Doctor Who Shocks Fans with Cybermen Episode Featuring No Cybermen

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who season 15, episode 1, “The Robot Revolution.” The Cybermen’s consistent presence in Doctor Who usually guarantees a familiar structure to episodes featuring them. Yet, in the first episode of season 15, titled “The Robot Revolution,”these iconic villains are notably absent. Despite the lack of Cybermen, the episode’s complex narrative feels like it could easily accommodate them, particularly given their rich legacy in the series. It has been some time since their last appearance, and fans will have to be patient before seeing them return to the screen.

The opening episode, “The Robot Revolution,”not only subtly underscores the connection between Belinda Chanda and Mundy Flynn—both portrayed by Varada Sethu—but also welcomes new settings and characters that mark a departure from past storylines in the era of Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. However, the episode manages to evoke a sense of nostalgia, primarily through incidental references to the Cybermen.

The Hallmarks of a Cyberman Episode in “The Robot Revolution”

Russell T. Davies Crafts a Cyberman-like Episode

Episodes featuring the Cybermen typically showcase a familiar narrative framework. They often depict a society that, once free, ultimately succumbs to the control of these mechanical foes. A prime illustration is the two-part story “Rise of the Cybermen”from season 2, where David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor intervenes to save an alternate Earth from a similar fate. The distressing transformation of the populace into Cybermen—known as “upgrading”—is a key element of these narratives.

“The Robot Revolution”mirrors this theme by embodying the upgrade concept through the character of Alan Budd, portrayed by Jonny Green, who transitions into the AI Generator, embodying the essence of a Cyberman. Notably, voice actor Nicholas Briggs—the familiar voice of the Cybermen—also lends his talents to the Robots in this season.

Upon assessing the episode against common attributes of a Cyberman narrative, it initially appears to fall squarely within that framework. The Robots assume dominion over the organic inhabitants of Missbelindachandra One, akin to how Cybermen have asserted control over various worlds, including Earth. Furthermore, Alan Budd’s transformation cements him as a robotic overlord, reminiscent of the Cyber-Controller in Cyberman lore.

The Absence of Cybermen in “The Robot Revolution”

Missbelindachandra One’s Past Peace with Robots

Initially, it may seem perplexing that Russell T. Davies opted not to integrate the Cybermen into the plot of “The Robot Revolution.”However, upon deeper consideration, it becomes evident that the nature of the narrative required a distinct dynamic between the Robots and the humanoid inhabitants of Missbelindachandra One. The dialogue between the Doctor and Belinda hints at a long history of peaceful coexistence, disrupted only by the rise of conflict—something that wouldn’t align with the Cybermen’s often aggressive nature.

The storyline revolves around Alan’s rise to power as the AI Generator, which is paramount for instigating the oppression faced by the inhabitants of Missbelindachandra One. Moreover, the eventual return of the Cybermen is likely to be a significant event when it occurs. Their presence in “The Robot Revolution”could have marginalized Belinda’s introduction and overshadowed her enigmatic connection to the Doctor and the overarching narrative of the show, leading to the decision to create new characters that are free from historical baggage.

Ncuti Gatwa Still Awaits an Encounter with Doctor Who’s “Big Three”Villains

Fifteenth Doctor’s Encounters with New Adversaries

Even though the expansive universe of Doctor Who offers endless opportunities for introducing new foes, the narrative routinely circles back to three primary villains: the Daleks, Cybermen, and various incarnations of the Master. The Daleks remain the most frequently recurring antagonists, but the Cybermen and the Master are also significant players in the series’ history. Notably, during Gatwa’s run as the Time Lord, he has yet to confront any members from this iconic trio.

There is hope that Gatwa will face off against one of these monumental foes before his tenure as the Doctor concludes. Apart from his engagement with the Toymaker (played by Neil Patrick Harris) in “The Giggle”and Sutekh’s return at the end of season 14, most adversaries encountered during his reign have been entirely new creations. This approach potentially makes the series more palatable for newcomers but also risks alienating long-time fans who crave the connection to the show’s rich legacy.

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