The Cybermen have ascended. The Doctor and her fam have run away a lot. The mystery of the Boundary has revealed itself as an even bigger mystery. And, frankly, God alone knows what 1950s Ireland has to do with any of it. But what did the Cyber Hive-Mind Twitter make of it?
Kippy notes that Ireland has been referenced in Doctor Who, long before Ascension of the Cybermen. Apparently it’s where Gallifrey really is. You don’t suppose… Nah.
"Tell me, where did you qualify, if I may ask?"
"A place called Gallifrey."
"Gallifrey? No, I've not heard of it. Perhaps it's in Ireland."
"Probably."#DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/mZZaZJBLfx— Kippy Woo (@TygerWhoCame2T) February 23, 2020
The Women of Who are as stumped as Blogtor Who by the story of Brendan, the mysterious – and unkillable – Irish policeman. Could he be the Timeless Child?
So, who's Brendan?
Perhaps anything to do with the Timeless Child? How come he had a Captain Jack-like revival? Do you think he's more linked to the Cyberman plot, or the Gallifrey/Master plot, or both equally?
Leave your theories below, I'm stumped on this one!#DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/sCzvNazwip
— The Women of Who 🌈 (@TheWomenOfWho) February 23, 2020
Or maybe he’s Ko Sharmus wonders Rose? After all they’re both played by Irish actors? [Blogtor Who feels obliged to point out the Lone Cyberman is an Irish actor too. Hmm]
so brendan is ko sharmus right??
— rosie 🌈 dw spoilers (@teamgangfam) February 23, 2020
What’s evil, purple and loved by Dominic G Martin?
Evil purple boi is back, happy now #DoctorWho
— Dominic G. Martin (@DominicJGM) February 23, 2020
Famed Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell was impressed by the level of threat and edge brought to the new Cybermen.
Wow. #DoctorWho The thread of everyday life really upped the tension in the SF. Great Cybermen. With edge and emotion. And the ending suggests something wonderfully huge. Again I say wow.
— Paul_Cornell (@Paul_Cornell) February 23, 2020
While Janet Fielding, the former Tegan, worries that Graham’s positive attitude might mean her seeing another companion die at Cyberman hands.
T'would be fun. And a bit eerie perhaps. I wish Graham would stop saying positive things. You know it's going to go wrong. Oooooh. No. https://t.co/A2Ev69bmQx
— Janet Fielding (@jfmouthonlegs) February 23, 2020
TARDISmonkey picked up on how an army of Cybermen stomping around the darkened corridors of a cargo spaceship is call back to an earlier Doctor Who adventure.
Anyone else get Earthshock vibes from that episode!?#DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/jBPmxkzxDO
— TardisMonkey (@tardis_monkey) February 23, 2020
Cora sums up the almost universal view of the episode from the edge of her seat.
I bloody loved Ascension of the Cybermen. It was brilliant and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The bit about Brenden was intriguing and the Master is back!! I need to know if Yaz & Graham survive tho. I can't wait for next week's episode. #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/RXfFsz7vsq
— Cora💫DW spoilers💫 (@Thirteen_Stars_) February 23, 2020
Miles agrees about how tense this episode was, but hopes the pay off next week is worth it.
Well. I don’t think I’ve felt that tense about #DoctorWho in a good while. Really really good stuff – I think it’s all down to the conclusion next week. There’s a lot riding on it… pic.twitter.com/N5i4dp19oN
— Miles Taylor (@taylordvision) February 23, 2020
A concern echoed by author Lisbeth Myles, who also hopes The Timeless Children is worth it.
In conclusion, this revelation has BETTER BE WORTH IT. I want to GASP IN SHOCK. #DoctorWho
— Lizbeth Myles (@LMMyles) February 23, 2020
Doctor Who Series 12 concludes at the earlier time of 6.50pm next Sunday with The Timeless Children
In the epic and emotional series finale, the Cybermen are on the march. As the last remaining humans are ruthlessly hunted down, Graham, Ryan and Yaz face a terrifying fight to survive. Civilisations fall. Others rise anew. Lies are exposed, truths are revealed, battles are fought, and for the Doctor — trapped and alone — nothing will ever be the same again.
Series 12 stars Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor), Bradley Walsh (Graham), Mandip Gill (Yaz) and Tosin Cole (Ryan), with Chris Chibnall as Showrunner and Matt Strevens Executive Producing. Ascension of the Cybermen guest stars Julie Graham (Ravio), Patrick O’Kane (Ashad) and Steve Toussaint (Feekat). It’s written by Chris Chibnall, and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone (Spyfall Part One, Praxeus)
Brendan and Graham are both O’Brien… and Yaz makes a point of saying Graham’s surname during the episode. Therefore they maybe are related? Could “everything you know is a lie” relate to Graham’s identity in relation to the Doctor?