The new TARDIS consoles, what do you think they are?

[senko]

They're reshowing episodes on TV and I've just noticed (when he used one of the controls) that the two latest versions of the console room in addition to the old 6 panel control console there have two extra panels on either side of it. Visible here . . .



So what do people think they are? New upgrades from time war era technology, the doctor running out of room and having to extend control panels because of all his tinkering for the less important things like the coffee machine, time lord musical instruments, something else?

[Catsmate]

My first thought is: where are the damn crash harnesses (I've been drafted to a Facilities committee, sorry). But seriously what about some padding on the edges for the inevitable turbulence?
Maybe the additional panels are for Clara to do stuff while the Doctor is in constant motion around the main console?

There are more pics of the interior; Season 7, Season 8.

[senko]

Um is that your sorry because you aren't around much or sorry because your wondering how they restrain theselves because of your new work load? Either way I agree the whole multiple stories, metal barriers and multiple occasions where people get thrown around the console room is rather . . . worrying. Especially what happened to one particular incarnation of the Doctor. Its why there are restraint harnesses on the couch's in my design. It wont help in a sudden explosion throwing someone against the wooden railngs but aside from the initial impact there are ways for them to restrain themselves.

Yep more pics but no explanation beyond "one of two computer panels" whereas all the ones on the central console are explained even if specific buttons/dials/gramaphones aren't. I'm not so sure about giving Clara something to do as the main console is meant for 6 operators and frankly if I were a timelord/scion of gallifrey with a TARDIS I wouldn't trust any non-timelord near the controls except in an emergency. The thought of someone without that knowledge playing around with controls that can take you to places that are going to kill you (big bang), strand the tardis (pocket universe with high entropy), lower the shields then teleport you into a sun . . . no you're not getting anywhere near anything more complex than a food dispenser unless they're locked to only respond to me no matter what you press.

Of course even laying that aside if it is the case I'd prefer they at least explain the console beyond just "generic button and light board" even if it is one of the talk fast and distract the person type explanations. They're not there so far as I know till the snowman so my personal explanation is that they're part of the doctors self imposed exile and contain conveniences so he doesn't need to leave the control room although I'm not sure what that could be to justify two hole long consoles like that. The other explanation is that he finally finished his main tinkering and between systems he added and time war tech he finally installed the old 6 panel control system is no longer adequate. There is mention that war TARDIS's had stations for tactical and weapons so they may be those.

EDIT
Hmmmm maybe they're just blanks i.e. a whole bunch of pretty lights, buttons and other controls so when he has a companion bugging him on what they can do  he can have thems press or manipulate controls on those panels to "help" even though they do absolutely nothing until he's confident that they will obey instructions and he can have them assist on the real controls.

TARDIS appears, doctor exits then looks over his shoulder as he calls to his latest companion.

"Did you push that light blue button I told you too?"
"Err light blue? I think I may have pushed the dark blue."
"You THINK?"
"I'm pretty sure it was the dark blue."
"Well that explains it then."
"Explains what?"
"You contrafibulated the dimensional diodes and overloaded the flux inducer resulting in a shift in the temporal polarity."
"What?"
". . . you sent us back in time rather than forward . . ." licks the air "1776 by the taste of it." 'note to self don't let them near the main controls.'

[Catsmate]

Jun 23, 2016 10:34:08 GMT senko said:

Um is that your sorry because you aren't around much or sorry because your wondering how they restrain theselves because of your new work load? Either way I agree the whole multiple stories, metal barriers and multiple occasions where people get thrown around the console room is rather . . . worrying. Especially what happened to one particular incarnation of the Doctor. Its why there are restraint harnesses on the couch's in my design. It wont help in a sudden explosion throwing someone against the wooden railngs but aside from the initial impact there are ways for them to restrain themselves.

More than I'm sorry about the slightly-OT rant. "Health and Safety" is one thing but fielding complaints about the over-filled paper towel dispensers causing the sheets to tear really isn't me...

I can see a companion pointedly wearing a helmet and padded suit just to bring the point home to the Doctor. It happened to Hex.

Jun 23, 2016 10:34:08 GMT senko said:

Yep more pics but no explanation beyond "one of two computer panels" whereas all the ones on the central console are explained even if specific buttons/dials/gramaphones aren't. I'm not so sure about giving Clara something to do as the main console is meant for 6 operators and frankly if I were a timelord/scion of gallifrey with a TARDIS I wouldn't trust any non-timelord near the controls except in an emergency. The thought of someone without that knowledge playing around with controls that can take you to places that are going to kill you (big bang), strand the tardis (pocket universe with high entropy), lower the shields then teleport you into a sun . . . no you're not getting anywhere near anything more complex than a food dispenser unless they're locked to only respond to me no matter what you press.

Of course even laying that aside if it is the case I'd prefer they at least explain the console beyond just "generic button and light board" even if it is one of the talk fast and distract the person type explanations. They're not there so far as I know till the snowman so my personal explanation is that they're part of the doctors self imposed exile and contain conveniences so he doesn't need to leave the control room although I'm not sure what that could be to justify two hole long consoles like that. The other explanation is that he finally finished his main tinkering and between systems he added and time war tech he finally installed the old 6 panel control system is no longer adequate. There is mention that war TARDIS's had stations for tactical and weapons so they may be those.

Yeah, I can't recall Clara ever doing much, in conjunction with the Doctor at the console. Though Twelve did strike me as the sort who'd monopolise the main console anyway.

[senko]

Hmmm annoying, still the risks of time travel and if they're that worried I have nice comfy couches with straps to secure themselves in flight.

Still those console bug me I like to ID things like that when they mark such a large departure from previous control room designs including new ones.

[Marnal]

They are called Ancillary Consoles in the licensed DVD Files [issue 116 if you are curious]. One of them is for controlling life-support and environmental related systems. The Visual Dictionary states that the other console is a Secondary Navigation Panel.

Given that one whole station of the main console is now given over to telepathic pads these ancillary stations might hold controls that no longer fit on the main console.

[Marnal]

Given how rarely anyone is seriously hurt when the TARDIS shakes about [and how we never see items in other rooms of the TARDIS strewn about], one could argue that the shaking is limited to the control room and is [in most cases] just the TARDIS's way of expressing displeasure. She's not trying to hurt anyone, just trying to communicate her feelings.

Obviously there are a few cases where people are hurt ["Time and the Rani" being the most obvious] but those might be the few [and exceptionally rare] cases where the shaking was genuine.

[senko]

Hmmm interesting laying aside th telepathic pads displacing the life support controls I wonder why he felt the need for a secondary navigation panel in the same room. Maybe its a training tool for companions.

[Marnal]

I would guess that it holds controls for exotic navigation options that are rarely used. It might even be stuff he came up with himself over the centuries.

[senko]

I suppose it could be in response to all the dimensional travelling he did with Rose and he does come up with risky solutions to problems most time lords never encounter.

I wonder how they'd be represented on the TARDIS character sheet. Extra panels with 1 slot or the usual 3?

[Marnal]

The size of the panels would argue that they they should have 3 slots. But the Doctor rarely uses them in the show, implying that they only have 1 slot, OR that they only have rarely used systems.

Its worth noting that on of the master control consoles stations is now ONLY telepathic pads [meaning it is using only 1 slot]. So if each of the other panels only hold one slot then everything still balances out game mechanics-wise.

[senko]

So basically in game terms its the same 3 controls per panel he just has them appear differently with one part taking up all of one section of the central console and the other two being free floating. I can accept that reasoning.

[zebaroth]

auxlayer controls perhaps or maby scanners

[zebaroth]

ok i just got the doctor who impossible worlds book it is a book of concept art and facts about the making of show old and new and it says
those auxlayer controls so the doctor dose not have to run around the main console and to making shooting the show easier to do