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Object
Object

Punting Pole

A sturdy wooden pole tapered at both ends, weathered by use and splintered at the butt. It becomes the instrument of failure when Sarah Jane Smith attempts to fend off the descending alien capture cone, only for the pole to snap under the force of the abduction beam. Its sudden fracture leaves her defenseless as the cone clamps around her, and the fractured halves tumble to the ground beside the model Doctors.
2 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments
S20E23 · The Five Doctors Part 1
Fourth Doctor and Romana snatched by cone

Sarah Jane’s punting pole snaps under the force of the alien capture cone as she attempts to fend it off, leaving her defenseless. The fractured pole highlights the futility of resistance against the temporal abduction.

Before: Leaning against her house, used earlier for punting along the Thames.
After: Broken in two on the pavement, its failure symbolizing the collapse of physical resistance against temporal forces.
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S20E23 · The Five Doctors Part 1
Sarah Jane cornered by abducting alien force

Sarah Jane’s punting pole snaps under the force of the descending capture cone’s beam while she attempts to fend it off, the fractured halves tumbling to the road beside the gloved hand controls, leaving her defenseless as the cone clamps around her.

Before: Solid, weathered pole in Sarah Jane’s grip ready for defense
After: Fractured into two splintered sections lying inert on the wet tarmac
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