Sonic Screwdriver
To me the Sonic Screwdriver is an extremely cool tool. How the people at the BBC or better the producers of Doctor Who devise it, I can’t say. The first time I remember seeing it was during the time of the Fourth Doctor. He seemed to have many different usages for it. He uses it to open door, unlock locks, and many other things that I can’t think of at this moment.
Now, I hope everyone knows and understands that it a fictional tool.(1) Therefore, if you are looking for or want one that works then you are tough out luck. Now, I know everyone including myself would enjoy having such a tool. Therefore, if this is available, I can’t image what I can do, but I am sure that it will be amazing.
Much like the TARDIS, the sonic screwdriver is a constant part of the show since the Second Doctor Patrick Troughton. The sonic screwdriver is also been in some of the spinoffs of Doctor Who. Although what we see in the spinoffs is a little different, they did replicate the device. The spinoffs use such devices as sonic lipstick, sonic blaster, sonic pen, sonic probe, and sonic modulator.(2) Doctor Who makes sunglasses into a sonic device for the Twelfth Doctor.
The sonic screwdriver seems to use sound waves, radiation, wavelengths, frequencies, signals, and electro-magnetism to function.(3) Therefore, the DOctor is able to get out of some tight situations where there is advanced technology especially. I believe that I have seen some episodes where the sonic screwdriver is not a factor at all. I may wrong but it seems remember watching one or two. As a Doctor Who fan, this is something I should know, but not completely sure.
After looking p information on the sonic screwdriver, I find that it first appears in 1968 in Fury from the Deep.(4) The particular serial is one which I have not seen. This episode and the other two in which it appears are during the Second Doctor’s incarnation. Those serials are The Dominators and The War Games. Watching these two serials along with Fury from the Deep is something I want to do. I want to see the first use of the iconic sonic screwdriver in the show.
I remember how much the Third and Fourth Doctor’s rely on this tool. It really is one of their favorite tools. More so the FOurth Doctor than the Third because I have watched more of his stories than the third. I do remember after the Fourth Doctor regenerates, that it simply disappears. In my mind they take an integral part of the show away by doing this. The article I read says, “that is because of the limitations it causes.”(5) Well, I do not know but I feel like saying bologna. This of course can be part of the reason for the cancellation of the show in 1989. That is my thought, and I may be wrong.
The writers bring the sonic screwdriver back briefly during the 1996 Doctor Who movie, but its full return comes with the revival of the series in 2005. I am so glad this cool and really powerful tool returns to the show. I am one who believes that Doctor Who is not Doctor Who without the sonic screwdriver.
Over the years, as with anything dealing with the show and humans in particular, the sonic screwdrivers looks change. Therefore, the writers choose a way to destroy one and introduce a new one. The new one is usual more advanced and look somewhat different.(6) Some of these are out of this world and it seems to me that each Doctor has his own type. With this said, I do know that each Doctor has a different personality and this for the most part should go into the design of the sonic screwdriver. If that is the case, they will in some way relate to that person in real life and on the screen.
The revival of the series brings some really cool versions of the sonic screwdrivers, and a change in the Doctor’s perspective on him being the only one to use it. As a result, the Doctor has given his sonic screwdriver away, which really surprises me. He personally does not like sharing his toys.