2018 to 2022: Swiss Army Sonic to Boney M Single

It’s included flambeaux and squarials, a cuddly owl and a giant maggot. Jamie Lenman presents the final five items in his catalogue of one object for every year of the show’s history.

2018

‘Swiss Army’ sonic screwdriver

When Doctor Who returned in 2005, once and future producer Russell T Davies made no bones about the toyetic appeal of the resurrected sonic screwdriver, and history has proved him right. Seemingly endless variations of buzzing metal wands have since found their way into Christmas stockings, school playgrounds and finely curated home displays worldwide. It’s telling, then, that the Thirteenth Doctor’s unique variant – or, as she called it, the “Swiss Army sonic… with added Sheffield steel” – was revealed, not during an episode of the show, nor even in a series of press shots, but rather in toy form at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.

Two versions were unveiled on the day – UK licensee Character Options’ version, with light-up effect and special sounds, and US company Se7en20’s take which, while smaller, featured a spinning crystal function that the CO version lacked.

“I have the Se7en20 replica in my possession,” says Jossa Manalili of the Philippines. “The crystal on the top is definitely one thing I like about the sonic, because not only is it different from the previous ones, but it gives a realistic approach when I hold the sonic itself – especially if it’s spinning.”

Above: Jodie Whittaker brandishes her new sonic screwdriver at the San Diego Comic-Con in 2018, as Tosin Cole looks on.

Not to be outdone, Character Options later released a variation featuring a ‘fogged effect’ crystal, which some considered an odd move. “I like the clear crystal version better, just because the texture looks much more accurate to the real one,” says Taylor Braithwaite from Surrey, who goes on to praise the overall design. “It’s different because it feels more alien compared to all the other sonics, from both ‘classic’ and modern Who. Other sonics feel robotic and mechanical, while Thirteen’s feels organic and ‘alive’.

Thirteen is certainly a more alien Doctor, and the tools she chooses to use and make reflect that.”