The Return of the Cybermen

Neil Gaiman's writing another Doctor Who episode! And it's going to feature the Cybermen! I'm sorry, I couldn't keep that in long enough to do a proper introduction. Yes, the wonderful Neil Gaiman, the acclaimed writer of everything from novels to graphic novels and last year's immensely amazing Doctor Who episode 'The Doctor's Wife s (read my previous post on Mr Gaiman's considerable talent here) has confirmed that his episode being filmed very soon will feature everyone's favourite silver cyborgs - and he's also promised '(he) will make the Cybermen scary again.'

As a fan of Gaiman's work (you probably didn't need me to point that out), the idea of another episode by him excites me but its even better news that the Cybermen will be involved. In every appearance of theirs since 2006's 'Army of Ghosts' they have been little else but stomping thugs who's heads often get blown off. Also, as some of the best moments, and indeed whole episodes, off Doctor Who are scary I'm all for bringing back scary Cybermen. 'The Pandorica Opens' in Series Five featured an terror-rific scene where Amy is attacked by a one-armed, rusting Cybermen with a mobile head that moves like a squid but, I feel, much of their power has been lost over the years.

Presumably, one of the main influences of this episode (the seventh of next year's run) is Patrick Troughton story 'The Tomb of the Cybermen' which is arguably the Cybermen at their creepiest; investigating some abandoned caves, the Doctor encounters dozens of slumbering Cybermen... who don't stay asleep for long. Apart from just being a fab story, it will be extra fun having a modern episode drawn from this one as Matt Smith has repeatedly said how much he enjoys the episode. That man has good taste.

The actual storyline is being kept safely under wraps - although perhaps not too safely as its been known that one actress working on the episode left her copy of  the script in a Cardiff taxi only for a loyal fan to find it and return it to the studios. Bad luck, Internet spoilerphiles. However, fans are still brimming with ideas. Many believe it will see the Cybermen completely redesigned but it looks like we'll have to wait and see...

For now, here's a picture (which I do not take credit for) of Neil Gaiman with a Weeping Angel. Don't look at it too long. And don't.. well, you know how it goes.