"Father....must see my...uniform..." Special thanks to DAVIS for giving us a beginner's guide to Big Finish Cybermen stories! Be sure to help appease the almighty algorithm by hitting that "like" button and leaving any comment down below!

This story is so revered that both Davis and Moffat decided to not retcon it when doing their own Cyberman origins. It's a chilling, sombre masterpiece of a story. Truly powerful and haunting stuff that ranks as one of the best things to ever come out of the Whoniverse.

@vcom741

3 жыл бұрын

To be fair to Moffat, his final regular story pretty much made all Cybermen origin stories canon, I believe

@benw4409

3 жыл бұрын

@@vcom741 Yeah that was a great idea of "parallel evolution" which makes Spare Parts canon as well as The World Shapers and all other origins. World Enough and Time didn't even need to contradict Spare Parts as that's on a Mondasian ship so the events on the planet itself could still exist. But the idea of parallel evolution is a brilliant one.

@LordOfRibena

2 ай бұрын

It might honestly be the best cyberman story if not story in general for me. I think it's cool bc they can really go wild with their ambition as they don't have to have it on screen.

"A Cybermat??! YOU BROUGHT A CYBERMAT INTO MY TARDIS?!?" Honestly. That's the most panicked and pissed 5th ever sounded at this point

The Cybermats made perfect sense. They were a fad from an earlier time when animals were becoming extinct and people wanted pets but resources weren't as strapped. That's why they had Mat catchers because they had become a drain on resources after they had been abandoned because people couldn't "feed" them energy.

@LeftytheGansterGremlin

3 жыл бұрын

Honestly, Spare Parts is full of small details like that. Like the Zhang twins being mentioned. With Commander Zhang dying at the end, and being replaced by his twin, since the former agreed with the Doctor's point of view.

@affsteak3530

4 ай бұрын

Another video I listened to suggested they might be pest control. Killing and then replacing Mondasian rats like the Cyberman replaced its people.

Not gonna lie, the intro of Cybercemeber is fire. Gives me goosebumps even more than Dalekcemeber.

If I remember correctly, The idea of Spare Parts was the inspiration for the canceled Peter Davidson story 'Genesis of the Cybermen.'

@braddsfx8921

3 жыл бұрын

With the series 10 finale being a cyber man prequel story, the masters ‘genesis of the cyber men’ call back actually makes sense and is quite charming

The last time I was this early Mondas still had resources

@nickthepick8043

3 жыл бұрын

And ethics.

Aww, so glad you liked Spare parts. Marcus is an old friend of mine and he'd be delighted to see this. I'll have to forward him this link. :)

@MrThorfan64

3 жыл бұрын

I'm sure he'll love it! And hopefully be understanding of the nitpicks.

What I would love to see a Cyberman story like this in live action especially when wanting to capture the psychological and physical horror of this story.

@MrThorfan64

3 жыл бұрын

The problem is would you be able to put it on screen? Also it might feel reminiscent of coronavirus now.

@MrThorfan64

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaeltaylor4375 True. And even there it is very disturbing. Pain, Pain, Pain...

@MrThorfan64

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaeltaylor4375 Sorry could u delete this comment and repost? Odd request but it keeps notofying me Ive received the comment even though I keep pressing the notification.

"Spare Parts" oooooooooooooooo Davis OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Although it may not be the strongest outing for the Cybermen, their first Big Finish audio Sword of Orion does have some great moments, like when the Doctor finds a Cyber-conversion facility that was de-activated in the middle of converting the crew of a ship and as such the rotting remains of partially-converted Humans who died in agony when the procedure was cut off mid-conversion, it's a really gruesome scene that gives us a clear idea of what the Cyber-conversion process does to a person before they become a Cyberman

As someone who grew up in a country recovering from what Soviet Union did to it, let me just say, there are definitely parallels between Soviet Union and Spare Parts. The shadowy rulers, who are supposed to care about people, but in reality have no issue harming them to further their goals. Even the imagery of suffering from cold and hunger are very reminiscent of the stories of gułags and the hołodomór. And of course, the story of this noble idea that becomes corrupted and forced upon people against their will.

Big Finish: check DAVIS: check Joy: triple check

Yeah if they ever wanted to make adaptations of Big Finish audio dramas, this would be one that gets a hard R for the body horror alone. My mind conjured up the most horrifying look for the Cyber Committee with how they were described.

I'd now like to see Mr TARDIS show up in a Broke Canon video. Tho I'd imagine it mostly him having his mind utterly messed up by all the mad stuff in the lore.

Okay, this is just my two cents but, I have a THEORY about Cyber-Commander Zhang in this story. I remember Mr. Hartley say a line about those in the neighborhood who went off to be "Augmented for the "Final Push". You see, Mr. Hartley mentions the "Zhang" Twins in that moment. And later on, Commander Zhang we know of Dies at the end, right? It's only to be revealed that he is still alive and continues the processing after the Doctor Leaves. Well, what if that Commander was his other twin? After all, there really isn't any other way to tell them apart aside from the Cyberleader black handlebars. It was clear to me that the Zhang we spent time with acknowledged what the Doctor said about "Never being Human again", which I inferred that Zhang Logically knew that the processing had to be stopped or their intentions were all for nothing. But I guess his twin didn't get that memo.

@JedAnimationStudios

2 жыл бұрын

I was so confused at the end thinking why the hell Zheng changed his mind regarding the idea that to be a cyberman would mean the end of everything human. Now that you mention Mr Hartley stating the Zheng Twins, it makes sense that one of them could have been in isolation post conversion and re activated by accident with influences from the committee still festering in his memory bank.

@nickthepick8043

2 жыл бұрын

@@JedAnimationStudios Exactly! Thanks for replying. I'm glad I'm not the only one!

@affsteak3530

4 ай бұрын

Zheng #2 might have been who Zheng #1 was contacting on the surface the whole time. 😮

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who finds Banks’ Cyberleader weirdly charming.

This was my first Big Finish audio and it's one of my favourites (although I don't know whether the Committee or the wobbly Cyber Planner voice from the Big Finish Cyberman series sounds worse). Also if I remember correctly, one of the characters in this episode became one of the major Cybermen involved in the events of The Tenth Planet.

@MrThorfan64

3 жыл бұрын

Krail I think. Odd thinking that the first Cybermen actually had names.

@animationfanatic2133

Жыл бұрын

Yeah those Cyberman voices can be a bit of mixed bag in big finish, though I found the ones in sword of Orion or even the non committee cybermen in spare parts to be fine

Are you doing Supremesy of the Cybermen? The story where they convert EVERYTHING!

My favourite Big Finish Cyberman fact *spoilers* They killed Peri's whole family and social circle.

@jonathanbermudez546

3 жыл бұрын

God, that was hard to listen to.😞

@shortangel333

3 жыл бұрын

@@jonathanbermudez546 Nah that was a fun story.

@SuperWolsey

3 жыл бұрын

@@jonathanbermudez546 And it was all Kathy Chambers' fault

The stark, eerie version of the theme tune fits this story perfectly, dude.

Never in all my years of being a Doctor Who fan did I ever expect to hear the phrase "Cyberfaries".

@shortangel333

3 жыл бұрын

Don't worry, its all downhill from here.

@ahumanbeingfromtheearth1502

Жыл бұрын

There's a big finish cyberman story that involves them invading the land of fiction from the mind robber. It's as batshit as you think.

I think it's very fitting that this story takes place with the 5th Doctor, and after the events of Earthshock. Mainly because the Doctor now knows that the events that took place at the end of Earthshock lead to one of history's most important events - the annihilation of the Dinosaurs. With that in mind, the Doctor must now be more certain than ever that - whether he likes it or not - the Cybermen MUST happen. He can't prevent their creation, as doing so means no Earthshock, which means no Dinosaur-wipeout. Obviously the concept of a "fixed point in time" wasn't properly established until the Revival, which Spare Parts narrowly predates, but I think its a cool thing to think about.

I listened to this the other day, one of the best releases along with the Genocide Machine. I also love that it shows the origin of the Mondasian Cybermen from The Tenth Planet.

Just a quick side note - Legend of the Cyberman is actually a final part of a trilogy of travels between 6 and older Jaime. It's recommended you listen to City of Spires and Wreck of the Titan before that one.

The fifth doctor has the most depressing stories, imo.

Spare Parts, yeah it's alright..... OK I'm kidding it's one of the best Doctor Who stories ever written!

I was looking forward to this review since yesterday, but then I that it's featuring DAVIS, and I was very excited, thank Mr TARDIS you wonderful man.

hell yes its a masterpiece! And that's a great beginners guide to BF Cybermen stories. It was actually the first non-McGann story I listened to and I will never forget the experience of listening to it for the first time. There are so many great ones BF really does know what its doing

"The Harvest" is pretty good

@shortangel333

3 жыл бұрын

Ooh, I recently got that, I must listen to that.

@ryanj6078

3 жыл бұрын

@@shortangel333 it's a great listen, even if it feels very 90s with all the hacking and running around haha

Ahh spare parts, one of my first big finish audios, an awesome story and one I hope we will one day get too see on tv

WELCOME TO THHE LARGER EXPANDED UNIVERSE, My friend.

Damn, that intro tho. This is the most quality I've seen in a Who channel since DAVIS! Take my like and my sub!

Two of my favourite Whotubers in the same video? Christmas has come early

MrTardis and DAVIS TOGETHER!!!! Christmas came early for me

I absolutely love this story. It's such a good listen, everything about it is amazing. This was my first Big Finish story and I treasure it.

It would be cool to see or hear the central committee again in another story even if it's a different version of it

Just noticed something cool on the cover the random lines in the bottom left are the Earth but flipped basically the continents of Mondas or from Australian view. Nice attention to detail.

Hi I know that I'm recommending stories too late but I'm going to tell you some of my favorite cybermen stories. Even if you aren't going to review these stories there worth experiencing them for yourself. 1.illegal alien: this story was going to be in the 27th season with the 7th doctor and ace. It was put of to season 27 because the curse of fenric was also set in World War Two. The cancelled script was adapted as part of the monster collection (one novel reprinted for ever iconic doctor who monster to celebrate the 50th anniversary). It is a long novel but it is worth the read. Here's the synopsis: the blitz is at sit height.As the Luftwaffe bomb London, Cody Mcbridge, ex pat American private eye, sees a sinister silver sphere crash land. He glimpses something emerging from within. The military dismiss his account of events-the sphere must be a new German secret weapon that has malfunctioned in some way. What else could it be? Arriving amid the chaos the doctor and ace embark on a trail that brings them face to face with hidden nazi agents, and encounter some very old enemies... it probably has the most horrific cyberman scene even competing with spare parts. Absolute must read for cybermen fans I got tried typing I'm going to tell you my other recommendation tomorrow

@dalekbumps

3 жыл бұрын

Illegal Alien is brilliant, I love how it is split into four Parts like the Classic story so you know exactly where the 'cliffhangers' are

I know Big finish isn’t perfect but I still don’t get why they’re not in charge of the show. Or at least borrow some of the writers. Most of the best of Doctor Who during the 21st century has come from them.

@MrThorfan64

3 жыл бұрын

To be fair they are different mediums and they are aimed for a slightly different audience.

I made a Big Finish account because of the free "Lock-download" deals they started coming out with earlier in the year. Spare Parts was one of the first ones I bought with my own money. I think Mr TARDIS perfectly summed up why right here.

Was not expecting a broke cannon at the end of this but yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaa boi!!! Love DAVIS, especially broke cannon series. Great review, for me the main range really comes into its own around this time with the likes of this, chimes, the villains trilogy ect. so you have a lot to look forward to. I really love the main range 1-100, such an experimental time and it produced some of my favourite doctor who stories like the holy terror, chimes, arrangements for war, davros, natural history and my all time favourite story ever scherzo. Have a fun ride, whish I could wipe my memory somehow and do it all again!

Posting before "watching": was going to suggest you reviewed this one!

I am very much hoping the end was a tease for The Flood

Spare Parts is what got me into Big Finish. What an incredible story it is.

This is my favourite Cyberman story and one of my favourite stories by Big Finish

There's a Swole Doge vs Cheems edit of the Cybermen in the EU vs on the show yet to be made, simply because no-one is nerdy enough

This was one of my first Big Finish audios. It did not dissapoint

This and the Silver Turk are the best Cyber stories Bigfinsh have done

One of my favourite Big Finish releases ever!

I love this story. A Cybermen origin story was so obvious and but managed highlight their best qualities as villains with their humanity making them more sinister and there is a true sense of tragedy to them in this story that was not present before and its great seeing the decisions and consequences that led to the Cybermen

Oh wow and joked about Davis in the video comments yesterday “BEST TARDIS TEAM” Plus a into the matrix bit? “Best Who Co-lab”

Would you also consider doing Cyberwoman from Torchwood for Cybercember too?

Next time on Cybercember: During The Flood

Spare Parts to me was a warning against the transhumanism (cybernetic evolution) doctrine. It goes back to the Ship of Theseus thing mentioned in your Tenth Planet review where is it the original ship even after being repaired. Having a cybernetic limb is one thing but at what point does the person stop being human? It’s like that episode of Deep Space Nine, Life Support. Watch that one if you haven’t, it isn’t a Borg or Cybermen story but it is still well written.

I wonder if this inspired "World Enough and Time"?

@mayotango1317

3 жыл бұрын

No, is the parallel evolution.

@neptunesphere3964

3 жыл бұрын

It did. It also inspired Age of Steel

Spare Parts was my first Big Finish Audio Drama due to how great I heard it was and it didn't disappoint whatsoever.

DAVIS, Josh Snares and Batmanmarch, maybe Ace Creeper next?

Cybermen are similar to the necrons out of Warhammer but that vacant look of the face Truly made them a top tier threat next to the daleks

Doctorman Allan, we begin again.

Wonder if it’s the comic series where they invade Gallifrey

@shortangel333

3 жыл бұрын

How subtle.

So a book or comic next time? Hmm, hoping for Illegal Alien. Other great BF cyber stories include The Reaping, The Harvest and Silver Turk.

Greatest Cyberman Story Ever.

I'm guessing tomorrow's video is The Flood.

Bet tomorrow it's either one of the DWM story like The Flood or that Doctor Who game Destiny of the Doctor

Cracking story. Shook me to my core

I think Spare Parts is a stronger story than Sword of Orion; the latter is a kind of rehash of the tomb of the cybermen but in space (some similarity to the latest series ending)

@kierenevans2521

3 жыл бұрын

Sword is an early BF release. You can tell they are still getting used to telling the BUS formula on audio.

Lots of people don't like sword of Orion, but I DO!!!!!

8:58 I has a family member break their shoulder and this was so bad I had to skip it

an adaptation no less of the unmade serial Genesis of the Cybermen

13:00 "Are we robot s?" No you sound more like a dalek

I don't feel like the Cybermen started off as a communist parallel, but maybe later down the line, there were slight hints of it, but at like an extreme level. In the New Who Series 2 finale, they talk about getting rid of all race class and gender, and seem as though they want everyone to be equal.

@TheDigitalApple

2 жыл бұрын

Kind of like how Terry Nation initially didn’t think of putting any parallels to Nazism into the creation of the Daleks, it wasn’t until people noticed coincidences of the Daleks behavior having parallels to Nazi ideology

Is there something wrong with The Silver Turk? The cover looks really cool, but I've never been able to listen to it. Those of you who have, please enlighten me!

@pious83

3 жыл бұрын

Nothing wrong with it at all. It was [very] loosely adapted recently to make the 13th Doctor episode 'The Haunting of Villa Diodati'.

@eccremocarpusscaber5159

3 жыл бұрын

No, I love it! I’m not sure if DAVIS was simply referring to the fact that he’s going to make a video about it and didn’t want to say much about it. I may be wrong (I often am!)

DAVIS!

It's really good, I mean really really good. I haven't re-listened to Spare Parts in years but as I haven't been that enthused with a lot of Big Finish's recent output I have been going back over there early stuff so I will probably get to it soon.

Has anyone got the list of recommendations as I can’t find the 4th doctor comic anywhere

@EditedAF987

3 жыл бұрын

It’s not a comic, It’s an audio story called the Fate of Krelos/Return to Telos

Anyone else hoping/praying for some Big Finish stories to get animated?

Top 10 anime crossovers Mr TARDIS and Davis

Doctor Who Anime?

How amazing would it be to have this animated not the cartoon type we've had for the missing episodes but a realistic (PS5/Xbox graphics) I know would cost a fortune but feel this story could really come into its own even more than it already is

Please review cyberman seasons one & two. It's a sequel to sword of Orion. Tales its cues from invasion of the body snatchers, terminator,

I just started listening to these Big Finish Doctor Who audiobooks and they were mostly great "Spare Parts" was particularly good but I feel that Peter Davison was a bit lackluster with his performances the biggest surprise for me was Colin Baker as his performances have been amazing so far, I really am seeing him in a new light in these audiobooks he easily outshined both Peter Davison and Sylvester McCoy in the Sirens of Time.

The story had 2 big problems. First, Doctorman Alan's character changes from scene to scene and Marc Platt can't decide weather to class her as a villaness or not. How are we supposed to feel? Second problem is the whole issue of not interfering. The Doctor and Nyssa do end up interfering and cause Mondas to go on its return trip. Not only that, but the Doctor states at the end that the Cybermen and the humans could work things out together! These are the Cybermen you're talking about!

@Monocheto1

Жыл бұрын

Maybe it was just to calm nyssa, the ending with zheng surviving implies the full conversion happened anyway

@affsteak3530

4 ай бұрын

I thought Doctorman Allan was fine. She's a doctor whose ethics have been completely broken by the circumstances she's forced to work under, and she drinks heavily to cope. She wants the humans of Mondas to survive. If she can use the Doctor to make more efficient Cybermen, fewer Mondasian people have to be converted and die on the surface. Converting a child who will die of consumption in a few months is better than losing one of the remaining healthy adults. She trusts the Council because who would want to believe Mondas sacrificed its greatest minds just to create an inhuman monster?

Ah, 'The Reaping' (and to lesser extent 'Gathering'), Joseph Lidster's pre-Series 4 Rose Tyler hate fix-it-fic! XD Did it feel cathartic or you were more about trolling of the Doctor, companions (and viewers) who willfully turn off their brains and buy into anything he says because advanced magic-space-tech, or both arguably the best and also thoroughly trolled outing of a Cyberman? :P Still my favorite Cybermen story despite botched audio production.

I wish the show did this story

The description starting around 9.14 is very reminiscent of the Britain we currently find ourselves in. Enforced restrictions, masks and fear, all t "keep us safe". This is eerily prescient, especially with the "Great Reset" coming.

@_valstrax_8748

3 жыл бұрын

Bruh you're thinking about this way too hard. Maybe try putting that brain to work on something benefitial to society.

👍👍❤️

I'm never quite sure why politics needs to always leak into videos like this, especially the hosts personal opinion, if you can't see the obvious similarity between the soviet union and the cybermen you must be blind/deaf. And it's not a question of getting views on communism wrong, it's a valid opinion on a repressive socialist state not a treatise on the benefits of Marxism.

Cybermen are late stage capitalism

@eccremocarpusscaber5159

3 жыл бұрын

As it transforms into communism.