Doctor Who

The Cybermen are back! The Cybermen are back! Yeah. Whoop-dy do.

I was kind of looking forward to last Saturday’s episode of Doctor Who. But not much. Those publicity shots of everyone’s favourite cyborg who isn’t called Jamie, Steve or Murphy took away my enthusiasm. Star Trek had had the Borg, but these new Cybermen looked almost cuddly in comparison, even 15 years on. Nice one Beeb. The Cybermen could have been the stuff of nightmares. Instead, they’re ‘The Cybies’ in metal moon boots.

So I went into it with low expectations for the Cybermen. Instead, I was keeping my eye on the direction: Graeme Harper, famed and hallowed among classic Who directors, was telling the Cybermen what to do.

All things being equal, though, I wasn’t wholly impressed by Graeme’s first New Who, but then I don’t think he had much to work with. It was an interesting story that I suspect has just enough plot for one and a half episodes. Since they’re spreading the story over two episodes, rather than compressing it down to one, that left the first part distinctly flat and mostly set-up. Part two, however, is going to be worth waiting for since it’s going to be non-stop action.

So what was good?

• Mickey and Ricky (will one become a Cyberman? Text “Spod” to 80110 for Mickey to get turned into a brain in a tank…);
• Mickey finally being given a backstory
• The new concept of the cybermen (brain in a tank)
• TARDIS in distress and Doctor’s solution
• Some of those Cyber-isation scenes which are guaranteed to scare the crap out of some of the kids
• Not feeling like the entire episode was rushed

What was bad?

• Billie Piper failing to give 110%. She’s starting to seem a bit “flaccid” next to Tennant
• Don Warrington being given the boot after five lines
• Another over the top villain in a wheelchair creating a race of monsters (we’ve got Davros for that)
• Cybermen only being in it for five minutes
• The new cyber catchphrase. I can’t even remember what it is, it was so catchy.

So not bad. Not brilliant either. I suspect part two is going to be outstanding though.

Incidentally, I know they have some strange music choices in Doctor Who Confidential, but the opening track from Clockwork Orange?

Since this is the second Who posting of the day, I’ve saved up the two Tennant images quota to give you one movie of his being interviewed by John Barrowman. Am I kind or what?

Cos I know you’re all dying to read it, my review of Saturday’s Doctor Who episode School Reunion is online at Off The Telly. For those that don’t want to make it that far, it’s below the fold as well.

Continue reading “Review: Doctor Who – 2×3 – School Reunion”