10 Doctor Who Fan Theories That Will Blow Your Mind

9. The Sonic Screwdriver Is Inconsistent Because It's Overloaded

Doctor Who Matt Smith Weeping Angels Time Lords
BBC Studios

The Doctor's sonic screwdriver has been renamed the "sonic plot-device" in certain fan circles, due to its ability to solve practically any problem the story throws at it. It's almost like its sole purpose is to help the writers out of a tight spot.

In some episodes, it can shoot out beams of energy like it's a gun, but in other episodes - when this would seem like a useful ability to make use of - the Doctor doesn't bother. The screwdriver has also been used to unlock doors, to transmit signals and to cause explosions. Other times, it simply doesn't work. The tool's inconsistency can make for frustrating viewing at times, but what if there's an in-universe explanation for all of this?

Reddit user BonglishChap believes that there is, theorising that the screwdriver is so unpredictable because the Doctor has essentially overloaded it with too many functions and mods. As a result, it just can't handle all of them, and will often fail to work because of this.

Imagine you're baking a cake, and you decide to add chocolate chips, a jam and buttercream filling, a custard centre, icing, edible decorations and whipped cream, and the whole thing just tastes horrible and does not work at all. Kinda like that.

In this post: 
Doctor Who
 
First Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

WhoCulture Channel Manager/Doctor Who Editor at WhatCulture. Can confirm that bow ties are cool.