Rift Manipulator
The Rift Manipulator was designed by Toshiko Sato of the Torchwood Institute in hopes of controlling the Cardiff rift. The Rift was such a central component of Torchwood, Torchwood 3 itself based around material or lifeforms which have passed through the Rift (TW: Everything Changes, Captain Jack Harkness). Torchwood 3 was formed in Cardiff as soon as the Institute became aware of the Rift's presence Torchwood Three has also been described as merely a "monitoring station" for the rift. (torchwood.org.uk)
Instances of use
The only known use of the Manipulator was to rescue Jack Harkness and Toshiko Sato, who had fallen through the rift into 1941. Owen, sick and tired of "living in its shadow" decided to use the Rift Manipulator only to find pieces missing, one in the possession of Bilis Manger and the other in the safe in Jack's office. Upon acquiring these parts, Owen and Ianto Jones fought, which resulted in the Manipulator being activated and Owen being shot in the shoulder.
With the rift opened Jack and Tosh walked through the rift back to 2008. After these events the team vowed never to tamper with the Rift and use the Machine again. (TW: Captain Jack Harkness)
Observations
- The column in the center of the Rift Manipulator looks very like the central column of a TARDIS and, in the way, pulses with light when activated.
