Season 22, which consists of two-part stories with 45-minute episodes, kicks off with the return of the Cybermen in an adventure combining modern-day Earth and the planet of Telos. The first part has proper build-up, with dangers brooding under London, while the Doctor and Peri chase a mysterious trail. I like how the story is both a prequel to The Tomb of the Cybermen (1976) and a spiritual successor to that and The Tenth Planet (1966). The first part builds up the menace quite well, even if the story itself barely moves forward. I like the fighting scenes on Telos, for instance. The second part doesn't build on the tension established in Part One until the story reaches its climax. The connections to earlier Cybermen stories make this one a slave under continuity but the ending is an unusual one for Doctor Who and an important moment for the Doctor.
Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant are both equally great. Maurice Colbourne is just as good here as in Resurrection of the Daleks (1984), and his character is developed in just the right ways. David Banks is back as the Cyber Leader, and he truly feels like the most iconic actor ever to portray the Cybermen. He has personality, which is more than you can say for the Nicholas Briggs versions of the revived series. Terry Molloy, who last appeared in Resurrection of the Daleks as Davros, returns to the show as somewhat of a secondary companion Russell. He's pretty good but nothing special.
I'm one of those fans, who thinks the Sixth Doctor is unfairly bashed for his personality. Yes, he's unlikeable, rude and unnecessarily selfish at times and yes, he goes too far now and then, but he also has many good sides and he gets better later on. The First Doctor wasn't very likeable for most of Season One either.
What I love about Peri is her confidence and how she throws back the insults dropped by the Doctor.
The Cybermen return as the malevolent force re-established in Earthshock (1982). They have true depth here as well, feeling like distinct characters.
I like the simple but effective production design, especially on Telos, which looks pretty close to how it looked like in The Tomb of the Cybermen (except for the tombs themselves). The Cryons seem like a glittery redesign of the Sensorites, and I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. After a bland score in the previous story, Attack of the Cybermen contains a quirky and playful soundtrack, which gives the adventure a lighthearted feel.
The pacing is pretty nice. There's plenty of backstory and exposition but also plenty of action. Both parts flow equally well. The second part drags out a little bit before the climax and the final twist, as it seems it holds back the story progression to fill time.
The atmosphere of this story is both lighthearted in parts, but also efficiently dark and menacing, particularly when the Cybermen appear halfway through Part One. It also creates a tense and exciting atmosphere, mirroring that of Resurrection of the Daleks. The atmosphere eases out a bit after the Cryons are introduced and until the climax is reached. The climax is a testament of the rather violent direction the series has taken since the late Peter Davison era and turned to the max during Colin Baker's tenure.
Attack of the Cybermen reconnects with a lot of Doctor Who history while helping establish the new Doctor by pitting him against a familiar foe.
I like this story quite a lot, despite it not being the best Cybermen story. It survives a rewatch or two.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:
Lytton, one of the only surviving characters from Resurrection of the Daleks, returns here. So does the planet Telos and its tombs, last seen as the setting of the phenomenal The Tomb of the Cybermen. We also return to Totter's Lane, the first landing site of the TARDIS as seen in An Unearthly Child (1963) and returned to in Remembrance of the Daleks (1988).
Lytton is probably the only human being who has collaborated both with the Daleks and the Cybermen. That's a pretty impressive track record!
This story introduces the infamous pink and tight dress many people bring up when talking about Peri and her distracting front.
Peri: "On one occasion you even called me Jamie!" That's one of the funniest lines in a long time.
Zodin is name-dropped here, as she was by the Second Doctor in The Five Doctors. Now I want a story featuring her as the villain!
Did we just see the Doctor assault a police officer for no good reason? Now THAT is taking the Doctor a bit too far!
The Cyberman being shot in the head through his mouth at the end of Part One is a pretty shocking and grim moment, even if it doesn't show any blood.
The destruction of Mondas is mentioned here. It was seen in the very first Cybermen story, The Tenth Planet (1966), which is why the Doctor seems so uncomfortable talking about it (he had a hand in its destruction).
The Cryons are like aliens combining Sensorites, the Menoptra from The Web Planet (1965) and the Fish people from The Underwater Menace (1967).
This story shows us half-converted humans for the very first time. That becomes much more common in the revived series.
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParentSpoilers2020-07-09T10:05:10Z
Season 22, which consists of two-part stories with 45-minute episodes, kicks off with the return of the Cybermen in an adventure combining modern-day Earth and the planet of Telos. The first part has proper build-up, with dangers brooding under London, while the Doctor and Peri chase a mysterious trail. I like how the story is both a prequel to The Tomb of the Cybermen (1976) and a spiritual successor to that and The Tenth Planet (1966). The first part builds up the menace quite well, even if the story itself barely moves forward. I like the fighting scenes on Telos, for instance. The second part doesn't build on the tension established in Part One until the story reaches its climax. The connections to earlier Cybermen stories make this one a slave under continuity but the ending is an unusual one for Doctor Who and an important moment for the Doctor.
Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant are both equally great. Maurice Colbourne is just as good here as in Resurrection of the Daleks (1984), and his character is developed in just the right ways. David Banks is back as the Cyber Leader, and he truly feels like the most iconic actor ever to portray the Cybermen. He has personality, which is more than you can say for the Nicholas Briggs versions of the revived series.
Terry Molloy, who last appeared in Resurrection of the Daleks as Davros, returns to the show as somewhat of a secondary companion Russell. He's pretty good but nothing special.
I'm one of those fans, who thinks the Sixth Doctor is unfairly bashed for his personality. Yes, he's unlikeable, rude and unnecessarily selfish at times and yes, he goes too far now and then, but he also has many good sides and he gets better later on. The First Doctor wasn't very likeable for most of Season One either.
What I love about Peri is her confidence and how she throws back the insults dropped by the Doctor.
The Cybermen return as the malevolent force re-established in Earthshock (1982). They have true depth here as well, feeling like distinct characters.
I like the simple but effective production design, especially on Telos, which looks pretty close to how it looked like in The Tomb of the Cybermen (except for the tombs themselves). The Cryons seem like a glittery redesign of the Sensorites, and I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.
After a bland score in the previous story, Attack of the Cybermen contains a quirky and playful soundtrack, which gives the adventure a lighthearted feel.
The pacing is pretty nice. There's plenty of backstory and exposition but also plenty of action. Both parts flow equally well. The second part drags out a little bit before the climax and the final twist, as it seems it holds back the story progression to fill time.
The atmosphere of this story is both lighthearted in parts, but also efficiently dark and menacing, particularly when the Cybermen appear halfway through Part One. It also creates a tense and exciting atmosphere, mirroring that of Resurrection of the Daleks. The atmosphere eases out a bit after the Cryons are introduced and until the climax is reached. The climax is a testament of the rather violent direction the series has taken since the late Peter Davison era and turned to the max during Colin Baker's tenure.
Attack of the Cybermen reconnects with a lot of Doctor Who history while helping establish the new Doctor by pitting him against a familiar foe.
I like this story quite a lot, despite it not being the best Cybermen story. It survives a rewatch or two.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:
Lytton, one of the only surviving characters from Resurrection of the Daleks, returns here. So does the planet Telos and its tombs, last seen as the setting of the phenomenal The Tomb of the Cybermen. We also return to Totter's Lane, the first landing site of the TARDIS as seen in An Unearthly Child (1963) and returned to in Remembrance of the Daleks (1988).
Lytton is probably the only human being who has collaborated both with the Daleks and the Cybermen. That's a pretty impressive track record!
This story introduces the infamous pink and tight dress many people bring up when talking about Peri and her distracting front.
Peri: "On one occasion you even called me Jamie!" That's one of the funniest lines in a long time.
Zodin is name-dropped here, as she was by the Second Doctor in The Five Doctors. Now I want a story featuring her as the villain!
Did we just see the Doctor assault a police officer for no good reason? Now THAT is taking the Doctor a bit too far!
The Cyberman being shot in the head through his mouth at the end of Part One is a pretty shocking and grim moment, even if it doesn't show any blood.
The destruction of Mondas is mentioned here. It was seen in the very first Cybermen story, The Tenth Planet (1966), which is why the Doctor seems so uncomfortable talking about it (he had a hand in its destruction).
The Cryons are like aliens combining Sensorites, the Menoptra from The Web Planet (1965) and the Fish people from The Underwater Menace (1967).
This story shows us half-converted humans for the very first time. That becomes much more common in the revived series.
Score: 95/120