Name:
Vortex Indicator
Main Aliases:
Vindicator
Type:
Temporal technology
Used By:
First Appearance:
Other Appearances:
His Mad Pranks
The Well
Lucky Day
The Story & the Engine
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The Vortex Indicator, also referred to as The Doctor’s portmanteau coinage Vindicator, was a type of temporal technology used by the Fifteenth Doctor. The Vindicator could anchor on to a date a TARDIS was having trouble reaching and reel it in, a process The Doctor compared to fishing with a rod and reel.
Belinda Chandra, The Doctor’s companion at the time, wanted to be returned to her home time of 24 May 2025 in London, but for an unknown reason, the TARDIS was bouncing off of that date. The Doctor decided to use the Vortex Indicator to reach that date. The TARDIS, however, would have to land in several different places in order to triangulate their target date before they could attempt to reach it, first landing in 1952 Miami. (Lux)
When arriving on the planet 6-7-6-7 the Vindicator was again used, but The Doctor and Belinda were forced to stay on the planet until the dropship they had arrived on was able to land. Later Mo Gilliben reported to her superior, Mrs Flood – whom she knew as Squadron Leader Chinchappa – who asked if the Doctor had been using the Vindicator, showing an image of the device. Upon Mo confirming this, Mrs Flood was pleased The Doctor was using it. (The Well)
Arriving in 1656, The Doctor used the Vindicator again. While he and Belinda were distracted by what The Doctor described as a “will-o’-the-wisp”, the being known as Robin Goodfellow took the device. (His Mad Pranks)
The Doctor and Belinda landed in London early on New Year’s Day 2007 to take a Vindicator reading. Belinda was pleased they had reached London, but disappointed when eight-year-old Conrad Clark told her what year it was. (Lucky Day)
The Doctor and Belinda landed in Lagos in 2019 to take a reading, as The Doctor also sought to pick up computer parts from Lagos’ communications market to use to try and boost the Vindicator signal. (The Story & the Engine)