Ascension of the Cybermen (TV story): Difference between revisions

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|series episode number = 9
|series episode number = 9
|story number    = 294a
|story number    = 294a
|adapted into    = Ascension of the Cybermen and the Timeless Children (short story)
|doctor          = Thirteenth Doctor
|doctor          = Thirteenth Doctor
|companions      = [[Graham O'Brien|Graham]], [[Yasmin Khan|Yaz]], [[Ryan Sinclair|Ryan]]
|companions      = [[Graham O'Brien|Graham]], [[Yasmin Khan|Yaz]], [[Ryan Sinclair|Ryan]]
|featuring      = {{Dhawan|c}}
|featuring      = {{Dhawan|c}}
|enemy          = [[Ashad]], [[Cyberman|Cybermen]]
|enemy          = [[Cybermen]]
|setting        = {{il|[[Refugee planet]]|[[Cybercarrier (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Cybercarrier]]|[[Planet of the Boundary]], aftermath of the [[Cyber-Wars]]}}
|setting        = {{il|[[Refugee planet]]|[[Cybercarrier (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Cybercarrier]]|[[Planet of the Boundary]], aftermath of the [[Cyber-Wars]]}}
|writer          = [[Chris Chibnall]]
|writer          = [[Chris Chibnall]]
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== Plot ==
== Plot ==
Over a scene of deep space filled with debris, the voice of [[Ashad]] narrates that the [[Cyberman|Cybermen]] have been defeated after winning a billion battles. After bringing terror to the universe, their empire has finally fallen. As a lone Cyber-head floats closer, he adds how "that which is dead can live again... in the hands of a believer."


In mid-twentieth century [[Ireland]], a man called [[Patrick (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Patrick]] finds [[Brendan (Ascension of the Cybermen)|a baby]] in a basket abandoned in the middle of the road. He brings him home to his wife [[Meg (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Meg]] where they report him to the local [[Garda]] police. Meg states that they will look after him until his parents are found. A year passes, and when the baby is not claimed, the couple adopts him and names him Brendan. Time goes on and he grows up, starting his first day of school and eventually learning to become a farmer. Aged around 8, he falls ill, and Meg tells him if it gets worse, she will call the doctor.
=== On "Earth" ===
In 1920s "[[Ireland]]", [[Patrick (Ascension of the Cybermen)|a man]] finds [[Brendan (Ascension of the Cybermen)|a baby]] in a basket abandoned in the middle of the road. He brings it home to [[Meg (Ascension of the Cybermen)|his wife]]. They report the finding to a local [[Garda]] (policeman), but when the baby is not claimed, the couple adopt him and name him Brendan.


In deep space of the [[far future]], the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] brings [[Graham O'Brien|Graham]], [[Yasmin Khan|Yaz]], and [[Ryan Sinclair|Ryan]] to a [[refugee planet]], having followed the coordinates they [[The Haunting of Villa Diodati (TV story)|previously]] got from [[Percy Shelley]]. However, they have landed half a mile out, forcing them to carry equipment to the last remaining [[human]] settlement. The Doctor explains the majority of the species has been wiped out by the Cybermen, but the enemies are weak too. The group goes to find the final seven surviving humans.
Brendan grows up and joins the Gardaí. While chasing [[Michael (Ascension of the Cybermen)|a thief]], he is shot and falls off a cliff hundreds of feet high. He wakes up and is apparently unharmed even though the bullet holes passed through the chest of his uniform.


In the settlement, a middle-aged man called [[Feekat]] discusses repairs of their Gravraft with a woman called [[Ravio]]. She explains they will take at least another day, but two cyber spaceships arrive overhead, startling a teenage boy called [[Ethan (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Ethan]]. The Doctor offers her help and the group set up their equipment. As Feekat explains that they have only run from the Cybermen before and their escape ship is botched, the Doctor tells him to get the others inside and not run.
Many years later, old Brendan retires, but as he is leaving the police station after his retirement ceremony, his father and the sergeant (who have not aged) appear and half-drag him back in. They strap him to a chair and attach some electronic equipment to his hands and head. When they turn it on, energy arcs around it and Brendan screams as his memory is wiped.


As the Doctor's friends set up their tech, Graham creates a neural inhibitor system to return emotion and pain to the Cybermen, Yaz makes a particle projector that will attack them with gold, and Ryan is met by a man called [[Yedlarmi]] and his mute younger brother [[Fuskle]] to set up a forcefield. With the other humans (including a young woman called [[Bescot]] and another older woman) never having been fighters, the gizmos are powered up. However, a swarm of flying [[Cyberdrone]] heads appears, destroys the equipment with precision, and kills Fuskle and the older woman as they try to run.
=== In space ===
The Doctor brings Ryan, Graham, and Yasmin to a planet where she says the last few remaining humans are hiding, the rest having been wiped out by the Cybermen. The refugees have little useful weaponry and one ship, which is still being repaired. They panic as two Cybermen ships fly over the ruined village.


As the drones leave, the Doctor commands the others to get to their ship and leave, including her friends, as they could not get back to [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] in time, while she holds them off. Suddenly, Ashad appears to the Doctor. Although shocked by her, he has backup from two [[Cyberguard]]s. The Doctor decides to act as bait to help the others escape. As her friends run, Ryan is cut off from them, but Graham and Yaz run to Ravio, Bescot, and Yedlarmi's Gravraft. They are forced inside for takeoff, even though they are missing the Doctor, Ryan, Feekat, and Ethan. Yedlarmi assumes they are all dead and they take off.
The team bring several pieces of the Doctor's equipment which are supposed to slow down the Cybermen. However, a swarm of flying [[Cyber-drone]] heads appears, destroys the equipment, and kills two of the refugees. The Cybermen disembark, revealing that they are led by Ashad.


Meanwhile, the Doctor takes cover and stumbles upon Ryan and the others. As she prepares a grenade, Ashad arrives and tells them to surrender. Ethan is confronted by Ashad, saying he is the only remaining human, but Ashad knows he is lying and kills Feekat. He wonders whether to let Ethan live so he can warn any others of the Cybermen's power, but the Doctor creates a diversion and they run. Without the TARDIS or the Gravraft, they go to steal Ashad's [[Cyberfighter]] instead. Inside the ship, the Doctor works on hot-wiring it, already being a pro. However, Ethan identifies a faster way and the ship starts up. Taking off, Ashad looks up, furious.
The advancing Cybermen have cut them off from the TARDIS. The Doctor tells the refugees to go to their ship and take off as quickly as they can, and tells the Team to go with them as well while she holds off the Cybermen. Since the team are human, if caught they would be converted into Cybermen. However, two of the refugees and Ryan don't make it, while Ravio launches the ship as it can't withstand any more damage from the Cybermen. Feekat (the older man) is killed. Ethan is confronted by Ashad, but is rescued by the Doctor. Ryan, the Doctor, and Ethan steal one of the Cyber-shuttles and head for Ko Sharmus.


In Ireland in the past, Brendan grows up and, as a young man, attempts to join the Gardaí. He is met by the sergeant who met him as a baby and welcomes him into the force.
The remaining refugees Ravio, Yedlarmi, and Bescot, with Yaz and Graham, are also heading toward Ko Sharmus. Ravio explains that there is a phenomenon called "the Boundary" there which teleports the travellers to random locations in the universe. They can't control where it goes, but at least they would be safe from the Cybermen. However, the ship's ailing engine explodes. They end up on a giant structure that turns out to be a Cybermen troop carrier, containing thousands of dormant Cybermen.


The remaining refugees with Yaz and Graham fly through space. Although Ravio and Yedlarmi argue about how to run the ship, Bescot explains they are heading toward the planet [[Ko Sharmus]] and a phenomenon called "[[the Boundary]]" which teleports anyone who finds it to random locations in the universe. However, by pushing the ship too hard, its ailing engine explodes.
The Cyber-shuttle reaches what they think is the planet of Ko Sharmus. However, Ko Sharmus turns out to be one lone human, who stayed behind in case any more refugees were seeking the Boundary.


On the Cyberfighter, Ethan also sets a course for Ko Sharmus, planning on getting there first. Ethan explains one fo the first things he was ever taught in life was how to hijack and destroy cyber-ships. As they talk, a hologram of Ashad appears and he and the Doctor talk. He explains that the [[Cyberium]] does know of her, but he will stop her and destroy humanity. She points out his internal conflict of hating who he used to be and not being a perfect Cyberman, but he agrees and points out he is ready to carry the death of everything inside him. As he leaves, the Doctor is left shaken.
Ashad and his crew find the troop carrier with the other refugees. They decide to steer the ship to Ko Sharmus as it is their only chance of escape before they are taken by Ashad and the now-awake thousands of Cybermen.


In Ireland, Brendan chases a thief called [[Michael (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Michael]] near a cliff, but he has a revolver pulled on him. Despite urging him not to, he is shot in the chest and falls off the cliff. As his sergeant runs along the beach, however, Brendan wakes up and is somehow unharmed. Later, he simply explains he was lucky, with his injuries mysteriously missing, and he receives a commendation for his great work.
Ko Sharmus shows the Doctor, Ryan, and Ethan the Boundary, which appears as a rippling sheet of energy. It unexpectedly clears, and the Doctor sees the capital city of [[Gallifrey]] on the other side. [[The Master]] leaps through the Boundary and informs the Doctor that "everything is about to change forever".
 
Inside the Gravraft, everyone survives, but they are still floating in space and running on emergency power. Looking out of a viewpoint, Yaz realises they are floating aimlessly through a battle site, complete with dormant ships. Graham notices a docking bay on one of them, and the two give the refugees a plan to channel their remaining life support energy to accelerate onto the ship. With nothing to lose, they try it and barely make it onto the ship alive. The ship is enormous inside, with their arrival making its systems start working again. However, as they look around, another Cyberfighter arrives nearby, carrying Ashad and his guards, ready to hunt the humans down.
 
The Doctor's Cyberfighter reaches what they think is the planet of Ko Sharmus, with the Doctor broadcasting to the run-down, temporary settlement if anyone is there to answer them. However, Ko Sharmus turns out to be one lone elderly man, who does not believe any more humans exist. The Doctor parks up, happy to see a friendly face.
 
Meanwhile, Graham, Yaz, Ravio, Yedlarmi, and Bescot explore the ship, and Yaz makes it clear how proud she is of Graham's work. Yedlarmi explains they must be nearing CyberControl, making the others realise they have landed on a Cyberman war carrier. Finding the control deck, the refugees plan to reach Ko Sharmus with it, cross the Boundary, and settle in the carrier until they find a habitable planet. Graham and Ravio decide to explore the ship.
 
Reaching level 139, the ship starts moving and Ravio finally begins to feel some optimism. Having a look inside another enormous room, Ravio starts to warm to Graham. They come to a series of vertical pods and Graham kicks one open, only to be met by a dormant Cyberman of a new and battle-ready design. Graham belatedly realises there must be around a thousand [[Cyber-Warrior]]s in this room alone, ten rooms on each floor, and several hundred floors to the ship, numbering the Cybermen in their millions. Meanwhile, in the docking bay, Ashad and his Cyberguards arrive, driven by the Cyberium.
 
The Doctor, Ryan, and Ethan finally meet Ko Sharmus who is stunned to see living humans. He explains how he and a handful of others fled the Cybercamps and was sent for upgrading, but he barely escaped to this planet. As the word spread, many others arrived, but he has since helped them all through the Boundary and waited behind for other survivors ever since.
 
Meanwhile, at CyberControl, Yaz, Yedlarmi, and Bescot hear a siren sound to alert them that they have been boarded, and they contact Graham and Ravio to get them back immediately. The duo barely escapes Ashad and reaches the others, as Ashad looks in awe at the Cybermen ready for him. Ravio warns the others that they must not bring Cybermen to the Boundary, but they have no other choice, and Yaz tries to convince the others how the Doctor will be waiting for them. In the carrier, Ashad awakens a Cyber-Warrior and attacks it with his guards, causing it to scream, deeply unnerving the humans.
 
Elsewhere, Ko Sharmus shows the Boundary to the Doctor, Ryan, and Ethan, which appears as a rippling purple sheet of energy. The Doctor has no idea how it works but is willing to risk it.
 
In Ireland many years later, Brendan, now in his 60s, retires and is gifted a clock for his decades of service. However, as he leaves the station, his father and sergeant, who do not appear to have aged, lead him back in. In a backroom, they strap him to a chair and attach some electronic equipment to his hands and head. When they turn it on, energy arcs around it and Brendan screams as his memory is wiped.
 
Ravio flies the cyber-ship towards Ko Sharmus' planet as the Cyber-Warriors wake up and salute Ashad, ready for their ascension. He calls the group to say he knows they are there and Yaz is able to contact the Doctor, explaining the situation. As the Cybermen reach their last door, the Doctor urges her friends to evacuate, but they are trapped. Then, the Boundary unexpectedly clears, and Ko Sharmus is stunned as the Doctor sees the capital city of [[Gallifrey]] on the other side. Suddenly, {{Dhawan}} leaps through the Boundary, impressed with his entrance, and tells the Doctor to be afraid, as "everything is about to change. Forever."


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
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=== Locations ===
=== Locations ===
* The remnants of [[Cyber-Technology]] after the [[Cyber-Wars|Great Cyber-War]] are floating around in [[deep space]] in the [[far future]].
* The remnants of [[Cyber-Technology]] after the [[Cyber-Wars|Great Cyber-War]] are floating around in [[deep space]] in the [[far future]].
* [[Patrick (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Patrick]] finds a [[baby]] in the middle of a lane on his way home in [[Ireland]].
* [[Patrick (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Patrick]] finds a [[baby]] in the middle of a lane on his way home in [[Ireland]].
* [[Team TARDIS]] find themselves on a [[refugee planet]] very similar to [[Earth]], but with a [[Ring planet (Ascension of the Cybermen)|ring planet]] visible, according to the [[coordinate]]s given by [[Percy Shelley]].
* [[Team TARDIS]] find themselves on a [[refugee planet]] very similar to [[Earth]], but with a [[Ring planet (Ascension of the Cybermen)|ring planet]] visible, according to the [[coordinate]]s given by [[Percy Shelley]].
* The [[Gravraft]] speeds through [[hyperspace]].
* The [[Gravraft]] speeds through [[hyperspace]].
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=== The Doctor ===
=== The Doctor ===
* The Doctor says that she used to [[hot-wiring|hot-wire]] [[warp drive]]s as a [[teenager]] on [[weekend]]s, though she quickly points out that in her [[The Doctor's early life|early life]] on [[Gallifrey]], there were no teenagers or weekends.
* The Doctor says that she used to [[hot-wiring|hot-wire]] [[warp drive]]s as a [[teenager]] on [[weekend]]s, though she quickly points out that in her [[The Doctor's early life|early life]] on [[Gallifrey]], there were no teenagers, or weekends.


=== Individuals ===
=== Individuals ===
* [[Patrick (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Patrick]] and [[Meg (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Meg]] [[Adoption|adopt]] the [[baby]] and name him [[Brendan (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Brendan]].
* [[Patrick (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Patrick]] and [[Meg (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Meg]] [[Adoption|adopt]] the [[baby]] and name him [[Brendan (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Brendan]].
* On his first [[school]]-day, Brendan puts on a [[school uniform]]. Later he and Patrick [[rake]] [[hay]].
* On his first [[school]]-day, Brendan puts on a [[school uniform]]. Later he and Patrick [[rake]] [[hay]].
* Brendan is attended to by a [[District nurse (Ascension of the Cybermen)|district nurse]].
* Brendan is attended to by a [[District nurse (Ascension of the Cybermen)|district nurse]].
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* [[Ashad]] is accompanied by two older-design [[Cyberguard]]s.
* [[Ashad]] is accompanied by two older-design [[Cyberguard]]s.
* Ethan says he was born a [[pariah]].
* Ethan says he was born a [[pariah]].
* The Doctor points out the massive [[inner conflict]] that Ashad has because he's not fully [[Cyber-conversion|converted]], therefore having a lot of [[anger]] and [[Hate|hatred]] towards his being. The Doctor reckons she should [[bill]] him for [[therapy]].
* The Doctor points out the massive [[inner conflict]] that Ashad has because he's not fully [[Cyber-conversion|converted]], therefore having a lot of [[anger]] and [[Hate|hatred]] towards his own being. The Doctor reckons she should [[bill]] him for [[therapy]].
* Brendan is chasing a thief, [[Michael (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Michael]], who pulls a [[revolver]] on him.
* Brendan is chasing a thief, [[Michael (Ascension of the Cybermen)|Michael]], who pulls a [[revolver]] on him.
* [[Ko Sharmus]] is the last remaining human on the [[Planet of the Boundary]].
* [[Ko Sharmus]] is the last remaining human on the [[Planet of the Boundary]].
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* The Doctor uses a [[Grenade (Ascension of the Cybermen)|special grenade]] against Ashad.
* The Doctor uses a [[Grenade (Ascension of the Cybermen)|special grenade]] against Ashad.
* The Doctor says [[Cyber warp tech]] is not designed for humans.
* The Doctor says [[Cyber warp tech]] is not designed for humans.
* The Doctor tells Ashad, over a [[hologram]], that the [[Cyberium]] [[AI]] knows how she has defeated the [[Cybermen]] time and time again.
* The Doctor tells Ashad, over a [[hologram]], that the [[Cyberium]] [[AI]] knows how she has defeated the [[Cybermen]] time and time again.
* Ashad and one of his [[Cyberguard]]s hacks into the [[Cyberiad]], the [[hive mind]] of all Cybermen.
* Ashad and one of his [[Cyberguard]]s hacks into the [[Cyberiad]], the [[hive mind]] of all Cybermen.
* An [[Officer (Ascension of the Cybermen)|officer]] presents an old Brendan with a [[carriage clock]] for his services in the police force.
* An [[Officer (Ascension of the Cybermen)|officer]] presents an old Brendan with a [[carriage clock]] for his services in the police force.
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* This is the second episode of the [[Thirteenth Doctor]]'s era to feature the "[[middle eight]]" section of the [[Doctor Who theme|''Doctor Who'' theme]] during the closing credits, following ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]''.
* This is the second episode of the [[Thirteenth Doctor]]'s era to feature the "[[middle eight]]" section of the [[Doctor Who theme|''Doctor Who'' theme]] during the closing credits, following ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]''.
* According to the subtitles on [[BBC iPlayer|iPlayer]], the two [[2005]]-[[2012]] design Cybermen with [[Ashad]] are "[[Cyberguard]]s".
* According to the subtitles on [[BBC iPlayer|iPlayer]], the two [[2005]]-[[2012]] design Cybermen with [[Ashad]] are "[[Cyberguard]]s".
* This is one of eleven television stories in which the TARDIS does not appear at all. The others are: ''[[Mission to the Unknown (TV story)|Mission to the Unknown]]'', ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'', ''[[The Mind of Evil (TV story)|The Mind of Evil]]'', ''[[The Dæmons (TV story)|The Dæmons]]'', ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'', ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'', ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Midnight (TV story)|Midnight]],'' ''[[The Lie of the Land (TV story)|The Lie of the Land]]'' and ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]''.
* This is one of eleven television stories in which the TARDIS does not appear at all. The others are: ''[[Mission to the Unknown (TV story)|Mission to the Unknown]]'', ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'', ''[[The Mind of Evil (TV story)|The Mind of Evil]]'', ''[[The Dæmons (TV story)|The Dæmons]]'', ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'', ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'', ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Midnight (TV story)|Midnight]],'' ''[[The Lie of the Land (TV story)|The Lie of the Land]]'' and ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]''.
* This is the third penultimate episode in an even-numbered series that is the first part of a two-part story featuring both the Master and the Cybermen, following ''[[Dark Water (TV story)|Dark Water]]'' and ''[[World Enough and Time (TV story)|World Enough and Time]].''
* This is the third penultimate episode in an even-numbered series that is the first part of a two-part story featuring both the Master and the Cybermen, following ''[[Dark Water (TV story)|Dark Water]]'' and ''[[World Enough and Time (TV story)|World Enough and Time]].''


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== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* The Doctor has informed Yaz that [[Cybermen]] are "[[allergic]]" to [[gold]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)|Revenge of the Cybermen]]'', ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]'', ''[[Silver Nemesis (TV story)|Silver Nemesis]]'', ''[[Battlefield (TV story)|Battlefield]]'', ''[[Nightmare in Silver (TV story)|Nightmare in Silver]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Last of the Cybermen (audio story)|Last of the Cybermen]]'')
* The Doctor has informed Yaz that [[Cybermen]] are "[[allergic]]" to [[gold]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)|Revenge of the Cybermen]]'', ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]'', ''[[Silver Nemesis (TV story)|Silver Nemesis]]'', ''[[Battlefield (TV story)|Battlefield]]'', ''[[Nightmare in Silver (TV story)|Nightmare in Silver]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Last of the Cybermen (audio story)|Last of the Cybermen]]'')
* The Doctor has told Graham that the Cybermen can be driven mad if their [[emotion]]s are "[[emotional inhibitor|unsuppress[ed<nowiki>]</nowiki>]]". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]'', ''[[The Age of Steel (TV story)|The Age of Steel]]'', ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
* The Doctor has told Graham that the Cybermen can be driven mad if their [[emotion]]s are "[[emotional inhibitor|unsuppress[ed<nowiki>]</nowiki>]]". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]'', ''[[The Age of Steel (TV story)|The Age of Steel]]'', ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
* Similar to the [[Cyberdrone]]s, [[Cyber-head]]s were previously seen to function without a [[Cyber-suit]], most notably [[Handles]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'', ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* Similar to the [[Cyberdrone]]s, [[Cyber-head]]s were previously seen to function without a [[Cyber-suit]], most notably [[Handles]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'', ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* Yaz says she and Graham have experience surviving in the [[vacuum]] of [[outer space|space]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ghost Monument (TV story)|The Ghost Monument]]'')
* Yaz says she and Graham have experience surviving in the [[vacuum]] of [[outer space|space]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ghost Monument (TV story)|The Ghost Monument]]'')
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* The Doctor refers to the [[Lone Cyberman]] acquiring the [[Cyberium]] from her. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Haunting of Villa Diodati (TV story)|The Haunting of Villa Diodati]]'')
* The Doctor refers to the [[Lone Cyberman]] acquiring the [[Cyberium]] from her. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Haunting of Villa Diodati (TV story)|The Haunting of Villa Diodati]]'')
* Ashad was denied a full conversion, similar to the "rejects" on [[Telos]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
* Ashad was denied a full conversion, similar to the "rejects" on [[Telos]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
* {{Dhawan|c}} once again affirms that "everything is about to change" ([[TV]]: ''[[Spyfall (TV story)|Spyfall]]'') and, as the Doctor suspected, he has, somehow, escaped from his imprisonment by the [[Kasaavin]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)|Fugitive of the Judoon]]'')
* {{Dhawan|c}} once again affirms that "everything is about to change" ([[TV]]: ''[[Spyfall (TV story)|Spyfall]]'') and, as the Doctor suspected, he has, somehow, escaped from his imprisonment by the [[Kasaavin]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)|Fugitive of the Judoon]]'')
* The [[Ninth Doctor]] previously faced an army of [[Dalek]]s forged from humans by the [[Dalek Emperor]] and were sickened by themselves for it following the near-annihilation of the species. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Parting of the Ways (TV story)|The Parting of the Ways]]'')
* The [[Ninth Doctor]] previously faced an army of [[Dalek]]s forged from humans by the [[Dalek Emperor]] and were sickened by themselves for it following the near-annihilation of the species. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Parting of the Ways (TV story)|The Parting of the Ways]]'')
* Ashad is addressed by his guards as "Leader". ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)|Revenge of the Cybermen]]'' et al.) Earlier [[CyberMondan|Mondasian]] [[Cyber-Leader]]s appeared with [[silver]] [[side handle]]s rather than the distinctive black. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet]]'') Similar to the converted [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart]], the corners of Ashad's side handles are black. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* Ashad is addressed by his guards as "Leader". ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)|Revenge of the Cybermen]]'' et al.) Earlier [[CyberMondan|Mondasian]] [[Cyber-Leader]]s appeared with [[silver]] [[side handle]]s rather than the distinctive black. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet]]'') Similar to the converted [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart]], the corners of Ashad's side handles are black. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')

Revision as of 15:25, 9 January 2021

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Ascension of the Cybermen was the ninth and penultimate episode of series 12 of Doctor Who.

Synopsis

In a galaxy still dealing with the aftermath of the deadly Cyber-Wars, the Thirteenth Doctor and her companions are separated both from each other and from the TARDIS. Banding together with the last dredges of humanity, they must all attempt to find Ko Sharmus and the Boundary before Ashad, or any other remaining Cyberman forces, can locate them. And who is Brendan, the abandoned baby?

Plot

On "Earth"

In 1920s "Ireland", a man finds a baby in a basket abandoned in the middle of the road. He brings it home to his wife. They report the finding to a local Garda (policeman), but when the baby is not claimed, the couple adopt him and name him Brendan.

Brendan grows up and joins the Gardaí. While chasing a thief, he is shot and falls off a cliff hundreds of feet high. He wakes up and is apparently unharmed even though the bullet holes passed through the chest of his uniform.

Many years later, old Brendan retires, but as he is leaving the police station after his retirement ceremony, his father and the sergeant (who have not aged) appear and half-drag him back in. They strap him to a chair and attach some electronic equipment to his hands and head. When they turn it on, energy arcs around it and Brendan screams as his memory is wiped.

In space

The Doctor brings Ryan, Graham, and Yasmin to a planet where she says the last few remaining humans are hiding, the rest having been wiped out by the Cybermen. The refugees have little useful weaponry and one ship, which is still being repaired. They panic as two Cybermen ships fly over the ruined village.

The team bring several pieces of the Doctor's equipment which are supposed to slow down the Cybermen. However, a swarm of flying Cyber-drone heads appears, destroys the equipment, and kills two of the refugees. The Cybermen disembark, revealing that they are led by Ashad.

The advancing Cybermen have cut them off from the TARDIS. The Doctor tells the refugees to go to their ship and take off as quickly as they can, and tells the Team to go with them as well while she holds off the Cybermen. Since the team are human, if caught they would be converted into Cybermen. However, two of the refugees and Ryan don't make it, while Ravio launches the ship as it can't withstand any more damage from the Cybermen. Feekat (the older man) is killed. Ethan is confronted by Ashad, but is rescued by the Doctor. Ryan, the Doctor, and Ethan steal one of the Cyber-shuttles and head for Ko Sharmus.

The remaining refugees Ravio, Yedlarmi, and Bescot, with Yaz and Graham, are also heading toward Ko Sharmus. Ravio explains that there is a phenomenon called "the Boundary" there which teleports the travellers to random locations in the universe. They can't control where it goes, but at least they would be safe from the Cybermen. However, the ship's ailing engine explodes. They end up on a giant structure that turns out to be a Cybermen troop carrier, containing thousands of dormant Cybermen.

The Cyber-shuttle reaches what they think is the planet of Ko Sharmus. However, Ko Sharmus turns out to be one lone human, who stayed behind in case any more refugees were seeking the Boundary.

Ashad and his crew find the troop carrier with the other refugees. They decide to steer the ship to Ko Sharmus as it is their only chance of escape before they are taken by Ashad and the now-awake thousands of Cybermen.

Ko Sharmus shows the Doctor, Ryan, and Ethan the Boundary, which appears as a rippling sheet of energy. It unexpectedly clears, and the Doctor sees the capital city of Gallifrey on the other side. The Master leaps through the Boundary and informs the Doctor that "everything is about to change forever".

Cast

Crew

to be added

References

Locations

The Doctor

Individuals

Food and beverages

Business

Technology

Vehicles

Culture

  • Yedlarmi is called Eeyore by Graham.

Story notes

Ratings

  • 3.71 million (BBC overnight)[1]
  • 4.99 million (BBC overall)[2]

Filming locations

to be added

Production errors

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.

to be added

Continuity

Home video releases

to be added

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Ascension of the Cybermen - Overnight Viewing Figures
  2. ↑ The Ascension of the Cybermen - Official Ratings
v • e
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v • e
Cyberman stories
For the purposes of this list, a "Cyberman story" is one in which one living, authentic Cyberman plays a part within the confines of the story, outside of flashbacks to previous stories and cliffhangers that lead into the following story. For this reason, stories such as Dalek are absent due to only featuring deceased Cybermen on display. Stories like Carnival of Monsters, A Good Man Goes to War and The Vanquishers are also not included due to the Cybermen's appearance being of little consequence to the plot of the story.
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Sword of Orion • Spare Parts • Real Time • The Harvest • Silver Lining • Professor Bernice Summerfield and the Crystal of Cantus • The Reaping • The Gathering • The Blue Tooth • Human Resources • The Girl Who Never Was • The Ultimate Adventure • Kingdom of Silver • Legend of the Cybermen • The Silver Turk • Last of the Cybermen • Return to Telos • The Isos Network • The Tyrants of Logic • Code Silver / Master of Worlds • Hour of the Cybermen • Conversion • Return of the Cybermen • The Gates of Hell • Scourge of the Cybermen • Altered Status • Monsters in Metropolis • Secrets of Telos • Way of the Burryman / The Forth Generation • Bad Day in Tinseltown • Willkommen • Wulf • Übermensch • Auf Wiedersehen • The Great Cyber-War • Sins of the Flesh

Cyberman
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v • e
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According to one account, the Master had the appearance of Roger Delgado while on Gallifrey. According to another, he had Anthony Ainley's likeness. According to another one, the one with James Dreyfus's appearance was the incarnation who ran away from Gallifrey.

Divided Loyalties, A Brief History of Time Lords and The Legions of Death feature, or otherwise acknowledge, the War Chief, but in the process contradicted the notion put forward by other stories that he was an incarnation of the Master.

One account suggests that the incarnation portrayed by Roger Delgado may be the same as the one portrayed by Peter Pratt while some others distinguish them.

According to one account, the incarnation portrayed by Gordon Tipple is the one portrayed by Anthony Ainley, while some others state that the Ainley one was already lost by then.

While fighting to extend his life at the end of his regeneration cycle, many bodies were possessed by the Beevers incarnation, but all kept somehow reverting to his real being until he finally regenerated into the MacQueen one. Hence, these sections cannot be strictly chronological
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