23rd February, 2020.
Yes: it’s Sunday night.
Just so you know.
And those of you who’ve been following me for a while … ?
Will realise I’ve had dinner at my family’s.
And been able to borrow one of my sisters laptops to check out …
Do you know what an installer is?
It’s something that lets you install software — productivity software, operating systems, drivers, what-have-you — onto a computer.
I’ve been trying to make one for a while, now: that will let me install a version of the open source operating system, Ubuntu, onto a laptop.
The laptop’s a birthday present, so you know, and something I’ll be getting in a few weeks time.
But I’m not particular keen on having Windows on there: which is why I’m trying to make an OS installer.
I’ve not been able to use my Mac to do it.
So ended up using the Windows version of balenaEtcher to turn the stick into an Ubuntu installer.
Given I’m a committed Mac fan?
You can imagine my annoyance.
But, at any rate, I now have a suitable stick …
All I need now is a suitable computer …
~≈Ω≈~
At any rate … ?
It’s Sunday.
Sunday night.
And, before you ask?
Ascension of the Cybermen …
~≈Ω≈~
Episode 9 — Ascension of The Cybermen — opens with an open narration: from Ashad, the Lone Cyberman, himself, explaining how the Cyber empire, the empire of might ad terror, has fallen.
But that ‘that which is dead can live again*, in the hands of a believer.’
Cue the titles …
And we move to rural Ireland: were an unnamed child is found in the street by an unnamed farmer … who, along with his wife, decides to adopt the baby, and name him Brendan …
The scene shifts, as the child grows, learns to ride a bicycle … falls ill …
And needs a doctor …
The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker)?
Is several hundred years away with Graham, Yas and Ryan (Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gil, Toisin) on a planet ruined by the Cyber War … and inhabited by, amongst others, Ravio, Ko and Feekat (Julie Graham and Steve Toussaint) …
Some of the last remnants of humanity left on this side of the universe.
Remnants very familiar with cyber-technology, after centuries of war … and remnants ready to run from the incoming cyber drones, as the last few Cybermen, led by Ashad … ?
Get ready to attack.
The last humans on Earth, flee, on the last remaining ship: leaving the Doctor, Ryan and Ethan (Matt Carver) to get the unused Cyber ship to get to the mythical Ko Sharmus (Ian McIlhinney).
The only safe way to get away from the Cybermen?
Is to find the Boundary …
~≈Ω≈~
Now …
What did I think of Ascension of the Cybermen?
Hmmm …
From the narrated, and vaguely Lovecraftian, opening, the Doctor and the team’s failed attempt to protect the last humans, to the Cybermen, themselves.
And to the mystery: who’s Brendan‡?
The episode shows us a child found under extremely mysterious circumstances, we follow his life from growing up, to joining the Gardai, to a retirement complete with a carriage clock …
And to being mysteriously being taken back into the Gardai house … to be plugged into what looks like an otherwise innocent radio set.
This … ?
After being shot in chest and thrown off a high cliff in a way that would kill anyone …
Except Captain Jack Harkness.
Who or what IS Brendon? Next week’s title, The Timeless Children, may give us a clue, there.
The Cybermen, themselves?
I actually re-watched Earthshock a day or two ago: and have to admit that — design wise — this bunch of Cybermen reminded me of the Earthshock era designs.
And … ? Vaguely of Star Trek’s Borg, as well: at least, notionally.
I can vaguely recall one or two comments — long since taken down from Wikipedia — that said Star Trek’s writers had loosely based the Borg on the Cybermen.
Or, at least, saw the Borg as their own parallel to the Cybermen.
Who knows?
But the look of the Cyber carrier’s interior? Was something I found evocative.
“But,” I hear you say, “did you really like Ascension of the Cybermen, Paul?”
Yes, I did, thanking you!
I’m not sure I’m totally stunned by Ascension of the Cybermen. I think The Haunting of The Villa Diodati, and Can You Hear Me? were better individual episodes.
And to the mystery: who’s Brendan‡?
The episode shows us a child found under extremely mysterious circumstances, we follow his life from growing up, to joining the Gardai, to a retirement complete with a carriage clock …
And to being mysteriously being taken back into the Gardai house … to be plugged into what looks like an otherwise innocent radio set.
This … ?
After being shot in chest and thrown off a high cliff in a way that would kill anyone …
Except Captain Jack Harkness.
Who or what IS Brendon? Next week’s title, The Timeless Children, may give us a clue, there.
The Cybermen, themselves?
I actually re-watched Earthshock a day or two ago: and have to admit that — design wise — this bunch of Cybermen reminded me of the Earthshock era designs.
And … ? Vaguely of Star Trek’s Borg, as well: at least, notionally.
I can vaguely recall one or two comments — long since taken down from Wikipedia — that said Star Trek’s writers had loosely based the Borg on the Cybermen.
Or, at least, saw the Borg as their own parallel to the Cybermen.
Who knows?
But the look of the Cyber carrier’s interior? Was something I found evocative.
“But,” I hear you say, “did you really like Ascension of the Cybermen, Paul?”
Yes, I did, thanking you!
I’m not sure I’m totally stunned by Ascension of the Cybermen. I think The Haunting of The Villa Diodati, and Can You Hear Me? were better individual episodes.
But?
Ascension of The Cybermen has that same tone I found so attractive in last week’s episode: part way between Phillip Hincliffe’s era of the show, and an Iain M. Banks novel.
And, even though I thought other episodes were better, Ascension of The Cybermen is still a very good watch.
I’m very aware that — in introducing tonight’s episode — the BBC’s continuity announcer described it as part one of a two part finale.
I’m actually going to quietly disagree, there.
I think this episode is part two of a three part arc.
And, going on the tone, so far … ?
I’m looking forward to The Timeless Children†.
Ascension of The Cybermen has that same tone I found so attractive in last week’s episode: part way between Phillip Hincliffe’s era of the show, and an Iain M. Banks novel.
And, even though I thought other episodes were better, Ascension of The Cybermen is still a very good watch.
I’m very aware that — in introducing tonight’s episode — the BBC’s continuity announcer described it as part one of a two part finale.
I’m actually going to quietly disagree, there.
I think this episode is part two of a three part arc.
And, going on the tone, so far … ?
I’m looking forward to The Timeless Children†.
* Was I the only person put in mind of H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu? “That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die.” Yeah, right …
† *SPOILERS* I’ve just done a quick look at Google: and formed the general impression some are surprised at the return of the Master. Personally? I wasn’t. I felt it was implicit in the first two episodes of series twelve.
‡ The one comment I’ve had on tonight’s video? Reminds us this is the first Dr Who episode to be at least partially set in Ireland. That’s a first …
† *SPOILERS* I’ve just done a quick look at Google: and formed the general impression some are surprised at the return of the Master. Personally? I wasn’t. I felt it was implicit in the first two episodes of series twelve.
‡ The one comment I’ve had on tonight’s video? Reminds us this is the first Dr Who episode to be at least partially set in Ireland. That’s a first …
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