Object

Valmar's Small Screwdriver

Handheld tool requested by Valmar to assist Polly in connecting the power linkage in the capsule, but rendered unusable due to her bound wrists. Symbolizes the colonists' coerced labor under Dalek surveillance.

3 appearances

Purpose

Connect power linkage in the capsule

Significance

Blocks Dalek-directed repairs due to Polly's restraints, amplifying her defiance and exposing fractures in colonist-Dalek alliance as Valmar wavers and the Dalek asserts control

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks Part 5

Polly exposes Dalek deception under surveillance

The small screwdriver is requested by Valmar to connect the power linkage, but Polly’s bound wrists make it impossible for her to assist. The screwdriver symbolizes the colonists' coerced labor and the Daleks' surveillance, as Valmar is forced to work under their watchful eye. Polly’s refusal to help, even if she could, underscores her defiance and the colonists' divided loyalties. The screwdriver remains unused, highlighting the tension between the Daleks' demands and the colonists' growing skepticism.

Before: Available but unused, as Polly is bound and refuses to assist.

After: Still unused, as Valmar continues to work without it, and Polly’s defiance persists.

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S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks Part 5

Polly’s warnings dismissed as Dalek control tightens

Valmar requests the small screwdriver to assist Polly in connecting the power linkage, but her bound wrists make it impossible for her to use. The screwdriver becomes a symbol of the colonists’ coerced labor—they are physically and ideologically trapped, unable to resist the Daleks’ demands even for basic tasks. Its inaccessibility underscores Polly’s helplessness and the Daleks’ control over the situation.

Before: Present in the capsule but unusable by Polly due to her bound wrists. Valmar holds it, but it serves no immediate purpose in the conversation.

After: Remains unused, as the Dalek’s return cuts short any further discussion. The screwdriver lingers as a silent reminder of the colonists’ inability to act freely.

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S4E13 · The Power of the Daleks Part 5

Polly’s warnings dismissed by Dalek authority

The small screwdriver is a minor but symbolic object in this event, representing the colonists’ forced labor under Dalek surveillance. Valmar requests it to assist Polly in connecting the power linkage, but her bound wrists make it impossible for her to use. The screwdriver’s inaccessibility highlights the colonists’ coercion: they are not free agents but tools in the Daleks’ hands. Kebble’s presence and the Dalek’s looming authority ensure that even mundane tasks are performed under duress. The screwdriver’s role is functional but charged with narrative tension, as it underscores the power imbalance in the room.

Before: Lying within reach of Valmar, unused due to Polly’s bound state.

After: Remains unused, as the Dalek’s interruption shifts focus to the junction box.

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