Doctor Who Cyber reviews

There are many differences between this new series and the old classic series. Firstly, the pace of the new episodes is incredibly fast compared to old stories such as 'Kings Daemons' and 'City of Death'. Also, there is a greater flow in character interaction and special effects. Yet the depth of plot and depth of character development is unfortunately lacking in many of the new stories. Since these things slows down the overall pace of the stories and the new format is of single and double 45 minute episodes it is not surprising that we see this happening. Finally, the packaging and almost Eastenders style is both refreshing and annoying (as is the over reliance on the sonic screwdriver). Similarities include the TARDIS, similar theme tune, the concept of the Doctor as a Time Lord (a Demi God who interferes in situations so that good prevails over evil), enemies, aliens and the companion. Overall Doctor Who has improved but I still prefer Tom Baker to either Eccleston or Tennant for the wit, humour and eccentricity alone.

The story 'Girl in the Fireplace' is my favourite of the series thus far. So many things go for it ranging from the glorious period sets and filming style to the classic witty scenes with the Doctor drunk and using a horse to smash through the final time window. Now how often do you see a horse on the deck of a spaceship? It is not just the Doctor that makes this story work - so does Sophia Myles as Madame De Pompadour and the clockwork army themselves. Yet one feels this is just a foretaste of things to come...

Here come the Cybermen. In 'Rise of the Cybermen' the Doctor and Rose arrive on a zeppelin filled parallel Earth where John Lumic abducts people and turns them into Cybermen. This is followed by 'The Age of Steel' where Lumic's Cyberman army tries to upgrade or delete the whole human race (or London at least). Mickey finds a purpose in life when Ricky dies and a three pronged attack cripples Lumic's plans as Cyber Leader. Cyber Lumic dies plummeting from a ladder hanging from his zeppelin to the towering inferno below.

Yes it is an interesting story but seems to lack much of the fear and impact that I expected (for example Cybermen without guns and what about a blood and gore conversion?). One hopes that the final two parter will be better and that the high quality is kept up throughout the series.