and the greater good over personal loyalty to Ben.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure the group’s escape from the lab and delay the Daleks’ pursuit to buy time.
  • Prioritize the mission and the greater good over individual concerns, such as Ben’s capture.
Active beliefs
  • The Dalek threat must be addressed with urgency and pragmatism, even if it means making difficult or unpopular decisions.
  • Individual lives, while valuable, must sometimes be sacrificed for the sake of the broader mission and the survival of more people.
Character traits
Ruthlessly pragmatic Quick-witted and decisive Emotionally detached in crises Focused on the mission over individual lives Resourceful and adaptable
Follow The Second …'s journey
Supporting 3

Not directly observable, but implied to be fearful or determined. Ben’s emotional state is inferred through the context of his capture and the Doctor’s dismissive attitude. He is likely experiencing a mix of fear for his safety and determination to survive or escape, given his resourcefulness and loyalty to the group.

Ben is not physically present in the lab during this event but is mentioned by Polly as having been captured by the Daleks. The Doctor dismisses his fate, prioritizing the group’s escape. Ben’s capture is revealed as a critical development that adds to the group’s sense of urgency and danger, but his immediate well-being is not a priority for the Doctor or the group at this moment.

Goals in this moment
  • Survive his capture by the Daleks and potentially escape or resist their control.
  • Reunite with the group and continue the mission to counter the Dalek threat.
Active beliefs
  • The group’s mission is of paramount importance, and he must do whatever is necessary to support it, even in captivity.
  • His resourcefulness and loyalty will enable him to overcome the challenges posed by his capture.
Character traits
Resourceful and capable (as implied by the Doctor’s comment) Loyal to the group and the mission Vulnerable due to his capture by the Daleks
Follow Ben Jackson's journey

Cold and unfeeling, with a single-minded focus on obeying orders. Dalek 2’s emotional state is marked by its absolute adherence to the Dalek hierarchy and its lack of independent thought or emotion. Its actions reflect a mechanical efficiency and a complete absence of empathy or hesitation.

Dalek 2 is a subordinate Dalek unit that receives orders from the Original Dalek. After the group escapes the lab, Dalek 2 is ordered by the Original Dalek to return to the capsule and report the escape. Dalek 2’s role in the event is limited to obeying commands and relaying information, reflecting its subordinate status within the Dalek hierarchy. Its actions emphasize the Daleks’ methodical and coordinated approach to pursuing threats.

Goals in this moment
  • Obey the Original Dalek’s orders to return to the capsule and report the group’s escape.
  • Contribute to the Daleks’ broader objective of exterminating threats and maintaining control over the colony.
Active beliefs
  • The Dalek hierarchy must be obeyed without question, and individual initiative is unnecessary or undesirable.
  • Human resistance is futile, and the Daleks’ dominance must be enforced through absolute compliance and coordination.
Character traits
Obedient and subordinate Methodical and coordinated Relentless in executing orders Lacking strategic independence
Follow Dalek Subordinate …'s journey

Not directly observable, but implied to be conflicted or opportunistic. Valmar’s emotional state is inferred through Polly’s revelation, suggesting a mix of guilt, ambition, or fear that drove his betrayal. His actions reflect a calculated decision to side with the Daleks, likely for personal gain or survival.

Valmar is not physically present in the lab during this event but is referenced by Polly as having worked for the Daleks on their static power supply and as a traitor. His betrayal is revealed as a critical piece of information that heightens the group’s sense of urgency and danger. Valmar’s actions, though not directly observed, are implied to have facilitated the Daleks’ operations and contributed to the current crisis.

Goals in this moment
  • Facilitate the Daleks’ operations by providing technical expertise and support.
  • Ensure his own survival and potentially gain power or favor within the Daleks’ hierarchy.
Active beliefs
  • The Daleks offer a path to power or security that outweighs loyalty to the group.
  • Technical expertise and collaboration with the Daleks are necessary for his own advancement or protection.
Character traits
Betrayer of the group’s trust Technically skilled and resourceful Aligned with the Daleks’ objectives Secretive and manipulative
Follow Valmar's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

4
Kebble's Wrench

Kebble’s wrench is initially wielded as an improvised weapon during his confrontation with Quinn. Kebble swings the wrench at Quinn’s head, but Quinn ducks and rolls, seizing Lesterson’s laser and shooting Kebble in the hand, causing him to drop the wrench. Later, Quinn picks up the fallen wrench and uses it to jam the lab doors shut, delaying the Daleks’ pursuit. The wrench’s dual role as both a weapon and a barricade underscores its significance in the event, serving as a symbol of the group’s resourcefulness and the desperate measures they must take to survive. Its use by both Kebble and Quinn highlights the brutal, improvisational nature of the conflict.

Before: In Kebble’s possession, used as an improvised weapon …
After: Dropped by Kebble after being shot, then picked …
Before: In Kebble’s possession, used as an improvised weapon during the confrontation with Quinn.
After: Dropped by Kebble after being shot, then picked up by Quinn and used to jam the lab doors shut. The wrench remains wedged in the doors, buckled but holding temporarily.
Lesterson's Laboratory Entrance Doors

The lab doors are a critical barrier in the event, serving as both a point of escape and a temporary defense against the Daleks. After the group flees the lab, the Doctor jams the doors shut with the wrench, buckling them under the Daleks’ fire but delaying their pursuit long enough for the group to escape. The doors’ structural integrity is tested by the Daleks’ gunfire, symbolizing the fragile line between safety and danger that the group must navigate. Their role in the event is purely functional, acting as a physical obstacle that the Daleks must overcome to continue their pursuit.

Before: Closed but unlocked, providing access to and from …
After: Jammed shut with the wrench, buckled and damaged …
Before: Closed but unlocked, providing access to and from Lesterson’s laboratory.
After: Jammed shut with the wrench, buckled and damaged from the Daleks’ gunfire but still holding temporarily, preventing immediate pursuit.
Lesterson's Laser Torches (Sabotage Weapon)

Lesterson’s laser torches are crucial in the ambush as Quinn seizes one from the workbench and uses it to shoot Kebble in the hand, forcing him to drop the wrench. The laser represents Lesterson’s scientific tools repurposed as a weapon in the heat of the moment, symbolizing the desperation and improvisation required to counter the immediate threat posed by Kebble. While the laser is not used again in this event, its role in neutralizing Kebble is pivotal, allowing Quinn to gain the upper hand and secure the group’s temporary safety.

Before: Positioned on Lesterson’s workbench among other tools, ready …
After: Used once to shoot Kebble, then left behind …
Before: Positioned on Lesterson’s workbench among other tools, ready for use in scientific experiments or repairs.
After: Used once to shoot Kebble, then left behind as the group flees the lab. The laser is no longer in Quinn’s possession but remains in the lab as part of the chaotic aftermath.
Lesterson's Workbench

Lesterson’s workbench serves as a critical tactical element in the skirmish between Quinn and Kebble. Quinn uses the workbench to duck and roll, gaining access to Lesterson’s laser, which he then uses to shoot Kebble in the hand. The workbench’s cluttered surface, strewn with tools and experiment gear, provides cover and access to improvised weapons, playing a pivotal role in Quinn’s ability to neutralize Kebble and turn the tide of the confrontation. After the fight, the Doctor and Quinn crouch beneath the workbench to spy on Valmar and the Dalek, further highlighting its functional role as both a battleground and a hiding place.

Before: Cluttered with tools, experiment gear, and laser torches, …
After: Remains in a cluttered state but is now …
Before: Cluttered with tools, experiment gear, and laser torches, positioned in Lesterson’s laboratory as a central work surface for scientific analysis and repairs.
After: Remains in a cluttered state but is now associated with the violent confrontation and the group’s tactical use of the space to hide and plan their escape.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

3
Battleground Corridor Outside Lesterson’s Laboratory

The corridor outside Lesterson’s Laboratory serves as the group’s escape route after they flee the lab. Polly and Quinn burst through the doors with the Doctor, fleeing the Daleks’ pursuit. The Doctor grabs the wrench and jams the lab doors shut behind them, delaying the Daleks’ advance. The corridor’s narrow, sterile walls amplify the urgency of the group’s flight, acting as a transit route to safer colony areas. Its role in the event is purely functional, providing a path to temporary safety and highlighting the group’s desperation to escape the Daleks’ immediate threat.

Atmosphere Urgent and claustrophobic. The corridor’s narrow, metallic walls create a sense of confinement and desperation …
Function Escape route. The corridor serves as the primary transit route for the group’s flight from …
Symbolism Represents the fragile line between safety and danger. The corridor symbolizes the group’s precarious position, …
Access Open to the group and potentially to Dalek pursuit, but initially unguarded. The corridor is …
Narrow, metallic walls lining the corridor. Sterile, fluorescent lighting casting a cold glow. Echoes of the group’s footsteps and the distant hum of colony systems. The sound of the lab doors buckling under Dalek fire, adding to the urgency of their escape.
Dalek Invasion Capsule Interior

The Dalek Space Capsule Interior is not directly involved in this specific event, but it is referenced as the Daleks’ headquarters and the location to which Dalek 2 is ordered to return to report the group’s escape. While the capsule itself does not play an active role in the skirmish or the group’s flight, its presence looms over the event as the Daleks’ base of operations. The capsule’s cramped, sterile interior symbolizes the Daleks’ cold, methodical approach to domination and their relentless pursuit of the group.

Atmosphere Sterile, cold, and oppressive. The capsule’s interior is devoid of warmth or humanity, reflecting the …
Function Dalek headquarters and command center. The capsule serves as the primary location for Dalek operations, …
Symbolism Represents the Daleks’ dominance and the inescapable nature of their threat. The capsule symbolizes the …
Access Restricted to Daleks only. The capsule is a sealed, secure environment from which the Daleks …
Seamless Dalek alloy walls enclosing the dormant machines. Faint machinery hums and sterile chill permeating the air. Echoes of Dalek voices and the occasional static discharge of their systems.
Lesterson's Laboratory

Lesterson’s Laboratory is the primary setting for this violent and high-stakes event. The lab, cluttered with scientific equipment, generators, and workbenches, serves as the battleground where Quinn ambushes Kebble, the Doctor and Quinn hide beneath the workbench to spy on Valmar and the Dalek, and the group ultimately flees to escape the Daleks’ pursuit. The lab’s sterile, technical atmosphere is disrupted by the chaos of the confrontation, the urgency of the escape, and the looming threat of the Daleks. Its role in the event is multifaceted, acting as a space for both scientific inquiry and brutal conflict, as well as a temporary refuge before the group’s flight.

Atmosphere Tension-filled and chaotic, with a sense of urgency and desperation. The lab’s usual sterile, technical …
Function Battleground and escape point. The lab serves as the primary location for the violent confrontation …
Symbolism Represents the collision of scientific ambition and brutal reality. The lab, once a place of …
Access Initially restricted to those involved in the Dalek experiments (e.g., Lesterson, Kebble, Valmar), but the …
Cluttered workbenches strewn with tools and experiment gear. Generators and scientific equipment humming in the background. The sterile, metallic scent of the lab mixed with the acrid smell of laser fire. The sound of clashing metal, gunfire, and frantic footsteps as the group flees.

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
Daleks

The Daleks are the primary antagonistic force in this event, driving the group’s desperate escape and the violent confrontation between Quinn and Kebble. Their involvement is represented through the Original Dalek’s orders to Dalek 2 and the Daleks’ relentless pursuit of the group after they flee the lab. The Daleks’ actions—firing at the lab doors, ordering reports, and maintaining their dominance—highlight their role as the central threat in the colony. Their presence looms over the event, shaping the group’s actions and emphasizing the urgency of their situation.

Representation Through direct action (firing at the doors) and indirect command (ordering Dalek 2 to report). …
Power Dynamics Exercising overwhelming authority and dominance over the colony and its inhabitants. The Daleks’ power is …
Impact The Daleks’ actions reinforce their institutional dominance over the colony, demonstrating their ability to override …
Internal Dynamics The Daleks operate as a unified, hierarchical collective with no internal dissent or conflict. Their …
Pursue and eliminate the escaping group to reassert control over the colony. Maintain secrecy and limit visible Dalek numbers to avoid alerting the broader colony to their presence and true intentions. Overwhelming force and firepower (e.g., firing at the lab doors). Strategic coordination and command structure (e.g., ordering Dalek 2 to report). Psychological intimidation through relentless pursuit and the threat of extermination.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 6
Causal medium

"Doctor jailing the doors, leading to Dalek pursuing and firing at the the door."

Polly reveals Valmar’s Dalek betrayal
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …
Causal medium

"Doctor jailing the doors, leading to Dalek pursuing and firing at the the door."

Doctor jams doors to delay Dalek pursuit
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …

"Polly and Quinn escape, encouraging the Doctor to jam the doors."

Polly reveals Valmar’s Dalek betrayal
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …

"Polly and Quinn escape, encouraging the Doctor to jam the doors."

Doctor jams doors to delay Dalek pursuit
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …
Temporal medium

"Quinn attacks Kebble to remove him as a threat, immediately giving Polly the chance to express Ben has been captured."

Polly reveals Valmar’s Dalek betrayal
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …
Temporal medium

"Quinn attacks Kebble to remove him as a threat, immediately giving Polly the chance to express Ben has been captured."

Doctor jams doors to delay Dalek pursuit
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …
What this causes 6
Causal medium

"Doctor jailing the doors, leading to Dalek pursuing and firing at the the door."

Polly reveals Valmar’s Dalek betrayal
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …
Causal medium

"Doctor jailing the doors, leading to Dalek pursuing and firing at the the door."

Doctor jams doors to delay Dalek pursuit
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …

"Polly and Quinn escape, encouraging the Doctor to jam the doors."

Polly reveals Valmar’s Dalek betrayal
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …

"Polly and Quinn escape, encouraging the Doctor to jam the doors."

Doctor jams doors to delay Dalek pursuit
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …
Temporal medium

"Quinn attacks Kebble to remove him as a threat, immediately giving Polly the chance to express Ben has been captured."

Polly reveals Valmar’s Dalek betrayal
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …
Temporal medium

"Quinn attacks Kebble to remove him as a threat, immediately giving Polly the chance to express Ben has been captured."

Doctor jams doors to delay Dalek pursuit
S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks …

Themes This Exemplifies

Thematic resonance and meaning

Key Dialogue

"POLLY: Are you all right?"
"DOCTOR: Well done! Who was the man who went outside just now?"
"POLLY: Valmar. He's been working for the Daleks."
"DOCTOR: On their static power supply."
"POLLY: Doctor, they've got Ben."
"DOCTOR: Yes, I know. He ran away so that I could. Oh well, it's a long story. But don't worry, that boy can take care of himself."
"QUINN: Did you hear that? That won't help."
"DOCTOR: Get out, all of you!"