Classic Doctor Who - Season 22 - Attack Of The Cybermen (1985) - Review

Starring: Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Maurice Colbourne & David Banks

Written By: Paula Moore

Directed By: Matthew Robinson

 

When Attack Of The Cybermen was first broadcast, Doctor Who wasn't going through the best of times. Coming straight after the legendarily poor story The Twin Dilemma, Doctor Who had to deal with staff at the BBC who regarded the programme as a joke, as well as a Doctor that many audiences felt was too brash and dark. Luckily, the series came back with Attack Of The Cybermen, which saw the return of many familiar faces and features, not to mention the Cybermen being at their toughest. Doctor Who might have started flagging when this story was broadcast, but there was still plenty of life left in the series.

 

Following the events of The Twin Dilemma, the still-recovering Doctor and Peri intercept an alien distress call coming from Earth. Their investigation leads them into the sewers where they discover a group of Cybermen. Taking hostages, the Cybermen force the Doctor to take them back to their adopted homeworld Telos. While on Telos, the Doctor learns of the Cybermen's plans to save their original homeworld of Mondas - but this would break the laws of time.

 

One of the most popular complaints about Attack Of The Cybermen is how dark and brutal it is. While I don't agree with this criticism, it certainly starts off with a very horror-like sequence in the dark sewer tunnels. It’s here that we see two workers get abducted by Cybermen. It's a creepy and well-directed scene that may be slow, but is definitely suspenseful. However, the darkness is balanced well with the more light-hearted scenes of the Doctor and Peri in the TARDIS. It's interesting that this is the first time we actually see the Doctor fix the TARDIS's chameleon circuit. Whilst these scenes add nothing to the overall episode, they’re still fun to watch and it makes for a nice one-off change of pace.

 

Colin Baker's Doctor has mellowed out a little since his first story. While there hasn't been anyone who's done a bad job of playing the Doctor, I can't really say that the sixth is my favourite. This is far from being Colin Baker's fault, as you can see he's giving it his all in the role, but more those in charge of the show. The Sixth Doctor has been criticized for being too serious and even cruel, but here you can understand why the Doctor would be a bit ticked off and angry in some scenes. Many tend to forget that the Doctor does get some pretty heroic scenes in this story, especially at the end where he takes on the Cyber-Controller, Cyber-Leader and Cyber-Lieutenant single-handed. Despite having what is probably the worst outfit ever, this new Doctor does occasionally come across as an action hero. Sadly, I don't have as much to say about Peri. Like most companions from the classic-series, Peri doesn’t have a great deal, if anything, to do here. However, Nicola Bryant still does a good job with the character, and works really well with Colin Baker.

 

Nearly all of the supporting cast are non-existent here. However, one character stands out from the rest and that is Lytton. Yes, the same Lytton from Resurrection Of The Daleks. While Resurrection Of The Daleks was a mess, Lytton was one of its few strengths. His return here allows him to expand on the slimy persona that we've seen before. Surprisingly, by the end of the episode, and as the Doctor points out, it seems Lytton has been greatly misjudged, especially as he ends up helping to save the day. The Doctor's final words about Lytton end the story on an understated yet prolific high note.

 

The absolute best thing about this episode is the Cybermen. Reappearing for the first time since The Five Doctors, they are back in style. Still the same brilliant design that they were the last time, their introduction to the story is great, if somewhat spoiled by the fact that they are in the story title. Returning to play the Cyber-Leader is David Banks, and I’m really glad. David Banks is probably the best actor to have played a Cyberman. He can make them so effective and gives the Cyber-Leader a sense of authority and power in every scene. Sadly, and for some bizarre reason, the episode undermines David Banks’ Cyber-Leader, by including a figure of higher authority: the Cyber-Controller. The Cyber-Controller hasn’t got anywhere near as much screen presence as David Banks’ Cyber-Leader, and its sad that his Cyberman is of a higher rank. However, the Cybermen are still incredibly tough in this episode, not going down without a tough fight, brutally crushing bones and wrists until they break and bleed, and even being able to break into the TARDIS!

 

Attack Of The Cybermen is also a visual delight, containing a fair share of graphic violence. It may be something that a lot of people complain about, but as long as its presented in context, I have no real problem with it. However, there’s more than just violence, there are also some really well-staged fight sequences, and some genuinely scary moments. For the first time, we also see the native species of Telos, the Cryons. Personally, the Cryons are one of the story’s weak points, as they don’t have anywhere near as much impact or presence as the Cybermen and are ultimately forgettable.

 

As the complaints have proved, Attack Of The Cybermen certainly isn’t for everyone. For me though, I really enjoy this story thanks to its brilliant pacing, some great acting, particularly from Colin Baker and Maurice Colbourne, and the Cybermen are at their best with  the kind of presence that they deserve. There are some flaws to be found, such as the Cyber-Controller’s presence undermining David Banks, the music score is atrocious and the Cryons aren’t the most memorable species to be found in Doctor Who. Nonetheless, Attack Of The Cybermen makes for a thoroughly entertaining story.

 

 

Attack Of The Cybermen



8/10