Doctor Who has always boasted a collection of space-age gadgets, from sonic screwdrivers to intelligent gloves. Yet, not all of these gadgets are made equal and, when placed in the wrong hands, can also get him into heaps of trouble. Though he’s far from a James Bond type, The Doctor obviously uses these tools to escape threats and ensure that he can continue to travel the universe as safely as possible.
In 2005, Doctor Who received a reboot, bringing the world’s greatest time traveler straight back into the 21st century. Complete with a new image and a working-class companion, The Doctor also had a new set of tricks up his sleeve. One of these is Psychic Paper, a device that uses telepathy to give The Doctor a seemingly new identity. But its uses in the series explore just how powerful the psychic paper is.
Psychic Paper Was an Integral Part of the 2005 Reboot
At Torchwood One, the staff were given training to help them distinguish between real paper and Psychic Paper.
The Doctor can also receive messages through his Psychic Paper, especially during times of trouble.
It can also be used as an Oyster Card, ensuring that The Doctor can zoom through London without paying for travel.
Psychic Paper is an immensely clever tool that allows The Doctor to take on any identity he wishes. The paper acts in a similar vein to an identification card, but the viewer sees whatever their perception allows them to. Despite just being a blank piece of card encased in a slim piece of black leather, The Doctor has been able to embody a whole host of unusual characters. For example, in The Church of Ruby Road, the Fifteenth Doctor caused Ruby to believe that he was from the “Health and safety, gin and tonic division.” Thus, although the audience sees a typical piece of paper, the recipient sees whatever The Doctor wants them to believe. Plus, it’s clear that this type of paper also has a few alien qualities of its own. According to Paper Moon, a children’s book published in 2021, the Thirteenth Doctor informs readers that Psychic Paper is made from the psychic trees of Boda. Even after the trees die, their wood still contains psychic properties, so it is used to craft an abundance of Psychic Papers.
The Doctor first used his Psychic Paper in Season 1, Episode 2, “The End of the World,” making it an integral part of the 2005 reboot with Christopher Eccleston. In this episode, the Ninth Doctor uses this tool so that he can enter Platform One to see the final destruction of Earth. As such, this gadget is the ideal way for The Doctor to sneak into places where he isn’t exactly welcome. This also helps to establish The Doctor more as a nomad rather than an egregious alien. Plus, since this gadget was used so early on in the first season, audiences quickly recognize just how useful this tool is and how it can aid The Doctor as he explores new lands.
Notorious flirt and established Time Agent Captain Jack Harkness also used Psychic Paper to his advantage. In Season 1, Episode 9, “The Empty Child.” Here, Jack notes that he received his own copy of Psychic Paper from the Time Agency, indicating that other corporations see this as a great way to infiltrate alien communities and sneak into hidden locations. Thus, even though this tool is mostly utilized by The Doctor, it seems that it’s a paramount asset for anyone traveling across the galaxy.
Despite Its Potential, the Psychic Paper Doesn’t Work on Everybody
At the surface level, Psychic Paper seems to be the best gadget in the universe. Not only does it allow The Doctor to enter almost anywhere in the world without being questioned, but the tool is small enough to fit inside a small pocket in one of his iconic coats. Yet, like many things in his life, not everything can be perfect all the time. Because of the psychic elements of this gadget, the paper can sometimes display a person’s inner thoughts rather than their desired identity. Plus, the paper doesn’t always have its desired effect on everybody, especially if that person is a renowned genius. A prime example of this is in Season 3, Episode 2, “The Shakespeare Code,” when the Bard notices that the Psychic Paper is completely blank. So, instead of showcasing the Time Lord’s fake identity as Sir Doctor of TARDIS, Shakespeare quickly sees through his disguise. This may be because the Bard is considered to be one of the most creative geniuses of his time, so his imagination may not allow him to see through feeble gadgets. It also suggests that Shakespeare is just too smart for The Doctor, making him one of the few people who can see through his foolish antics.
Other episodes indicate that those with lackluster imaginations cannot see Psychic Paper. In Season 8, Episode 9, “Flatline”, Clara tries to use the tool on George the graffiti cleaner. But, instead of falling for her disguise or following her orders, he simply states that her identification card is blank. Though George is nowhere near as ingenious as Shakespeare, he may not be able to register the Psychic Paper because he’s far too logical. Thus, he may be the type of person to rationalize everything, meaning that his imagination might not let him believe Clara’s fantastical lies. Overall, the limitations of the Psychic Paper show that The Doctor is not always as slick as he thinks he is. Although he is well recognized for strolling around the galaxy like he owns the place, he is always in danger of his Psychic Paper letting him down, creating a touch of dramatic tension for the audience to enjoy.
Psychic Paper Is Now a Common Part of the Doctor Who Canon
Although Psychic Paper was initially seen as a simple way for The Doctor to break into parties, it has quickly grown into one of his most favored gadgets. Thus, it’s been a fantastic way for the writers to expand key storylines and overcome obstacles in certain arcs and plot points. Plus, it’s always been a fun way for The Doctor to display his inner thoughts throughout the years. Most recently, in Season 14, Episode 6, “Rouge”, the Fithteenth Doctor tries to use his Psychic Paper to prove that he is a Time Lord, rather than a bounty hunter. Yet, the paper accidentally read his most private thoughts, allowing Rouge to learn that The Doctor actually thought he was hot. Admittedly, it’s fair to say that this scene was nothing more than a light touch of comic relief. Yet, it gives the audience a lot more insight into how this gadget works and how, if his thoughts are too strong for his own good, the Psychic Paper could easily end up betraying The Doctor. Plus, the fact that The Doctor is still using his Psychic Paper, even as the show welcomes another reboot, showcases that it’s still as important to him as it was when he first showed it off back in 2005.
This gadget also helped to bridge the gap between the Thirteenth Doctor’s departure and the beginning of the Fourteenth Doctor’s reign. In The Star Beast, The Doctor uses his psychic paper to come to terms with the fact that he’s a man again after living in a woman’s body for a handful of years. Again, this is a great example of how Psychic Paper can cover up crucial plot holes and ensure that fans can sink their teeth into the next era of Doctor Who without having to worry about tying up loose ends. In addition, it was also an easy way to add a touch of familiarity to the show, especially since fans had to adjust to the fact that the Tenth Doctor was now mysteriously the latest incarnation of the Time Lord.
Another crucial thing that fans should keep in mind is that even Classic Doctors use Psychic Paper. For example, World Game, a novel published in 2005, showcases the Second Doctor using the paper to break into the Duchess of Richmond’s banquet so that they can keep a close eye on the suspicious Duke of Wellington. So, even though these Doctors may not have used this gadget on-screen, the nature of Doctor Who’s spin-offs means that previous incarnations can use these tools. Thus, it’s clear that the writers see the Psychic Paper as an integral asset that every incarnation should be able to use to its fullest potential. As such, it’s clear that The Doctor has kept his Psychic Paper close throughout his life, even if this wasn’t necessarily shown on screen. Now that the franchise is getting started on the next leg of the reboot, fans are sure to expect a few more added gadgets, but it’s unlikely that The Doctor will be getting rid of his trusty Psychic Paper any time soon.