Cybergenic Cryogenics (Doctor Who - The Tomb Of The Cybermen (DVD))

Member Name: marlowe

Product:	Doctor Who - The Tomb Of The Cybermen (DVD)
Date:	23/03/09 (94 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good role from the Doctor, reasonable plot

Disadvantages: Some weak acting

An expedition to the planet of Telos by an archaeological expedition is already fraught with tension before events start to take a dramatic and terrifying turn. Funded by the ruthless Kaftan and her partner Klieg, they have an uneasy relationship with the supposed leader of the group, a Professor Parry and petty arguments reveal the simmering tensions that exist between the members of the party. Yet all are in accordance with the desire to open up a long buried Tomb, in order to find what lays buried inside it. An initial explosion uncovers the doors, yet the team's excitement quickly turns to shock when one of the party is killed trying to open it. It is at this point that the Doctor, accompanied by Jamie and a new companion named Victoria appear and are initially met with hostility, believed to be from a rival expedition. Each group curious as to the others' intentions, it is the archaeological one which reveals their plans first, resulting in the Doctor deciding that he must accompnay them at all costs. For the scheme is to search for the final resting place of the Cybermen, a task which is to be catastrophic results. Frozen for centuries the mechanoid creatures are surely long dead, but events are about to prove otherwise.

"Tomb of the Cybermen" is one of the few surviving Second Doctor stories and provides us with a reasonably interesting storyline. The understated fear that is felt when the true purpose of the Cybermen is revealed is particularly well portrayed and the barely hidden plots of Kaftan and Klieg add a stronger element to the story. Moreover, the way in which the characters split off into various groups, allowing us to see the dynamics between differeing personalities and the results that ensue is another aspect which works well. Whilst there are scenes which might not have been necessary to the narrative, they do mean that we gain a deeper understanding of the characters. The cold way in which Kaftan traps Victoria in a sealed chamber, for example, might have been eliminated from the episodes, yet it does indicate to us the extent of Kaftan's desire to achieve her aims at any cost.

Unfortunately, despite a promising plot, a great deal of these episodes are let down due to either weak acting, or limited parts which means it is difficult to view the people as little more than one dimensional. Tobermann, for example, is portrayed as little more than a strong servant, the character given virtually no chance to develop and placed in a primarily mediocre role. Although he goes on to have a pivotal position within the later episodes, he still appears little different than in the earlier ones. Furthermore, whilst Kaftan does have a greater part to play, it is done with such ham acting that it is difficult to take the threat of her seriously. There is no subtlety about her, she practically radiates evil and duplicity from the moment we observe her. Slightly better are the characterisations of Klieg and Parry, especially as we get a better chance to observe their different natures. The revelation of Klieg as an unscrupulous megalomaniac is fairly well done and the calm courage of Parry, when faced with unprecedented danger is to be commended. However, these are hampered by the scenes involving Victoria, who sometimes seems so wooden that she could be used as a prop. It is possible that this was done deliberately to show the amount of terror the character felt at being placed so soon in such a dangerous situation, but regrettably the impression is given of poor acting skills.

Despite these inconveniences, however - and it is worth remembering that there are some fine performances from the Doctor, Jamie and, to some extent, the Cybermen Controller which help to make up for the poor ones, the effects of this storyline are quite well done for the time and budget and thus allow us to gain further enjoyment from the episodes. The scenes in the computer room are quite realistic and the sealing of Victoria in the chamber is well set out. Unfortunately there are some elements which are not convincinv enough, the cryogenic chambers of the Cybermen look too much like polythene sheeting to be impressive and the cybermats remind us too much of little hoover attachments, resulting in their appearance being comical rather than frightenining. However, if these aspects are set out then it is clear a lot of effort went into the effects in this story.

One of the more pleasing aspects of the story is the occasional addition of humour, usually from the Doctor, who reveals himself to have somewhat of a caustic wit. His suggestion to Victoria that she should not concern herself with the length of her dress as "look at Jamie's" is one example, as is the appalling pun later on of the cybermats having "a complete metal breakdown". We can see thus signs of the Doctor's varied personality, on the one hand light and enjoying some banter, on the other fully aware of the dangers he and his companions and the others face. The contrast between his jests and the astonishingly quick way he uses his mental calculations is very evident and ensures he is not to be dismissed as "a clown", to quote the First Doctor in a later storyline.

Special mention must be given to the role the Cybermen play in this narrative, as, of course, they are the eponymous beings in it. To those familiar with the more modern versions the appearance of these early ones is rather poor, but if we set any preconceived ideas aside and view them on their own merits then they give a convincing performance. The brutality of the Cybermen controller and the callous way in which he reveals there will be no compromises or bargains made is set out very well. Moreover, the means in which the Cybermen threat is indicated by the actions and words of the Cybermen is done in a way which neither underestimates their menace nor tips over into farce. Right from their initial appearance they are revealed as a set of beings who should not be underestimated and it is apparent that the Doctor will not find it easy to defeat them. Devoid of all emotions and believing that their state is the ideal one which others must convert to, they are immune to reason or sympathy, eradicating all individualism in the move towards overall control.

In conclusion, whilst this is not a dreadful story, neither is it a truly remarkable one. It has some strong elements to it and the overall plot is very enjoyable, but there are parts which weaken it as well. I would recommend watching it, if only to see one of the few surviving Second Doctor stories, but this must, in my opinion, rate as only average.

Summary: Average, but not terrible