(627) Attack of the Cybermen - Part 1

Today is the first episode of the 22^nd season. Something I forgot to mention with episode 3 of The Twin Dilemma and that was it was the 100^th episode for John Nathan Turner as producer meaning he is only the second producer in Doctor Who history to his the 100 mark. This is the first of the new 45 minute episodes and also the first story to feature on a Saturday since Logopolis back in 1981. This is an Eric Saward script but it is credited to Paula Moore although there is a lot of confusion about this because it seems that continuity advisor Ian Levine suggested some idea. Moore only acted as the author of this to avoid any problems with the Writers’ Guild. What is more certain is the involvement of the director. After his success on Resurrection of the Daleks, Matthew Robinson was asked to come back for this. He wasn’t the original director intended but I think that Robinson was the right person to direct this serial because he is someone that like Graeme Harper, can inject some energy into the action.

There is a really nice opening scene between to characters who don’t have much of an involvement in the story. It’s helped that the sewer scene is so badly lit because that in itself creates the atmosphere even before the performances begin. Some mysterious figure kills the two workers then sometime later kills Payne. Even though Cybermen is in the title, it’s good that they have at least held back on stating the obvious and have the Cybermen appear early on.

This episode sees the Doctor try and fix the Chameleon Circuit. The chameleon circuit working means that the traditional iconic Police Box design is replaced and it seems to be purely to act as a source of comedy. Also the fact that the TARDIS materialises in 76 Totters Lane is a huge continuity nod and seems like a little bit of a joke.

The opening scene with the Doctor and Peri does seem a bit more toned down than in The Twin Dilemma. It does seem that Colin Baker has got a handle on the role know and the loudness of his opening performance has been replace with a cocky but more likeable Doctor. Nicola Bryant has a better time than she has had in her two previous adventures but sadly her performance is overshadowed by the bright pink lycra costume that she wears.

Lytton’s return is welcomed and he seems to have turned to criminal activities as he is interested in £10 million worth of diamonds. As well as Lytton (in a rather dapper suit), the two police officers from Resurrection make an appearance although have more involvement than in the previous story where their actions consisted of shooting a stranger on the banks of the Thames.

This episode sees Terry Molloy out of the Davros costume. This was Matthew Robinson’s way of thanking Molloy for what he had to put up with in Resurrection of the Daleks. He plays Russell and I like the character because he is the one of the team that doesn’t trust or like Lytton. Another familiar face is Brian Glover who plays Griffiths. He is perhaps famous for appearing in such shows Kes (1969), Porridge (1974), Bottom (1991) and Alien 3 (1993). He doesn’t come across as the smartest person in the world but he is a likeable character. Maurice Colbourne is really fun in this serial and seems to be thriving not being with the Daleks. The insults that Lytton delivers to Griffiths are the few moments of comedy in this serial.

The Cybermen’s appearance happens where the 25 minute episode would normally end. It’s a good start for them and when Lytton wants to work with the Cybermen it comes as quite a bit of a mystery. It’s not quite clear what their involvement is but there is the sense that they are going to be using people for converting. Part of the action takes place on Telos which was briefly seen in the 1967 adventure Tomb of the Cybermen. It really does look like a grim place, the 1967 version seems like a quarry with a nice sun but this version is grim with a lack of warmth. The stuff that happens of Telos is seen through the eyes of Bates (Michael Attwell) and Stratton (Jonathan David) who are trying to escape but aren’t the smartest people ever. They are involved in another violent scene where they decapitate a Cyberman’s head but I suspect things are going to get more grim in the next episode.

It’s fun seeing the scene between Colin Baker and Terry Molloy because there will be another encounter between them but in the final story of the season except next time Molloy will be dressed as Davros.

As the Doctor doesn’t have his Sonic Screwdriver anymore, he seems to have created a sonic lance which doesn’t have quite the ring to it. The Doctor killing a Cybermen is quite violent for the show and it does show a different tone in terms of style from Colin Baker’s Doctor to Peter Davison’s.

The final scene leading up to the cliffhanger is rather actioned packed. The Doctor, Griffiths and Peri enter the TARDIS but Cybermen are already waiting for them. Peri is about to be attacked by Cybermen before screaming. This is quite a good cliffhanger and the whole episode in general is impressive. I can get past the violent moments that take place in the episode because everything around it was so enjoyable. The performances were superb, the directing was superb and even the writing was on the same level which even if you can get to the bottom of that confusing part is good. The new 45 minute format is working well so far and I look forward to final part.