Spoilers Ncuti Gatwa's New Sonic Screwdriver (the biggest spoiler is that I actually love this)

[Samurai8472]

"The Doctor does not swear"

Ncuti was called into RTD's office to let him know that the while he's in costume that "the doctor does not swear"

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-...doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-swearing-b2462524.html

“The only time I’ve ever gotten in trouble for anything was when I swore [while wearing] a Doctor Who costume,” he said in the Radio Times Christmas issue.

“I got called into Russell’s office. Woo! And he let me know that that’s not acceptable. He said, ‘Do what you want when you’re out of costume, but when you’re in costume, do not let us catch you swearing.’”

 

[Christopher]

Ncuti was called into RTD's office to let him know that the while he's in costume that "the doctor does not swear"

Does he mean any profanity or just severe ones like the F- and S-words? Because the Doctor has said "Hell" and "Damn" on occasion in both the classic and modern series.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

Does he mean any profanity or just severe ones like the F- and S-words? Because the Doctor has said "Hell" and "Damn" on occasion in both the classic and modern series.

Not really considered swears in the UK as far as I know.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

The sonic proved ineffective with the goblin knots (though it seems like it should have some efficacy to loosen them) and I wonder if that will continue with stories finding ways for it to be downplayed in favor of other solutions.

 

[Sketcher]

Funny how we went from one of the most powerful sonic screwdrivers that can create holograms and shields, to one that's only so far been good for opening doors. Feel like this was RTD pushing the screwdriver to its most bonkerest level, before scaling it back to just being a simple tool again.

 

[Christopher]

Funny how we went from one of the most powerful sonic screwdrivers that can create holograms and shields, to one that's only so far been good for opening doors. Feel like this was RTD pushing the screwdriver to its most bonkerest level, before scaling it back to just being a simple tool again.

I dunno -- I don't think they'd design such an elaborate and toy-worthy prop and not give it a range of interesting abilities that kids playing with the toy could emulate.

Besides, the climax here depended on another gadget the Doctor just happened to have invented, the climbing glove things. So it's still "the gadget saves the day" writing, even if it's a different gadget. Thus, I don't take this episode as evidence that the screwdriver will be downplayed.

 

[publiusr]

Some of the better fidget spinners might have been an inspiration—though the Galaxy Quest comm was my first thought…

 

[Qonundrum]

The sonic proved ineffective with the goblin knots (though it seems like it should have some efficacy to loosen them) and I wonder if that will continue with stories finding ways for it to be downplayed in favor of other solutions.

This is indeed a nice beginning; the usual device doesn't work so they find or make another.

The device is just a name, anyway - the "sonic" aspect was long-abandoned for any near-realistic application (e.g. rapid propelling of sound waves to induce a force to vibrate a lock's mechanism, detonate a mine from a distance, start a concentrated fire... (Though the arguably BS aspects, like reversing a magnetic field's polarity to bring just only the one section of a wall where the whole thing is based on a magnetic field for somehow - whatever the plot dictates if time runs out in the writers' room - started not too long after the blowtorch bit as well. The sonic generator could arguably create an electrical field that powers an electromagnet that might locally interfere (hence the Doctor using a couple long wires, but not in a coil (along with obligatory ferrous or compatible center rod) that one might expect... regardless, isn't sci-fi cool? Anyway, thankfully the maguffin wasn't used in every single story and was generally used with some tact back then... and, generally, any electronic based lock for those frivolous things like security doors have a failsafe to keep it from opening, so one wand wave won't move the plot forward, but you know me: Whinewhinewhinewhinewhine! )

Funny how we went from one of the most powerful sonic screwdrivers that can create holograms and shields, to one that's only so far been good for opening doors. Feel like this was RTD pushing the screwdriver to its most bonkerest level, before scaling it back to just being a simple tool again.

It's a nice change as well; and 10/14 is known for the grand use of the sonic gizmo - it ties into the "start fresh moving forward" approach as well.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

We all carry a device in our pocket we still call a phone.
How much of its use is still voice transmission to another person?

It‘s a multi purpose device which has its original name stick regardless of main function.

Be thankful the Sonic Scredeiver doesn’t come with 4 camera lenses. XD

 

[Redfern]

We all carry a device in our pocket we still call a phone.
How much of its use is still voice transmission to another person?

For me, personally, probably 90+ percent of the time. Yeah, I had to be "that guy".

 

[publiusr]

That’s good.

Conversation is a lost art.

 

[Redfern]

I should explain that I finally purchased a cellular/"smart" phone 26 months ago when I was planning a 3 hour road trip. My car was 27 years old and had reached a point certain replacement parts were no longer readily available, neither new nor refurbished. I had concerns my vehicle might break down during the drive. So I purchased a 50 dollar Motorola Android based unit in case of an emergency. I purchased a "budget" plan, 30 dollars a month for unlimited voice and a "cap" on data. Thankfully the drive went without incident.

I kept the phone and plan even though I had a landline with a long distance service. Ironic thing was, 90 to 95+ percent of the calls I received on that landline were "bots", scams and other "crap". And the price for that "no frills" service had inflated to well over 120 dollars a month! Why would I keep the circuit?! It was a "legacy" number I inherited from my grandmother, one that was active since the 60s (at least). I feared my remaining family might metaphorically lynch me if I cancelled it.

But the "robo" calls grew increasingly annoying. One morning I received 7 within a single hour. I'd always let calls go to my answering machine to "screen" them, but that meant the phone rang several times before the machine answered and the volume could be switched only so low (which was still pretty loud). It proved nerve-wrackingly distracting! Finally, about 2 months ago I had suffered enough and cancelled the circuit. Thankfully, my remaining family (an elder cousin and her two daughters that are more like a "mom" and "sisters") were understanding. Well, one of them kinda' wanted to "adopt" the number for the sake of nostalgia, but she would have "inherited" that endless string of bot calls.

So now I finally rely upon the cellular. And for the moment, call centers have not yet discovered the number, so it is peaceful and quiet. (And by stating that, I've likely tempted the Hand of Fate to give me "the finger".)

 

[Timofnine]

Looks like something by MAC which could help me blush my cheeks…. a ‘sonic’ blusher. Or maybe it's Maybelline?

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[Macintosh]

I applaud them for trying an original design for the sonic screwdriver rather than just another high-tech magic wand, but I'm less than entirely keen on the "Cyberman's in-sole" concept they ended up going with. Especially after they made such a song and dance about the 14th Doctor's new screwdriver design too. Plus it doesn't seem to match the TARDIS interior particularly well, which was something the previous new series screwdriver designs all tended to do.