The Invasion
Previous: The Mind Robber
The Invasion
Nearly a year and a half after I first watched The Mind Robber and was disappointed by its last shot I finally get to see what happens next.
ANIMOOTED TEAM TWO!
So they're being attacked by a strange missile from the dark side of the moon? I'll let you guys make your own Transformers jokes.
Suddenly, COW.
Huh. So Moff didn't just randomly add the TARDIS's invisibility feature for season 6. It's been there since...well...the original season 6.
I wonder if Travers was the Doctor's first recurring contact in the series. I know he won't show up here, but at least he's been mentioned.
Okay, so I'll admit I'm really not a big fan of Cosgrove Hall's animation, but they've been giving this scene a fascinating film noir tone.
Wow. I thought this story was supposed to take place on modern-day Earth, but they're making it sound almost like a dystopian future.
Of course, we're operating in UNIT-time at the moment...
Isobel! Nice to finally meet you! Having a little photoshoot, are we?
So the professor and his daughter have been replaced with another professor and his niece. I wonder if that was due to actor availability.
Okay InfoText, do your thing.
Ahhhh. It wasn't about availability, it was about the reduced importance of the character compared to the Yeti stories. That makes sense.
That's odd. It's Zoe's name always supposed to have those two dots above the "e"? (I know there's a name for that, but I can't remember it.)
There's a Lady Gaga "walk, walk, fashion baby" joke in here somewhere. For now, I'll just say "work it guuuurl."
Wait...is that animooted!Benton?
Hello, Tobias Vaughn! nentari speaks very highly of you.
Umm, Jamie, might I ask what was with that romantic-looking gaze you just threw at Packer even though he just tried to deck Two in the face?
"What is it?"
"Surely you've seen them about? They're disposable transistor radios."
JAMIE'S IPOD!
Oh wow. That image of Vaughn posing by the window would make an AWESOME desktop image.
"Script Editor: Terrance Dicks." Again, wow. That man's been around this show for a looooooong time.
They've been gone for "a couple of hours?" Isobel, were you on the floor that ENTIRE time?
I'm not sure what it is, but Zoe's hair looks a lot less shiny and a lot more fluffy in this story.
Patrick Troughton and Frazer Hines, I love you and everything you choose to be.
(Which reminds me, FRAZER. ONLY A WEEK AND A HALF UNTIL I FINALLY GET TO MEET YOU IN PERSON.)
Umm, Isobel, again I have to ask: are you playing the Teddy Bear Picnic song for Zoe on a phonograph?
Ah, that WAS Benton in the car! And now they're on a plane, which should mean...
"How nice to see you again, Doctor."
"Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart!"
"Um, Brigadier now, I've moved up in the world."
#BRIIIIIIIIIIIG
Easily my favorite part of this is how the Brig is keeping a little smile during this whole conversation.
Even though the Brig is the classic military skeptic it's wonderful to see the hunk of joy he has at getting to meet this magical man again.
This is Zoe Herriot. She is wearing a feather boa in an office building. This fate could have been avoided if she had a Sassy Gay Fr...wait.
On the other hand, the girl knows how to work a computer. (I still don't quite get why they made Two so aggressively angry last episode.)
Well Vaughn, those are some lovely nostril shots of Two and Jamie's you've got there.
Wow, computers are pissing EVERYONE off in this story, aren't they?
How to Break a Computer: 1) Talk math to it. 2) Stand back while computer explodes. 3) Laugh.
("Initial publicity gave Zoe's age as fifteen, though this was never spelt out on screen.") And Now We Know.
Agh. I can't take my eyes off the Brigstache. It just looks so prominent and...*there*.
"Look, Jamie, sandwiches." I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO WATCH THIS SCENE PROPERLY AND CERTAIN PEOPLE KNOW WHY.
alfhadlsfhdlskahfdslka Jamie pawing for his iPod...I mean, radio is probably one of the adorablest things ever.
Oh dear god. You know you're a little off when you turn on the InfoText and honestly expect it to mention that fanfic you co-wrote.
I was actually expecting Two to take the radio apart and find a tracking device in there instead of that other thing he found.
"A splendid little toy this is, Jamie."
"Ah, but it doesn't play tunes like mine."
It doesn't play tunes like mine. #doesntplaytuneslikemine
I also love how the Brig has made all these important (and accurate) observations about the Doctor just from one encounter.
Well, okay, so pretty much EVERYONE the Doctor meets remembers him, but the Brig seems to have a deeper understanding of how his mind works.
Meanwhile back at the Vaughn Cave, what exactly IS Planet 14? That can't be Mondas, can it?
"You forget *I* control the operation from Earth!" Wow. Like Chen before him, Vaughn will have none of his metallic partners' bullshit.
Has anyone else noticed that Vaughn seems to have one eyebrow cocked at all times? It looks like it's trimmed that way.
This episode is certainly letting a lot of panty shots slide through, isn't it?
A wild Jamie appears! Jamie uses Tackle! It's not very effective...
Speaking of which, wow, Frazer, those are some mightily toned calf muscles you've got there.
Have I mentioned yet how much I love the fact that part of Zoe's boa is sticking out of the cabinet?
If I didn't know better, I'd say Jamie's lips were pursed to emit a particularly unsavory word just now.
("This business was Frazer Hines' unscripted contribution.") How did I know it was going to say almost exactly that?
Also, I love how the InfoText almost never calls it "ad-libbing," it's always an "unscripted contribution."
So I've only just noticed, but is this the serial when Jamie finally lowers his socks? Or did he have them down in The Dominators? ...He did
Oh my god. Doctor Who predicted Apple.
This is Yet Another Patrick Troughton's Face Appreciation Post.
"He's being as nice as pie." New headcanon: Jamie likes pie.
And now we finally get to meet Professor Watkins! That's quite a beard you've got on you, sir.
Actually, you know who he almost reminds me of, appearance-wise? A short, balding Delgado!Master.
Also, I'm starting to see Packer as kind of an evil Benton.
...I just realized that I REALLY want to see Benton vs. Packer. That would be an AWESOME fight.
Effing magnets, how do they work? Well, Doctor + magnet = broken spy camera.
A surprising amount of escapes in this show succeed with the oh-look-behind-you tactic.
Stuck in an elevator together? CLING!
"Where does that lead?"
"Out into the lift shaft I imagine. Quickly, on me back."
"You know something?"
"Hm?"
"You're a clever wee chappie."
More Who Math: Two + Jamie = the best thing.
"Just been thinking: what happens if they get the lift going before we get to the top?"
"Oh that's simple: we get squashed."
"Wh-WHAT?!?"
Okay, is Packer talking to a chipmunk on the other end of that communicator?
I love how Vaughn's voice patterns stay basically the same but get louder and higher pitched when he's angry.
Smug Packer is smug.
"Kilroy was here." ("Kilroy wasn't there. The graffiti was a Troughton-Hines co-production.") OH MY GOD.
TROUGHTON + HINES = KILROY
In other news, our heroes escaped to the rooftop safely while temporarily reverting to puppies and clambering over each other.
("Frazer Hines was understandably sensitive about camera angles whenever Jamie had to climb anywhere.") #darknessunderthekilt
Ack. Never mind what I said about Vaughn a few minutes ago. He's pretty legit angry now.
And so Jamie finds himself trapped in a confined space with a strange man. #nocomment
Meanwhile, back in animated-land...
Hmm. Vaughn seems convinced that emotions can help defeat "their allies." I have a feeling he's not too far off.
It amuses me how the Brig refers to Jamie as "the boy" but he calls the pilot "Jimmy."
"Don't look now, but we're being spied on." You could just say "watched."
Ah, here we are, the famous helicopter rope ladder scene!
Out the window and up the ladder...oh wait now we have people with guns...
("Frazer Hines realized that the helicopter updraft was going to be a problem, even though he wore football shorts under his kilt.")
AHA! MYSTERY SOLVED.
And yet Isobel still gets an animated panty-shot. Was that really necessary, guys?
Yikes. Says a lot about Vaughn's influence that he can just ring up the Ministry of Defense on speed-dial like that.
So now, nearly 3 episodes later, they're finally returning to the issue of that attack at the very beginning of the story.
"Brigadier, you don't by any chance know what I can find a canoe?" Suddenly, CANOE. (Wait, I thought this footage survived.)
Huh. According to the InfoText, the composer for this serial had a background in jazz. That explains the tone of the score here.
Actually, I was meaning to mention this a while ago, but I REALLY like the music for this serial.
This is the second time I've heard the Cybermen drum beat leitmotif snuck into the score...
...and there they are!
As much as I wasn't terribly fond of the animation, I think I'm actually going to miss those episodes in a way.
Ah, THERE'S our canoe footage.
Meanwhile back at UNIT, looks like Isobel's got an admirer :3
Wow. Rutledge's office was a lot more atmospheric in the animated version than in the original telecast. Kudos, Cosgrove.
The Brig reporting to a higher authority. Now there's something I don't see every day. Not gonna lie, it's kinda weird.
Hmm. I'm starting to wonder if Rutledge might actually be under Cyber control and not Vaughn's.
Oh, so it IS Vaughn's control, but it's starting to weaken.
Huh. I think this is the first time the Cybermen have had glowing panels on their chestplates (as opposed to non-glowing ones.)
Jamie, you just willingly handed over your radio. Are you feeling alright?
The way that pipe was angled, I almost thought that Cyberman was bending down to sit on a toilet.
The Cybermen screams are having a weird effect on me. On one hand, I kinda feel bad for it. On the other hand, OH GOD THAT NOISE.
The Brig does not understand Isobel's camera jargon. Relax, Brig, it's just the photo version of Doing Science To It.
But enough about Cybermen, let's talk about feminism! #wellthatwasrandom
"Well just because you're a man, you think you're superior, do you?"
"Now I didn't say that. 'Course it's true..."
Jamie, if you didn't have the Product Of His Environment tag attached to you, I'm afraid a few smacks would be in order right about now.
Ah, so the boss in charge is called the "Cyber-Director" this time, apparently. Why do they keep changing that?
"No! My body may be cybernetic, but my mind stays human!" OH. OKAY. THIS IS NEW.
Looks like they're having a little trouble with that massive sliding door prop. Not moving quite so smoothly, is it?
I'm a little more amused than I should be at the Brig's use of the phrase "those crazy kids" to describe Jamie, Zoe, and Isobel.
Benton! So *you* were the unwitting transport in "those crazy kids'" shenanigans.
Funny that the script should leave Benton's character as anonymous when his name is clearly stated multiple times.
Although it seems that Benton's usual role is taken by Sergent Waters in this story. Did Two call Benton a corporal in The Three Doctors?
I wonder if this trek through the sewers was something like what The Web of Fear originally was before it got burninated.
Wow. That cop's got quite a 'stache on him.
Annnnnnnd now he's dead. Oh well, I guess only the Brigstache is allowed to survive in this story.
"It's out of control. It's sort of wild!" A wild Cyberman appeared! What will Jamie do? Pokemon / Ball / Item / Run
Ooo, they've got good cybervoices this time!
Wow. That Cyberman standing up from the grenade blast might be the single most human movement I've ever seen a Cyberman do.
Jamie, I understand your intentions but maybe holding off on the UNIT folk finding you for another few minutes wasn't such a good idea.
I love how the music is so casual and paced and then oh beeteedubbs there's a Cyberman grabbing Jamie's leg, FYI.
UM. HEY GUYS. I THINK PUTTING THE MANHOLE COVER BACK ON MIGHT BE ADVISABLE.
Ah, THERE'S Two's Science Eyebrows.
So after all that danger to get the photos of the Cybermen, Brig says "no, you fail." Thanks. Thanks a lot.
Oh my god Vaughn you psychotic devious monster, you.
"Vaughn, obviously I can't choose but work for you. If I refuse, you'll torture me, or kill me. Now, I can't stand up to torture...I don't want to die, and you're an evil man, Vaughn. You're sadistic, you're a megalomaniac, you're insane...I pity you...but if I get half a chance...I'LL KILL YOU."
A lot of it's in the delivery, but DAYUM. And people say there weren't as many amazing speeches in Classic Who.
And now Vaughn is willingly giving him Packer's gun and putting it in Professor Watkins' hand. I have no words anymore.
AND HE BITCHSLAPPED HIM FOR NOT SHOOTING AND THEN HE SHOOT HIM AND VAUGHN IS BULLETPROOF AND OH MY GOD THIS SCENE.
Cut back to Two Doing Science To It and Jamie being too adorable.
Wow. They skipped the whole rescue of Professor Watkins to cut right to one of Vaughn's lackeys giving him the bad news? Odd.
Random observation: the Brig really isn't that tall, is he?
I love how Jamie's seen the Cybermen so many times by now that his reaction to the situation is to go back to sleep.
Also, Zoe. I do not understand how your face works. Or your eyes. What are your eyes even.
("Kevin Stoney's permanently arched eyebrow and squint were the result of a serious facial injury earlier in his life.") And now I know.
I know I'd mentioned the eyebrow earlier, but he's got one full eye closed in this scene for some reason.
Aww. I was hoping they'd explain what the injury actually was.
Hey, Zoe's got her sparkly catsuit back on OH CRAP THE INVASION IS STARTING.
Also, is it just me, or does Two's position on the floor here seem reminiscent of One right before his regeneration?
And can someone explain to me the need for Cybermen to have shoelaces?
So I imagine that the Cybermen's control noise was terrifying back then, but now it's really annoying and I want it to stop.
The world becomes his, and Vaughn just sits there reading a book. Or playing with an iPad or something.
Oh. It's just a regular clipboard. Never mind.
So I only just realized: probably because of Stoney's facial tics, they almost never film him from the angle that shows it.
Oh crap drastic escape and OH DEAR GOD DID JAMIE JUST GET SHOT.
So all this time I thought that Jimmy and Sergent Walters were the same person. Apparently they aren't.
"Seems to be a total blanket all over the world." I have to admit that would be a lot more threatening-sounding if we could actually see it.
Although I'm glad they at least had those shots of the random people on the street hearing the cyber-control.
Possible solution for saving the world from cyber-invasion: hijack the Russians.
Good, Jamie's situation is "just a small flesh wound" so Frazer Hines can take a holiday.
It both amuses and annoys me that the Brig keeps pronouncing "Cybermen" like "Cybemun."
For me, watching any Doctor other than Three drive a car is a little weird, but with Two it's just adorable. Especially with this music.
Also, the contrast of little Zoe in her shiny sparkle suit and her frowny face amongst all the big official UNIT men is just as adorable.
Creepier adorableness: Vaughn happily swiveling around in his chair. Also, LOVE Packer's exasperated eyeroll in response.
("How do dress your Cyberman, in seven easy stages.") ...I bow down before whoever wrote the InfoText.
Pat, your whispering voice could very easily be used for seduction purposes. Please use this power for good and not for evil.
("Your full-dressed Cyberman is now ready to conquer the world!") #omg #this #forever
So, my lovely Brit followers, I have to ask: do you folks all pronounce the letter Z as "zed?" Or that just a regional thing?
Something about this scene is making Patrick Troughton look taller as Two gets the upper hand on Vaughn. I am very impressed by this.
Meanwhile in Russia... (oh dear god why are that one guy's eyes still open and staring unblinkingly at that other guy)
Oh wait, never mind, this scene isn't in Russia.
Zoe's chain-reaction-explosion theory resonates with me more than it should thanks to how much Angry Birds I've played this week.
And now it's time for another edition of Zoe Herriot Blows Things Up With Her Brain.
("Wendy Padbury was an especially popular cast member with the extras.") Gee, I can't imagine why. #thatoneguyjustlookedatherglitterbum
"You'd better be right."
"I am!"
Aaaaaand boom goes the Cyberfleet.
Ah, never mind what I said earlier, they're filming Vaughn from Stoney's poor side now. (Makes sense, now that his plan's falling apart.)
"IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED? TO BE THE RULER OF A DEAD WORLD?" Interesting way to do a cliffhanger.
And now, at last, the epic conclusion.
Awww, Zoe's popular with the UNIT boys now :D
"Can't we keep her on, sir? She's much prettier than a computer!" Now THAT would've been an interesting way for Zoe to leave the show.
Well, that didn't exactly "blow them all sky high," but it certainly blew up the Cyber-director.
"Packer! Packer, where are you?" ...CYBERMAN. (Oh wow, that was actually really scary.)
And now it looks like Packer's finally gone. That sucks, he was quite a good henchman.
"Appealing to my better nature...no. If I help you, it'll be because I hate them. The Cybermen, my allies. You think I'm mad? That all I want is power for its own sake? No, I have to have power...the world is weak, vulnerable, a mess of uncoordinated and impossible ideals! It needs a strong man, a single mind, a leader..."
"VAUGHN! WILL YOU *LISTEN*???"
"...Right! I'll help you to destroy them because I hate them! They...destroyed...my dream..."
Oh. My. God. First of all, that was AMAZING. Second, I can actually see a tear forming at the edge of Vaughn's bad eye. #alltheawards
Aww, part of the reason we got Benton was that Douglas Camfield took a shine to John Levine. Result? Lots of close-ups in this episode.
Judging by this scenery, I'm guessing we're coming up on my favorite Patrick-Troughton-running sequence ever.
I love how UNIT gets a nice uppity military leitmotif in these past couple episodes.
Also, seeing Vaughn finally getting out of his office and running around instead of strutting is quite a fun treat.
Oh wow. Apparently Camfield was so intent on militaristic authenticity that he got actual soldiers to play UNIT extras in this battle.
HERE IT IS. See Pat. See Pat Run. Run Pat, Run!
To Dodge a Bazooka: lay flat on the ground with your hands on your head and your feet in the air.
So the control tower for the bomb is destroyed off-screen, Vaughn might be dead, and we still have 8 minutes left. A bit anti-climactic, eh?
Well, okay, I know we still have the rest of the Cybermen to deal with...
"Yes, well this is going to be a long twelve minutes." Brig, have I mentioned recently that I love you?
("This saved the Doctor from a marriage proposal, Jamie from spending an episode in drag,") WAIT WAIT WAIT WHAT I WANT THIS
("and Zoe from getting spanked,") Ohhhhh, I think they were talking about how Prison in Space didn't get made.
And then there was a s'plosion! I can only assume that the danger's passed now that Isobel has Zoe posing for her photos again.
Oh god. This last scene. Find The Invisible TARDIS.
Wow. Benton got quite a high billing in the credits this time.
So they never really did explain how they got rid of the rest of the Cybermen all over the world, did they? Oh well...
So, all in all, that was a remarkably solid story considering its length!
Next: The Krotons