Duty as Both Shield and Straitjacket
Military duty, epitomized by Benton and the Brigadier, is portrayed as a double-edged sword: a source of order and resilience in chaos, but also a framework that can blind adherence to protocol at the expense of adaptability. Benton’s rigid obedience to orders leads him into the Master’s trap, while the Brigadier’s imposition of military authority over the Newton Institute reveals how duty, when wielded without context, can exacerbate crises. Jo Grant’s support dynamic and Yates’s 'professionally duty-bound' demeanor further explore this theme, illustrating how duty binds characters to both noble and perilous paths, demanding a balance between tradition and innovation.
Events Exemplifying This Theme
Benton faces Dr. Percival with a moral dilemma at the Newton Institute. His loyalty to UNIT's chain of command clashes with the unfolding crisis, delaying immediate action against the Master …
Sergeant Benton receives a fake call purporting to be the Brigadier ordering him to the Director’s office immediately. Suspicious, he enters via a side window and confronts the Master, who …
Sergeant Benton slips into the laboratory through a window, pistol drawn, intending to expose the Master’s temporal theft. His accusations force a confrontation that escalates from tense standoff to sudden …