Doctor Who Gives The Sonic Screwdriver 2 Amazing New Powers Before Season 14
Doctor Who's anniversary special, "The Star Beast," has given the Fourteenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver two amazing new powers - what are they?
The sonic screwdriver has been given amazing new powers ahead of Doctor Who season 14. Hailing from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous, the Doctor has an understanding of science and technology well beyond anything seen on Earth. He’s particularly well known for using one apparently ubiquitous tool, a sonic screwdriver, which appears to be based on standard Gallifreyan science.
The sonic screwdriver has gone through almost as many different incarnations as the Doctor – and each iteration has unique powers and abilities. It’s already clear the newest version of the sonic screwdriver, used by Fourteenth Doctor David Tennant and likely Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa, has abilities never seen before. In the Doctor Who anniversary special, “The Star Beast,” the Doctor uses it to resonate through brickwork at incredible speed – something he’s done before, but never so quickly. In addition, the special sees the Doctor use the sonic screwdriver for two all-new purposes.
The Sonic Screwdriver Can Create An Interactive Screen
The sonic screwdriver has often been used as a sensor, with the Doctor scanning areas, people, and objects and detecting a wide range of readings from them. It’s been able to measure distance on a planetary level, scan DNA, detect temporal energy, and measure the strength of energy sources – to name only a few examples. The Doctor has tended to interpret these readings by understanding the sonic emissions or sometimes using a readout on the side. But it’s always seemed a little amusing that the Doctor could discern so much with such apparent ease.
In “The Star Beast,” the sonic screwdriver demonstrates a whole new function; the Doctor is able to create an interactive screen to help him analyze data. The technology is impressive, vaguely reminiscent of the kind of holographic monitors associated with Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It will be fascinating to see the extent of the sonic screwdriver’s new capabilities as the Doctor Who specials – and likely Doctor Who season 14 – continues
The Sonic Screwdriver Can Create Sonic Barriers
The next new function is even more impressive; the sonic screwdriver can be used to create multiple sonic barriers. It’s difficult to say exactly how strong these sonic barriers are, but they’re able to resist everything from Wrarth Warrior stun beams to UNIT firepower – at least for a time. The most remarkable thing about these sonic shields, though, is the fact they are briefly sustained – even when the sonic screwdriver has been deactivated.
It’s reasonable to assume this is Time Lord technology that was developed in the Time War. If so, it was designed to resist some of the most powerful and dangerous weapons in the universe – Dalek firepower. The Doctor has never used it before, but it’s possible he simply didn’t want to explore technology from that conflict until long after the memories had faded a little. Now, he’s using the sonic screwdriver as a very useful tool indeed – given the Doctor has a habit of plunging into chaos in the typical Doctor Who adventure.
