📝6/10
Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!
"Silver Nemesis: An Ambitious Mix of Ideas That Doesn't Quite Land"
Silver Nemesis is a fascinating ambition-over-execution story that attempts to combine several intriguing elements—neo-Nazis, a 17th-century time traveller, and the Cybermen—with mixed success. While the individual concepts are engaging and hint at the larger mythos of the show, the plot ultimately struggles to integrate them into a cohesive and satisfying narrative.
The first episode is undoubtedly the strongest, as it effectively establishes the different players: Lady Peinforte from the 17th century, neo-Nazi supremacists led by De Flores, and the Cybermen. The way these elements intertwine with different points in time is an exciting concept, and there’s a real sense of mystery and promise in Part One. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the plot lacks focus.
Part Two and Part Three seem more concerned with moving the characters around than advancing the narrative meaningfully. Instead of delivering on the intrigue established early on, the plot meanders with filler sequences that don’t add much substance. By the time the climax arrives, it feels dragged-out and anticlimactic, failing to capitalize on the setup.
That being said, the story does tease deeper revelations about the Doctor’s past, aligning with the Cartmel Master Plan. Hints about the Doctor’s hidden identity and his relationship to Time Lord history add an air of mystery to the Seventh Doctor's characterisation, even if these ideas remain unresolved due to the show's premature cancellation.
The Seventh Doctor continues to develop as a darker, more manipulative strategist, following his brilliant characterization in Remembrance of the Daleks. His fierce and confident confrontation with the Cybermen echoes his growing mastery of manipulation and planning. McCoy’s performance is excellent as usual, balancing the Doctor’s charm and subtle menace.
Ace shines once again as one of the best companions of the classic era. Her bravery, intelligence, and rebellious streak are on full display. She deliberately disobeys the Doctor’s orders, not out of recklessness, but because she knows she can help him in her own way. This demonstrates her trust in the Doctor and their growing partnership. It’s also refreshing to see her fearful yet resolute, proving that she is a multi-dimensional character. Her ability to take on Cybermen rivals her memorable battle with the Daleks in Remembrance of the Daleks.
Lady Peinforte is an intriguing character played with theatrical flair by Fiona Walker. She is introduced as a fearless and cunning time traveller from the 17th century. Her knowledge of the Doctor’s secrets and her role in the story adds an air of menace early on. Unfortunately, her character devolves into comic relief by Part Three, which undermines her earlier impact.
Lady Peinforte’s companion, Richard, also suffers from inconsistent characterization. He begins as an interesting sidekick but becomes increasingly irrelevant.
De Flores, the neo-Nazi leader played by Anton Diffring, is a chillingly believable villain. His unwavering supremacist ideals make him detestable yet grounded. However, his plotline never fully pays off, and he ultimately feels like another underused character.
The Cybermen, while visually imposing and competently portrayed (with David Banks as the Cyber-Leader once again delivering), feel more like secondary players in their own story. They lack the menace and gravitas they had in Earthshock.
Despite the narrative shortcomings, Silver Nemesis features strong production values. The location shooting is well utilized, particularly the 17th-century sequences and the outdoor Cybermen battles. The use of CGI effects—especially for 1988—is commendable and adds to the visual flair of the serial.
The Cybermen design remains consistent with previous appearances, but the story doesn’t do anything innovative with them. The Cybermen are ultimately overshadowed by the Doctor’s schemes and Lady Peinforte’s theatrics, which is disappointing for their final appearance in the classic series.
The pacing is one of the story’s biggest flaws. While the first episode feels tightly constructed, the remaining parts slow down considerably, leading to a finale that feels drawn out and underwhelming.
The story continues to build on the darker, more mysterious characterization of the Seventh Doctor. The hints about the Doctor’s hidden past—particularly Lady Peinforte’s cryptic knowledge of his secrets—contribute to the Cartmel Master Plan. This was an attempt to reintroduce mystery into the Doctor’s backstory, elevating him beyond the established lore and implying that he might be “something more” than just a Time Lord.
Unfortunately, the unresolved nature of these hints leaves them feeling more like teases than revelations. It’s fascinating but frustrating in retrospect, as the show’s cancellation prevented any follow-up on these ideas.
Final Thoughts:
Silver Nemesis is a story with great ideas that never quite come together. Its intriguing mix of historical and futuristic elements, combined with hints of the Doctor’s deeper secrets, shows clear ambition. However, uneven pacing, underused characters, and an anticlimactic conclusion prevent it from reaching the heights of other Seventh Doctor stories like Remembrance of the Daleks.
That said, it’s still an enjoyable adventure with solid performances and great moments for the Doctor and Ace. While it’s not a standout Cybermen story, it remains a light and watchable tale that fans may revisit for its atmosphere and ambitious scope.
Random Observations:
- The Doctor’s digital stopwatch is an amusing nod to advancing technology in the late 1980s. It feels charmingly old-school now.
- This serial marks the final Cybermen appearance in the classic series. Their next major return wouldn’t occur until Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel in the revived series.
