Fabula
Object
Object

Physical Escape Route Markers Left by Retreating Resistance

Scratched or arranged signs on surfaces (e.g., museum walls/floors) left by fleeing resistance members during the Dalek invasion. These markers trace a tactical path to the south coast, serving as urgent, real-time guidance for survivors in the field. Distinct from coded communication systems.
2 appearances

Purpose

Mark retreat path and signal movement direction to fellow resistance members

Significance

Clue that reveals the resistance's collapse and relocation, forcing the group to confront dwindling allies and Dalek dominance

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments
S2E6 · Day of Reckoning
Dortmun’s final gambit and Barbara’s forced departure

Dortmun’s walking sticks are a practical yet symbolic object, representing his physical limitations and his defiance in the face of them. He gathers them before departing with the bomb, using them to steady himself as he wheels out of the hideout. Their presence underscores his determination to act despite his mobility challenges, and their abandonment outside mark the finality of his fate. The sticks serve as a poignant reminder of his humanity and vulnerability in the face of the Daleks’ mechanical dominance.

Before: Leaning against a surface in the museum hideout, where Dortmun keeps them for mobility. They are a constant reminder of his physical limitations but also his adaptability.
After: Left behind in the museum or abandoned outside as Dortmun levers himself from his wheelchair to test the bomb. Their presence outside symbolizes the end of his journey and the futility of his efforts.
View full event
S2E6 · Day of Reckoning
Dortmun’s Final Stand and the Bomb’s Failure

The abandoned milk float provides temporary cover for Barbara and Jenny as they flee the Daleks outside the museum. The float is a derelict piece of London’s infrastructure, repurposed in a moment of desperation to shield the women from the Daleks’ line of sight. Its presence underscores the resistance’s reliance on whatever resources are available, no matter how mundane, to survive. The milk float’s role is purely functional, offering a brief respite in an otherwise hopeless situation.

Before: Abandoned on the street outside the museum, its white body dented and wheels still. The milk float is a relic of pre-occupation London, now serving as a potential hiding spot in the Daleks’ patrol zone.
After: Left behind as Barbara and Jenny continue their escape. The milk float’s role in their survival is fleeting, but it buys them precious moments to evade the Daleks.
View full event