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

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
m (enforcing T:CLEAN CODE)
Line 3: Line 3:
{{Infobox ClassicTV|
{{Infobox ClassicTV|
story name= Revenge of the Cybermen|
story name= Revenge of the Cybermen|
image= [[file:Cyber-Leader vs the Doctor.jpg|250px]]|
image= [[File:Cyber-Leader vs the Doctor.jpg|250px]]|
series=[[Doctor Who]] - [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]] |
series=[[Doctor Who]] - [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]] |
number= [[Season 12]]|
number= [[Season 12]]|
story number= 79|
story number= 79|
doctor=[[Fourth Doctor]] |
doctor=[[Fourth Doctor]] |
companions= [[Sarah Jane Smith]]<br>[[Harry Sullivan]] |
companions= [[Sarah Jane Smith]]<br />[[Harry Sullivan]] |
enemy= [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Mondas Cybermen]] ([[CyberNomad]]s)|
enemy= [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Mondas Cybermen]] ([[CyberNomad]]s)|
year= The [[Nerva Beacon]] |
year= The [[Nerva Beacon]] |
Line 26: Line 26:
[[Wookey Hole Caves]] doubled for the [[gold]] mines of [[Voga]]. While filming there an electrician broke his leg, [[Elisabeth Sladen]]'s motorboat went out of control and one of the stuntmen was injured getting her out of the water and ended up in hospital. Concern was raised by [[director]] [[Michael E. Briant]] about the lack of space in the caves. This meant that the [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]] were largely restricted in their movements.
[[Wookey Hole Caves]] doubled for the [[gold]] mines of [[Voga]]. While filming there an electrician broke his leg, [[Elisabeth Sladen]]'s motorboat went out of control and one of the stuntmen was injured getting her out of the water and ended up in hospital. Concern was raised by [[director]] [[Michael E. Briant]] about the lack of space in the caves. This meant that the [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]] were largely restricted in their movements.


==Synopsis==
== Synopsis ==
[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] and his [[companion]]s are lost in [[time]].
[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] and his [[companion]]s are lost in [[time]].


Line 33: Line 33:
The Doctor, [[Harry Sullivan]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith]] have stumbled into the last battle of an ancient conflict between humankind and one of its most terrifying foes - the [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]]
The Doctor, [[Harry Sullivan]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith]] have stumbled into the last battle of an ancient conflict between humankind and one of its most terrifying foes - the [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]]


==Plot==
== Plot ==
===Part one===
=== Part one ===
[[The Doctor]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] and [[Sarah Jane]] use the [[Time Ring]], spinning their way through time and space back to [[Space Station Nerva]]. They land in the control room they left when they last beamed down to Earth, but Sarah notices the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] is not there. The Doctor says the time ship is drifting back in time towards them and they just need to wait for her to catch up. A door slides open, revealing a dead body, and many more beyond, littering the outer ring of the station.
[[The Doctor]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] and [[Sarah Jane]] use the [[Time Ring]], spinning their way through time and space back to [[Space Station Nerva]]. They land in the control room they left when they last beamed down to Earth, but Sarah notices the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] is not there. The Doctor says the time ship is drifting back in time towards them and they just need to wait for her to catch up. A door slides open, revealing a dead body, and many more beyond, littering the outer ring of the station.


Line 52: Line 52:
Warner is dead. When the Doctor examines the body, he finds two puncture wounds, indicating that Warner was injected with poison and confirming the Doctor's suspicion that there is no plague. The Doctor says that if he had seen Warner earlier he might have been able to use Nerva's transmat to filter out the poison from his system. The Doctor has another suspicion; investigating Kellman's quarters, he finds the communications device as well as some gold. The Doctor hides when Kellman returns, but Kellman realises that someone has been inside the room. He sabotages the room, electrifying the floor and sending gas pouring up from it. Keeping off the floor, the Doctor reaches the door to open it with his [[sonic screwdriver]]. Meanwhile, Sarah is attacked by the cybermat.
Warner is dead. When the Doctor examines the body, he finds two puncture wounds, indicating that Warner was injected with poison and confirming the Doctor's suspicion that there is no plague. The Doctor says that if he had seen Warner earlier he might have been able to use Nerva's transmat to filter out the poison from his system. The Doctor has another suspicion; investigating Kellman's quarters, he finds the communications device as well as some gold. The Doctor hides when Kellman returns, but Kellman realises that someone has been inside the room. He sabotages the room, electrifying the floor and sending gas pouring up from it. Keeping off the floor, the Doctor reaches the door to open it with his [[sonic screwdriver]]. Meanwhile, Sarah is attacked by the cybermat.


===Part two===
=== Part two ===
The Doctor escapes Kellman's room and hears Sarah scream. He throws the Cybermat to the floor and kills it with gold dust, but Sarah has already been bitten. The Doctor carries her to the transmat chamber, handing her to Harry, and prepares to beam them down to Voga and back. However, Kellman has taken the transmat's pentalium drive. The Doctor reconfigures the transmat to bypass the sabotaged system while Stevenson and Lester go to confront Kellman. On Voga, Vorus sees a giant rocket, the Sky Striker. He tells Magrik his agent has informed them that the Cybermen are heading for the beacon. Vorus wants the Sky Striker fitted with its bomb head in four hours.
The Doctor escapes Kellman's room and hears Sarah scream. He throws the Cybermat to the floor and kills it with gold dust, but Sarah has already been bitten. The Doctor carries her to the transmat chamber, handing her to Harry, and prepares to beam them down to Voga and back. However, Kellman has taken the transmat's pentalium drive. The Doctor reconfigures the transmat to bypass the sabotaged system while Stevenson and Lester go to confront Kellman. On Voga, Vorus sees a giant rocket, the Sky Striker. He tells Magrik his agent has informed them that the Cybermen are heading for the beacon. Vorus wants the Sky Striker fitted with its bomb head in four hours.


Line 66: Line 66:
The Doctor has repaired the transmat, but cannot lock onto Harry and Sarah as they have left the receptor circle. Lester detects an incoming ship, but it does not respond to their signals. As the Cybership docks, the Doctor recognises it for what it is, but cannot lock the hatch. The Cybermen enter, impervious to gunfire, and shoot all three men down.
The Doctor has repaired the transmat, but cannot lock onto Harry and Sarah as they have left the receptor circle. Lester detects an incoming ship, but it does not respond to their signals. As the Cybership docks, the Doctor recognises it for what it is, but cannot lock the hatch. The Cybermen enter, impervious to gunfire, and shoot all three men down.


===Part three===
=== Part three ===
The Cyber Leader tells Kellman that the three men are not dead, merely neutralised; they are necessary to their plan. Kellman set the transmat receptors mere yards from a shaft that leads into the core of Voga. The environment is hostile to Cybermen. The three men will carry explosivescto Voga and destroy the asteroid. Kellman insists on going down to Voga first to check that the transmat is functioning properly and the Cyber Leader beams him down. There, he runs into some Militia. Not realising the distinction between them and the Guardians, he demands to see Vorus and is taken away while trying to warn them that they are all in danger. Meanwhile, Harry and Sarah are brought before Tyrum and tell their story. When Harry mentions the cybermats, Tyrum asks Harry and Sarah to accompany him to confront Vorus.
The Cyber Leader tells Kellman that the three men are not dead, merely neutralised; they are necessary to their plan. Kellman set the transmat receptors mere yards from a shaft that leads into the core of Voga. The environment is hostile to Cybermen. The three men will carry explosivescto Voga and destroy the asteroid. Kellman insists on going down to Voga first to check that the transmat is functioning properly and the Cyber Leader beams him down. There, he runs into some Militia. Not realising the distinction between them and the Guardians, he demands to see Vorus and is taken away while trying to warn them that they are all in danger. Meanwhile, Harry and Sarah are brought before Tyrum and tell their story. When Harry mentions the cybermats, Tyrum asks Harry and Sarah to accompany him to confront Vorus.


Line 82: Line 82:
Harry and Kellman, meanwhile,  crawl down a cross shaft towards the same place. With the exit blocked, Harry pushes against the rocks, causing a rock slide. Kellman pushes Harry out of the way, to be crushed to death by a boulder. On the other side, rocks rain down on the Doctor. Harry exits the shaft and finds the Doctor unconscious. Not knowing the danger, Harry tries to unbuckle the Doctor's harness.
Harry and Kellman, meanwhile,  crawl down a cross shaft towards the same place. With the exit blocked, Harry pushes against the rocks, causing a rock slide. Kellman pushes Harry out of the way, to be crushed to death by a boulder. On the other side, rocks rain down on the Doctor. Harry exits the shaft and finds the Doctor unconscious. Not knowing the danger, Harry tries to unbuckle the Doctor's harness.


===Part four===
=== Part four ===
Fortunately, Harry is stopped by Lester. The Doctor awakens and conceives a plan. Stevenson will go on and create a radar trail, while the rest use the cross shaft to surprise and attack the Cybermen with gold. The Doctor and Harry jump the two Cybermen, trying to push gold dust into their chest plates, but the Cybermen are too strong, and Harry and the Doctor are forced to retreat. Lester leaps onto the Cybermen and undoes his harness, the explosion killing himself and the Cybermen.
Fortunately, Harry is stopped by Lester. The Doctor awakens and conceives a plan. Stevenson will go on and create a radar trail, while the rest use the cross shaft to surprise and attack the Cybermen with gold. The Doctor and Harry jump the two Cybermen, trying to push gold dust into their chest plates, but the Cybermen are too strong, and Harry and the Doctor are forced to retreat. Lester leaps onto the Cybermen and undoes his harness, the explosion killing himself and the Cybermen.


Line 96: Line 96:
The TARDIS materialises in the control room just as Harry arrives via transmat. The Doctor tells his companions to hurry up; he's received a message from Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart through the space-time telegraph the Doctor left him, which means it is a grave emergency. Although Harry asks if they should say good-bye to the Commander, Sarah tells him not to argue. The three rush into the TARDIS and it dematerialises.
The TARDIS materialises in the control room just as Harry arrives via transmat. The Doctor tells his companions to hurry up; he's received a message from Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart through the space-time telegraph the Doctor left him, which means it is a grave emergency. Although Harry asks if they should say good-bye to the Commander, Sarah tells him not to argue. The three rush into the TARDIS and it dematerialises.


==Cast==
== Cast ==
*[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Tom Baker]]
* [[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Tom Baker]]
*[[Sarah Jane Smith]] - [[Elisabeth Sladen]]
* [[Sarah Jane Smith]] - [[Elisabeth Sladen]]
*[[Harry Sullivan]] - [[Ian Marter]]
* [[Harry Sullivan]] - [[Ian Marter]]
*Commander [[Stevenson]] - [[Ronald Leigh-Hunt]]
* Commander [[Stevenson]] - [[Ronald Leigh-Hunt]]
*[[Lester]] - [[William Marlowe]]
* [[Lester]] - [[William Marlowe]]
*[[Kellman]] - [[Jeremy Wilkin]]
* [[Kellman]] - [[Jeremy Wilkin]]
*[[Tyrum]] - [[Kevin Stoney]]
* [[Tyrum]] - [[Kevin Stoney]]
*[[Vorus]] - [[David Collings]]
* [[Vorus]] - [[David Collings]]
*[[Warner]] - [[Alec Wallis]]
* [[Warner]] - [[Alec Wallis]]
*[[Magrik]] - [[Michael Wisher]]
* [[Magrik]] - [[Michael Wisher]]
*[[Sheprah]] - [[Brian Grellis]]
* [[Sheprah]] - [[Brian Grellis]]
*[[Cyberleader]] - [[Christopher Robbie]]
* [[Cyberleader]] - [[Christopher Robbie]]
*First [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cyberman]] - [[Melville Jones]]
* First [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cyberman]] - [[Melville Jones]]


==Crew==
== Crew ==
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Rosemary Hester]], [[Russ Karel]]
* [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Rosemary Hester]], [[Russ Karel]]
*[[Costumes]] - [[Prue Handley]]
* [[Costumes]] - [[Prue Handley]]
*[[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Roger Murray-Leach]]
* [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Roger Murray-Leach]]
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[Elmer Cossey]]
* [[Film Cameraman]] - [[Elmer Cossey]]
*[[Film Editor]] - [[Sheila S Tomlinson]]
* [[Film Editor]] - [[Sheila S Tomlinson]]
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Carey Blyton]], [[Peter Howell]]
* [[Incidental Music]] - [[Carey Blyton]], [[Peter Howell]]
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Cecile Hay-Arthur]]
* [[Make-Up]] - [[Cecile Hay-Arthur]]
*[[Producer]] - [[Philip Hinchcliffe]]
* [[Producer]] - [[Philip Hinchcliffe]]
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[John Bradburn]]
* [[Production Assistant]] - [[John Bradburn]]
*[[Production Unit Manager]] - [[George Gallaccio]]
* [[Production Unit Manager]] - [[George Gallaccio]]
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Robert Holmes]]
* [[Script Editor]] - [[Robert Holmes]]
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]]
* [[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]]
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[Derek Slee]]
* [[Studio Lighting]] - [[Derek Slee]]
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Norman Bennett]]
* [[Studio Sound]] - [[Norman Bennett]]
*[[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]]
* [[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]]
*[[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]]
* [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]]
*[[Visual Effects Designer]] - [[James Ward]]
* [[Visual Effects Designer]] - [[James Ward]]


==References==
== References ==


===[[:Category:Cybermen|Cybermen]]===
=== [[:Category:Cybermen|Cybermen]] ===
*The Doctor says to the Cybermen, ''"You've no home planet, no influence, nothing."'', which may refer to either [[Mondas]] or [[Telos]].
* The Doctor says to the Cybermen, ''"You've no home planet, no influence, nothing."'', which may refer to either [[Mondas]] or [[Telos]].
*The Doctor refers to the Cybermen calling them ''"total machine creatures"''.
* The Doctor refers to the Cybermen calling them ''"total machine creatures"''.


===[[:Category:Metals|Metals]]===
=== [[:Category:Metals|Metals]] ===
*The Cybermen plan to destroy Voga because of its great amount of [[gold]].
* The Cybermen plan to destroy Voga because of its great amount of [[gold]].


===[[:Category:Space stations|Space stations]]===
=== [[:Category:Space stations|Space stations]] ===
*The Doctor, Sarah and Harry have been to the 'beacon' before, in the future when it becomes [[Nerva Beacon]].
* The Doctor, Sarah and Harry have been to the 'beacon' before, in the future when it becomes [[Nerva Beacon]].


===[[:Category:Transport technology|Transport technology]]===
=== [[:Category:Transport technology|Transport technology]] ===
*[[Phobic energy]] is associated with recent [[transmat]] use.
* [[Phobic energy]] is associated with recent [[transmat]] use.


===[[:Category:Time travel|Time travel]]===
=== [[:Category:Time travel|Time travel]] ===
*[[The Doctor's TARDIS]] has been travelling back through time to reach the Doctor and his companions.
* [[The Doctor's TARDIS]] has been travelling back through time to reach the Doctor and his companions.
*Once the Doctor and his companions have finished using the [[time ring]], it disappears.
* Once the Doctor and his companions have finished using the [[time ring]], it disappears.


===[[:Category:Weapons|Weapons]]===
=== [[:Category:Weapons|Weapons]] ===
*During the Cyber-Wars, the [[glittergun]] was used to great effect by [[human]]ity.
* During the Cyber-Wars, the [[glittergun]] was used to great effect by [[human]]ity.
*The [[Armageddon Convention]] banned [[Cyberbomb]]s, two of which could destroy [[Voga]].
* The [[Armageddon Convention]] banned [[Cyberbomb]]s, two of which could destroy [[Voga]].


==Story notes==
== Story notes ==
[[file:St--4d24.jpg|thumb|A new [[Cybermat]].]]
[[File:St--4d24.jpg|thumb|A new [[Cybermat]].]]
* This is the first Cyberman story in which [[Patrick Troughton]] does not appear and saw the introduction of a new form of [[Cybermat]] as well as the first appearance of a [[Cyber-Leader]].
* This is the first Cyberman story in which [[Patrick Troughton]] does not appear and saw the introduction of a new form of [[Cybermat]] as well as the first appearance of a [[Cyber-Leader]].
*The [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]]'s [[Peter Howell]], later to become one of the series' regular incidental music composers, made his uncredited debut on this story when he was asked by producer [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] to add to, and enhance, the score provided by [[Carey Blyton]].
* The [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]]'s [[Peter Howell]], later to become one of the series' regular incidental music composers, made his uncredited debut on this story when he was asked by producer [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] to add to, and enhance, the score provided by [[Carey Blyton]].
*This story had a working titles of ''The Revenge Of The Cybermen'', ''Return Of The Cybermen'', additionally;
* This story had a working titles of ''The Revenge Of The Cybermen'', ''Return Of The Cybermen'', additionally;
:*Part 1 had a working title of: ''The Beacon In Space''.
:* Part 1 had a working title of: ''The Beacon In Space''.
:*Part 2 had a working title of: ''The Plague Carriers''.
:* Part 2 had a working title of: ''The Plague Carriers''.
:*Part 3 had a working title of: ''The Gold Miners''.
:* Part 3 had a working title of: ''The Gold Miners''.
:*Part 4 had a working title of: ''The Battle For The Nerva''.
:* Part 4 had a working title of: ''The Battle For The Nerva''.
*A number of sets in this story were reused from [[DW]]: ''[[The Ark in Space]]'', which was recorded immediately before it.
* A number of sets in this story were reused from [[DW]]: ''[[The Ark in Space]]'', which was recorded immediately before it.
*The Cybermen's voices were provided for the first time by the actors inside the costumes.
* The Cybermen's voices were provided for the first time by the actors inside the costumes.
*Five of this story's guest cast had played notable roles earlier in ''Doctor Who'''s history:
* Five of this story's guest cast had played notable roles earlier in ''Doctor Who'''s history:
:*[[Kevin Stoney]] as [[Mavic Chen]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan]]'' and [[Tobias Vaughn]] in the previous Cyberman story, [[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]''.
:* [[Kevin Stoney]] as [[Mavic Chen]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan]]'' and [[Tobias Vaughn]] in the previous Cyberman story, [[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]''.
:*[[Christopher Robbie]] as the [[Karkus]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Mind Robber]]''.
:* [[Christopher Robbie]] as the [[Karkus]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Mind Robber]]''.
:*[[Ronald Leigh-Hunt]] as Commander [[Julian Radnor]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Seeds of Death]]''.
:* [[Ronald Leigh-Hunt]] as Commander [[Julian Radnor]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Seeds of Death]]''.
:*[[William Marlowe]] as [[Harry Mailer]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Mind of Evil]]''.
:* [[William Marlowe]] as [[Harry Mailer]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Mind of Evil]]''.
[[File:The Seal of Voga.jpg|right|thumb|The symbol on the wall would later be reused as the [[Seal of Rassilon]].]]
[[File:The Seal of Voga.jpg|right|thumb|The symbol on the wall would later be reused as the [[Seal of Rassilon]].]]
* The symbol seen hanging in the Vogan audience chamber (and smaller versions on the Vogan costumes), would later be re-used in ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]'' by [[Roger Murray-Leach]], and become better known thereafter as the [[Rassilon|Seal of Rassilon]].
* The symbol seen hanging in the Vogan audience chamber (and smaller versions on the Vogan costumes), would later be re-used in ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]'' by [[Roger Murray-Leach]], and become better known thereafter as the [[Rassilon|Seal of Rassilon]].
*Between the broadcast of Episodes 1 and 2, [[William Hartnell]], the [[First Doctor]], passed away. Ironically, he died during broadcast of a serial that served to reintroduce the Cybermen. His final solo appearance, [[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'', as the Doctor occurred during the serial that introduced them.
* Between the broadcast of Episodes 1 and 2, [[William Hartnell]], the [[First Doctor]], passed away. Ironically, he died during broadcast of a serial that served to reintroduce the Cybermen. His final solo appearance, [[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'', as the Doctor occurred during the serial that introduced them.
*[[Michael Wisher]] ([[Magrik]]) would later play the [[Dalek]]s' creator [[Davros]] in [[DW]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]'', which was the serial broadcast immediately prior to ''Revenge of the Cybermen''.
* [[Michael Wisher]] ([[Magrik]]) would later play the [[Dalek]]s' creator [[Davros]] in [[DW]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]'', which was the serial broadcast immediately prior to ''Revenge of the Cybermen''.
*This marks the final appearance of the Cybermats in the classic series. They would appear in the ''[[Doctor Who: The Adventure Games]]'' 2010 instalment ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'', but they would not make a televised return until [[DW]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'', a full thirty-six years after this serial.
* This marks the final appearance of the Cybermats in the classic series. They would appear in the ''[[Doctor Who: The Adventure Games]]'' 2010 instalment ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'', but they would not make a televised return until [[DW]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'', a full thirty-six years after this serial.
*After being absent from the last two stories, the TARDIS appears on screen for the first time since [[DW]]: ''[[The Ark in Space]]''.
* After being absent from the last two stories, the TARDIS appears on screen for the first time since [[DW]]: ''[[The Ark in Space]]''.


===Ratings===
=== Ratings ===
*Part 1 - 9.5 million viewers
* Part 1 - 9.5 million viewers
*Part 2 - 8.3 million viewers
* Part 2 - 8.3 million viewers
*Part 3 - 8.9 million viewers
* Part 3 - 8.9 million viewers
*Part 4 - 9.4 million viewers
* Part 4 - 9.4 million viewers


===Myths===
=== Myths ===
''to be added''
''to be added''


===Filming locations===
=== Filming locations ===
*Wookey Hole Caves, Wells, [[Somerset]]
* Wookey Hole Caves, Wells, [[Somerset]]
*[[BBC Television Centre]] (Puppet theatre, TC1, TC8), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]]
* [[BBC Television Centre]] (Puppet theatre, TC1, TC8), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]]


===Production errors===
=== Production errors ===
{{discontinuity}}
{{discontinuity}}
*The launching of the [[Skystriker]] is represented by rather obvious NASA stock footage of a Saturn V rocket taking off.
* The launching of the [[Skystriker]] is represented by rather obvious NASA stock footage of a Saturn V rocket taking off.
*The Doctor was wearing a long brown coat and hat at the end of the previous story, but they've vanished when he materialises.
* The Doctor was wearing a long brown coat and hat at the end of the previous story, but they've vanished when he materialises.
*Lester wears his interplanetary Space command insignia upside down.
* Lester wears his interplanetary Space command insignia upside down.
*When the Doctor enters the TARDIS in episode four the paper printout of the space/time telegraph can be seen hanging on a hook just inside the door.
* When the Doctor enters the TARDIS in episode four the paper printout of the space/time telegraph can be seen hanging on a hook just inside the door.


==Continuity==
== Continuity ==
* This story takes place before the [[Cyber-Wars]], which started in [[2526]] in [[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]''. The Cybermen of that story look at footage of past encounters with the Doctor and watch him deliver the "no planet" line.
* This story takes place before the [[Cyber-Wars]], which started in [[2526]] in [[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]''. The Cybermen of that story look at footage of past encounters with the Doctor and watch him deliver the "no planet" line.
*The Cybermen's first home planet, [[Mondas]], was destroyed in [[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'', while their second home planet, [[Telos]], was destroyed in [[BFA]]: ''[[Telos (audio story)|Telos]]'', which was made some time after this story.
* The Cybermen's first home planet, [[Mondas]], was destroyed in [[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'', while their second home planet, [[Telos]], was destroyed in [[BFA]]: ''[[Telos (audio story)|Telos]]'', which was made some time after this story.
*The discrepancy over how many moons Jupiter should have is resolved in [[EDA]]: ''[[To the Slaughter]]''.
* The discrepancy over how many moons Jupiter should have is resolved in [[EDA]]: ''[[To the Slaughter]]''.
*The Doctor would later return to the [[Nerva Beacon]] in the company of [[Leela]]. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Destination: Nerva]]'')
* The Doctor would later return to the [[Nerva Beacon]] in the company of [[Leela]]. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Destination: Nerva]]'')


==[[Fourth Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]]==
== [[Fourth Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]] ==
*This story occurs after [[MA]]: ''[[A Device of Death]]''
* This story occurs after [[MA]]: ''[[A Device of Death]]''
*This story occurs before [[ST]]: ''[[Nanomorphosis]]''
* This story occurs before [[ST]]: ''[[Nanomorphosis]]''


==Home video and audio releases==
== Home video and audio releases ==
===DVD releases===
=== DVD releases ===
*This story was first released on DVD in the [[UK]] on [[9 August]] [[2010]] as part of the Cybermen boxset. The one disc set includes a [http://www.purpleville.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rtwebsite.htm restored version] of the story, as well as the following special features:
* This story was first released on DVD in the [[UK]] on [[9 August]] [[2010]] as part of the Cybermen boxset. The one disc set includes a [http://www.purpleville.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rtwebsite.htm restored version] of the story, as well as the following special features:
:*Commentary by [[Elisabeth Sladen]] (Sarah Jane), [[David Collings]] (Vorus) and [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] (Producer).
:* Commentary by [[Elisabeth Sladen]] (Sarah Jane), [[David Collings]] (Vorus) and [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] (Producer).
:*''[[The Tin Men and the Witch]]''
:* ''[[The Tin Men and the Witch]]''
:*''[[Cheques, Lies and Videotape]]''
:* ''[[Cheques, Lies and Videotape]]''
:*BBC News Location Report
:* BBC News Location Report
:*"Coming soon" trailer for the DVD release of ''[[Time and the Rani]]''
:* "Coming soon" trailer for the DVD release of ''[[Time and the Rani]]''
:*Radio Times Billings
:* Radio Times Billings
:*Production Subtitles
:* Production Subtitles
:*Photo Gallery
:* Photo Gallery
:*[[Easter Egg]]: [[BBC Video]] Ident and copyright statement from 1983.
:* [[Easter Egg]]: [[BBC Video]] Ident and copyright statement from 1983.
:* Editing for DVD release completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].
:* Editing for DVD release completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" >
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" >
Line 225: Line 225:
</gallery>
</gallery>


====Box sets====
==== Box sets ====
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" >
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" >
file:Bbcdvd-cybermenboxset.jpg|Region 2 UK box set cover
file:Bbcdvd-cybermenboxset.jpg|Region 2 UK box set cover
Line 231: Line 231:
</gallery>
</gallery>


===VHS and Betamax releases===
=== VHS and Betamax releases ===
Released on VHS and Betamax as ''Doctor Who: Revenge of the Cybermen''. This story was the first ''Doctor Who'' story to be released to the home video market.
Released on VHS and Betamax as ''Doctor Who: Revenge of the Cybermen''. This story was the first ''Doctor Who'' story to be released to the home video market.


Line 253: Line 253:
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Laserdisc releases===
=== Laserdisc releases ===
It was also one of the select Doctor Who stories to be released on laserdisc.
It was also one of the select Doctor Who stories to be released on laserdisc.
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" >
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" >
Line 260: Line 260:
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Novelisation and its audiobook==
== Novelisation and its audiobook ==
[[file:Revenge of the Cybermen novel.jpg|right|75px]]
[[File:Revenge of the Cybermen novel.jpg|right|75px]]
: ''Main article: [[The Revenge of the Cybermen (novelisation)]]''
: ''Main article: [[The Revenge of the Cybermen (novelisation)]]''


*Novelised as ''[[The Revenge of the Cybermen (novelisation)|The Revenge of the Cybermen]]'' by [[Terrance Dicks]]'' in [[1976]]''
* Novelised as ''[[The Revenge of the Cybermen (novelisation)|The Revenge of the Cybermen]]'' by [[Terrance Dicks]]'' in [[1976]]''


==External links==
== External links ==
*{{bbcepguideclassic|revengecybermen/|Revenge of the Cybermen}}
* {{bbcepguideclassic|revengecybermen/|Revenge of the Cybermen}}
*{{dwrefguide|who_4d.htm|Revenge of the Cybermen}}
* {{dwrefguide|who_4d.htm|Revenge of the Cybermen}}
*{{briefhistory|serials/4d.html|Revenge of the Cybermen}}
* {{briefhistory|serials/4d.html|Revenge of the Cybermen}}
*{{locguide|revengeofthecybermen|Revenge of the Cybermen}}
* {{locguide|revengeofthecybermen|Revenge of the Cybermen}}
*[http://grke.net/anorak/Revenge.html (Fan Based Site) Episode Synopsis of '''Revenge of the Cybermen''']
* [http://grke.net/anorak/Revenge.html (Fan Based Site) Episode Synopsis of '''Revenge of the Cybermen''']
*[http://www.timelash.com/tardis/display.asp?863 The Tardis Library: Video release information for '''Revenge of the Cyberman''']
* [http://www.timelash.com/tardis/display.asp?863 The Tardis Library: Video release information for '''Revenge of the Cyberman''']


==Footnotes==
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{DWTV}}
{{DWTV}}
{{Cyberman stories}}
{{Cyberman stories}}
[[category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]


[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]
[[Category:Fourth Doctor television stories]]
[[Category:Fourth Doctor television stories]]
[[Category:Sarah Jane Smith television stories]]
[[Category:Sarah Jane Smith television stories]]

Revision as of 07:04, 5 November 2011

RealWorld.png

Revenge of the Cybermen was the fifth and final story of Season 12 of Doctor Who It was not originally intended as the finale. The story saw the return of the Cybermen as lead villains for the first time since DW: The Invasion in 1968 and their only appearance (barring flashbacks) until Earthshock in 1982.

It was further significant for being the first Doctor Who story released on home video. It is the first colour TV story where the Cybermen are main characters and their only full appearance during the 1970s.

Wookey Hole Caves doubled for the gold mines of Voga. While filming there an electrician broke his leg, Elisabeth Sladen's motorboat went out of control and one of the stuntmen was injured getting her out of the water and ended up in hospital. Concern was raised by director Michael E. Briant about the lack of space in the caves. This meant that the Cybermen were largely restricted in their movements.

Synopsis

The Doctor and his companions are lost in time.

Expecting to be reunited with the TARDIS following a secret mission for the Time Lords, they instead find themselves on a plague-stricken space station orbiting the remnants of Voga, Planet of Gold.

The Doctor, Harry Sullivan and Sarah Jane Smith have stumbled into the last battle of an ancient conflict between humankind and one of its most terrifying foes - the Cybermen

Plot

Part one

The Doctor, Harry and Sarah Jane use the Time Ring, spinning their way through time and space back to Space Station Nerva. They land in the control room they left when they last beamed down to Earth, but Sarah notices the TARDIS is not there. The Doctor says the time ship is drifting back in time towards them and they just need to wait for her to catch up. A door slides open, revealing a dead body, and many more beyond, littering the outer ring of the station.

In a communications room, crewman Warner warns off an approaching spaceship from Nerva Beacon, which is under plague quarantine. Professor Kellman, a planetary surveyor, asks Commander Stevenson how long they can run a fifty-man station with three men, but the other officer, Lester, thinks they can manage. Nerva is on a thirty-year assignment to warn ships away from Voga, the new asteroid it is orbiting, until its presence is updated on all the starcharts of inbound ships.

The time travellers find a sealed door leading to Section Q. The Doctor surmises that this is the same station they left, but thousands of years in the past, before solar flares devastated Earth. As the Doctor tries to get through the door, the trio fail to see a silver, snake-like creature — a cybermat — crawling around the bodies behind them.

Kellman alters the records.

Somewhere else, an alien tries to contact Nerva, and barely gets through to Warner before he is shot by two more of his own kind. The only place the signal could have come from is Voga, but Kellman tells Warner that he set up the transmat station there and spent six months cataloguing its rocks. Voga had drifted into the solar system fifty years before and had been captured by Jupiter's gravity. An asteroid of that size drifting between star systems could not support life and he warns against going down to Voga and spreading the plague. Warner logs the call anyway. The Doctor opens the sealed door, which activates an alarm.

On Voga, Vorus, leader of the Guardians of the mines, orders his men to bury the dead Vogan that was shot earlier. Magrik, his aide, tells him that the dead Vogan was frightened of Vorus's plan. Vorus tells him that they can trust their agent on Nerva. Gold buys humans, and they have more gold on Voga than in the rest of the galaxy. The reason the agent had not contacted them is probably because the Cybermen are monitoring transmissions.

In the communications room, the Cybermat attacks Warner, biting him before it is thrown off. Warner collapses, glowing veins appearing on his face while Kellman enters and pulls the magnetic log tape from the console. Meanwhile, the Doctor, Harry and Sarah have reached the forward control room, mere seconds before Lester and Stevenson enter, levelling their weapons at them. The door behind them slides open to reveal the communications room, and Kellman brings Stevenson to Warner's fallen form.

When Stevenson sees that his crewman has the plague, he prepares to shoot Warner to halt the infection's spread, but the Doctor stops him. The Doctor lies, saying that they are a medical team sent from Earth, and convince Stevenson to let Harry examine Warner. They take Warner to the crew quarters as Kellman returns to his own room and spies on the Doctor and Stevenson in the communications room using an assembled device. Stevenson tells the Doctor about the asteroid, formerly Neo Phobos, but renamed Voga by Kellman. The Doctor recognises the name: Voga, the Planet of Gold, and realises that Cybermen are involved. Stevenson says the Cybermen died out centuries before, but the Doctor points out they merely vanished after attacking Voga at the end of the last Cyber-War. Hearing all this, Kellman contacts a Cybership nearby, its crew commanded by a Cyber Leader with a black helmet. The ship moves towards Nerva.

Warner is dead. When the Doctor examines the body, he finds two puncture wounds, indicating that Warner was injected with poison and confirming the Doctor's suspicion that there is no plague. The Doctor says that if he had seen Warner earlier he might have been able to use Nerva's transmat to filter out the poison from his system. The Doctor has another suspicion; investigating Kellman's quarters, he finds the communications device as well as some gold. The Doctor hides when Kellman returns, but Kellman realises that someone has been inside the room. He sabotages the room, electrifying the floor and sending gas pouring up from it. Keeping off the floor, the Doctor reaches the door to open it with his sonic screwdriver. Meanwhile, Sarah is attacked by the cybermat.

Part two

The Doctor escapes Kellman's room and hears Sarah scream. He throws the Cybermat to the floor and kills it with gold dust, but Sarah has already been bitten. The Doctor carries her to the transmat chamber, handing her to Harry, and prepares to beam them down to Voga and back. However, Kellman has taken the transmat's pentalium drive. The Doctor reconfigures the transmat to bypass the sabotaged system while Stevenson and Lester go to confront Kellman. On Voga, Vorus sees a giant rocket, the Sky Striker. He tells Magrik his agent has informed them that the Cybermen are heading for the beacon. Vorus wants the Sky Striker fitted with its bomb head in four hours.

The Doctor jury rigs the transmat, and Harry and Sarah beam down to Voga. With the poison filtered out, Sarah instantly recovers. As Harry notices that the cavern floor is littered with gold, Vogans arrive and capture them. Harry and Sarah are brought before Vorus, who wants to know who is still alive on Nerva. However, the answers will have to wait. Harry and Sarah are taken away while Vorus answers a call from Councillor Tyrum, who arranges for them to meet.

Lester and Stevenson capture Kellman. The Doctor explains that the Cybermen fear Voga because gold, a non-corrodible substance, plates their breathing apparatus and suffocates them. The Doctor cannot get Harry and Sarah back without the pentalium drive, but Kellman feigns ignorance, trying to buy time until the Cybermen arrive. The Doctor uses a control box he found in Kellman's room to activate a Cybermat, threatening Kellman with it until he reveals that the drive is around his neck.

A group of Vogans are forced to surrender.

Harry and Sarah are chained in a cave. Harry notes that the chains are solid gold, soft metal that they may be able to file through. Meanwhile, Tyrum tells Vorus that he knows that aliens have come to Voga. He also knows that Vorus wants Voga to emerge as a trading power again and not hide from the Cybermen, who apparently disappeared centuries ago. Tyrum no longer trusts Vorus or the Guardians, and will send his Militia to take over the mines. Vorus is furious, but Tyrum says his troops have orders to crush any resistance.

Fighting breaks out in the mines between the Guardians and the Militia. Vorus tells Magrik to keep Tyrum from finding out about the Sky Striker, and to kill the two humans immediately. Harry and Sarah have managed to free themselves, however, and get away before the execution team arrives. They are pursued by more Guardians, who fire at them. Harry and Sarah are cornered and about to be shot when Militia troops appear, forcing the Guardians to stand down.

The Doctor has repaired the transmat, but cannot lock onto Harry and Sarah as they have left the receptor circle. Lester detects an incoming ship, but it does not respond to their signals. As the Cybership docks, the Doctor recognises it for what it is, but cannot lock the hatch. The Cybermen enter, impervious to gunfire, and shoot all three men down.

Part three

The Cyber Leader tells Kellman that the three men are not dead, merely neutralised; they are necessary to their plan. Kellman set the transmat receptors mere yards from a shaft that leads into the core of Voga. The environment is hostile to Cybermen. The three men will carry explosivescto Voga and destroy the asteroid. Kellman insists on going down to Voga first to check that the transmat is functioning properly and the Cyber Leader beams him down. There, he runs into some Militia. Not realising the distinction between them and the Guardians, he demands to see Vorus and is taken away while trying to warn them that they are all in danger. Meanwhile, Harry and Sarah are brought before Tyrum and tell their story. When Harry mentions the cybermats, Tyrum asks Harry and Sarah to accompany him to confront Vorus.

The Doctor wonders what Kellman's reward is, if it is not Voga's gold. He taunts the Cyber Leader, saying that the Cybermen were finished once humans discovered their weakness to gold and ended the Cyber-Wars. Cyber Leader tells the Doctor that is why Voga must be destroyed before the Cybermen resume their campaign. The Cyber Leader says Kellman was promised the rule of the solar system after the Cybermen have conquered it.

The Doctor, Captain Stevenson and Lester have cyber-bombs strapped to them.

With Cyberbombs strapped to their backs, the Doctor, Lester and Stevenson are briefed. They are to plant the bombs in the core of the planet, after which they have fourteen minutes to return and escape via transmat. If they try to remove their harnesses before they reach the target zone, a secondary explosion will kill them. Their progress will be followed by radar. They beam down, accompanied by two Cybermen. Militia arrive and start to fire on the Cybermen, who make short work of the Vogans. None of the three men believe that the Cyber Leader will keep his word and them escape, but they have to keep moving towards the target zone as they are being monitored. On Nerva, the Cyber Leader declares that Kellman is of no further use to them.

Tyrum questions Kellman, who tells him that he and Vorus were working to lure the Cybermen to the beacon, which Vorus has targeted with a rocket. At that moment, a Militia man arrives to tell Tyrum about the arrival of the Cybermen, and their weapons are useless. Kellman urges them to use the rocket. Tyrum orders his men to use every weapon they can while he speaks to Vorus. Harry tells Sarah to get back to Nerva and warn the Doctor while he tries to stop the rocket from being fired.

When Tyrum tells Vorus about the Cybermen on Voga, he shows Tyrum the Sky Striker, which he has been working on for two years. With the Cybermen already on Voga, they have no time to get it ready. Vorus claims his plans were to free his people from the fear of the Cybermen and bring them back into the light. Tyrum scoffs. Vorus has allied himself with Kellman, a double agent and murderer, motivated solely by the promise of gold. Harry suggests finding another way into the core to stop the bombs.

The Cybermen continue their slaughter of the Vogans as the bomb timer ticks. Sarah transmats back to Nerva, where she overhears the Cybermen monitoring the three men's progress. However, the deeper the three men go, the more the gold interferes with the radar. The men continue onward to the centre of the asteroid.

Harry and Kellman, meanwhile, crawl down a cross shaft towards the same place. With the exit blocked, Harry pushes against the rocks, causing a rock slide. Kellman pushes Harry out of the way, to be crushed to death by a boulder. On the other side, rocks rain down on the Doctor. Harry exits the shaft and finds the Doctor unconscious. Not knowing the danger, Harry tries to unbuckle the Doctor's harness.

Part four

Fortunately, Harry is stopped by Lester. The Doctor awakens and conceives a plan. Stevenson will go on and create a radar trail, while the rest use the cross shaft to surprise and attack the Cybermen with gold. The Doctor and Harry jump the two Cybermen, trying to push gold dust into their chest plates, but the Cybermen are too strong, and Harry and the Doctor are forced to retreat. Lester leaps onto the Cybermen and undoes his harness, the explosion killing himself and the Cybermen.

With the loss of contact, the Cyber Leader orders immediate detonation. Sarah tries to stop them but is thrown to the floor. However, when the button is pressed, no explosion follows. The Doctor has managed to disarm the countdown device, which allows him to release his harness safely. With Sarah tied up, the Cyber Leader now plans to send Nerva, loaded with more Cyberbombs, into Voga's centre to destroy it.

Magrik tells Vorus that the Sky Striker is ready, but before he can launch it, the Doctor asks them to give him fifteen minutes to transmat to Nerva and deal with the Cybermen himself, armed with a bag of gold dust. If he does not contact them in that time, they can launch the rocket.

The Doctor reaches Nerva and frees Sarah while the Cybermen are loading the bombs. He takes the Cybermat and its control box, filling the Cybermat with gold dust. He sends the Cybermat to attack a Cyberman, injecting him with the dust and killing him. As Nerva begins to move towards Voga, Vorus sees this and tries to fire the rocket. Tyrum shoots Vorus, but as the Guardian dies, he triggers the launch.

Skystriker destroys the cyber-ship.

The Doctor and Sarah's attack on the remaining Cybermen fails; the Doctor is forced by the Cyberleader to tie himself and Sarah up and they are left to perish in the crash. However, the Sky Striker is approaching just as fast. The Doctor manages to untie them both with a trick learned from Harry Houdini, and contacts Voga, instructing them to steer the rocket towards the Cybership that is just leaving. The Sky Striker veers away from Nerva and destroys the Cybership instead. However, the beacon is still on a collision course. The Doctor unlocks the gyro controls, skimming Nerva just above Voga's surface until they reach the other side of the asteroid and open space.

The TARDIS materialises in the control room just as Harry arrives via transmat. The Doctor tells his companions to hurry up; he's received a message from Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart through the space-time telegraph the Doctor left him, which means it is a grave emergency. Although Harry asks if they should say good-bye to the Commander, Sarah tells him not to argue. The three rush into the TARDIS and it dematerialises.

Cast

Crew

References

Cybermen

  • The Doctor says to the Cybermen, "You've no home planet, no influence, nothing.", which may refer to either Mondas or Telos.
  • The Doctor refers to the Cybermen calling them "total machine creatures".

Metals

  • The Cybermen plan to destroy Voga because of its great amount of gold.

Space stations

  • The Doctor, Sarah and Harry have been to the 'beacon' before, in the future when it becomes Nerva Beacon.

Transport technology

Time travel

  • The Doctor's TARDIS has been travelling back through time to reach the Doctor and his companions.
  • Once the Doctor and his companions have finished using the time ring, it disappears.

Weapons

Story notes

  • This is the first Cyberman story in which Patrick Troughton does not appear and saw the introduction of a new form of Cybermat as well as the first appearance of a Cyber-Leader.
  • The BBC Radiophonic Workshop's Peter Howell, later to become one of the series' regular incidental music composers, made his uncredited debut on this story when he was asked by producer Philip Hinchcliffe to add to, and enhance, the score provided by Carey Blyton.
  • This story had a working titles of The Revenge Of The Cybermen, Return Of The Cybermen, additionally;
  • Part 1 had a working title of: The Beacon In Space.
  • Part 2 had a working title of: The Plague Carriers.
  • Part 3 had a working title of: The Gold Miners.
  • Part 4 had a working title of: The Battle For The Nerva.
  • A number of sets in this story were reused from DW: The Ark in Space, which was recorded immediately before it.
  • The Cybermen's voices were provided for the first time by the actors inside the costumes.
  • Five of this story's guest cast had played notable roles earlier in Doctor Who's history:
The symbol on the wall would later be reused as the Seal of Rassilon.

Ratings

  • Part 1 - 9.5 million viewers
  • Part 2 - 8.3 million viewers
  • Part 3 - 8.9 million viewers
  • Part 4 - 9.4 million viewers

Myths

to be added

Filming locations

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.
  • The launching of the Skystriker is represented by rather obvious NASA stock footage of a Saturn V rocket taking off.
  • The Doctor was wearing a long brown coat and hat at the end of the previous story, but they've vanished when he materialises.
  • Lester wears his interplanetary Space command insignia upside down.
  • When the Doctor enters the TARDIS in episode four the paper printout of the space/time telegraph can be seen hanging on a hook just inside the door.

Continuity

Timeline

Home video and audio releases

DVD releases

  • This story was first released on DVD in the UK on 9 August 2010 as part of the Cybermen boxset. The one disc set includes a restored version of the story, as well as the following special features:

Box sets

VHS and Betamax releases

Released on VHS and Betamax as Doctor Who: Revenge of the Cybermen. This story was the first Doctor Who story to be released to the home video market.

Laserdisc releases

It was also one of the select Doctor Who stories to be released on laserdisc.

Novelisation and its audiobook

Revenge of the Cybermen novel.jpg
Main article: The Revenge of the Cybermen (novelisation)

External links

Footnotes