Episode #46 : The Invasion

"I hate computers and refuse to be bullied by them!"

 

 

Episode 46:   The Invasion.
Companions: The 2nd Doctor, Jamie McCrimmon and Zoe Heriot.
Air Date:       Eight episodes. 2nd November to 21st December 1968.

 

Investigating the disappearance of an eminent scientist, the Doctor and his companions follow his trail to the London headquarters of International Electromatics, a global supplier of electronic equipment run by the formidable Tobias Vaughn. Teaming up with the newly-formed United Nations Intelligence Taskforce - UNIT - under the control of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, it soon becomes apparent that Vaughn is working to his own sinister agenda. As Cybermen invade in cities all over the world, can the Doctor convince Vaughn to help him defeat their plan for global domination?

 

The Invasion is another story that is heavily in the vein of James Bond for the most part, as the Doctor investigates an evil megalomaniac villain. The real villains, the Cybermen, don't actually turn up till over half way through the serial and then it goes traditional Who. It does seem that a fair bit of Troughton's time as the Doctor includes elements like this and with The Invasion it certainly works well.

 

This story sees the return of Lethbridge-Stewart who has since we last saw him, been put in charge of a new international organisation to help defend the Earth against threats from outer space, UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce). UNIT will go on to be a major element throughout the show, especially for the 3rd Doctor. We also have the introduction of John Benton, a UNIT regular.

 

There is an unexplained (if you need such things) issue with the Cybermen however. The events of this story predate The Ten Planet by about twenty five years chronologically but there is no explanation as to how and when the Cybermen arrived and why they hid in the sewers beneath London. But this story is, alongside The Tenth Planet, referenced in the Attack of the Cybermen.

 

Because a couple episodes were lost this story was the first to receive the animation treatment that other stories are now receiving. As a bit of fun, the animators dropped a "Bad Wolf" reference in for the keen eyed to find.

 

The Invasion isn't a bad story but at 8 episodes it is really far far too long and it drags in more than a few places.