Doctor Who Rewind - The Invasion

"Packerrr!!!"

Yes, this is the epic eight part Cybermen story that pretty much has everything going for it.

There's a ruthless power crazed villain, the threat of alien invasion, and, a crack team of specially assembled soldiers.

After coming under fire from a ship on the moon the TARDIS is damaged and has to set down on Earth. After finding their way to London, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe discover that an electronics company called International Electronics (IE), headed by one Tobias Vaughan, has been up to all kinds of no good.

After visiting Tobias at IE the Doctor is suspicious that all is not what it seems. And it soon becomes apparent, with the help of the newly promoted Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and the United Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT), that Mr Vaughan is in cahoots with a force from outside of this Earth. Not only that but the silly blighter wants to use his new off world allies, to become all powerful and then, destroy them. The cheek of it.

What isn't there to like about this eight parter? Great characters. For instance you've got the dastardly duo in Vaughan and his side kick Packer. Vaughan (played by Kevin Stoney) is so twisted by his ambition to become ruler of the world he's installed a Cyber control communication thingie behind a secret panel in his office. He's got a funny eyebrow and a cheeky smirk that almost breaks out into a full smile when he's enjoying interrogating someone or inflicting pain. He's an absolute joy to watch and has such charisma that you kinda forget your watching Doctor Who.

Then there's his long suffering henchman, Packer. Poor old Packer,I do feel for for him. Just when he's on the verge of giving someone a good clobbering or successfully carrying out one of Vaughan's sadistic plots there always seems to be a bit of a hiccup. Through out the story, these build until Vaughan's madness erupts into a frenzy of anger and it's a wonder he doesn't spontaneously combust.

Of course we also have the return of the very dapper Nicholas Courtney as the newly promoted Brigadier in the newly created UNIT, the task force that has been set up to deal with the alien presence on earth. UNIT's reach and capability is supported fully by the MOD but there is one small problem, in that Leftbridge- Stewart's boss has been got at by Vaughan, which makes matters a little more complicated. Certainly having UNIT incorporated in this story gives it a sense of drive and some great action scenes.

Also, having the back drop of London to set this story against gives some great chances to get some memorable sequences involving the Cyberman. Who can forget the incredibly iconic scene of a marching army of Cyberman descend on the capitals streets, with St Paul's Cathedral standing proud in the background.

The scope of this story, stretching from London, with the blind ambition of one mans lust for power, out into space, and the great threat of a Cyber army that is about to wreak havoc on the planet, gives it a scope that really has a lot to live up to on the screen. Of course, with the Doctor Who budget it would always be a difficult job, but they give it a bloody good go. With Helicopter rescues, Cybermen in the sewers, space rocket shoot outs and lots more.

There's even a chance for the very likeable Vaughan to redeem himself by the end of the story and it's a lovely little twist to see the an enemy of the Doctor team up together against a bigger common threat.

Next time on Doctor Who Rewind, we meet The Croutons, sorry that's The Krotons.