The Age of Steel

SO, to reprise my own question from my last review, did the second half of the CybermenВ’s return build on the promise of the previous weekВ’s episode? I would say it stayed on the same level, rather then went higher, but that made for another enjoyable romp, and was a pleasing conclusion to a well-rounded two-parter.

This was as close to a В“traditionalВ” Doctor Who as weВ’ve seen since the series returned В– and there were plenty of familiar ideas on display. I have no issue with that, so long as itВ’s done well. And this was a very slick production, which weВ’ve now come to expect.

There was a nice nod for continuity buffs in this episode В– with Rose mentioning the differently-designed Cybermen helmet in Dalek from last season, and The Doctor elaborating that these were В“parallel worldВ” Cybermen В– though budgetary concerns surely dictate that they will be В“this worldВ” Cybermen, too, if and when they return!

The Age Of Steel was a quicker pace than Rise Of The Cybermen as it built to the denouement. The marching Cybermen В– complete with В“crunchingВ” soundtrack В– did make an impressive sight. Filming at night certainly added to their menace. Had they been bounding along on a bright, summerВ’s day, I doubt it would have made the same impact. As with the Daleks in The Parting Of The Ways, there was a real impression of a Cyber army. If you recall the iconic Genesis Of The Daleks, there were very rarely more than three Daleks on the march, er, trundle. They might have taken some years to track you down in those corridors. Here, there appeared to be dozens of fast-moving Cybermen.

As I opined in my previous review, a major downside for me was the Cyber-voices. And I can only repeat what I said then, which was: В“I understood what was said because I strained my ears В– thereВ’s no way the mainstream audience would do that (nor should they have to) and I think theyВ’d have had a problem picking up all the Cyber dialogue. Obviously, Nicholas BriggsВ’ voice had to be radically different to his excellent Dalek interpretation, and that was certainly achieved. My problem isnВ’t actually with BriggsВ’ version of the Cyber voice В– more the electronic trickery applied to it. Sure, it was distinctive В– but no point in being distinctive if youВ’re alienating the viewer by making it difficult to hear whatВ’s being said. The Doctor Who production team make very few mistakes В– but I think this was one.В”

However, what they В– or, to be more specific, showrunner Russell T Davies В– got very right was the evolution and story arc of Mickey Smith. It was no great shock that the parallel Ricky was killed off quite early В– logistically, the dual role must have been difficult В– and it was an effective death scene. Quite a nice touch beforehand that Ricky was Most Wanted for parking tickets! And, of course, В“Mickey the idiotВ” saved the day В– again.

It was pretty standard sci-fi fare to make a three-pronged attack on the Cyber factory, to split all the main characters up, but it worked well, and there were plenty of good moments en route to the final clash, such as The Doctor and Mrs MooreВ’s discovery that a bride-to-beВ’s brain was still functioning inside the Cyberman, although technically that was a CyberWOMAN. As was poor old Jackie, and Pete and RoseВ’s hopelessness at discovering this and then being unable to pick her out was also a powerful scene. It was a good plot device that the alternate Pete Tyler was a double agent, and I doubt weВ’ve seen the last of him. His departure was somewhat abrupt В– and the temptation must be to reunite the parallel world Pete with Jackie in the other world. And we surely havenВ’t seen the last of Mickey В– the В“zero to heroВ” description has been well trotted out, but it is the most-applicable.

Having В– with The DoctorВ’s help В– killed off the Cybermen and rescued The Doctor and Rose, MickeyВ’s decision to stay behind was no great shock. Even without spoilers, the signs were there throughout the two episodes. Well-written, though, and another touching goodbye scene, well handled all round. HeВ’s been a star this season has Noel Clarke and, although it was a good - and appropriate - ending to his story, I want to see more of Mickey.

Rather like Aliens Of London/World War Three, the monsters were dispensed with well before the end of the story. From the В“fanboyВ” perspective, I would have liked to have seen another five minutes of Cybermen and chopped some of the В“soapВ” element from the end. However, I accept that is the way of 21st-century Who, and what is a key factor in the showВ’s mainstream popularity. And it will be interesting to see if Rose and The DoctorВ’s relationship changes again now that theyВ’re on their own.

Taking Rise Of The Cybermen/The Age Of Steel as a whole, it wasnВ’t the greatest Doctor Who story ever told, nor even the greatest Cybermen story ever told, but it was a very good story, very well told. There was little original on show В– or even a series of old ideas constructed in a particularly-original way. However, thatВ’s being super-critical, and it was a highly-enjoyable romp.

If, as is anticipated, the Cybermen do return in the season finale, Rise Of The Cybermen/The Age Of Steel may be more significant than first appeared, and itВ’ll certainly be interesting to view it again in one sitting in the context of the season as a whole.