Magnifactoid Eccentricolometer

For the first and only time, the Doctor deploys a hand-sized instrument that emits a pulsing strobe. Built for deception rather than measurement, it throws off sensor readings like a forged signature—enough to make a starship’s failing controls appear merely quirky to the untrained eye. Both Romana and the Captain misinterpret its flashing as malfunction, unaware it is a deliberate prop used to sell the bluff.

2 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S16E6 · The Pirate Planet Part 2

Doctor exposes Zanak’s deceptive fortress

The Doctor wields the Magnifactoid Eccentricolometer as a deliberate prop to fabricate evidence of a technical fault, claiming Zanak’s device is 'definitely on the blink' to justify leaving the engine room. The flashing instrument is misread by all as malfunction, unaware it is a fabricated crisis meant to sell the deception.

Before: Held by Zanak as a key operational device, emitting stable sensor readings.

After: Clutched by the Doctor, its strobe used to misdirect attention and trigger Zanak’s paranoia—left seemingly damaged after the encounter.

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S16E6 · The Pirate Planet Part 2

Zanak and Fibuli plot retaliation

The Doctor clumsily alludes to the magnifactoid eccentricolometer as a malfunctioning sensor, a red herring intended to deflect suspicion while he plants the far greater deception of the TARDIS lock.

Before: Functioning well enough to interact with; possessed by the Doctor consciously

After: Used only as a verbal prop in the bluff; neither seen nor inspected

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