In celebration of fifty years of Doctor Who, we’re exploring some of the most memorable stories. This week, we delve into “Rise of the Cybermen,” a 2006 episode that marked the Cybermen’s return to the revived series. While the Cybermen are iconic Doctor Who villains, their portrayal in “Rise of the Cybermen” sparks debate among fans.
“Delete. Delete.” – The Cybermen’s catchphrase in “Rise of the Cybermen” echoes the Daleks, raising questions about their unique identity.
Initially, I approached the Cybermen with skepticism. I appreciate their classic era appearances, but their modern iteration sometimes feels less impactful. Despite this, their place in Doctor Who history is undeniable. Images of Cybermen marching in London, like in “The Invasion,” are ingrained in the show’s legacy.
Their return was inevitable, hinted at even before “Rise of the Cybermen.” Russell T. Davies, known for revitalizing classic elements, brought them back. However, “Rise of the Cybermen,” while aiming high, doesn’t quite reach the benchmark set by episodes like “Dalek.” In fact, it highlights some of Davies’ storytelling weaknesses.
Cybermen Marching in "Rise of the Cybermen" Doctor Who Episode
Earth-Centric Storytelling and its Limitations
The revived Doctor Who initially grounded itself on Earth. Season 1 and even stories leading up to “Rise of the Cybermen” were Earth-bound. While “The Girl in the Fireplace” offered a glimpse beyond, it wasn’t until “The Impossible Planet” that we truly ventured into extraterrestrial adventures in Season 2.
This Earth-focus has its merits. Doctor Who’s relationship with Earth has ebbed and flowed throughout its history. The Barry Letts era heavily featured Earth, as did the classic series’ final years. Conversely, some eras saw the Doctor travel with non-Earth companions, untethered to contemporary Earth.
Davies clearly favored Earth-based narratives, a decision that significantly contributed to the show’s revival success. By starting fresh and minimizing complex mythology, he made Doctor Who accessible to new viewers. This approach, while successful, has drawbacks, and “Rise of the Cybermen” exemplifies them.
Cybermen Origin Story: A Missed Opportunity?
“Rise of the Cybermen” is essentially a Cybermen origin story, drawing inspiration from the audio drama “Spare Parts.” Exploring the Cybermen’s genesis is a compelling idea. The most effective Cybermen portrayals emphasize their tragic origin – beings who chose a path of cybernetic conversion, becoming a distorted reflection of humanity. Star Trek’s Borg arguably achieved this better than Doctor Who’s modern Cybermen at the time.
Revisiting their roots and simplifying their backstory was logical. “The Tenth Planet’s” concept of Mondas, their original home, felt outdated. The Cybermen’s continuity had become convoluted, making a fresh start necessary.
The glowing chest piece of a Cyberman in Doctor Who Rise of the Cybermen
Redesigning the Cybermen was also a good move. While the Daleks’ design is untouchable, the classic Cybermen designs, while having a certain charm, hadn’t aged as gracefully. The new design in “Rise of the Cybermen” is imposing and effective, particularly thanks to director Graeme Harper’s use of low-angle shots to enhance their intimidating presence. The scene of them crashing the party is a visual highlight.
However, the introduction of the catchphrase “Delete! Delete!” feels like a misstep. It diminishes the Cybermen by making them sound like Dalek imitators. “Maximum deletion?” further trivializes them. It seems forced and detracts from their potential as a unique threat.
Alternate Earth: A Narrative Cheat?
The core issue arises from trying to reconcile a Cybermen origin story with the show’s Earth-centric approach. A Cybermen genesis on contemporary Earth is inherently problematic for maintaining the show’s grounding in reality. To circumvent this, “Rise of the Cybermen” employs an alternate Earth.
This parallel world concept feels like a narrative shortcut, a bigger cheat than convenient reset buttons in other Davies-era finales. While it allows for exploration of both familiar and different elements, it raises questions. How different is this world? Why couldn’t this Cybermen origin happen on our Earth? Could it still?
Cybermen on phones in Doctor Who Rise of the Cybermen episode
Superficially, this alternate London mirrors our own. Filmed in Cardiff, it features familiar landmarks, cars, and social structures. However, key differences exist. Zeppelins replace planes, suggesting a divergent technological path. This Britain is a police state with a President, military curfews, and disappearances. A rigid class system is implied.
Despite these significant deviations, “Rise of the Cybermen” downplays them. The world is made to feel superficially similar to maintain the show’s familiar Earth setting. This attempt to force a Cybermen origin into a contemporary London setting, even an alternate one, feels strained.
Lumic: A Weak Villain Undermines the Cybermen
Adding to the episode’s problems is John Lumic, the story’s villain. Roger Lloyd Pack’s portrayal feels like a Davros imitation, complete with wheelchair and megalomaniacal pronouncements. A dying industrialist driving the Cybermen creation should be a relatable, tragic figure. Instead, Lumic is a cartoonish villain, more pantomime than menacing.
His over-the-top villainy undermines the Cybermen’s potential. The Cybermen’s true horror lies in the idea of a society making this choice upon themselves. Lumic’s mustache-twirling evil distracts from the unsettling concept of self-evolution gone wrong.
Cyberman with burnt face in Doctor Who Rise of the Cybermen
Davies’ social commentary, usually a strength, feels heavy-handed here. The episode paints wealth as inherently corrupting. Jackie Tyler, upon gaining wealth, becomes a caricature of shallowness. Her positive traits vanish, replaced by negative ones, simply because she’s rich.
Pete Tyler is presented as decent because he remembers his working-class roots, contrasting with Jackie’s supposed moral decay due to wealth. This simplistic depiction of class is lazy and borderline offensive. While Davies often explores class issues, “Rise of the Cybermen” veers into caricature, suggesting rich people are inherently immoral, a far cry from nuanced social commentary.
Exploitation and Forced Social Relevance
Even Pete, though not as overtly villainous as Lumic, is complicit in exploitative practices. The Vitex health drink storyline links the Cybermen’s creation to corporate greed and the exploitation of the vulnerable. While aiming for social relevance, it feels forced and simplistic.
Lumic’s justification for converting the homeless – “They were homeless. And wretched and useless. Until I saved them, and elevated them, and gave them life eternal” – is chilling. It highlights how easily societal outcasts can be preyed upon. However, this exploitation angle overshadows the more profound horror of the Cybermen’s original concept: self-willed cybernetic conversion.
Cyberman shocking a man in Doctor Who Rise of the Cybermen
The truly disturbing aspect of the classic Cybermen was their self-initiated conversion – a civilization choosing to “upgrade.” “Rise of the Cybermen” touches on technological dependence as a precursor, but it pivots to a more conventional villain-driven plot. Lumic assimilating people is standard Doctor Who fare, lacking the unsettling depth of a species choosing its own cybernetic evolution. “Rise of the Cybermen” opts for an easier, less impactful narrative.
The Doctor, Rose, and Mickey: Character Dynamics in Flux
The episode also suffers from the ongoing Doctor-Rose dynamic. While their arrogance is intentional, it remains grating. Their exclusive relationship alienates other characters, particularly Mickey. Adding Mickey to the TARDIS crew highlights their cliquishness.
“Rise of the Cybermen” does give Mickey a welcome character arc, making him more sympathetic. His insecurity and guilt are explored, adding depth to a previously underdeveloped character. However, Noel Clarke’s portrayal of Rickey, Mickey’s alternate-world counterpart, falls flat, leaning into macho clichés that feel silly.
Cybermen in formal wear in Doctor Who Rise of the Cybermen
Ultimately, even Mickey’s development serves Rose’s storyline. The alternate world and the coincidental presence of her father feel contrived, all leading towards Rose’s impending departure. The convenient death of alt-Pete’s wife to pair him with Jackie further reinforces this sense of plot contrivance.
Final Verdict: A Disappointing Cybermen Outing
“Rise of the Cybermen,” while ambitious, is ultimately a flawed episode. It feels like a collection of ideas rather than a cohesive story. While it has potential and some strong visual moments, the execution is lackluster. It’s a missed opportunity to deliver a truly compelling Cybermen story in the revived series. The episode struggles to balance its Cybermen origin story with the show’s Earth-bound setting, resulting in a narrative that feels both convoluted and simplistic.
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