Doctor Who
Object

Sealed Chamber Ventilation Grill (Thal Corridor Wall)

A metal ventilation grill embedded in the Thal corridor wall outside the sealed chamber, used by the Doctor and Harry Sullivan to eavesdrop on Davros's conversation with Nyder and Thal representatives.
1 appearances

Purpose

Transmit sound from sealed chamber for eavesdropping

Significance

Doctor overhears Davros declare independence from external influence, confirming him as self-directed architect of Dalek genocide and marking narrative pivot that escalates stakes

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments
S12E13 · Genesis of the Daleks Part 3
The Doctor’s Eavesdropping Gambit: Davros’ Unchained Malice

The ventilation grill at the base of the sealed chamber door is the Doctor and Harry’s primary tool for gathering intelligence. They crouch by the grill, pressing their ears close to overhear Davros’ chilling declaration—‘And I am no longer influenced by…’—which marks a turning point in the narrative. The grill’s metal surface is cold and unyielding, reinforcing the tension of the moment. Its functional role is to transmit sound from the chamber to the corridor, allowing the Doctor and Harry to eavesdrop without being detected. Narratively, the grill symbolizes the Doctor’s reliance on stealth and observation—he must listen to the whispers of impending doom before he can act to prevent it. The grill’s presence also underscores the liminal space between the Doctor’s world (the corridor) and Davros’ world (the chamber), a metaphor for the broader conflict between light and dark.

Before: Securely attached to the door, with no signs of tampering or damage. The grill is functional and unobstructed, allowing sound to carry clearly from the chamber to the corridor.
After: Remains in place after the Doctor and Harry finish eavesdropping. The grill is undisturbed, leaving no trace of their presence. Its role in the event is purely functional—it enables the Doctor to gather critical intelligence without direct confrontation.
View full event