Third Doctor's sonic screwdriver: Difference between revisions

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{merge|When [[Forum:Splitting the Doctor's sonic screwdrivers]] is concluded, this page should be merged into [[Third Doctor's sonic screwdriver]], as someone temporarily using a screwdriver does not mean they are the owner of said screwdriver.}}
{{Infobox Object
The [[Twelfth Doctor]] once gave [[Nardole]] a '''sonic screwdriver''' that he used to aid in stopping the [[Dalek|Daleks]].
|image      = Pertweewithscrewdriver.jpg
|alias      =
|type        = [[Sonic screwdriver]]
|made by    =
|used by    = {{il|[[Third Doctor]]|[[Fourth Doctor]]|[[Fifth Doctor]]}}
|origin      =
|first      = The Sea Devils (TV story)
|appearances = [[The Doctor's sonic screwdriver - list of appearances|'''''see list''''']]
|clip        = The Master Summons the Sea Devil - The Sea Devils - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip2      = The Sonic Screwdriver is Destroyed! - The Visitation - Doctor Who - BBC
}}
The [[Third Doctor]]'s most-used model of the sonic screwdriver was much larger than the one his first and second incarnation used; its elaborately detailed [[silver]] collar featured [[black]] and [[yellow]] stripes and [[red]] trim, and could be pulled down to activate the screwdriver. It had a removable [[burgundy]] emitter head which the Doctor would change with others, each performing a different function. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'')


The screwdriver resembled [[Third, Fourth & Fifth Doctor’s sonic screwdriver|the one]] typically used by the [[Fourth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pilot (TV story)|The Pilot]]'')
On one occasion he removed the head entirely and replaced it with a small, round [[mirror]], which spun rapidly when he tapped its edge with his finger and [[hypnosis|hypnotized]] anyone who looked at it. Accompanied by a yellow [[light]] on the collar of his sonic screwdriver and the Doctor singing a Venusian lullaby, it hypnotized the aggressive [[Aggedor]] into calmness. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Curse of Peladon (TV story)|The Curse of Peladon]]'')


[[Category:The Doctor's sonic screwdrivers]]
The Third Doctor later fitted the head of his sonic screwdriver with a cylindrical black magnet which enabled it to open bolted doors, especially when its polarity was reversed. This refit left the metal mostly unpainted, with a dark red emitter ring. The head of this model could be extended. The sonic screwdriver was confiscated when the Doctor was sent to the [[Lunar Penal Colony]], and he never recovered it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'') However, the Doctor had a spare aboard the TARDIS, which he made use of in the [[Dalek]] base on [[Spiridon]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Daleks (TV story)|Planet of the Daleks]]'')
 
[[File:Four uses Sonic on drone.jpg|thumb|The Fourth Doctor with the sonic. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'')]]
Before this model met its demise, its head was repainted twice after the original coat wore off. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Keeper of Traken (TV story)|The Keeper of Traken]]'', ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'') It was ultimately destroyed when the [[Terileptil]] leader forced the [[Fifth Doctor]] to drop the screwdriver inside a holding cell, then incinerated it with a blast from a laser gun — causing the Doctor to remark "I feel as though you've just killed an old friend." ([[TV]]: ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'')
 
The Doctor went without a sonic screwdriver for some time after this model, with [[Nyssa]] lamenting his decision not to replace it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Snakedance (TV story)|Snakedance]]'') The [[Tenth Doctor]] also lightly mocked his past incarnation for going "hands-free" following this incident when their TARDISes accidentally collided. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time Crash (TV story)|Time Crash]]'')
 
This sonic operated at a frequency of 80 [[kilohertz]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Light Fantastic (short story)|Light Fantastic]]'')
 
The Doctor, leaving [[UNIT]], left behind a prototype. UNIT scientists then tried to use reverse-engineering to understand its workings; this went on into the [[21st century]]. Despite them trying to keep it quiet from the Doctor, he was well aware of the project by his [[Seventh Doctor|seventh incarnation]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Persuasion (audio story)|Persuasion]]'')
 
A version of this screwdriver was kept in the [[Twelfth Doctor]]'s [[The Doctor's office (The Pilot)|office]] at [[St Luke's University]]. His companion [[Nardole]] made use of it in a [[War zone (The Pilot)|war zone]] where the [[Dalek]]s and [[Movellan]]s skirmished. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pilot (TV story)|The Pilot]]'')
 
== Uses ==
The sonic screwdriver was often used for opening doors, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Green Death (TV story)|The Green Death]]'', ''[[The Monster of Peladon (TV story)|The Monster of Peladon]]'', ''[[The Mutants (TV story)|The Mutants]]'', ''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]]'', ''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'', ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'') electronic locks ([[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters (TV story)|Carnival of Monsters]]'') and, once, [[Sutekh]]'s [[deflection barrier]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars (TV story)|Pyramids of Mars]]'') It was also capable of scanning for alarm systems, ([[TV]]: ''[[Colony in Space (TV story)|Colony in Space]]'') and [[radiation]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]'')
 
On occasion, the Doctor used it to either disarm explosive weapons ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Cold Fusion (novel)|Cold Fusion]]'') or to detonate them. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'', ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'', ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]'') He often used it to either detect or interfere with circuitry and technology overall. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'', ''[[Planet of the Daleks (TV story)|Planet of the Daleks]]'', ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'', ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|The Ark in Space]]'', ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'', ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'', etc.)
 
The sonic screwdriver also functioned as a conventional screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Monster of Peladon (TV story)|The Monster of Peladon]]'', ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|The Ark in Space]]'')
 
Using the appropriate [[sonic frequency]], the [[Fourth Doctor]] used it to return himself, [[Ernestina Stott]] and later, [[The Doctor's scarf|his scarf]], to normal size. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Dead Shoes (audio story)|The Dead Shoes]]'')
 
The sonic screwdriver also affected alive beings: the [[Third Doctor]] used it to cure [[Henry VIII]] of his [[cataract]]s, ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Hiccup in Time (short story)|Hiccup in Time]]'') distract [[giant maggot]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Green Death (TV story)|The Green Death]]'') break a [[hypnotic]] trance ([[TV]]: ''[[Death to the Daleks (TV story)|Death to the Daleks]]'') and overload the [[brain]]s of [[Space Greyhound]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Forgotten (comic story)|The Forgotten]]'')
 
With the screwdriver, the Doctor was also capable of creating a spark of [[fire]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters (TV story)|Carnival of Monsters]]'') melting plastic vines ([[TV]]: ''[[The Android Invasion (TV story)|The Android Invasion]]'') and creating loud noises. ([[TV]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'')
 
== Behind the scenes ==
=== The sonic screwdriver prop ===
* The Third Doctor's sonic screwdriver is a modified prop from the [[Gerry Anderson]] film ''Thunderbirds Are Go'', where it appeared as a screwdriver of the non-sonic variety. When [[Century 21 Productions]] was closed, the prop, among others, was sold off to the BBC.<ref>[https://securityhazard.wordpress.com/2017/04/21/thunderbirds-are-go-1966/ Movie analysis]</ref>
* The sonic screwdriver was [[retire]]d during the [[Fifth Doctor]] serial ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'', as it was felt that it had been overused.
* The War Doctor's sonic screwdriver prop was created by modifying a Fourth Doctor's sonic screwdriver replica toy.
 
=== Other matters ===
* ''[[Legacy (video game)|Doctor Who: Legacy]]'' mobile game contains a premium pack called "Sonic Adventure", which is centred around finding various sonic devices used by different incarnations of the Doctor and by several other characters. The playable characters form this premium pack represented almost every model of sonic screwdriver encountered in the DWU.
 
== External links ==
{{Dwlx|The Third Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 2|The Third Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 2}}
{{Dwlx|The Third Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 3|The Third Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 3}}
{{Dwlx|The Fourth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The Fourth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|The Fifth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The Fifth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
 
{{TitleSort}}

Revision as of 17:16, 25 October 2023

The Third Doctor's most-used model of the sonic screwdriver was much larger than the one his first and second incarnation used; its elaborately detailed silver collar featured black and yellow stripes and red trim, and could be pulled down to activate the screwdriver. It had a removable burgundy emitter head which the Doctor would change with others, each performing a different function. (TV: The Sea Devils)

On one occasion he removed the head entirely and replaced it with a small, round mirror, which spun rapidly when he tapped its edge with his finger and hypnotized anyone who looked at it. Accompanied by a yellow light on the collar of his sonic screwdriver and the Doctor singing a Venusian lullaby, it hypnotized the aggressive Aggedor into calmness. (TV: The Curse of Peladon)

The Third Doctor later fitted the head of his sonic screwdriver with a cylindrical black magnet which enabled it to open bolted doors, especially when its polarity was reversed. This refit left the metal mostly unpainted, with a dark red emitter ring. The head of this model could be extended. The sonic screwdriver was confiscated when the Doctor was sent to the Lunar Penal Colony, and he never recovered it. (TV: Frontier in Space) However, the Doctor had a spare aboard the TARDIS, which he made use of in the Dalek base on Spiridon. (TV: Planet of the Daleks)

The Fourth Doctor with the sonic. (TV: The Sontaran Experiment)

Before this model met its demise, its head was repainted twice after the original coat wore off. (TV: The Keeper of Traken, Castrovalva) It was ultimately destroyed when the Terileptil leader forced the Fifth Doctor to drop the screwdriver inside a holding cell, then incinerated it with a blast from a laser gun — causing the Doctor to remark "I feel as though you've just killed an old friend." (TV: The Visitation)

The Doctor went without a sonic screwdriver for some time after this model, with Nyssa lamenting his decision not to replace it. (TV: Snakedance) The Tenth Doctor also lightly mocked his past incarnation for going "hands-free" following this incident when their TARDISes accidentally collided. (TV: Time Crash)

This sonic operated at a frequency of 80 kilohertz. (PROSE: Light Fantastic)

The Doctor, leaving UNIT, left behind a prototype. UNIT scientists then tried to use reverse-engineering to understand its workings; this went on into the 21st century. Despite them trying to keep it quiet from the Doctor, he was well aware of the project by his seventh incarnation. (AUDIO: Persuasion)

A version of this screwdriver was kept in the Twelfth Doctor's office at St Luke's University. His companion Nardole made use of it in a war zone where the Daleks and Movellans skirmished. (TV: The Pilot)

Uses

The sonic screwdriver was often used for opening doors, (TV: The Green Death, The Monster of Peladon, The Mutants, The Pirate Planet, The Ribos Operation, Four to Doomsday) electronic locks (TV: Carnival of Monsters) and, once, Sutekh's deflection barrier. (TV: Pyramids of Mars) It was also capable of scanning for alarm systems, (TV: Colony in Space) and radiation. (TV: The Three Doctors)

On occasion, the Doctor used it to either disarm explosive weapons (PROSE: Cold Fusion) or to detonate them. (TV: The Sea Devils, Robot, Destiny of the Daleks) He often used it to either detect or interfere with circuitry and technology overall. (TV: Frontier in Space, Planet of the Daleks, The Sontaran Experiment, The Ark in Space, The Sontaran Experiment, The Sontaran Experiment, etc.)

The sonic screwdriver also functioned as a conventional screwdriver. (TV: The Monster of Peladon, The Ark in Space)

Using the appropriate sonic frequency, the Fourth Doctor used it to return himself, Ernestina Stott and later, his scarf, to normal size. (AUDIO: The Dead Shoes)

The sonic screwdriver also affected alive beings: the Third Doctor used it to cure Henry VIII of his cataracts, (PROSE: Hiccup in Time) distract giant maggots, (TV: The Green Death) break a hypnotic trance (TV: Death to the Daleks) and overload the brains of Space Greyhounds. (COMIC: The Forgotten)

With the screwdriver, the Doctor was also capable of creating a spark of fire, (TV: Carnival of Monsters) melting plastic vines (TV: The Android Invasion) and creating loud noises. (TV: Four to Doomsday)

Behind the scenes

The sonic screwdriver prop

  • The Third Doctor's sonic screwdriver is a modified prop from the Gerry Anderson film Thunderbirds Are Go, where it appeared as a screwdriver of the non-sonic variety. When Century 21 Productions was closed, the prop, among others, was sold off to the BBC.[1]
  • The sonic screwdriver was retired during the Fifth Doctor serial The Visitation, as it was felt that it had been overused.
  • The War Doctor's sonic screwdriver prop was created by modifying a Fourth Doctor's sonic screwdriver replica toy.

Other matters

  • Doctor Who: Legacy mobile game contains a premium pack called "Sonic Adventure", which is centred around finding various sonic devices used by different incarnations of the Doctor and by several other characters. The playable characters form this premium pack represented almost every model of sonic screwdriver encountered in the DWU.

External links


  1. ↑ Movie analysis
Retrieved from "https://tardis.wiki/w/index.php?title=Third_Doctor%27s_sonic_screwdriver&oldid=3630945"