Genesis of the Cybermen adapted by David K. Barnes (from an idea by Gerry Davis) and directed by David O'Mahony

 

Not at all what I was expecting from this story and all the better for it. I had been pre-warned (or pre-informed perhaps would be a better word) from David K Barnes in an interview that I did for him on a podcast that this was a synopsis that had some strange science and bafflingly little of the Cybermen in it. When you know that, it is easy to see all the strengths that David brought to the story including a strong sense of why the Cybermen came to be, who was responsible and a real sense of tying things up with The Tenth Planet in a very satisfying way. 

Is this as good as the much celebrated Spare Parts? Well, no. It seems that instead of a cataclysmic disaster that forced people into metal survival suits, this version of history sees one insane man decide the fate of his entire species because he thinks that mechanised people is the way to go. Which is far less interesting than what Spare Parts gave us (the edgy catastrophe and the slippery slide into losing emotions really gives that story a sense of sick inevitability) but what Genesis of the Cybermen gets very right is the inclusion of it's regulars in the grand plan of bringing the Cybermen into being. Both Nyssa (in a moment of kindness) and Adric (in a moment of stupidity - and bravery) play their part in setting the Mondasians on their inevitable course and we get to see Sarah Sutton in particular play scenes where she realises her part and suffers crushing guilt as a result. When the Doctor realises Adric's part in all this, Davison's line reading hilariously funny. I almost spat out my coffee. 

There's a genius plot twist that sees the characters go from the early days of the Cybermen time jumping to a point where there are prototypes ready to be copied and an army waiting in the wings which is where this story really differs from Big Finishes previous efforts to tell this story. Episode one is like a little short story of the Doctor, Adric, Tegan and Nyssa turning up on a medieval world and meeting the locals and it isn't until the final scenes that you realise the enormity of where they are. The sudden ramp up of tension with that reveal is like a knife in the gut after all the previous frivolity. The twist that the Prince hops forward in time with the TARDIS (in a very awkward stowing away on board and twist of the dematerialisation circuit) could have been very hokey but it's played superbly by Cano and Barnes writes a man out of time and not happy with what he sees in the future with real nuance. It means there is a real effort to have more than just 'how did the Cybermen come to be' be the focus of this story but the efforts of one man to try and right history politically, medically and morally too. As a dramatic device, the Prince is a great character to show how things have gone very wrong. 

In the mix is some bizarre science lectures that I could have happily have done without and poor Nyssa and Dega were forced to try and explain the science of the Cybermen. I think Barnes has toned down Gerry Davis' weird science and if this is the watered down version I can only imagine how the original synopsis read. 'That's the most unscientific thing I've ever heard' says Nyssa to the Doctor at the climax, and I like to think that is Barnes talking to Davis. 

Huge kudos to director David O'Mahony, who has proven to be quite a find in recent years (his execution of Goth Opera was outstanding too) who seems to approach each story as if it is the most important Doctor Who story of all time and not just a throwaway piece of ephemera. I think once you have been with the company for some time a feeling of complacency can set in but there is no sign of that here. The big moments in the story (such as discovering the planet is Mondas, the Prince forcing the Doctor into the future and emergence of the Cybermen themselves) are given huge weight by fantastic David Roocroft score and the performances are all energetic and steeped in the best kind of melodrama. All of the regulars are in fine form and Barnes gives them all authentic, witty things to say and moments when each of their strengths come to the fore. Huge kudos for the musical reminder of the last Gerry Davis contribution, Revenge of the Cybermen, in the last episode when the Cybermen are on the attack. 

Ultimately the story has to head for The Tenth Planet and when we first met them and so there can't be any great surprises at the climax but it still has a pleasing race against time suspense to try and stop that happening and we go via one of the better self sacrifices I've heard in a while. Meta is absolutely bonkers in all the best ways. Bravo Kelly Price.  

I went in expecting an inferior version of Spare Parts and came out with an alternative version, which is quite a shift in perception. The weaker parts of this story are Barnes trying to make Davis' mundane story work but at its best it captures that Spare Parts feeling of the future catching up with the people of Mondas and them not being able to escape it. The fact that he manages to conjure great set pieces, some wonderful characterisation of the regulars and a sweeping sense of dread is all to his credit. This was far more exciting and enjoyable than I was expecting: 8/10