The Invasion recap (episodes 5 and 6)
Previously on Doctor Who: The Cybermen are coming! Run for yer lives!
Episode 5
So, we see the Cyberman escaping from his cocoon again, this time in real image. During this era, these things had radical changes in appearance every time they showed up, and this time they can be seen sporting the Princess Leia headgear for the first time. Our heroes decide to get back to the UNIT base and report this, so we get more canoe action. *giggles* You must excuse me, but I've just rewatched episodes 3 and 4 with the audio commentaries, and I'm still giggling over Nicholas Courtney's fascination with the word "canoe." So, as a tribute to dear Nick, allow me go carry on where he left off: canoe, canoe, canoe. As you can imagine, as soon as I finish this post, I'll go watch this one with the commentaries so that I can see if he and Frazer will start the canoe-love all over again. And maybe I'll make an icon with "My fandom loves canoes." Hee.
Back and the UNIT base, Captain Jimmy Turner and Isobel are flirting like crazy. It's sweet, actually.
Jimmy: Look, perhaps I can compensate by buying you dinner.
Isobel: That would be nice. Hey, are you stinking rich?
Jimmy: (laughs) Not on a captain's pay, I'm not.
Isobel: Well, it's not my day, is it?
Oh, Isobel. Don't ever change.
Jamie and the Doctor arrive and tell them about the Cybermen. Naturally, Isobel is sceptic, but it soon becomes clear to all of them that the ship that attacked the TARDIS was the Cybermen's craft, and that Vaughn has been helping them arrive on Earth unnoticed. Jimmy goes to alert the Brig, who is at the Ministry of Defence, but the Doctor deduces that the people who had entered the IE headquarters and returned behaving funny are probably being controlled by the Cybermen - and that includes Rutlidge, whom the Brig went to talk to.
Speaking of those two, we move on to the Ministry of Defence, where the Brig is surprised to see Rutlidge taking Vaughn's side. The brig decides to obey his orders not to do anything, but before leaving he announces that he'll be giving a full report to Geneva, where Rutlidge has no authority. Outraged, Rutlidge contacts Vaughn and reports this, but halfway through their conversation he becomes silent and confused, as the control the Cybermen have over him is weakening, so Vaughn orders him to go to the IE HQ. Once there, he pushes Rutlidge personally and with his full strength in order to get the answers he couldn't get over the phone: it will take a day or two for Geneva to send more UNIT forces to England in answer to the Brig's report. Vaughn thinks this gives them enough time to complete the invasion, though Packer is not as optimistic. Vaughn orders him to get Professor Watkins machine for a little experiment and contacts the Cybercraft to let them know there's been a change of plans and that the invasion must be anticipated. This is accepted, and a group of Cybermen is sent to selected areas in the sewers, where they are to await orders.
In the meantime, the gang at the UNIT base is studying a map of London and realize that the sewers are the mostly likely place for their attack. Isobel's incredulity at this makes them realize that it will be hard for them to make Geneva believe this story unless they manage to get some proof, and the Doctor remembers the radio Vaughn gave Jamie and asks for any electronic equipment on the base manufactured by IE.
In the sewers, Vaughn orders Gregory (that's the tech he showed the TARDIS circuits to in episode 2) to use Watkins' machine on a Cyberman. He orders the techs to revive one just enough to bring it out of its cocoon and shut down the machine just at that moment, connecting Watkins' machine to the creature and make it induce fear. This drives the Cyberman mad and he runs away towards the sewers, letting out horrible metallic screams. Satisfied, Vaughn orders Gregory to return the machine to Watkins so that he can double its power and create some directional control. Packer is understandably worried about the mad Cyberman, worried that it might kill something. Vaughn reacts to this with "Good! Anyone fool enough to be down those sewers deserves to die."
We move on to the UNIT base, where they're discussing going down the sewers. Uh-oh. Well, actually, Isobel is suggesting that someone goes down there and photographs the Cybermen so that they can have something tangible to show Geneva. Obviously, she wants to do it herself but the brig prefers to send one of his men, which enrages her. "Well, of all the bigoted, anti-feminist, cretinous remarks..." Izzy, dear, he made no remark, anti-feminist or not. You are a civilian. "This is no job for a girl like you." Ouch. Well, maybe he did. "Oh you... you man!" Ooh, Isobel's been learning insults from the Frank Burns Book of Witty Remarks. I can just picture the Brig going "She called me a man? Oh, the shame! The ignominy! Where's that canoe? I want to go to the Thames and drown!" Okay, maybe not the Brig, but maybe Nick Courtney after having enjoyed a little bit too much of the free beer they got when they shot the location scenes in the Guinness factory.
Anyway, Jamie says the Brig is right, and the girls get angry at him. His face when he says men are superior to women makes me melt (so cute!) but it makes those two decide to go to the sewers instead. These girls must be either blind or mad. Possibly both. Frustrated, Jamie follows them. Meanwhile, the Doctor and Jimmy are studying the IE equipment, and see that strange circuit in all of the machines. They realize that it's there for some reason, but they can't really tell why.
Vaughn's office. The Cybermen announce that Cyber-transmitter units will be launched into orbit one hour before the invasion. Something tells me I know where this is going to... Yep, I was right. The transmitters will control all humans, which will allow for them to select which will be converted into Cybermen and which will be destroyed. Vaughn gets angry, as it had originally been agreed that he should remain in control of Earth. "To control, you must undergo complete conversion and become one of us." Oops. He insists that his mind stays human, and they agree - but he tells Packer he knows they'll break their agreement. The Cerebraton Machine has to be ready.
Meanwhile the Doctor prepares to go to Casa de Watkins and use Watkins' laboratory in order to work on the circuits. He asks the Brig about Jamie and Zoe, and they learn from Sergeant Walters that they went back to London with Isobel to "get something important for the Brigadier".
London. Benton is driving the kids, and is contacted by the Brig after they leave the jeep. He receives orders to find them and bring them back. Top-priority alert. The Brig also sends Jimmy go help find them, while the Doctor is to return to Casa de Watkins. The kids, meanwhile, are entering the sewers, and we get a glimpse of Zoe's bum (this time not as shiny as in The Mind Robber), which annoys me. We got Isobel's knickers on the previous episode, and now we get Zoe's bum, but with Jamie all we get is a shadowing effect? Damn those male chauvinist BBC hypocrites. Anyway, a policeman sees them and starts shouting at the sewerage entrance as Benton arrives. The kids ignore the man's shouts and keep going (Jamie even more apprehensive than before) when they spot a Cyberman approaching. Isobel channels the Ninth Doctor with an excited "fanTAStic!" and begins snapping pictures. In the meantime, the policeman has entered the sewers after them. Something tells me he'll meet an ugly end. Why didn't Benton tell him this was an army matter and go instead?
Jamie and Zoe force Isobel to leave, as she's too excited to realize the danger, and they turn back. The policeman, meanwhile, was spotted by two Cybermen and is killed. The kids arrive at this moment and realize that they're cornered, since their "model" is behind them - and that's the mad one, who is still screaming with fear.
And with this, the closing credits start rolling.
Episode 6
So, Jamie, Zoe and Isobel are stuck between a rock and a hard place, as the Cybermen approach. Luckily, Benton has been joined by Jimmy's group and they go down the sewerage. And even more luckily, the mad Cyberman ignored the humans and kept on going. Turner starts calling Isobel, but Jamie advises her not to answer back, as the Cybermen are between them. Since they hear no reply, the UNIT men decide to return to the surface to contact the Brig, but before they reach the exit the two sane Cybermen approach and order them to follow them. The mad Cyberman then approaches, and Jimmy takes the opportunity and throws a hand grenade at them; two of them get buried under the bricks, but the third escapes. Jimmy asks Perkins to hand him another hand grenade, but Perkins panics and runs away, being immediately killed by the Cyberman. We move back to the kids, who hear the sound of explosions, and Jimmy calls out for them again. This time, all three of them answer, and when they are told to get to the ladder they quickly obey. Isobel is near hysterics and tries to hug Jimmy, but he tells her to shut up and hurry. "I've already lost one man and I don't want to lose any more." Good. I was wondering if the fact that it was Isobel's carelessness that ultimately resulted in Perkins' death would be unmentioned, and it's good to see Jimmy, of all people, saying it after all the flirting that went on between them.
So, they reach the surface. As with the helicopter escape, Jamie is the last one, and this time this results in his leg being grabbed by the surviving Cyberman, who followed them. The Sergeant saves the day by hitting the creature's arm with the end of his rifle (I love the sound effects they used to show that he was hitting metal rather than a silver-painted rubber suit) and Benton throws a hand grenade down the hole, finishing it off.
Later, at Casa de Watkins. The Doctor is examining the circuits. He tells the Brig that there's an alien logic in them, but he hasn't been able to work it out yet, much to his frustration. The Brig then tells him that Isobel is developing the pictures, and that he'll leave to Geneva in the morning with them. He believes he should get reinforcements to arrive within two or three days, but the Doctor believes that might actually be too late. Isobel then arrives with the photographs, but unfortunately they're too blurry and don't look very realistic, much to the Brig's disappointment and Isobel's outrage. While the Brig tries to explain to Jamie that his superiors are a bit more sceptical than he is, the Doctor has an idea about the circuits. You can almost see the lightning bulb above his head.
Vaughn's office. Packer is reporting that UNIT destroyed two of the Cybermen - which means the third is still alive in spite of that last hand grenade. Vaughn is not concerned, however, as everything will be complete in a few hours' time. Watkins and Gregory then arrive, with the Cerebraton Machine. Watkins asks if Vaughn can free Isobel, and is told that she is free, and that it was all a bluff. Vaughn then operates the machine on him, and is only stopped by Gregory, who reasons that they might still need Watkins. The professor recovers enough to say, "Vaughn, obviously I can't choose but work for you. If I refuse, you'll torture me, you'll kill me. I know I can't stand up to torture, and I don't ant to die. You're an evil man, Vaughn. You're sadistic. You're a megalomaniac. You're insane. I pity you, but if I get half a chance, I'll kill you!" This amuses Vaughn immensely; he gives Packer's gun to Watkins and tells him to fire, pushing him in such a way that he ends up doing exactly that. Vaughn doesn't die, however; there's three bullet holes on his shirt now, but he's still standing and laughing.
Back at Casa de Watkins, where Isobel has just brought some tea to the Doctor and Jimmy, who are still busy working in her uncle's lab. Jamie is also there, sound asleep on a chair. Jimmy contacts UNIT and tells them to direct all important messages there. You know, I like Jimmy. It's a shame he didn't transit to the Third Doctor's stories like Benton and the Brig. Anyway, Isobel asks him if she's forgiven for what's happened in the sewers. She's been overhearing Zoe describing facts about the Cybermen for the report they're sending to Geneva, and she's finally realised how dangerous they are. Their conversation is interrupted by the Doctor shouting in frustration. This manages to wake Jamie up, which Isobel's shaking failed to achieve just a minute ago (yet another evidence of the "gay married in space" theory for the slashers, I reckon). We don't get to find out what details of the Doctor's investigation annoyed him, as UNIT contacts Turner. He asks Isobel to call the Brig - which she manages to do so quickly it becomes clear that Nicholas Courtney was just standing outside the door waiting for his cue. Back to the message: "Benton on routine observation reports two guards and another man leaving with the Professor." They all suggest that they intercept the vehicle and rescue Watkins, so the Brig agrees to give the order. Jimmy tells UNIT that Benton is to stay with him, and that he himself will be on his way there.
We never get to see how Jimmy handled this, as the next scene is of Gregory telling Vaughn about the rescue. "There were at least 30 of them, all UNIT men and all armed, Mr. Vaughn. We didn't stand a chance. Out of nowhere. They just came out of nowhere." Vaughn points out that Gregory had ran away from the scene, which of course is not good. But then again, what could he do? They had already shot the two guards, and Gregory is a scrawny (and most certainly unharmed) scientist. The scene then moves to the sewers, where we see one of the guards giving orders for some Cybermen to kill Gregory. He dies beautifully, but I'm not really happy with the way the transition was made - while the explanation of the rescue having him explain what happened off-screen worked well and smoothly, this time it feels like there should be a caption with "scene missing" between these two bits.
Back at Casa de Watkins, the Doctor is asking Watkins about the circuits, but the poor man has no idea. Well, since he's still extremely shaken I doubt he'll be any help with analyzing them at them moment. He is still able to talk about the Cerebraton Machine, however, so the Doctor realizes why Vaughn wants them; he also starts to suspect that the circuits are emotional, which is why he couldn't fins any logic in them.
The sewers. There's a huge bunch of Cybermen marching around and looking quite impressive (and not as silly as in the previous cyberstories). We then switch back to Watkins' lab, where the Doctor explains about how the Cybermen spaceship will use the circuits to control mankind. Luckily the Doctor and Zoe know the answer to this: the depolariser, which, when worn at the back of the neck, has the power to jam the Cyber-control waves. The Doctor orders Zoe to help Professor Watkins convert some neuristors into depolarisers.
Vaughn contacts the Cybermen spaceship. There is one hour to the invasion, so they'll begin to spread the Cyber-control waves by using Earth's artificial satellites. Unfortunately, Zoe and the Professor have only managed to make three depolarisers so far, as they couldn't find any more neuristors, so everybody begins to search around the lab for a way to keep that area safe.
Later. The whole of London is peaceful. The gang back at the lab must have finished their search, as Isobel and Jimmy are admiring the view. They immediately overhear a pulsating noise. I should get worried, but I'm a bit distracted right now, as I realize that Zoe is once again wearing the sparkly catsuit. Yay for the catsuit! Well, now I start to worry: the Doctor's depolariser has fallen off, and he loses consciousness. We see people outside reacting to the Cyber-control, before we switch back to the Doctor being given a new depolariser; however, he's still not waking up.
Outside, we see one of the most iconic images of this serial, as the Cybermen leave the sewers and invade London. Even though there were only six Cybermen costumes, the image of them in front of St. Paul's Cathedral is stunning and wonderfully terrifying, and we can very easily imagine that there's hundreds of them.
And that's it for episode six. In one word: wow.
* episodes 1 and 2
* episodes 3 and 4
* episodes 5 and 6
* episodes 7 and 8
Episode 5
So, we see the Cyberman escaping from his cocoon again, this time in real image. During this era, these things had radical changes in appearance every time they showed up, and this time they can be seen sporting the Princess Leia headgear for the first time. Our heroes decide to get back to the UNIT base and report this, so we get more canoe action. *giggles* You must excuse me, but I've just rewatched episodes 3 and 4 with the audio commentaries, and I'm still giggling over Nicholas Courtney's fascination with the word "canoe." So, as a tribute to dear Nick, allow me go carry on where he left off: canoe, canoe, canoe. As you can imagine, as soon as I finish this post, I'll go watch this one with the commentaries so that I can see if he and Frazer will start the canoe-love all over again. And maybe I'll make an icon with "My fandom loves canoes." Hee.
Back and the UNIT base, Captain Jimmy Turner and Isobel are flirting like crazy. It's sweet, actually.
Jimmy: Look, perhaps I can compensate by buying you dinner.
Isobel: That would be nice. Hey, are you stinking rich?
Jimmy: (laughs) Not on a captain's pay, I'm not.
Isobel: Well, it's not my day, is it?
Oh, Isobel. Don't ever change.
Jamie and the Doctor arrive and tell them about the Cybermen. Naturally, Isobel is sceptic, but it soon becomes clear to all of them that the ship that attacked the TARDIS was the Cybermen's craft, and that Vaughn has been helping them arrive on Earth unnoticed. Jimmy goes to alert the Brig, who is at the Ministry of Defence, but the Doctor deduces that the people who had entered the IE headquarters and returned behaving funny are probably being controlled by the Cybermen - and that includes Rutlidge, whom the Brig went to talk to.
Speaking of those two, we move on to the Ministry of Defence, where the Brig is surprised to see Rutlidge taking Vaughn's side. The brig decides to obey his orders not to do anything, but before leaving he announces that he'll be giving a full report to Geneva, where Rutlidge has no authority. Outraged, Rutlidge contacts Vaughn and reports this, but halfway through their conversation he becomes silent and confused, as the control the Cybermen have over him is weakening, so Vaughn orders him to go to the IE HQ. Once there, he pushes Rutlidge personally and with his full strength in order to get the answers he couldn't get over the phone: it will take a day or two for Geneva to send more UNIT forces to England in answer to the Brig's report. Vaughn thinks this gives them enough time to complete the invasion, though Packer is not as optimistic. Vaughn orders him to get Professor Watkins machine for a little experiment and contacts the Cybercraft to let them know there's been a change of plans and that the invasion must be anticipated. This is accepted, and a group of Cybermen is sent to selected areas in the sewers, where they are to await orders.
In the meantime, the gang at the UNIT base is studying a map of London and realize that the sewers are the mostly likely place for their attack. Isobel's incredulity at this makes them realize that it will be hard for them to make Geneva believe this story unless they manage to get some proof, and the Doctor remembers the radio Vaughn gave Jamie and asks for any electronic equipment on the base manufactured by IE.
In the sewers, Vaughn orders Gregory (that's the tech he showed the TARDIS circuits to in episode 2) to use Watkins' machine on a Cyberman. He orders the techs to revive one just enough to bring it out of its cocoon and shut down the machine just at that moment, connecting Watkins' machine to the creature and make it induce fear. This drives the Cyberman mad and he runs away towards the sewers, letting out horrible metallic screams. Satisfied, Vaughn orders Gregory to return the machine to Watkins so that he can double its power and create some directional control. Packer is understandably worried about the mad Cyberman, worried that it might kill something. Vaughn reacts to this with "Good! Anyone fool enough to be down those sewers deserves to die."
We move on to the UNIT base, where they're discussing going down the sewers. Uh-oh. Well, actually, Isobel is suggesting that someone goes down there and photographs the Cybermen so that they can have something tangible to show Geneva. Obviously, she wants to do it herself but the brig prefers to send one of his men, which enrages her. "Well, of all the bigoted, anti-feminist, cretinous remarks..." Izzy, dear, he made no remark, anti-feminist or not. You are a civilian. "This is no job for a girl like you." Ouch. Well, maybe he did. "Oh you... you man!" Ooh, Isobel's been learning insults from the Frank Burns Book of Witty Remarks. I can just picture the Brig going "She called me a man? Oh, the shame! The ignominy! Where's that canoe? I want to go to the Thames and drown!" Okay, maybe not the Brig, but maybe Nick Courtney after having enjoyed a little bit too much of the free beer they got when they shot the location scenes in the Guinness factory.
Anyway, Jamie says the Brig is right, and the girls get angry at him. His face when he says men are superior to women makes me melt (so cute!) but it makes those two decide to go to the sewers instead. These girls must be either blind or mad. Possibly both. Frustrated, Jamie follows them. Meanwhile, the Doctor and Jimmy are studying the IE equipment, and see that strange circuit in all of the machines. They realize that it's there for some reason, but they can't really tell why.
Vaughn's office. The Cybermen announce that Cyber-transmitter units will be launched into orbit one hour before the invasion. Something tells me I know where this is going to... Yep, I was right. The transmitters will control all humans, which will allow for them to select which will be converted into Cybermen and which will be destroyed. Vaughn gets angry, as it had originally been agreed that he should remain in control of Earth. "To control, you must undergo complete conversion and become one of us." Oops. He insists that his mind stays human, and they agree - but he tells Packer he knows they'll break their agreement. The Cerebraton Machine has to be ready.
Meanwhile the Doctor prepares to go to Casa de Watkins and use Watkins' laboratory in order to work on the circuits. He asks the Brig about Jamie and Zoe, and they learn from Sergeant Walters that they went back to London with Isobel to "get something important for the Brigadier".
London. Benton is driving the kids, and is contacted by the Brig after they leave the jeep. He receives orders to find them and bring them back. Top-priority alert. The Brig also sends Jimmy go help find them, while the Doctor is to return to Casa de Watkins. The kids, meanwhile, are entering the sewers, and we get a glimpse of Zoe's bum (this time not as shiny as in The Mind Robber), which annoys me. We got Isobel's knickers on the previous episode, and now we get Zoe's bum, but with Jamie all we get is a shadowing effect? Damn those male chauvinist BBC hypocrites. Anyway, a policeman sees them and starts shouting at the sewerage entrance as Benton arrives. The kids ignore the man's shouts and keep going (Jamie even more apprehensive than before) when they spot a Cyberman approaching. Isobel channels the Ninth Doctor with an excited "fanTAStic!" and begins snapping pictures. In the meantime, the policeman has entered the sewers after them. Something tells me he'll meet an ugly end. Why didn't Benton tell him this was an army matter and go instead?
Jamie and Zoe force Isobel to leave, as she's too excited to realize the danger, and they turn back. The policeman, meanwhile, was spotted by two Cybermen and is killed. The kids arrive at this moment and realize that they're cornered, since their "model" is behind them - and that's the mad one, who is still screaming with fear.
And with this, the closing credits start rolling.
Episode 6
So, Jamie, Zoe and Isobel are stuck between a rock and a hard place, as the Cybermen approach. Luckily, Benton has been joined by Jimmy's group and they go down the sewerage. And even more luckily, the mad Cyberman ignored the humans and kept on going. Turner starts calling Isobel, but Jamie advises her not to answer back, as the Cybermen are between them. Since they hear no reply, the UNIT men decide to return to the surface to contact the Brig, but before they reach the exit the two sane Cybermen approach and order them to follow them. The mad Cyberman then approaches, and Jimmy takes the opportunity and throws a hand grenade at them; two of them get buried under the bricks, but the third escapes. Jimmy asks Perkins to hand him another hand grenade, but Perkins panics and runs away, being immediately killed by the Cyberman. We move back to the kids, who hear the sound of explosions, and Jimmy calls out for them again. This time, all three of them answer, and when they are told to get to the ladder they quickly obey. Isobel is near hysterics and tries to hug Jimmy, but he tells her to shut up and hurry. "I've already lost one man and I don't want to lose any more." Good. I was wondering if the fact that it was Isobel's carelessness that ultimately resulted in Perkins' death would be unmentioned, and it's good to see Jimmy, of all people, saying it after all the flirting that went on between them.
So, they reach the surface. As with the helicopter escape, Jamie is the last one, and this time this results in his leg being grabbed by the surviving Cyberman, who followed them. The Sergeant saves the day by hitting the creature's arm with the end of his rifle (I love the sound effects they used to show that he was hitting metal rather than a silver-painted rubber suit) and Benton throws a hand grenade down the hole, finishing it off.
Later, at Casa de Watkins. The Doctor is examining the circuits. He tells the Brig that there's an alien logic in them, but he hasn't been able to work it out yet, much to his frustration. The Brig then tells him that Isobel is developing the pictures, and that he'll leave to Geneva in the morning with them. He believes he should get reinforcements to arrive within two or three days, but the Doctor believes that might actually be too late. Isobel then arrives with the photographs, but unfortunately they're too blurry and don't look very realistic, much to the Brig's disappointment and Isobel's outrage. While the Brig tries to explain to Jamie that his superiors are a bit more sceptical than he is, the Doctor has an idea about the circuits. You can almost see the lightning bulb above his head.
Vaughn's office. Packer is reporting that UNIT destroyed two of the Cybermen - which means the third is still alive in spite of that last hand grenade. Vaughn is not concerned, however, as everything will be complete in a few hours' time. Watkins and Gregory then arrive, with the Cerebraton Machine. Watkins asks if Vaughn can free Isobel, and is told that she is free, and that it was all a bluff. Vaughn then operates the machine on him, and is only stopped by Gregory, who reasons that they might still need Watkins. The professor recovers enough to say, "Vaughn, obviously I can't choose but work for you. If I refuse, you'll torture me, you'll kill me. I know I can't stand up to torture, and I don't ant to die. You're an evil man, Vaughn. You're sadistic. You're a megalomaniac. You're insane. I pity you, but if I get half a chance, I'll kill you!" This amuses Vaughn immensely; he gives Packer's gun to Watkins and tells him to fire, pushing him in such a way that he ends up doing exactly that. Vaughn doesn't die, however; there's three bullet holes on his shirt now, but he's still standing and laughing.
Back at Casa de Watkins, where Isobel has just brought some tea to the Doctor and Jimmy, who are still busy working in her uncle's lab. Jamie is also there, sound asleep on a chair. Jimmy contacts UNIT and tells them to direct all important messages there. You know, I like Jimmy. It's a shame he didn't transit to the Third Doctor's stories like Benton and the Brig. Anyway, Isobel asks him if she's forgiven for what's happened in the sewers. She's been overhearing Zoe describing facts about the Cybermen for the report they're sending to Geneva, and she's finally realised how dangerous they are. Their conversation is interrupted by the Doctor shouting in frustration. This manages to wake Jamie up, which Isobel's shaking failed to achieve just a minute ago (yet another evidence of the "gay married in space" theory for the slashers, I reckon). We don't get to find out what details of the Doctor's investigation annoyed him, as UNIT contacts Turner. He asks Isobel to call the Brig - which she manages to do so quickly it becomes clear that Nicholas Courtney was just standing outside the door waiting for his cue. Back to the message: "Benton on routine observation reports two guards and another man leaving with the Professor." They all suggest that they intercept the vehicle and rescue Watkins, so the Brig agrees to give the order. Jimmy tells UNIT that Benton is to stay with him, and that he himself will be on his way there.
We never get to see how Jimmy handled this, as the next scene is of Gregory telling Vaughn about the rescue. "There were at least 30 of them, all UNIT men and all armed, Mr. Vaughn. We didn't stand a chance. Out of nowhere. They just came out of nowhere." Vaughn points out that Gregory had ran away from the scene, which of course is not good. But then again, what could he do? They had already shot the two guards, and Gregory is a scrawny (and most certainly unharmed) scientist. The scene then moves to the sewers, where we see one of the guards giving orders for some Cybermen to kill Gregory. He dies beautifully, but I'm not really happy with the way the transition was made - while the explanation of the rescue having him explain what happened off-screen worked well and smoothly, this time it feels like there should be a caption with "scene missing" between these two bits.
Back at Casa de Watkins, the Doctor is asking Watkins about the circuits, but the poor man has no idea. Well, since he's still extremely shaken I doubt he'll be any help with analyzing them at them moment. He is still able to talk about the Cerebraton Machine, however, so the Doctor realizes why Vaughn wants them; he also starts to suspect that the circuits are emotional, which is why he couldn't fins any logic in them.
The sewers. There's a huge bunch of Cybermen marching around and looking quite impressive (and not as silly as in the previous cyberstories). We then switch back to Watkins' lab, where the Doctor explains about how the Cybermen spaceship will use the circuits to control mankind. Luckily the Doctor and Zoe know the answer to this: the depolariser, which, when worn at the back of the neck, has the power to jam the Cyber-control waves. The Doctor orders Zoe to help Professor Watkins convert some neuristors into depolarisers.
Vaughn contacts the Cybermen spaceship. There is one hour to the invasion, so they'll begin to spread the Cyber-control waves by using Earth's artificial satellites. Unfortunately, Zoe and the Professor have only managed to make three depolarisers so far, as they couldn't find any more neuristors, so everybody begins to search around the lab for a way to keep that area safe.
Later. The whole of London is peaceful. The gang back at the lab must have finished their search, as Isobel and Jimmy are admiring the view. They immediately overhear a pulsating noise. I should get worried, but I'm a bit distracted right now, as I realize that Zoe is once again wearing the sparkly catsuit. Yay for the catsuit! Well, now I start to worry: the Doctor's depolariser has fallen off, and he loses consciousness. We see people outside reacting to the Cyber-control, before we switch back to the Doctor being given a new depolariser; however, he's still not waking up.
Outside, we see one of the most iconic images of this serial, as the Cybermen leave the sewers and invade London. Even though there were only six Cybermen costumes, the image of them in front of St. Paul's Cathedral is stunning and wonderfully terrifying, and we can very easily imagine that there's hundreds of them.
And that's it for episode six. In one word: wow.
* episodes 1 and 2
* episodes 3 and 4
* episodes 5 and 6
* episodes 7 and 8