Doctor Who: Creating Dalek Puppets – Nanocloud or Sarff Bite?

By Kory Plockmeyer | Sep 22, 2015

(Warning: Spoilers ahead for Series 9, Episode 1: ‘The Magician’s Apprentice’)

It happened so fast I almost missed it. In fact, I did miss it the first time I watched. I only caught it on the second viewing. Bors was bitten by a snake from Colony Sarff, and before you knew it he goes to the Doctor’s quarters and begins rummaging through the Doctor’s things, before turning around in front of the TARDIS with the eyestalk emerging from his head: Bors is a Dalek puppet.

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Wait a minute — was Bors always a Dalek puppet? Or did he only become one after he was seemingly killed?

Truth be told, I was a bit confused by this. I rewatched ‘Asylum of the Daleks’ to try to remember the background on the Dalek puppets. In ‘Asylum’, Dalek puppets are converted by means of the nanocloud. Memories and emotions slowly fade away, leaving behind nothing but an empty shell, capable of being activated with memories intact of the Dalek puppet’s former life.

Dalek Puppet from ‘Asylum of the Daleks’

(Photo Credit: tardis.wikia.com)

Of course, it’s entirely possible that Moffat is just playing fast and loose with the rules of the Dalek universe. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time.

Yet ‘The Magician’s Apprentice’ leaves us with three options for the creation of a Dalek puppet: Bors was always a Dalek (and thus demonstrated yet unseen constraint and “deep cover” ability); he became a Dalek sometime between the events of ‘The Doctor’s Meditation’ and ‘The Magician’s Apprentice’ (but no indication was given of this); a bite from Colony Sarff is sufficient to create a Dalek puppet.

Related: REVIEW: Doctor Who: ‘The Magician’s Apprentice’

In the absence of other compelling explanations, it seems most likely that the third option is supposed to be the explanation in ‘The Magician’s Apprentice.’ If so, this would give better context to the Sisterhood’s words that Sarff’s abilities have no power on Karn. This may also show just what it is that makes Colony Sarff so formidable — he’s not just an assassin, but an army builder.

As it stands, Moffat has left us with an inconsistency in the creation of the Dalek puppets. I, for one, hope that the next time we meet either Sarff or a Dalek puppet, Moffat tightens the narrative around their creation.

Next: Expect to See Clara and Missy Return Next Week

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