Earthshock

We haven’t had a story this grim since Graham Williams heralded in his child friendly era. Whilst the show benefits from a range of darker and lighter tones, I have to say it’s exciting seeing it dip back into this darker, action adventure style of storytelling that was so successful in the better Terry Nation scripts… though Nation only delivered Doctor Who stories as interesting as this on a handful of occasions.

There is a great sense of mystery and a foreboding atmosphere. This is partly because you have absolutely no idea what is going to happen but also because the initially unnamed robots stalking the depths of future Earth have an intimidating level of force that destroys their targets in a terrifying way - leaving them as no more than gooey remnants - an affecting visual. The dark and shadow throughout the story only ramp up this forbidding feeling.

The lights flicking out on the scanner as people die in the caves gives this story a high death tally. It feels very modern, very new for the show.

The cliffhanger at the end of part one works superbly. Nothing about the first 20 minutes makes you feel like this would be the first appearance of The Cybermen in 7 years. The sheer surprise alone makes it worth the wait. After a series of new threats it is a treat to see Davison finally come up against an iconic beast of the series. The cybermen are a little more human-like and a little less cyber than ideal, most notably in their voices but none of their overall effect is lost during the reveal and battle scenes. This design looks magnificent, especially as they march out of containers together.

Part one, in my opinion, is the first time Adric has actually been annoying in his whole run in the TARDIS. I’m glad he makes up with The Doctor in part two but as this is one of his more popular stories I think it cements this unfair idea on fandom that he is an annoying companion - when he has been a marvellous and distinct character. He, of course, gets a hero's death at the end of the story and it is hugely affecting. He dies saving Earth and his fellow time travellers, but it’s the bleakest the show has ever been. It’s an odd, numbing feeling seeing a show that is usually a comfort blanket, deliver such a brutal blow. One of the most iconic and memorable moments of the show so far. Tegan’s reaction in particular is tragic. A wonderful performance.

The most impressive thing I suppose is that the ending ties so neatly into the overall story and impacts the entire history of modern Earth (and the destruction of the dinosaurs!) This is the best story the show has delivered in a couple of seasons, and Davison’s peak so far.