The Invasion [TV/1968.11.2 ~ 12.21]
★★★★☆
Let's face it, The Invasion is possibly the quintessential Cyberman adventure -- the definite article. Not only does it have a strong showcase of the monsters, with their representation as both a manipulating force using the world's smartest and most influential to exert their power and a shadowy presence lurking beneath the sewers and waiting for the perfect moment to come out in the open and strike, it also has the benefit of having Douglas Camfield as director. Now here's someone who can bring the Cybermen effectively; the silver creatures are silhouetted and shrouded until the key reveal, and they've never looked more menacing marching along the streets of London. This is a gorgeous serial to watch overall, chock full of memorable shots and sequences... and to further enhance the chilling and tense atmosphere, the groovy tunes of the sixties make their way once again into Dr. Who. It may be a pity that we never got that many "contemporary" Earth serials during the 1960s, but I can't really complain when examples such as this serial and The War Machines go out of their way to conjure up the sexiest, slickest atmospheres to make up for the relatively small amount of their mould of adventures made.
Writing wise, The Invasion is an absolute triumph. While it's easy to mistake it as being Dr. Who's attempt at an action adventure thriller, I would personally float around the opinion taht it was always meant to be a deliberately slower and more methodical invasion story. Like the Cybermen, this serial seems to lull viewers into a false sense of security before pulling several rugs from under them and toppling their expectations with mind-blowing performances, sets and sequences. The beginning moments are calm, almost too calm, until suddenly comes the action sequences -- whenever they eventually pop up, such as Zoe escaping from Vaughn HQ and the ensuing rescue in the sewers -- which are brilliantly directed. Unlike the Cybermen, this thing has a heart beating with passion and excitement. You can tell that everyone was involved and driven to make this Cyberman invasion the most memorable yet, and it works. The exploration of a Cyberman's animosity towards/incompatibility with human emotions, the monumental villain in the form of Kevin Stoney's Tobias Vaughn (complete with complementary lackey Packer!), the delightful performances from our three regulars, a superb first proper outing for UNIT... I could go on.
I don't see many people lauding Season 6 as one of the classic series' highlights, but I'm not afraid to say that I think so. The Invasion proudly stands as a great example of how good the season can be; it's incredibly confident, sexy, smooth and it makes the Cybermen creepy in a way not many TV adventures before or since have managed to. Trust me, let yourself be immersed and the eight episodes will fly by.
Let's face it, The Invasion is possibly the quintessential Cyberman adventure -- the definite article. Not only does it have a strong showcase of the monsters, with their representation as both a manipulating force using the world's smartest and most influential to exert their power and a shadowy presence lurking beneath the sewers and waiting for the perfect moment to come out in the open and strike, it also has the benefit of having Douglas Camfield as director. Now here's someone who can bring the Cybermen effectively; the silver creatures are silhouetted and shrouded until the key reveal, and they've never looked more menacing marching along the streets of London. This is a gorgeous serial to watch overall, chock full of memorable shots and sequences... and to further enhance the chilling and tense atmosphere, the groovy tunes of the sixties make their way once again into Dr. Who. It may be a pity that we never got that many "contemporary" Earth serials during the 1960s, but I can't really complain when examples such as this serial and The War Machines go out of their way to conjure up the sexiest, slickest atmospheres to make up for the relatively small amount of their mould of adventures made.
Writing wise, The Invasion is an absolute triumph. While it's easy to mistake it as being Dr. Who's attempt at an action adventure thriller, I would personally float around the opinion taht it was always meant to be a deliberately slower and more methodical invasion story. Like the Cybermen, this serial seems to lull viewers into a false sense of security before pulling several rugs from under them and toppling their expectations with mind-blowing performances, sets and sequences. The beginning moments are calm, almost too calm, until suddenly comes the action sequences -- whenever they eventually pop up, such as Zoe escaping from Vaughn HQ and the ensuing rescue in the sewers -- which are brilliantly directed. Unlike the Cybermen, this thing has a heart beating with passion and excitement. You can tell that everyone was involved and driven to make this Cyberman invasion the most memorable yet, and it works. The exploration of a Cyberman's animosity towards/incompatibility
with human emotions, the monumental villain in the form of Kevin Stoney's Tobias Vaughn (complete with complementary lackey Packer!), the delightful performances from our three regulars, a superb first proper outing for UNIT... I could go on.
I don't see many people lauding Season 6 as one of the classic series' highlights, but I'm not afraid to say that I think so. The Invasion proudly stands as a great example of how good the season can be; it's incredibly confident, sexy, smooth and it makes the Cybermen creepy in a way not many TV adventures before or since have managed to. Trust me, let yourself be immersed and the eight episodes will fly by.
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