Cybermen

Cybermen. They are a fictional race of cyborgs originating from the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Created by writer Kit Pedler and story editor Gerry Davis, they first appeared in the 1966 serial The Tenth Planet. The Cybermen are among the most enduring and iconic adversaries of the Doctor, representing a terrifying fusion of organic life and cold, logical machinery.

Fictional history

The Cybermen originated on the twin planet of Earth, Mondas, where their species faced extinction. To survive, the inhabitants began replacing their body parts with artificial components, a process that eventually erased their emotions and individuality. After Mondas was destroyed, various factions and alternate universe versions emerged, such as those created by John Lumic of Cybus Industries in a parallel universe. Key conflicts include their invasion of Earth in stories like The Invasion and The Age of Steel, and their repeated attempts to conquer the Moon, Mars, and other worlds. Their history is marked by encounters with foes like the Daleks, with notable battles occurring during the Last Great Time War and at the Battle of Canary Wharf.

Characteristics and abilities

Cybermen are surgically augmented humanoids encased in a protective silver suit, typically made of polymorphic alloy. Their most defining trait is the emotional inhibitor that suppresses feelings, leaving only cold, logical thought aimed at survival and conversion. They possess superhuman strength, resilience to conventional weapons, and can interface directly with computer systems. A primary weapon is the emotional inhibitor, which can be used to overwhelm opponents. Their primary goal is the conversion of other species into Cybermen, using a process involving a Cyber-conversion unit and a Cyberman headpiece. Weaknesses include exposure to certain forms of radiation, such as gold, and attacks on their emotional inhibitors which can cause catastrophic system failure.

Appearances

Beyond their debut in The Tenth Planet, the Cybermen have featured in numerous television serials including The Moonbase, The Tomb of the Cybermen, and Earthshock. They returned in the revived series in the 2006 episode Rise of the Cybermen, leading to major story arcs like the Army of Ghosts/Doomsday two-parter. They have also appeared in the episodes The Next Doctor, Closing Time, and The Time of the Doctor, and played a central role in the 2017 series finale, World Enough and Time/The Doctor Falls. Their presence extends to spin-off media like The Sarah Jane Adventures and the video game The Edge of Time.

Cultural impact

The Cybermen are recognized as one of the great science fiction monsters, often discussed alongside the Daleks and the Borg. Their iconic design and chilling catchphrases, such as "You will be like us," have permeated popular culture. They have been analyzed as a metaphor for dehumanization through technology, the loss of individuality, and the dangers of unchecked transhumanism. The Cybermen have been referenced in shows like The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live, and inspired similar cyborg concepts in other franchises. In 2010, a survey by Radio Times ranked them the second greatest Doctor Who villain after the Daleks.

Production and development

The initial concept was devised by Kit Pedler, who was concerned with the advancing field of cybernetics, and developed with Gerry Davis. The original costume design, created by Sandra Reid, featured cloth faces and human hands, which evolved into the more familiar sealed silver suits. Notable designers who later refined their look include Peter Brachacki and Neal Scanlan. The distinctive electronic voice, created using a ring modulator, was developed by Brian Hodgson at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. In the 2000s, executive producer Russell T Davies reintroduced them with a new origin tied to Cybus Industries, with design work by Edward Thomas. Stories have been written by notable contributors such as Steven Moffat, Chris Chibnall, and Neil Gaiman.