Fabula
Object
Object

Coil of Rough Cotton Rope

A thick coil of rough, unbleached cotton rope, coiled tightly for easy carrying. The fibrous strands bear faint dirt marks from storage and show wear along the outer edges where repeated handling has abraded the natural fibers. The rope's flexibility and tensile strength make it ideal for hauling or securing weight in rugged terrain, though its unpolished finish lacks the slickness of synthetic alternatives. The Third Doctor uncoils it in a single fluid motion, its familiar weight reassuring in the Death Zone's precarious setting.
3 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments
S20E23 · The Five Doctors Part 1
Third Doctor rescues Sarah in the Death Zone

The coil of rough cotton rope becomes a lifeline in the Death Zone’s unforgiving landscape, deftly uncoiled by the Third Doctor to bridge the gap between Sarah Jane and safety. Its fibrous texture and tensile strength allow it to bear the weight of a human during the precarious ascent, embodying both practical utility and symbolic connection.

Before: Tightly coiled and stored, presumably on Bessie’s interior or within the Doctor’s immediate reach
After: Uncoiled and secured around Sarah Jane’s waist, with the opposite end tied to Bessie’s chassis and anchored to a boulder
View full event
S20E23 · The Five Doctors Part 1
Cybermen ready to force the TARDIS open

The coil of rough cotton rope is witnessed indirectly as Cybermen carry it to their location outside the TARDIS, though its functional use in this event is implied rather than directly observed. Its inclusion in their equipment implies a dual purpose for penetration attempts—either securing wires or manual force.

Before: Stored in an undetermined location, presumably unused outside the TARDIS
After: Being transported by Cybermen as part of their assault preparation near the TARDIS entrance
View full event
S21E8 · Frontios Part 2
Turlough and Norna expose Frontios secret

The coil of unbleached cotton rope serves as the primary tool for separating the deceitful floor plate from its housing. Its fibrous texture grips well, allowing Turlough to haul while Norna stabilizes the plate’s edges, their combined tension creating the necessary leverage to break the seal.

Before: Stored coiled and unobtrusive in a corner of the cluttered research room, showing dog-eared signs of prior utility
After: Looped around one edge of the floor plate, still partially coiled after having been pulled taut to lever the mechanism
View full event