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sonic screwdriver |
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#1 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,012
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sonic screwdriver
I've recently been watching the new series, being a fan of the classic series. I like the new series, but I can't help thinking that the sonic screwdriver is used too much as a 'get out of jail free' card. I can understand why JNT destroyed in the early 80's.
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#2 |
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Steven Moffats pantry
Posts: 8,807
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I see it less as a get out of jail free card and more as a handy plot contrivance that enables the writers to skip alot of boring stuff that would waste precious minutes of a 45 minute episode. Plus its cool. Really cool.
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#3 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 606
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Quote:
I see it less as a get out of jail free card and more as a handy plot contrivance that enables the writers to skip alot of boring stuff that would waste precious minutes of a 45 minute episode. Plus its cool. Really cool.
The Sonic Screwdriver allows scenes and dialogue to be streamlined so we don't spend ten minutes on a problem that we could solve in less than one. While I do agree that there are times it has been abused ("The Power of Three"), I don't have much a of a problem with it. In my opinion, the screwdriver should be able to advance the plot, without actually solving anything. |
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#4 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Harrow, Middlesex
Posts: 2,445
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It was nice seeing the 11th hour again yesterday. Fresh faced Matt Smith with no screwdriver or Tardis able to save the world in about 20 mins, and to tell the atraxi to eff off
Sorry for the spoilers Ulsterguy! |
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#5 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 284
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Crap, its a crutch for lazy writers .Instead of writing a coherent, understandable conclusion just have the doctor wave the magic screwdriver.
If you can't explain what you're doing with it then you shouldn't be writing for the show |
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#6 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Edgware, Middlesex
Posts: 8,277
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I like the sonic screwdriver. Superior technology to solve problems is jsut a variation on the Doctor's normal modus operandi (superior intelligence or knowledge to solve problems). It's all part of what makes the Doctor great.
I agree that, at times, the screwdriver has been made to be capable of more than it should and, occasionally, makes things too easy, but I never cease to get a thrill when he uses it. The Doctor without the sonic is like the Doctor without the TARDIS. It's almost inconceivable to believe he was once without it
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#7 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sutton
Posts: 4,973
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Quote:
I've recently been watching the new series, being a fan of the classic series. I like the new series, but I can't help thinking that the sonic screwdriver is used too much as a 'get out of jail free' card. I can understand why JNT destroyed in the early 80's.
Quote:
Crap, its a crutch for lazy writers .Instead of writing a coherent, understandable conclusion just have the doctor wave the magic screwdriver.
If you can't explain what you're doing with it then you shouldn't be writing for the show But a 'get-out-of-jail-free' card? I don't think so. We need him to have a multi-tool, otherwise half the time he'd be either having to build a new gadget that will read something/check something/display something (and in a 45 min format, that would take up too much time), or he would be forever 'finding' a gadget either in his TARDIS or lying around that would tell him what he needs to know (which would be contrived and just as bad as a sonic screwdriver resolution). It's a necessary story-telling technique. |
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#8 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,651
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Quote:
If you can't explain what you're doing with it then you shouldn't be writing for the show
Whether it's the Doctor waving his sonic screwdriver, his technobabble, his companion or his hands at the problem to make it go away - if it's not earned, it doesn't work. |
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#9 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,454
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Quote:
I see it less as a get out of jail free card and more as a handy plot contrivance that enables the writers to skip alot of boring stuff that would waste precious minutes of a 45 minute episode.
Please just copy and paste this perfect summary every time this topic comes up and then we don't have to waste time 'discussing' it
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#10 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Posts: 836
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As the "War" Doctor said, it's a scientific instrument, not a water pistol.
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