Doctor Who is unanimous with time travel, making it one of the most integral sci-fi franchises in history. Alongside his trusty collection of companions, The Doctor also explores the galaxy with his TARDIS. As such, it’s clear that without the TARDIS, The Doctor wouldn’t get very far in space or time; thus making his adventures far less exciting.
Yet, the TARDIS isn’t the only machine that can soar through the time vortex. In the 2005 reboot, the writers introduced the Vortex Manipulator, a smaller and more portable way to time travel. Thus, this device opened up a ton of doors, giving popular characters the prime opportunity to match up against their favorite Time Lord. But what exactly is this device, and what makes it so controversial within the Doctor Who canon?
Vortex Manipulators Are a Key Part of Time Lord Culture
Vortex Manipulators were first referenced in Season 1, Episode 9, “The Empty Child,” and were already seen as an inferior comparison to the TARDIS. Traditionally, these devices were utilized by the elusive Time Agency as a way to travel throughout the time vortex without any extra weight. Complete with a thick leather strap and a small screen; these devices were regarded as a lot more cost-effective than a giant time machine. Plus, a lot like a chameleon circuit, these devices were designed to resemble a simple bracelet, meaning Time Lords could zoom across space and time without drawing too much attention to themselves. Another added bonus of a Vortex Manipulator is that it can transport multiple people at one time, making it easier for Time Agents to collect rogue travelers along their journey. Thus, at first glance, a vortex manipulator seems a lot more classy and practical than The Doctor’s old TARDIS.
Yet, The Doctor has spent countless hours complaining about them, viewing them as “Space Hoppers” rather than actual time machines. Although Vortex Manipulators look fairly subtle and inconspicuous, they tend to have a very negative effect on the Time Lord race. For example, in a comic called Space in Dimension Relative and Time, the Eleventh Doctor admits that he was highly addicted to using Vortex Manipulators and was using them around 40 times a day in his youth. Admittedly, this is obviously a small joke, but this example effectively highlights why The Doctor looks down on these devices. Not only do they provide Time Lords with an addicting rush of freedom, but they are also seen to be a cheaper and less attractive option compared to the TARDIS. Moreover, The Doctor also views these devices as cheap and dirty, regarding them almost as a less environmentally friendly option. In turn, it’s clear that the Time Lord is against this form of time travel as it doesn’t work to protect the galaxy in the same way as the TARDIS.
The Device Can Lead to Very Negative Consequences When Placed in the Wrong Hands
There’s no denying that The Doctor sees his ability to time travel as a great responsibility and doesn’t take it very lightly. Though, it seems that Vortex Manipulators are fairly accessible, even to his greatest enemies. In Season 3, Episode 8, “Human Nature,” the audience discovers that a Vortex Manipulator has been obtained by The Family of Blood, and they plan to use it to kill the 10th Doctor. This is just one example of how, when placed in the wrong hands, Vortex Manipulators can wreak havoc across the galaxy. Plus, since these devices allow foes to follow The Doctor across time and space, like a glorified cat and mouse chase, he has very few places to hide away. Not to mention, these devices were commonly used by Time Agents, a highly exclusive group of individuals who were determined to change the course of history without being spotted, so it seems that their users are well-versed in how to operate them safely. So, when The Doctor’s latest enemies have access to one, it begs the question of how much damage they could cause to the universe without being held accountable.
Some spin-off materials also note that frequent use of Vortex Manipulations can cause immense damage to a Time Agent as well as the rest of the time vortex. The Diary of River Song is a Big Finish audio drama that delves deeper into the hero’s adventures as she leaves her husband behind and rekindles her love of archeology. In Season 4, Episode 2, “Kings of Infinite Space,” Song explains that Vortex Manipulators drastically increase a user’s exposure to the overwhelming power of the time vortex. This is mainly because they are not based in a separate dimension, so they don’t provide a protective casing like the TARDIS does. Thus, in large doses, the time vortex could easily kill them, as well as the organic elements of the vortex. In turn, Vortex Manipulators are regarded as a much more dangerous and threatening option for time travelers as they have the potential to harm the user and the world around them. Although Vortex Manipulators are not as widely discussed as other Doctor Who gadgets like the sonic screwdriver, this small piece of information offers the audience a lot more detail about how time travel works within the franchise. As such, the audience is now aware that these devices are not necessarily more sleek and dynamic, but actually have a lot of negative consequences if used incorrectly.
Though They Are a Small Tool, They Impact the Doctor Who Canon Massively
Doctor Who is quite unique in the sense that the franchise is packed full of spin-off material and additional content. So, although Vortex Manipulators may only be referenced on screen a handful of times, they are a massive part of the show’s canon. Most fans will relate Vortex Manipulators to Captain Jack Harkness, an infamous Time Agent who was also a leading member of Torchwood. Harkness used his Vortex Manipulator to travel to unknown planets with his peers and also used it to keep up with The Doctor’s whereabouts. Though it would be incorrect to say that Harkness is The Doctor’s exact counterpart, the pair often use time travel to help each other defeat threats against Earth. In a similar vein, Vortex Manipulators were used by characters like Missy and River Song so that they could keep a close eye on The Doctor and stay on his tail no matter what. Overall, it seems that Vortex Manipulators were designed to help others travel through space and time so that the Time Lord didn’t always have the upper hand.
Although Vortex Manipulators are not exactly the most glamorous gadget in the Doctor Who canon, they help to expand the audience’s understanding of time travel and ensure that everyone can keep up with The Doctor. Admittedly, these devices are nowhere near as iconic as the TARDIS, but that’s beside the point. Vortex Manipulators were created to give fans another aspect to focus on, ensuring that characters like River Song, Captain Jack, and Professor Yana can expand their arcs through a plethora of bonus material. As the latest reboot continues to redefine the extent of this show, it seems unlikely that fans will spot a Vortex Manipulator on screen any time soon. But that doesn’t mean that they’ve been wiped from the canon forever.