Classic Doctor Who Season 12 Episode 17 Revenge of the Cybermen: Part 1

The episode entitled "Revenge of the Cybermen: Part 1" is the seventeenth episode of the twelfth season of the long-running British science fiction series Classic Doctor Who. This particular episode marks the return of one of the show's most iconic villains, the Cybermen.

The Doctor and his companions, Sarah Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan, find themselves caught up in a planetary emergency when they arrive on Nerva, a space station that orbits the Earth at the end of the 30th century. The station's crew is busy overseeing Project Beacon, an attempt to bring life back to the planet, which has become uninhabitable due to solar flares.

However, things take a turn for the worse when the crew begins to be killed off one by one, apparently by a deadly virus. The Doctor quickly realizes that the virus is actually a cover-up for a more sinister plot, involving a group of Cybermen who have infiltrated the station with the intention of using Project Beacon to detonate a bomb on Earth.

While the Doctor and his companions attempt to stop the Cybermen's plan, they also have to contend with the station's commander, who views the Time Lord as a potential saboteur. Meanwhile, Harry becomes infected by the virus and is quarantined, leaving Sarah Jane to investigate on her own.

As the first part of a two-part story, "Revenge of the Cybermen: Part 1" sets up the tension and suspense that will carry through into the second half of the story. The return of the Cybermen, who had not been seen on the show since the Fourth Doctor's debut season, adds an extra layer of excitement for fans of the series.

The episode also features some standout moments for the lead actors. Tom Baker's Doctor is as charismatic and offbeat as ever, delivering some of his trademark quips and one-liners. Elisabeth Sladen's Sarah Jane continues to prove herself as one of the strongest and most resourceful companions in the series' history, while Ian Marter's Harry Sullivan adds a touch of bumbling charm to the proceedings.

Overall, "Revenge of the Cybermen: Part 1" is a solid entry in the Classic Doctor Who canon. It combines mystery, action, and sci-fi elements in just the right amounts, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion in the following episode. With its iconic villains and memorable performances from its lead cast, this episode is sure to please both longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike.