TARDIS console (Planet of Evil)
Into the Fourth Doctor's life, the Doctor's TARDIS began using a new TARDIS control console. The general layout and panels remained in place into the Fifth Doctor's life, although by the end of its use most controls on the console had been replaced as part of a gradual incremental change over the Doctor's travels.
Associated control rooms[[edit] | [edit source]]
This console was used in later versions of the always-changing original grey control room (TV: Pyramids of Mars [+]Loading...["Pyramids of Mars (TV story)"], Planet of Evil [+]Loading...["Planet of Evil (TV story)"]) as well as the more consistent white control room which followed. (TV: The Invisible Enemy [+]Loading...["The Invisible Enemy (TV story)"], et al.)
This console appeared upside down on the ceiling of the Remembered TARDIS, (TV: Earthshock [+]Loading...["Earthshock (TotT TV story)"])
Layout[[edit] | [edit source]]
The console in the TARDIS after the Doctor's regeneration into his fourth incarnation had a lot of changes. It was actually in the centre of the console room and had a completely different control layout. The time rotor also changed, but was not entirely different to the previous model, in that it was completely red/pink and fully illuminated. (TV: Planet of Evil) The door control was a lever with a large red handle. (TV: Earthshock)
This console remained in place following the redecoration of the main control room. (TV: The Invisible Enemy)
The console was, at least for a time, fitted with a slot for the tracer to track down the Key to Time by Romana I. (TV: The Ribos Operation)
Just like all of the previous consoles, the Doctor and, on occasions, certain companions could access and repair the TARDIS's systems through panels at the base of the console. Also concealed underneath a console panel was a switch which revealed a hidden keyboard that protruded from beneath another set of switches, which the Doctor used to manually override the chameleon circuit. (TV: Logopolis)
History[[edit] | [edit source]]
Notable changes[[edit] | [edit source]]
Whilst the TARDIS was recovering from infection by Scratchman, the console appeared to be made out of wicker. (PROSE: Scratchman)
Whilst the ship was invaded by Cybermen, the console was damaged by a shot from a Cyber-gun, preventing the Doctor rescuing Adric from the imminent crash of a Space freighter. (TV: Earthshock)
Whilst on Mondas during the genesis of the Cybermen, Nyssa brought a primitive Cybermat into the TARDIS, which attacked the TARDIS console causing it to catch fire. The Cybermat gnawed through a power conduit, frying itself. Nyssa subsequently repaired the console. (AUDIO: Spare Parts)
By one account, the Doctor was forced to destroy this console when Chaos made an attempt to hijack the TARDIS on Mekalion. (AUDIO: The Kamelion Empire) Another account offered a different reason for this console's destruction. (PROSE: The Crystal Bucephalus [+]Loading...["The Crystal Bucephalus (novel)"])
Regular usage[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Rodan once modifyied the console to repair Gallifrey's quantum force field, using a winkle groober. (TV: The Invasion of Time)
- The Doctor once asked K9 to implement the coordinates for Gallifrey into the console. (TV: Full Circle [+]Loading...["Full Circle (TV story)"])
Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Doctor Who: Figurine Collection made a model of this console in its version from Season 15. The model contained a magazine with a diagram of that form of the console.
- The Doctor Who Technical Manual notably contained a diagram of this console in its final form.
