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'''Isomorphic controls''' were those controls which could only be operated by one user. Such controls ostensibly worked only after identifying the allowed user through genetics or other uniquely identifying properties.
'''Isomorphic controls''' could only be operated by one user. Such controls ostensibly worked only after identifying the allowed user through genetics or other uniquely identifying properties, such as their biological [[morphic field]], of which the name "isomorphic" was derived from.


One such device was [[the Master (Harold Saxon)|the Master]]'s [[laser screwdriver]]. The Doctor attempted to use it to overpower the Master, only to be ridiculed when he could not. ([[DW]]: ''[[Last of the Time Lords]]'') At one point, the Doctor's [[TARDIS key]] was also said to be isomorphic, ([[DW]]: ''[[Spearhead from Space]]'') but other, non-isomorphic security features were posited. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Daleks]]'')  Also, the fact that [[Sixth Doctor|the Doctor]] could gain access to other TARDISes using his own TARDIS key seemed to argue against the keys being strictly isomorphic, ([[DW]]: ''[[Mark of the Rani]]'') as did the fact that relative strangers like [[Ben Jackson|Ben]] and [[Polly Wright|Polly]] could effect entry into [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] by means of keys not especially made for them.  ([[DW]]: ''[[The War Machines]]'')  
One such device was {{Simm}}'s [[laser screwdriver]]. The [[Tenth Doctor]] attempted to use it to overpower the Master, only to be ridiculed when he could not. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Last of the Time Lords (TV story)}})


Like its keys, the the TARDIS' controls were said to be flatly isomorphic, ([[DW]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]'') or at least uniquely operable by the Doctor. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Daleks]]'') This fact prevented a [[shape thief]] from stealing the TARDIS, even though he had perfectly mimicked [[First Doctor|the first incarnation]] of the Doctor. ([[CC]]: ''[[Mother Russia]]'') However, on another occasion, the Doctor's [[Fifth Doctor|fifth self]] indicated that the existence of isomorphic controls was only a bluff. ([[BFA]]: ''[[The Bride of Peladon]]'') Indeed, there were several instances of [[companion]]s successfully using — or even being actively ''taught'' to use — the TARDIS controls. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Pirate Planet]]'', ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'', ''[[Four to Doomsday]]'', ''[[Journey's End]]'', ''[[The Time of Angels]]'', ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'') It was unknown whether this meant that the isomorphic security lockout ceased to function over time, that the Doctor could temporarily disable it, or even that the TARDIS simply granted access to companions, in the same way it did to her [[translation circuit]].
The TARDIS' controls were said to be flatly isomorphic, ([[TV]]: {{cs|Pyramids of Mars (TV story)}}) or at least uniquely operable by the Doctor. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Daleks (TV story)|namedep=The Rescue (7)}}) This fact prevented a [[shape thief]] from stealing the TARDIS, even though he had perfectly mimicked [[First Doctor|the first incarnation]] of the Doctor. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Mother Russia (audio story)}}) However, [[Sekhmet]] described isomorphic controls as "a transparent lie, fit only to deceive a child," i.e. a bluff. The [[Fifth Doctor]] seemed to agree with this sentiment by simply stating, "Oh, it worked before." ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Bride of Peladon (audio story)}}) Indeed, there were several instances of [[companion]]s (and non-companions) successfully using — or even being actively ''taught'' to use — the TARDIS controls. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Pirate Planet (TV story)}}, {{cs|Castrovalva (TV story)}}, {{cs|Four to Doomsday (TV story)}}, {{cs|Utopia (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Sontaran Stratagem (TV story)}}, {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Time of Angels (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Pandorica Opens (TV story)}}, {{cs|Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS (TV story)}}, {{cs|Empress of Mars (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Doctor Falls (TV story)}}) In some cases, the Doctor had to disable the isomorphic controls to enable them to do so. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Other Lives (audio story)}}) The controls were only isomorphic when the Doctor bothered setting them up that way. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Original Sin (novel)}}) The controls of a [[Battle TARDIS (All Hands on Deck)|Battle TARDIS]] were partly isomorphic. While this did not allow the TARDIS to fully reject the commands of a group of boarding [[Dalek]]s, it was sufficient to bar them from full control. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|All Hands on Deck (audio story)}})


[[Kazran Sardick]]'s machine had isomorphic controls. After [[Eleventh Doctor|the Doctor]] changed his personality, they no longer recognised him. ([[DW]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'')
The [[Tenth Doctor]] claimed to the [[Aquabi]] that his [[TARDIS key]] was isomorphic. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Pest Control (audio story)}})
 
[[Gwen Cooper]] lied to [[Rex Matheson]] that the [[Eye-5]] contact lenses were isomorphic. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Dead of Night (TV story)}})
 
[[Kazran Sardick]]'s machine had isomorphic controls. When Kazran told the [[Eleventh Doctor]] this, the Doctor initially said, "Fibber". After Kazran operated the controls when the Doctor was unable to, the Doctor conceded the controls ''were'' isomorphic. After the Doctor changed Sardick's personality, they no longer recognised him. The Doctor stated that Kazran's father [[Elliot Sardick|Elliot]], who had set up the isometric controls for him in the original timeline, would not have done so with the altered Kazran. ([[TV]]: {{cs|A Christmas Carol (TV story)}})
 
The TARDIS possessed the ability to have individuals [[bio-locked]] out of the controls to prevent unauthorised operation, as the [[Twelfth Doctor]] did for [[Missy]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Eaters of Light (TV story)}})


[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Security]]

Latest revision as of 20:13, 29 April 2024

Isomorphic controls could only be operated by one user. Such controls ostensibly worked only after identifying the allowed user through genetics or other uniquely identifying properties, such as their biological morphic field, of which the name "isomorphic" was derived from.

One such device was the Saxon Master's laser screwdriver. The Tenth Doctor attempted to use it to overpower the Master, only to be ridiculed when he could not. (TV: Last of the Time Lords [+]Loading...["Last of the Time Lords (TV story)"])

The TARDIS' controls were said to be flatly isomorphic, (TV: Pyramids of Mars [+]Loading...["Pyramids of Mars (TV story)"]) or at least uniquely operable by the Doctor. (TV: "The Rescue" [+]Part of The Daleks, Loading...{"namedep":"The Rescue (7)","1":"The Daleks (TV story)"}) This fact prevented a shape thief from stealing the TARDIS, even though he had perfectly mimicked the first incarnation of the Doctor. (AUDIO: Mother Russia [+]Loading...["Mother Russia (audio story)"]) However, Sekhmet described isomorphic controls as "a transparent lie, fit only to deceive a child," i.e. a bluff. The Fifth Doctor seemed to agree with this sentiment by simply stating, "Oh, it worked before." (AUDIO: The Bride of Peladon [+]Loading...["The Bride of Peladon (audio story)"]) Indeed, there were several instances of companions (and non-companions) successfully using — or even being actively taught to use — the TARDIS controls. (TV: The Pirate Planet [+]Loading...["The Pirate Planet (TV story)"], Castrovalva [+]Loading...["Castrovalva (TV story)"], Four to Doomsday [+]Loading...["Four to Doomsday (TV story)"], Utopia [+]Loading...["Utopia (TV story)"], The Sontaran Stratagem [+]Loading...["The Sontaran Stratagem (TV story)"], Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"], The Time of Angels [+]Loading...["The Time of Angels (TV story)"], The Pandorica Opens [+]Loading...["The Pandorica Opens (TV story)"], Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS [+]Loading...["Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS (TV story)"], Empress of Mars [+]Loading...["Empress of Mars (TV story)"], The Doctor Falls [+]Loading...["The Doctor Falls (TV story)"]) In some cases, the Doctor had to disable the isomorphic controls to enable them to do so. (AUDIO: Other Lives [+]Loading...["Other Lives (audio story)"]) The controls were only isomorphic when the Doctor bothered setting them up that way. (PROSE: Original Sin [+]Loading...["Original Sin (novel)"]) The controls of a Battle TARDIS were partly isomorphic. While this did not allow the TARDIS to fully reject the commands of a group of boarding Daleks, it was sufficient to bar them from full control. (AUDIO: All Hands on Deck [+]Loading...["All Hands on Deck (audio story)"])

The Tenth Doctor claimed to the Aquabi that his TARDIS key was isomorphic. (AUDIO: Pest Control [+]Loading...["Pest Control (audio story)"])

Gwen Cooper lied to Rex Matheson that the Eye-5 contact lenses were isomorphic. (TV: Dead of Night [+]Loading...["Dead of Night (TV story)"])

Kazran Sardick's machine had isomorphic controls. When Kazran told the Eleventh Doctor this, the Doctor initially said, "Fibber". After Kazran operated the controls when the Doctor was unable to, the Doctor conceded the controls were isomorphic. After the Doctor changed Sardick's personality, they no longer recognised him. The Doctor stated that Kazran's father Elliot, who had set up the isometric controls for him in the original timeline, would not have done so with the altered Kazran. (TV: A Christmas Carol [+]Loading...["A Christmas Carol (TV story)"])

The TARDIS possessed the ability to have individuals bio-locked out of the controls to prevent unauthorised operation, as the Twelfth Doctor did for Missy. (TV: The Eaters of Light [+]Loading...["The Eaters of Light (TV story)"])

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