Rise of the Cybermen

Half-time. Pause for breath and suck on an orange (or should that be a satsuma?) Thought the team played a blinder in the first 45 minutes. Over the moon, John.

Sorry about the football referances.Sure I wasn't the only fan who didn't want the FA Cup to go into extra time in case it affected the viewing figures; the overnight figures suggest not, thankfully. (Don't get me started on the Euro-bl**dy-vision Song Contest! 'The Empty Child' the least watched episode of 2005? That's just not right!) This was..again...great television, and deserved a big audience.

Great move to set the episode in a parallel universe...thus neatly side-stepping (ha) 40-years worth of continuity relating to the Cybermen. The original concept that made the Cybermen so scary (They were human..they were like us!) is still adhered to, but without any of the Mondas/Telos stuff that so blighted 'Attack Of The Cybermen'. Phew. A brilliant idea from the shows past updated with contemporary themes and told in a gripping way that should enthral a whole new generation of fans. A new start...very sensible; the younger fans will recall the cyber-head from last year, but are hardly likely to remember 'Silver Nemesis' from 1988! (18 years ago...I shiver at that thought...and that script!)

Welcome back, Mr Harper! I wondered whether the direction would stand out, as I would (tentatively) suggest that even the harshest critics of 'new' Who haven't had much to criticise re: the various directors work thus far. I'm delighted to say that the man behind the Fifth Doctor's noble final moments and arguably the Sixth Doctor's most stylish moments, is in outstanding form again.Swooping cameras, more hand-held shots than we've seen in ages, close-ups, tight two-shots; lovely. My favourite 'touch' in this episode; cross-fading (or whatever the correct term is!) as we see Lumic's horrible factory and hear, not quite drowning out the screams of pain, the nastily apt 'Lion Sleeps Tonight'...woah.

The clever handling of the Cybermen, only clearly visible at the point late in the episode where the Doctor sees them for the first time, should also be commended; I especially liked the close-up of the eye with that spooky 'tear-duct' that works so well. Their dramatic smashing through the windows actually made me jump; I admit it!

As for the acting, well, David Tennant is just not putting a foot wrong at the moment...I remain very impressed by him, and I think he could well end up right up there with my other particular favourites, Doctors Five, Four and Two. I liked his inability to stifle a chuckle at the appearance of the 'other' Rose; his anger and despair at the Tardis seemingly being 'crocked' for good; his desperate attempts to stop Rose and Mickey wandering off; the image of a tuxedo-wearing Doctor legging it from those iconic monsters...ahhhh.

After being sidelined last week, Billie and Noel really nail their meatier parts here. (I think the scene with 'Rickey's' grandmother was probably Noel's best work so far. Damn it, 'Doctor Who' makes me go all misty-eyed *yet again*...)

I thought that all the guest stars were fine; the 'alternate' Pete is still made appealing by Shaun Dingwell and Camille does snobby, shallow and unlikeable very well (her nasty tongue-lashing of poor Rose was particularly effective.) Roger Lloyd-Pack was very convincing as the Tobias Vaughan-like John Lumic and I for one was not wondering whether the prototype Cyberman would be dubbed 'Dave' at any point. (Apologise to Mr Lloyd-Pack here...god, he must get sick of such fatuous comments just cos Trigger was such a wonderful creation!)

Thinking of Kevin Stoney's brilliant performance as the creepy Mr Vaughan, this episode did seem to have echos of 'The Invasion';a villainous megalomaniac with a nasty henchman; a powerful corporation with dodgy plans...as 'The Invasion' and 'Earthshock' are my two favourite Cybermen stories, so far, I mean this as a big compliment. Will Part two have the same impact as the latter's conclusion? (think y'all know what I'm saying!)

Can't wait to find out. In the meantime, this gets 9.5/10 from me...hope the Second Half delivers.