Object
Smythe's Room Wood-Paneled Walls (with Hidden Surveillance Monitor)
Dark wood panels cover the walls of General Smythe's private room, projecting military precision while concealing a hidden surveillance monitor behind a portrait. The monitor functions as a 'visual telephone' linking Smythe to an unseen manipulator. Smythe once activated it by swinging the portrait aside, dismissing Sergeant Major Burns. Later, Zoe uncovers the same device, which remains invisible to Carstairs and Buckingham until the Doctor urges them to focus. The monitor's feed captures Smythe and his ally (a man in a dark visor) reviewing a glass tactical map, but the Doctor disrupts the transmission by cutting power, causing the screen to black out or crack. This action breaks Smythe's oversight chain and exposes the intruder's sabotage.
3 appearances
Purpose
Conceal a portrait-hid monitor for secret surveillance and communication
Significance
Exposes Smythe's hidden role in war game manipulation, turning suspicion into proof that rallies Carstairs, Buckingham, and the Doctor against him
Appearances in the Narrative
When this object appears and how it's used