TOOLS OF THE TRADE: GADGETS ARE COOL
Greetings once again, Doctor. For our last session together, I have sorted through my data banks to come up with a compilation of information which I trust will prove handy to you. Though the mere mention of your name can and does strike terror in the hearts of evil-doers across many galaxies, even you, Doctor, did not become the legend you are without a few 'necessities'. Besides, as you, yourself, reminded me many times during your 11th incarnation: "GADGETS.ARE.COOL." Yes, that pretty much sums it up, I would say. With that in mind, let us take a look at a few of the items you used in the past that you may well choose to use again in the present or future. As always, the choice is yours.
The TARDIS
The TARDIS is practically synonymous with the identify of the Doctor; it would be almost unthinkable to have one without the other. That being said, it should be noted that the Doctor is hardly unique in his use of this space-time vehicle; the Master, Romana, and the Meddling Monk all were known to use them as well. But for our own purposes, we shall concentrate our efforts solely on the one used by the Doctor.
According to the Doctor's granddaughter, Susan, TARDIS is an acronym coined by herself for her grandfather's 'ship', standing for "Time And Relative Dimension In Space". Though there has been some discrepancy on the issue, it is widely enough accepted as factual to be noted as such. The Doctor's particular TARDIS is an obsolete Type 40 TT (Time Travel) Capsule, already out-of-commission when he 'borrowed' it during his escape from Gallifrey. Its previous owner, Marnal, was another renegade Time Lord. Years later, the soul of the TARDIS, housed in the human form of Idris, would tell the 11th Doctor that she actually "stole a Time Lord" so that she could see the universe-not the other way around!
The TARDIS is an organically grown spacecraft, native to Gallifrey where they were 'grown rather than constructed'. All have a certain degree of sentience, able to rationalize independent thoughts and act of their own accord. Idris informed the Doctor that she had always 'taken him where he needed to go, not always where he wanted to go'. It is capable of feeling emotion; the TARDIS and the Doctor share a personal bond of friendship that runs very deep both ways. Like all of its kind, the Doctor's TARDIS must be imprinted with Time Lord DNA before it can be flown; perhaps that accounts for a portion of that bond; I honestly do not know. Their method of flight is materialization (disappearing one place and reappearing another), the Doctor's TARDIS has a malfunctioning chameleon circuit which accounts for it being stuck in the form of the police box instead of properly blending into the surroundings as it should. It is able to translate all languages properly thanks to a language filter, and yes, due to transcendental engineering it really is bigger on the inside.
The TARDIS is practically synonymous with the identify of the Doctor; it would be almost unthinkable to have one without the other. That being said, it should be noted that the Doctor is hardly unique in his use of this space-time vehicle; the Master, Romana, and the Meddling Monk all were known to use them as well. But for our own purposes, we shall concentrate our efforts solely on the one used by the Doctor.
According to the Doctor's granddaughter, Susan, TARDIS is an acronym coined by herself for her grandfather's 'ship', standing for "Time And Relative Dimension In Space". Though there has been some discrepancy on the issue, it is widely enough accepted as factual to be noted as such. The Doctor's particular TARDIS is an obsolete Type 40 TT (Time Travel) Capsule, already out-of-commission when he 'borrowed' it during his escape from Gallifrey. Its previous owner, Marnal, was another renegade Time Lord. Years later, the soul of the TARDIS, housed in the human form of Idris, would tell the 11th Doctor that she actually "stole a Time Lord" so that she could see the universe-not the other way around!
The TARDIS is an organically grown spacecraft, native to Gallifrey where they were 'grown rather than constructed'. All have a certain degree of sentience, able to rationalize independent thoughts and act of their own accord. Idris informed the Doctor that she had always 'taken him where he needed to go, not always where he wanted to go'. It is capable of feeling emotion; the TARDIS and the Doctor share a personal bond of friendship that runs very deep both ways. Like all of its kind, the Doctor's TARDIS must be imprinted with Time Lord DNA before it can be flown; perhaps that accounts for a portion of that bond; I honestly do not know. Their method of flight is materialization (disappearing one place and reappearing another), the Doctor's TARDIS has a malfunctioning chameleon circuit which accounts for it being stuck in the form of the police box instead of properly blending into the surroundings as it should. It is able to translate all languages properly thanks to a language filter, and yes, due to transcendental engineering it really is bigger on the inside.
Psychic Paper
Psychic paper is essentially a blank, white card which is kept in a travel pass or credit card holder. The technology behind the paper is the brainchild of the Celestial Intervention Agency (CIA), and it was the Doctor's 2nd incarnation who was first given the psychic paper to use when he was in their employ. For a blank piece of paper, it comes in quite handy, used quite often to gain access to otherwise forbidden areas, acting as a form of 'identification' when the Doctor needs an 'official' reason to be somewhere. The paper, you see, allows the holder to show people exactly what it wants them to see. It can also unlock electronic pass readers and has been used as a credit card on various occasions. Persons with sufficient psychic ability could also send messages via the psychic paper to the Doctor; all proof that in the world of the Doctor nothing is ever quite what it seems to be.
This does not mean that it is without its limitations. In the hands of untrained users, for example, it may reveal facts that the holder subconsciously wants the viewer to be aware of, but does not actually wish to voice aloud. Maybe not exactly dangerous, but it could lead to some very embarrassing situations. If you happen to run into Rose Tyler, ask her about that one. Also, it does not work properly when wet, nor when the lie is too big to be believable. This will result in only squiggly lines being displayed. Fractal lines are visible on psychic paper if one looks hard enough, making it easy to tell the difference between it and regular paper. No one has done so yet, but there is always a first time-just a caution.
You should be aware that there are some people who are immune to the paper's effects and will not be fooled by it. Torchwood employees, for instance, have been given "basic psychic training" and are able to distinguish it from the real thing. People with extremely high intelligence (genius), such as William Shakespeare, do not fall prey to the illusion, nor do some alien species such as the Saturnynians. On a side note, Captain Jack Harkness and the Weeping Angels have also been known to employ this technology, so the Doctor is not alone in this psychic charade. Limitations notwithstanding, it is a very handy piece of equipment and should be kept within easy access at all times.
Psychic paper is essentially a blank, white card which is kept in a travel pass or credit card holder. The technology behind the paper is the brainchild of the Celestial Intervention Agency (CIA), and it was the Doctor's 2nd incarnation who was first given the psychic paper to use when he was in their employ. For a blank piece of paper, it comes in quite handy, used quite often to gain access to otherwise forbidden areas, acting as a form of 'identification' when the Doctor needs an 'official' reason to be somewhere. The paper, you see, allows the holder to show people exactly what it wants them to see. It can also unlock electronic pass readers and has been used as a credit card on various occasions. Persons with sufficient psychic ability could also send messages via the psychic paper to the Doctor; all proof that in the world of the Doctor nothing is ever quite what it seems to be.
This does not mean that it is without its limitations. In the hands of untrained users, for example, it may reveal facts that the holder subconsciously wants the viewer to be aware of, but does not actually wish to voice aloud. Maybe not exactly dangerous, but it could lead to some very embarrassing situations. If you happen to run into Rose Tyler, ask her about that one. Also, it does not work properly when wet, nor when the lie is too big to be believable. This will result in only squiggly lines being displayed. Fractal lines are visible on psychic paper if one looks hard enough, making it easy to tell the difference between it and regular paper. No one has done so yet, but there is always a first time-just a caution.
You should be aware that there are some people who are immune to the paper's effects and will not be fooled by it. Torchwood employees, for instance, have been given "basic psychic training" and are able to distinguish it from the real thing. People with extremely high intelligence (genius), such as William Shakespeare, do not fall prey to the illusion, nor do some alien species such as the Saturnynians. On a side note, Captain Jack Harkness and the Weeping Angels have also been known to employ this technology, so the Doctor is not alone in this psychic charade. Limitations notwithstanding, it is a very handy piece of equipment and should be kept within easy access at all times.
Sonic Screwdriver
Perhaps the Doctor's most well known tool, besides the TARDIS (which is more of a ship or vehicle than a tool), is the sonic screwdriver. Much more then a typical screwdriver, its capabilities range from opening doors to medical diagnostics, to detecting booby traps and much more. In fact, the one and only thing it seems that the sonic screwdriver couldn't do, was anything wood. Wooden doors, wooden boxes, wooden aliens, all of them could effectively disable the sonic screwdriver. Even with this weakness, it was a thing of wonder and advanced technology. Is it any wonder then, that when the 4th regeneration broke tenure with UNIT and left behind his sonic screwdriver, they would spend years (and countless funds) trying to recreate it. Even in the 21st century, however, they have not been able to break the code.
Whether or not it's the invention of the Doctor is unknown. A few regenerations, namely the 9th and 11th, both joked about it being a task they did out of boredom, but it's unknown if this is true or not. In fact, it has not been made once or twice, but several times, with almost each regeneration, going back to the original 1st Doctor, having a version of this tool. Judging from what we have seen, it seems that the Doctor kept going back and adding more and more uses to it, expanding its repertoire. In fact, over the years, we have heard the myriad of settings (and subsettings) available on it, such as setting 15b to triangulate the locations of ghosts or setting Theta Omega to melt plastic vines. However, by the time we get to the 11th regeneration, it's become even more advanced, the settings now replaced by a psychic control. Just point and think and the screwdriver does the rest.
However, it's far from unique. Beyond the many versions the Doctor has created, there has been a sonic cane, a sonic lipstick, and a sonic pen that operated very similarly. Also, fellow Time Lords and Ladies had similar devices. In fact, one of your companions, Romana, created one better than the Doctor, who then insisted on a trade. Though initially denied, she did give it over to you. The Master even took it a step further with a laser screwdriver, which he could use to also harm. However, the fact that the sonic screwdriver was harmless was a positive, not a negative. Just look at what the 9th Doctor had to say about it, in the image above. Truly, the Doctor would have long been dead had it not been for his screwdriver, cabinet jokes aside.
Perhaps the Doctor's most well known tool, besides the TARDIS (which is more of a ship or vehicle than a tool), is the sonic screwdriver. Much more then a typical screwdriver, its capabilities range from opening doors to medical diagnostics, to detecting booby traps and much more. In fact, the one and only thing it seems that the sonic screwdriver couldn't do, was anything wood. Wooden doors, wooden boxes, wooden aliens, all of them could effectively disable the sonic screwdriver. Even with this weakness, it was a thing of wonder and advanced technology. Is it any wonder then, that when the 4th regeneration broke tenure with UNIT and left behind his sonic screwdriver, they would spend years (and countless funds) trying to recreate it. Even in the 21st century, however, they have not been able to break the code.
Whether or not it's the invention of the Doctor is unknown. A few regenerations, namely the 9th and 11th, both joked about it being a task they did out of boredom, but it's unknown if this is true or not. In fact, it has not been made once or twice, but several times, with almost each regeneration, going back to the original 1st Doctor, having a version of this tool. Judging from what we have seen, it seems that the Doctor kept going back and adding more and more uses to it, expanding its repertoire. In fact, over the years, we have heard the myriad of settings (and subsettings) available on it, such as setting 15b to triangulate the locations of ghosts or setting Theta Omega to melt plastic vines. However, by the time we get to the 11th regeneration, it's become even more advanced, the settings now replaced by a psychic control. Just point and think and the screwdriver does the rest.
However, it's far from unique. Beyond the many versions the Doctor has created, there has been a sonic cane, a sonic lipstick, and a sonic pen that operated very similarly. Also, fellow Time Lords and Ladies had similar devices. In fact, one of your companions, Romana, created one better than the Doctor, who then insisted on a trade. Though initially denied, she did give it over to you. The Master even took it a step further with a laser screwdriver, which he could use to also harm. However, the fact that the sonic screwdriver was harmless was a positive, not a negative. Just look at what the 9th Doctor had to say about it, in the image above. Truly, the Doctor would have long been dead had it not been for his screwdriver, cabinet jokes aside.
K-9
K9 was a moniker given to a series of dog-shaped robots that served the Doctor and his companions. Originally created by a professor, Marius, who was homesick for his own dog back on Earth, he was then given as a gift to the 4th Regeneration and Leela. And as such, a long friendship between Time Lord and robot dog began.
Due to being a robot, K9 is remarkably intelligent, and each successor seemed to increase in abilities, perhaps thanks to the Doctor's work. He was able to download information and facts and then recite them back as needed. He was also built with multiple functions, such as rotating ear probes, an eye probe, laser weapon built into an extending nose, a tail antenna (that wagged!), and even a monitor screen on his left flank. However, the screen was little used. He also had a ticker tape in place of a mouth, and moved about by wheels or occasionally flight.
He also was able to use speech, speaking very formally to everyone. He would refer to the Doctor and companions as Master and Mistress, as well as avoid contractions and answer with 'affirmative' or 'negative' instead of 'yes' or 'no'. However, the Mark II did for a while use 20th century colloquialisms, due to having downloaded thousands of movies. Also, while he didn't fully understand human expressions and feelings (he once took an order to 'forget it' literally and deleted all knowledge of tennis off his computer), he was able to show limited emotions. In fact, he has shown laughter,fear,anger, sorrow, and even self-regard, despite having no programming for emotions. Despite having not been seen since the 10th Regeneration and most models destroyed or passed on to former companions, this was a faithful ally and may be due for a come back soon.
K9 was a moniker given to a series of dog-shaped robots that served the Doctor and his companions. Originally created by a professor, Marius, who was homesick for his own dog back on Earth, he was then given as a gift to the 4th Regeneration and Leela. And as such, a long friendship between Time Lord and robot dog began.
Due to being a robot, K9 is remarkably intelligent, and each successor seemed to increase in abilities, perhaps thanks to the Doctor's work. He was able to download information and facts and then recite them back as needed. He was also built with multiple functions, such as rotating ear probes, an eye probe, laser weapon built into an extending nose, a tail antenna (that wagged!), and even a monitor screen on his left flank. However, the screen was little used. He also had a ticker tape in place of a mouth, and moved about by wheels or occasionally flight.
He also was able to use speech, speaking very formally to everyone. He would refer to the Doctor and companions as Master and Mistress, as well as avoid contractions and answer with 'affirmative' or 'negative' instead of 'yes' or 'no'. However, the Mark II did for a while use 20th century colloquialisms, due to having downloaded thousands of movies. Also, while he didn't fully understand human expressions and feelings (he once took an order to 'forget it' literally and deleted all knowledge of tennis off his computer), he was able to show limited emotions. In fact, he has shown laughter,fear,anger, sorrow, and even self-regard, despite having no programming for emotions. Despite having not been seen since the 10th Regeneration and most models destroyed or passed on to former companions, this was a faithful ally and may be due for a come back soon.
The Moment
Considered the most powerful and dangerous weapon in all of creation, the Moment was the final creation of the Ancient Time Lords of Gallifrey. Also known as the Galaxy Eater, it was the Doctor's intention to use it in order to end the Last Great Time War. It was with this in mind that he stole it from the vault where it had been kept, but the Moment itself intervened to prevent its own use. Taking the form of his future companion, Rose Tyler, it interfaced with the Doctor to provide an alternate method of ending the war.
The Moment was able to breach time locks and create time fissures, that would allow people and objects to pass from one period of time to another; including events that were considered time-locked. Due to its sophisticated operational system which had prevented its use by anyone other than its creators, the weapon had become sentient and developed telepathic abilities of its own, allowing it to read the thoughts and memories of anyone who attempted to use it. It also developed a conscience, another reason why it was never used, as the Time Lords of Gallifrey feared its moral judgement.
Considered the most powerful and dangerous weapon in all of creation, the Moment was the final creation of the Ancient Time Lords of Gallifrey. Also known as the Galaxy Eater, it was the Doctor's intention to use it in order to end the Last Great Time War. It was with this in mind that he stole it from the vault where it had been kept, but the Moment itself intervened to prevent its own use. Taking the form of his future companion, Rose Tyler, it interfaced with the Doctor to provide an alternate method of ending the war.
The Moment was able to breach time locks and create time fissures, that would allow people and objects to pass from one period of time to another; including events that were considered time-locked. Due to its sophisticated operational system which had prevented its use by anyone other than its creators, the weapon had become sentient and developed telepathic abilities of its own, allowing it to read the thoughts and memories of anyone who attempted to use it. It also developed a conscience, another reason why it was never used, as the Time Lords of Gallifrey feared its moral judgement.
Chameleon Arch
One of the most powerful tools stored on the TARDIS, this device could modify a person's biology and memories, making them like another species. The original biology and memories would be stored elsewhere (commonly a fob watch) for safety, until the person was ready to reclaim their identity. The process is not quite as simple as a wave of a hand, however, and should not be undergone lightly. By all accounts, it is extremely painful and not something you would want to do on a whim.
The best example is that of the 10th regeneration, where the Doctor became a human professor known as John Smith, hoping to hide out until the Family of Blood died off on their own. During that time, he was as human as any other and had even started to fall in love with Joan Redford, before being forced to reclaim his Time Lord identity to save the school and countryside from the Family of Blood. The Master also used it, becoming Yana, a human scientist devoted to helping humankind escape the end of the universe. However, once his fob watch was opened, he became once again the Master, and went on to cause chaos as Harold Saxon.
While the device does a very good job in masking and changing all the details, it inevitably misses a few small pieces. Yana still had the drumming sound that had tormented the Master all of his life. And the Doctor, as John Smith, had dreams of his past adventures, recording them in a journal, as well as making a complex chain of events using a cricket bat, not unlike what the 5th Doctor would have done. But if one wanted to hide, there is no better device.
One of the most powerful tools stored on the TARDIS, this device could modify a person's biology and memories, making them like another species. The original biology and memories would be stored elsewhere (commonly a fob watch) for safety, until the person was ready to reclaim their identity. The process is not quite as simple as a wave of a hand, however, and should not be undergone lightly. By all accounts, it is extremely painful and not something you would want to do on a whim.
The best example is that of the 10th regeneration, where the Doctor became a human professor known as John Smith, hoping to hide out until the Family of Blood died off on their own. During that time, he was as human as any other and had even started to fall in love with Joan Redford, before being forced to reclaim his Time Lord identity to save the school and countryside from the Family of Blood. The Master also used it, becoming Yana, a human scientist devoted to helping humankind escape the end of the universe. However, once his fob watch was opened, he became once again the Master, and went on to cause chaos as Harold Saxon.
While the device does a very good job in masking and changing all the details, it inevitably misses a few small pieces. Yana still had the drumming sound that had tormented the Master all of his life. And the Doctor, as John Smith, had dreams of his past adventures, recording them in a journal, as well as making a complex chain of events using a cricket bat, not unlike what the 5th Doctor would have done. But if one wanted to hide, there is no better device.
Vortex Manipulator
Although the Doctor's 10th incarnation considered this method of time-travel quite primitive and referred to it disparagingly as a 'space hopper', it should not be dismissed so easily. Used primarily by employees of the Time Agency, its main purpose is to transport the user through time and space via the Time Vortex. The ride may be a bit uncomfortable, but the degree of accuracy may be fine-tuned to a degree that even the TARDIS is unable to obtain. Its exact range is unknown, but one particular model did allow Captain Jack Harkness to travel back nearly 200,000 years. Additionally, it has the capability of transporting multiple people as long as they have some sort of physical contact either with the manipulator itself or with the person wearing it.
Housed in leather wrist straps with a covering flap, they are able to be worn by Time Agents without drawing undo attention to the device itself; and this is just one of its many advantages. It is extremely hardy, constructed from an unidentified but highly durable metal. One was easily able to survive the detonation of a bomb, with only the wrist strap needing replacement. Another manipulator survived the explosion of Big Bang Two, although in all fairness, perhaps that one had a bit of help due to the re-boot as the 11th Doctor was being temporarily erased from time. Still, a rather impressive showing, if you ask me.
Multi-functional, this little device can also act as a communication device between users, a remote control of other electronic devices, a 'front door key' to the Torchwood Three Hub (this applies only to Capt. Jack's device), and a beacon. It has the capability to project holograms, track life signs, play music, unlock combination-lock vaults, and detect low sodium levels. If that is not enough to sell you on its usefulness, it also allows the wearer to travel to places with time distortions and eras where large paradoxes had occurred-two things the TARDIS for all of its wonders simply cannot do. Perhaps River Song once described it best as "a motorbike through traffic". I, myself, am inclined to agree.
Although the Doctor's 10th incarnation considered this method of time-travel quite primitive and referred to it disparagingly as a 'space hopper', it should not be dismissed so easily. Used primarily by employees of the Time Agency, its main purpose is to transport the user through time and space via the Time Vortex. The ride may be a bit uncomfortable, but the degree of accuracy may be fine-tuned to a degree that even the TARDIS is unable to obtain. Its exact range is unknown, but one particular model did allow Captain Jack Harkness to travel back nearly 200,000 years. Additionally, it has the capability of transporting multiple people as long as they have some sort of physical contact either with the manipulator itself or with the person wearing it.
Housed in leather wrist straps with a covering flap, they are able to be worn by Time Agents without drawing undo attention to the device itself; and this is just one of its many advantages. It is extremely hardy, constructed from an unidentified but highly durable metal. One was easily able to survive the detonation of a bomb, with only the wrist strap needing replacement. Another manipulator survived the explosion of Big Bang Two, although in all fairness, perhaps that one had a bit of help due to the re-boot as the 11th Doctor was being temporarily erased from time. Still, a rather impressive showing, if you ask me.
Multi-functional, this little device can also act as a communication device between users, a remote control of other electronic devices, a 'front door key' to the Torchwood Three Hub (this applies only to Capt. Jack's device), and a beacon. It has the capability to project holograms, track life signs, play music, unlock combination-lock vaults, and detect low sodium levels. If that is not enough to sell you on its usefulness, it also allows the wearer to travel to places with time distortions and eras where large paradoxes had occurred-two things the TARDIS for all of its wonders simply cannot do. Perhaps River Song once described it best as "a motorbike through traffic". I, myself, am inclined to agree.
Superphone
While there were a few precursors to the superphone, such as the mobile radio that the 2nd Doctor fixed up for the Brigadier to contact him, the true first superphone was Rose Tyler's. She was experiencing distress at being in a time period in which her mother would likely be long dead, so the Doctor added a chip, allowing Rose to contact her mother in her original time period. Since then, every companion has had their phone adjusted to this level and the Doctor himself kept at least one on the TARDIS. Though that was perhaps started after Martha left hers with the Doctor, with a promise that she would call him if she needed him.
As for what it can do, it can literally call through all of time and space, even places where there is no service. This was mainly used by the companions to keep in touch with family, thanks to the phone's ability to sync the call within their original timeline. (Meaning even if the companion was thousands of years ahead, the call would be placed as hours or a day later to the actual family.) Also the superphone had no problems connecting with other phones, accepting calls easily.However, the Doctor used them also to defeat various enemies. He used one that he made while on another planet, to coordinate with UNIT and close the wormhole that sent a bus through. He had Mickey send a code by text to a superphone, while on an alternate Earth, then plugged the phone itself into the a console in order to shut down the Cybermen, proving that ingenuity (or cleverness, if you prefer) is truly the Doctor's greatest talent.
However, the phone did have some limitations. Its signals could still be blocked, such as when the Daleks stole Earth from its own universe. Both Rose's and Donna's superphones became nonfunctional, while Martha couldn't reach the Doctor on his. It also was easy to abuse. Adam Mitchell is still the textbook example, attempting to use the superphone in order to send information of the future back into the past by calling and leaving a message on his mother's phone, containing all the information he could. (The mother's phone was later destroyed to prevent history changing.) In a more amusing mistake, Rory Williams used one to access the internet while on the TARDIS, but due to the TARDIS not having firewalls, ended up filling the TARDIS with holographic spam.
Doctor, that concludes our time together. It is my hope that the information provided will prove of use to you as you begin the next phase of your journey. When you begin filling the pages of your own 500 Year Diary with the marvelous adventures you are sure to have, if you can look back on your beginnings here with a smile, then know that I will be smiling along with you. Go now, Doctor, and do what you are meant to do. It is time.
Please press the button on your panel below to be taken to your assignment.
While there were a few precursors to the superphone, such as the mobile radio that the 2nd Doctor fixed up for the Brigadier to contact him, the true first superphone was Rose Tyler's. She was experiencing distress at being in a time period in which her mother would likely be long dead, so the Doctor added a chip, allowing Rose to contact her mother in her original time period. Since then, every companion has had their phone adjusted to this level and the Doctor himself kept at least one on the TARDIS. Though that was perhaps started after Martha left hers with the Doctor, with a promise that she would call him if she needed him.
As for what it can do, it can literally call through all of time and space, even places where there is no service. This was mainly used by the companions to keep in touch with family, thanks to the phone's ability to sync the call within their original timeline. (Meaning even if the companion was thousands of years ahead, the call would be placed as hours or a day later to the actual family.) Also the superphone had no problems connecting with other phones, accepting calls easily.However, the Doctor used them also to defeat various enemies. He used one that he made while on another planet, to coordinate with UNIT and close the wormhole that sent a bus through. He had Mickey send a code by text to a superphone, while on an alternate Earth, then plugged the phone itself into the a console in order to shut down the Cybermen, proving that ingenuity (or cleverness, if you prefer) is truly the Doctor's greatest talent.
However, the phone did have some limitations. Its signals could still be blocked, such as when the Daleks stole Earth from its own universe. Both Rose's and Donna's superphones became nonfunctional, while Martha couldn't reach the Doctor on his. It also was easy to abuse. Adam Mitchell is still the textbook example, attempting to use the superphone in order to send information of the future back into the past by calling and leaving a message on his mother's phone, containing all the information he could. (The mother's phone was later destroyed to prevent history changing.) In a more amusing mistake, Rory Williams used one to access the internet while on the TARDIS, but due to the TARDIS not having firewalls, ended up filling the TARDIS with holographic spam.
Doctor, that concludes our time together. It is my hope that the information provided will prove of use to you as you begin the next phase of your journey. When you begin filling the pages of your own 500 Year Diary with the marvelous adventures you are sure to have, if you can look back on your beginnings here with a smile, then know that I will be smiling along with you. Go now, Doctor, and do what you are meant to do. It is time.
Please press the button on your panel below to be taken to your assignment.