After a rocky start in The Twin Dilemma, Colin Baker’s first full season as the Doctor begins with Attack of the Cybermen, a story that aims to blend action, continuity, and darker storytelling into a confident statement about the Sixth Doctor’s era. Written by Paula Moore (a pseudonym, with unconfirmed credit likely going to script editor Eric Saward), and directed by Matthew Robinson, this two-part serial marks the 136th adventure in Doctor Who and attempts to reintroduce the Cybermen with a timey-wimey twist. While ambitious in scope, Attack of the Cybermen is a prime example of a story burdened by excessive continuity references, an overly grim tone, and a misjudged portrayal of the Doctor, making it a fascinating but deeply flawed watch.
The story sees the Doctor and Peri landing in 1985 London, where they soon become embroiled in a complex narrative involving Cybermen, the Cryons (the original inhabitants of the Cybermen’s adopted planet, Telos), a time-travel plot involving Halley’s Comet, and the return of the rogue mercenary Lytton. The Cybermen plan to use time travel to prevent the destruction of Mondas (their original homeworld, which was destroyed in The Tenth Planet), while the Cryons seek to use the Doctor as their unwitting pawn in a desperate bid for survival. Throughout this, the newly regenerated Doctor remains volatile, unpredictable, and, at times, outright brutal.
Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor is still in the process of finding his identity, and that inconsistency is keenly felt in Attack of the Cybermen. His unpredictable mood swings, from arrogance to sudden violence, make him a difficult figure to root for. Unlike the measured warmth and moral conviction of his predecessor, this incarnation is brash, condescending, and even needlessly cruel at times. The most glaring moment comes when he guns down Cybermen in cold blood—a stark departure from the Doctor’s usual nonviolent principles. While later stories would refine this version of the Doctor into a more layered character, here, he is presented with little nuance, leaving the audience struggling to connect with him.
Nicola Bryant’s Peri remains an engaging presence, though she is often reduced to reacting to events rather than driving the narrative. Her exasperation with the Doctor’s erratic behavior is justified, but the script doesn’t offer her many standout moments beyond expressing concern or frustration. That said, her dynamic with the Doctor still carries potential, as glimpses of a genuine bond begin to emerge beneath the shouting matches.
One of the more intriguing elements of Attack of the Cybermen is the return of Lytton, played by Maurice Colbourne. Last seen as an apparent villain in Resurrection of the Daleks, Lytton is given a surprising amount of depth here, revealed to be more of a mercenary with his own agenda rather than a straightforward antagonist. His unexpected alliance with the Cryons adds a layer of complexity to the story, and his gruesome demise at the hands of the Cybermen is one of the serial’s most memorable moments. Colbourne plays the role with a weary pragmatism, making Lytton a rare example of a morally grey character in Doctor Who at this time.
The Cybermen themselves are a mixed success. On the one hand, their cold, calculating menace remains intact, and their imposing physical presence ensures they remain a credible threat. On the other hand, their plan is unnecessarily convoluted, relying on layers of time travel mechanics that are never fully explained. Their interactions with the Cryons, while thematically interesting, lack the dramatic weight needed to make their conflict feel as compelling as intended. The Cryons, played with an ethereal otherworldliness, are visually striking but feel somewhat underdeveloped.
Visually, Attack of the Cybermen benefits from strong direction and some effective set design. The sequences in the sewers of London, as well as the Cybermen’s base on Telos, evoke an appropriately grim and oppressive atmosphere. The action sequences are competently staged, particularly the firefights involving the Cybermen. However, certain elements, such as the Cybercontroller’s unwieldy design, undermine the overall effect, making moments that should feel imposing instead appear awkward.
Thematically, the story attempts to explore the idea of moral ambiguity, with Lytton serving as a character who defies straightforward classification. However, the script’s overreliance on Doctor Who continuity—especially references to The Tenth Planet and Tomb of the Cybermen—makes the narrative feel inaccessible to casual viewers. While longtime fans may appreciate the nods, the reliance on past lore does little to enhance the immediate drama of the episode.
Rewatching Attack of the Cybermen in 2025, it remains a perplexing entry in the show’s history. On one hand, it showcases Doctor Who’s ambition to tell darker, more serialized stories with complex villains and layered motivations. On the other, its disjointed storytelling, misjudged portrayal of the Doctor, and convoluted plot make it a frustrating watch. The pacing is uneven, shifting between moments of genuine tension and extended exposition that slows the momentum.
The climax, which sees Lytton’s brutal demise and the Cybermen’s plan thwarted, is memorable but grim. Unlike the poetic tragedy of the Fifth Doctor’s final moments in The Caves of Androzani, here, the darkness feels gratuitous rather than earned. The Sixth Doctor’s reaction to Lytton’s death—acknowledging his mistake but with little visible remorse—feels particularly jarring, further emphasizing how out-of-step this incarnation of the character feels with previous interpretations.
Attack of the Cybermen is a story that is fascinating for what it attempts rather than what it achieves. It is an ambitious but flawed adventure that struggles to balance continuity-heavy storytelling with effective character work. Colin Baker’s Doctor, while still finding his footing, is presented in a way that makes it difficult for the audience to fully invest in him. While later stories would refine this era’s approach, Attack of the Cybermen serves as an uneven but intriguing starting point for Season 22—one that hints at potential but struggles to fully realize it.
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