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“THE HARVEST: WHEN MEDICINE MET THE CYBERMEN”

The Harvest kicks off a loose trilogy in which the Doctor foils yet another attempted Cyberman invasion of Earth. This time, the action unfolds in a London hospital, where shady medical experiments with alien nanotechnology spiral out of control. More notably, this story introduces Philip Olivier as Thomas ‘Hex’ Schofield, a nurse who finds himself drawn into the Doctor’s world of time travel and monsters. Joining Seven and Ace in the TARDIS, Hex makes an immediate impact as a companion, offering a fresh perspective on their adventures.

The first half of the story is all about mystery and suspense. The Doctor and Ace are investigating illicit experiments involving alien technology—technology the audience immediately recognises as something that can only mean trouble. Meanwhile, we get to know Hex, who takes centre stage in the opening episode. Working at the hospital, he struggles with the loss of a colleague while forming a friendship with Ace, who has gone undercover as an employee. As strange things happen behind the scenes, the story slowly builds its tension, weaving in an atmosphere of paranoia and dread.

MEDICINE, MACHINES, AND A CYBER TWIST

At its core, The Harvest is about human ambition crossing dangerous lines. The twist here is that the experiments aren’t being conducted by Cybermen themselves but by medical professionals playing with technology they don’t fully understand. Naturally, we know exactly where that leads—the Cybermen are never far from those who try to use their power for themselves.

From the outset, the story has a serious, almost bleak tone, with a palpable sense of unease. The first episode delivers an excellent chase scene that comes alive with sharp direction and a strong musical score. There’s an almost heist-like feel to the investigation, as Ace and Hex sneak into the hospital through the staff entrance while the Doctor finds his own way in.

The second half pulls back the curtain, revealing the full scale of the horrifying operation—human bodies are being harvested to fuel the Cybermen’s plans. Yet, surprisingly, the Cybermen themselves remain mostly in the shadows until the final act. Their presence is felt throughout, but it’s only in the last part that they fully emerge, led by the Cyber Controller.

A NEW BREED OF CYBERMEN

When the Cybermen do finally arrive, they bring with them a disturbing new twist. These aren’t just the Cybermen we know—they are Cyberhumans, supposedly an improved model that has evolved beyond their usual logical constraints. These upgraded Cybermen claim to have eliminated their greatest weakness, making them capable of conquering Earth in just six weeks. Their late reveal adds weight to their presence, making their sudden emergence all the more impactful.

The pacing of their introduction mirrors that of the Doctor himself. The Seventh Doctor doesn’t truly appear until the end of Part 1—at the exact moment Hex walks into the TARDIS for the first time. The exchange between them is an instant classic:

Hex: “Oh my God.”

The Doctor: “No, I’m the Doctor.”

Likewise, the Cybermen aren’t fully unveiled until Part 2, after the story has carefully danced around their presence. The restraint in their reveal is commendable, making the eventual confrontation all the more chilling.

A FUTURE THAT NEVER WAS

Set in what was then the near-future of 2021, The Harvest presents a highly technological society—one that, while advanced, doesn’t quite align with the world we ended up with. Given its hospital setting, it’s a little strange in hindsight that there’s no mention of COVID-19. Still, its vision of a tech-driven world feels eerily accurate in some respects, even if its predictions outpaced reality.

A STRONG CAST AND A PROMISING NEW COMPANION

Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred are as strong as ever, with Seven and Ace slipping seamlessly into their investigative roles. But the real standout is Philip Olivier’s Hex. He is proactive, capable, and above all, human—reacting with genuine emotion and curiosity to the madness unfolding around him. His contrast with Ace is particularly effective; where she is seasoned and confident, Hex is still coming to terms with everything, making for a compelling dynamic.

He also adjusts to the idea of the Doctor and the TARDIS surprisingly quickly, placing his trust in what he sees and hears. By the end of the story, he has more than proven himself as a worthy addition to the TARDIS team.

📝VERDICT: 7/10

The Harvest is a gripping and atmospheric thriller, blending medical horror with the ever-looming menace of the Cybermen. It takes its time building tension, keeping the monsters in the shadows for as long as possible before hitting hard in the final act. The Cyberhumans offer an intriguing new variation on the classic foes, while Hex’s introduction is handled with care, giving him a compelling personal arc.

With a strong sense of mystery, an unsettlingly realistic setting, and a confident debut for its new companion, The Harvest is a standout entry in the Seventh Doctor’s audio adventures.