There is a large section of the fandom that claim the sonic screwdriver is overused. Rubbish, I say. It doesn't save the day nearly as much as you might imagine; but then I'm confronted with 'The Power of Three', and I really have no reply. 'The Power of Three' is another example of a wonderfully set-up invasion story. The episode focuses on the character dynamic between the Ponds and the Doctor, and seems to be moving towards an exciting climax. The Shakri turn up, and the Doctor's scared of him: he's heard stories since his childhood about this dreaded foe, and to conquer it... he needs to wave his sonic screwdriver, and then all will be well again. It's understandable that this episode had such a rushed ending, given that it was never about the invasion in the first place, but the characters. But why was so much dread placed on the Shakri, then? Why was the episode paced like this? Why didn't the ending revolve around the companions, and how the Doctor needs them so badly? Easily the worst offender of the "Sonic Solves All" argument, and one that many can't defend, unfortunately.
