Your lack of spoilers is adding to your words. I find similar ventures which are tinged with knowingness and irony about what is to come less to my tastes. And there’s so many points where I’m *dying* to say “Ah, but you wait until ——-” or “Of course, that’s because ——- was hoping that the show would be more ———— and so make it ——-“. But that will deprive you of fun – and that’s so much of what this is all about. There’ll be time to say all the other stuff later when you’ve finished it.

Trying to watch a show with the perspective of the target audience is something which my wife and I have found immensely beneficial to our entertainment. Every time we’ve sat down to watch a new “Doctor Who” since 2005, we sort of mentally put ourselves into eight-year-old mode. I know that “Doctor Who” is designed for a family audience, but really you start watching when you’re about five or six, it kind of hits critical mass when you love it more than anything else in the world when you’re about eight or nine, and then – for most viewers – their horizons broaden and it slowly loses its grip when you’re about twelve to fourteen. You can then return to it to share it with your own kids a decade or so later. Otherwise, if you stay with it, you need to stay with “Doctor Who” on its terms and understand that it’s now being made for all the kids who are loving it just as much as you did. And that’s the best way to see it.

And how lovely to hear about your fondness for “Attack of the Cybermen”. I liked this when it went out… but for all the wrong reasons. It’s always brilliant to hear somebody’s fondness for a story which is maybe less well-regarded than others… purely because they were the right age to enjoy it on their first encounter.

Thanks again for brilliant writing.

All the best

Andrew

Having now watched Breakdown, it's evident that Avon has been doing a lot of reading of the databanks. We know so little about The Liberator that it wouldn't surprise me if it had info on the Federation, even if it was unavailable to most people.

I've come across the Avon/Cally suggestion from fans. I'm currently not convinced, although it did cross my mind in The Web when she visited him tinkering around. However, I dismissed this because she was possessed at the time! I am beginning to appreciate the NEA syndrome I think!

I can see how a lot of the episode would appeal to young viewers, especially at a time when you are along for the great adventure. I'm incredibly forgiving of some things I watched as a kid. I can defend almost any Bond film and in a similar way to certain episodes of Doctor Who, was initially surprised to discover some of my favourites were not generally regarded well among fans. I seem to remember criticism of 'Attack of the Cybermen' that mentioned too much continuity, yet I was never bothered by it and still think the story is great fun.

I remember being so excited when – the following year – the second Trevor Hoyle novel was entitled “Project Avalon”; I hadn’t audio-taped any of Series A on its original transmission (barring the Christmas compilation of “Orac”), so the paperback was a wonderful chance for me to relive what had been my favourite episode… albeit – as I recall – with Cally and Jenna swapping roles, which sort of made more sense as Cally was more likely to have known Avalon (in fact, this might have been how the original script was written).

You’re bringing back a lot of happy memories here. And I’m glad you’re having a lot of fun!

All the best

Andrew

Avalon being naked for interrogation: could be related to the making of the android. They needed her like that to make a copy, and maybe just passed her on to Travis after. Yes, I appreciated her realism too! She didn't waste effort denying the obvious.

And you're right – Avalon's machine was the same as used on Blake in TWB! I never noticed that!

Hehe, Avon and his iPhone! 🙂 There were also Travis playing on an iPad and Servalan in the ear-phones listening to a player while waiting for their victim. Servalan in the mink coats was magnificent, glad you're enjoying her! Her and Travis were awesome in this episode.

Avon and Cally sharing a laugh over Vila was a sweet moment. Also Avon stroking wounded Cally's face later came as a surprise to me, I recall.

Overall I felt the same about this episode – it's padded out a lot, boring in the middle and not very rewatchable after you know the main plot twist. It also suffers from NEA syndrom (Not Enough Avon :D), but that will be remedied in the next episode, hope you'll enjoy it! There'll be more of interesting Blake and Vila there too.

I've always thought Avon's knowledge of the Federation gun was down to some enforced military training; perhaps something like the Federation's more amped up version of the Officer cadets.