The Enigma of The Doctors TARDIS: How Does It Contain So Much Stuff Inside?
The Enigma of The Doctors TARDIS: How Does It Contain So Much Stuff Inside?
The iconic TARDIS, known for its seemingly paradoxical interior, has long been a source of wonder and speculation within the Doctor Who universe. The question of how the internal space of the TARDIS can hold so much stuff has not been unequivocally answered, but rather, it has led to various theories and explanations within the expanded universe. Here, we delve into the three primary explanations, each rooted in different paradigms of science and fantasy.
Explanation One: A Separate Universe Within the TARDIS
The first explanation, which aligns well with numerous hints from the original Doctor Who series, posits that the TARDIS interior is its own self-contained universe. This universe is a dimensional transcendentalism, or a universe that exists in a different dimension than our own. The Time Vector Generator (TVG), a key component, aligns the dimensions of the TARDIS interior with those of the outside universe or the vortex.
When the Doctor or any inhabitant pulls the door handle, the TVG creates a wormhole-like portal, allowing access to the expanded interior space. The TVG is crucial because without it, the TARDIS interior ceases to connect to the outside universe, leading to bizarre consequences both inside and out. A notable example is when the Second Doctor temporarily removed the TVG in The Wheel in Space, resulting in a disconnected, ordinary-looking telephone box inside.
Explanation Two: Locally Expanding Space
The second explanation draws inspiration from the scientific speculations of the late 20th century, particularly ideas from string theory. According to this theory, the TARDIS locally expands three of the compactified dimensions through the operation of the Time Vector Generator. The door of the TARDIS functions as a portal that turns at right angles, leading through these expanded dimensions rather than the normal spatial dimensions.
If the TVG is absent or disabled, the portal would function normally, leading to a typical police box interior. However, if the TVG is disabled and the individual is inside, they would encounter a wall instead of an open doorway. This explanation provides a scientific basis for the TARDIS's extraordinary internal space, albeit one that is not explicitly mandated by the characters in the Doctor Who television series.
Explanation Three: Locally Expanded Space Without a Separate Universe
A third and simpler version of the second explanation argues that the TVG merely causes the local space within the TARDIS to expand through a mechanism closely related to the inflaton field. Unlike the first explanation, this theory does not require the TARDIS to exhibit properties of a separate universe. Instead, the space expands temporarily, and if the TVG is disabled, the extra space simply collapses back to normal size.
Relevance in Modern Doctor Who
The New Series generally aligns with the first explanation, as seen when Rory describes the TARDIS's interior as an another dimension. The Doctor's admission that he cannot fully explain the “size leak” in The Name of the Doctor signifies that even within the expanded universe, certain aspects remain unexplained.
Other TARDISes and Variations
It is worth noting that not all TARDISes in the canon follow the same rules. Iris Wildthyme's TARDIS is a bus that uses dimensional imminence, which means that the interior space is always larger but less orderly. Patience's TARDIS in Cold Fusion likely operates on similar principles, although this is not explicitly stated. Missy's explanation of expanding St Paul's Cathedral for the 3W Institute's base in Doctor Who closely mirrors the wording used by the Seventh Doctor in a novel, suggesting a connection to the idea of expanding space.
Conclusion
The mystery surrounding the TARDIS's capacity to contain so much stuff remains one of the enduring enigmas of the Doctor Who universe. From a multidimensional perspective to locally expanded space, these theories offer rich explanations, each with its own charms and complexities. As the adventures continue, so too does the intrigue, leaving fans and scholars alike to ponder the true nature of this extraordinary machine.