Poll: Sonic Screwdriver Syndrome

[The Cheezy One]

anyone that has watched Dr Who will know exactly what i mean. its an object/person/power that can do whatever needs to be done to drive the story line. dont get me wrong, i love Dr Who. Its edgy, funny and deep. but then he points the sonic screwdriver at a wall, and out folds a computer with which he can disable stuff, undo stuff or blow stuff up. it also breaks things and tightens things, but then again it also acts as a sensor for... anything!
this isnt a flame of Dr Who, but things like the elfstones in the Shannara novels, that are compasses, weapons and shields
(menion leah rocks!)

Whats your opinion of them, and do they appear anywhere else?

 

[WrongSprite]

I like it. If it gets the story out, ready for me to watch. Who cares if it's unlikely, it's fiction.

 

[QuirkyTambourine]

I think that it's annoying when used as a serious plot device because the writer can't think of anything better to use. An example of this, although being the opposite because it's the cause of all the problems would be the explanation of nanomachines for EVERYTHING in MGS4

However it's hilarious when used in things like the original Batman series. It wasn't one device but he always had a Bat-something that would save his ass in any situation. His Batcopter even had a set of Marine Repellant Sprays, and shark happened to be one of them.

 

[Cpt. Red]

Usually I chose "I can live with them" but in the case of the actual sonic screwdriver then its just awesome...

 

[Ciarang]

The sonic screwdriver was ok, atleast the stuff it did wasn't as ridiculous as the old doctor who's

But sometimes I think they just use it because the writers are lazy =P

 

[Chrono212]

It would get annoying if the Dr was stuck behind a locked door and did something equally silly like make something out of random junk to open it, it would just be another plot device, but with the screw driver its like something that can have limitations (just not that many ) and you know its the Dr when you see or hear it so its kinda better to have something that's a reused plot devise rather than 'conveniently' having a blow torch every time there's a locked door

 

[Skuffyshootster]

The sonic screwdriver was ok, atleast the stuff it did wasn't as ridiculous as the old doctor who's

But sometimes I think they just use it because the writers are lazy =P

Damn, beat me to it.

But yeah, usually if they have something like that (can't remember the idiom for it) it means the writers got lazy.

 

[Sonicron]

It would get annoying if the Dr was stuck behind a locked door and did something equally silly like make something out of random junk to open it, it would just be another plot device

I take it you're not a big fan of MacGuyver or the A-Team? xD

 

[megapenguinx]

I keeps that story going. I'd rather have the story move along than drag it's feet and take forever to resolve itself.

 

[Chrono212]

It would get annoying if the Dr was stuck behind a locked door and did something equally silly like make something out of random junk to open it, it would just be another plot device

I take it you're not a big fan of MacGuyver or the A-Team? xD

lol you got me there

 

[NeutralMunchHotel]

But sometimes I think they just use it because the writers are lazy =P

Imagine the discussion we'd be having if they didn't have it, though. 'Oh, can you believe that that rock just happened to fall in front of the door at that one time?'. At least with a Sonic Screwdrive it makes sense within the continuity.

 

[dalek sec]

I can deal with them for the most part myself.

 

[esperandote]

Deus ex machina?

wikipedia: is a plot device in which a person or thing appears "out of the blue" to help a character to overcome a seemingly insolvable difficulty. It is generally considered to be poor storytelling technique.

 

[The Cheezy One]

Deus ex machina?

wikipedia: is a plot device in which a person or thing appears "out of the blue" to help a character to overcome a seemingly insolvable difficulty. It is generally considered to be poor storytelling technique.

"and with one bound, he was free"
its from an old series that used to appear on the radio, where every week some guy would end up in life threatening situations, and the writer would free him in the most imaginative way in the next edition, except for the above. he was tied to a train line or something
the phrase is now synonymous with deus ex machina

 

[Jedamethis]

I think of it like I do Superman

Seriously, why not just call him Invincible Man and be done with it?

Edit: oh crap I went Gonzo and didn't notice!