Doctor Who
S20E13
· Terminus Part 1

Nyssa defends Turlough to Tegan

Turlough’s earlier displays of arrogance and suspicion have left Tegan scornful, and she voices her contempt openly in the confined quarters of Terminus. Nyssa listens to Tegan’s dismissal of Turlough’s character but counters with measured optimism, recognizing flashes of depth beneath his swagger. Their exchange occurs against the backdrop of the Doctor’s absence, Turlough’s hidden sabotage, and the perilous environment of the space liner, where survival demands cohesion but trust remains fragile. Nyssa’s quiet assertion of potential serves as both reassurance and subtle reproach to Tegan’s intolerance. key_dialogue: [ TEGAN: He's got the manners of a pig. NYSSA: He'll settle down. ]

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Tegan expresses her disapproval of Turlough's manners, and Nyssa inquires about the Doctor's behavior.

disapproval to reassurance

Tegan refers to Turlough as 'the brat', and Nyssa attempts to defend him, suggesting he will settle down.

tension to calmness

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

4
Nyssa
Companion of the Doctor
 primary

Calm and reflective, balancing disapproval with quiet optimism

Nyssa listens objectively to Tegan’s outburst, then calmly qualifies the insult by identifying Turlough and offering measured reassurance. She tempers Tegan’s cynicism with cautious hope, invoking a future shift in behavior, revealing her faith in latent redeemability and measured patience.

Goals in this moment
  • • Counter Tegan’s cynicism with measured optimism
  • • Protect fragile crew cohesion
Active beliefs
  • • Potential exists beneath surface flaws
  • • Trust must be balanced with patience
Character traits
Diplomatic Hopeful Analytical
Follow Nyssa's journey
Tegan Jovanka
primary

Righteously indignant and distrustful, masking vulnerability about the crew’s integrity

Tegan openly ridicules Turlough with undisguised scorn, her voice laced with biting contempt as she brands him crude and insolent. She voices distrust rooted in repeated encounters and Turlough’s own defiant posture, refusing to soften judgment even as Nyssa attempts to reframe the narrative.

Goals in this moment
  • • Preserve high standards of conduct among allies
  • • Protect the Doctor’s faith in Turlough from misplaced optimism
Active beliefs
  • • Only proven loyalty deserves trust
  • • Rudeness is an unforgivable trait in company
Character traits
Confrontational Scornful Uncompromising
Follow Tegan Jovanka's journey
The Fifth Doctor

The Doctor does not appear in this exchange but is invoked as absent, his presence felt through the trust and …

Turlough

Actively disparaged as unrefined and insolent by Tegan, with his identity and arrogance forming the core of critique. Though physically …

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Terminus Liner Crew Quarters (shared by Nyssa and Tegan)

The confined bedroom serves as a private arena for candid confrontation, its cramped quarters amplifying the tension between Tegan and Nyssa. Lit by a single flickering bulb, the room’s dim light and rumpled surroundings mirror the fractured state of their alliance and the broader instability of Terminus.

Atmosphere Tense and claustrophobic with undercurrents of distrust
Function Private refuge for intimate conflict and introspection
Symbolism Embodiments of isolation and faltering alliances amid peril
Access Limited to the two companions, emphasizing confidentiality and shared vulnerability
Single flickering bulb casting long, uneven shadows Rumpled bedding and discarded medical equipment

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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