Doctor Who – Series 12, Episode 9 – “Ascension of the Cybermen”

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The penultimate episode for this series – and it’s a two-parter! There’s been plenty of anticipation online for this one, so it was a bit of a bummer that I wasn’t able to watch it live – I’m writing this, the day after, having successfully avoided any spoilers online.

SYNOPSIS: It’s the aftermath of the Great CyberWar. The Doctor and friends arrive in the far future intent on protecting the last of the human race from the deadly Cybermen. But, in the face of such a relentless enemy, has the Doctor put her best friends at risk? What terrors lie hiding in the depths of space? And what, where or who, is Ko Sharmus?
This episode was written by showrunner, Chris Chibnall and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone.

We’re off! It’s a good start! To say this episode moved ‘at pace’ would be an understatement! Not even time to pop to the loo. It was certainly an action-packed episode from start to finish, and it had me on the edge of my seat (but nowhere near the back of the sofa) from the off!

And, just when this series didn’t need any more unanswered questions (the Internet is still on fire from previous episodes that referenced ‘The Timeless Child‘ and the not insignificant appearance of another Doctor) – we had a curious parallel storyline going on that appeared to have nothing to do with the main narrative! I still have no idea as to how this minisode, set in Ireland, fits into the bigger picture, but it will obviously become clear by the end of next week’s final episode.

Best cliffhanger ever too!

VERDICT: For me, that was probably the best episode of the series – maybe even the whole of JW’s tenure so far. It all felt very ‘Who’, and for once, the companions the ‘fam’ all had a significant role to play. I haven’t said this in a while, but, I’m really looking forward to next week’s (extended) episode! 🤔