'Doctor Who': Here's a look at our favorite Cybermen stories before Season 12 premieres
The iconic Cybermen are one of the most recognizable villains of 'Doctor Who'. With their metal exteriors complete with a skull-like mask, the Cybermen are enough to make fans go "oh no".
These villains are set to return to the show and showrunner Chris Chibnall has told Radio Times he wanted to tell a particular story for the metal menacers and added that he will be doing something new with them for Jodie Whittaker's Doctor.
It is, of course, often difficult to guarantee the success of a Cyberman story -- while some work really well, others often miss their mark and are derided by fans. We take a look at some of our favorite stories from classic and NuWho.
The Tomb of the Cybermen
'The Tomb of the Cybermen' -- from 1967 -- was missing from the archives for many years but was returned recently. Featuring the Second Doctor played by Patrick Houghton, the episode sees a group of archaeologists unearth ancient tombs of Cybermen, and as they do so, death and destruction follow.
What makes this story special is that it was completely original when it aired and many Cybermen episodes that have come later have had elements that started off in 'The Tomb of the Cybermen'. Even Matt Smith -- who played the Eleventh Doctor -- has said that Troughton's performance in this episode defined the Doctor for him.
Earthshock
When the Cyberman appeared in this 1982 episode, it was the first time since 1975. In its return, the Cybermen create havoc and one of the Doctor's companions, Adric, ended up being killed.
Admittedly, Adric was not a well-loved character and his death may have been a way for the writers to write him off. But never has 'Doctor Who' actually killed a companion as it did for Adric. The final scene features the Doctor, and his companions, Nyssa and Tegan watching as the freighter -- with Adric onboard -- collides into the earth 65 million years in the past.
Rise of the Cyberman / The Age of Steel
The two-parter story from David Tennant's time as the Doctor was also the first time the Cybermen were seen in NuWho -- and it featured the farewell of the first companion of NuWho, Rose Tyler.
The story takes place in a parallel dimension and plays like an alternate origin story for the Cybermen -- with a dying scientist/evil genius creating them to prolong his life. This episode, all the way back from 2006 was a caution story as humans became increasingly reliant on technology.
Nightmare in Silver
This Matt Smith-era story was written by one of the most favorite writers of NuWho, Neil Gaiman. 'Doctor Who' may be a sci-fi show, but it is not often that it steeps itself in core sci-fi and 'Nightmare in Silver' did just that.
When the Doctor brings Clara and her charges to an extraterrestrial theme park, they come across an army of reawakened Cybermen who transform the Doctor into a "Cyber Planner". The episode then features Matt Smith's brilliant acting chops as a split personality is created while the Doctor fights for control of his body with a game of chess.
World Enough and Time
Featuring Peter Capaldi in his final season as the Doctor, 'World Enough and Time' was also the first multi-Master story featuring both Michelle Gomez and John Simm in the role. The episode also serves as an origin story as the Doctor and his companions answer a distress call from a ship trying to escape a black hole where they later encounter the Cyberman.
Perhaps in one of the most troubling moments of the series, we find that Bill has turned into a Cyberman -- Moffat's build-up and horror sequences in this episode take it even higher. Though we -- like many -- would have preferred that John Simm's appearance wasn't announced beforehand, this episode still ranks as one of the best in NuWho.
'Doctor Who' Season 12 will premiere on BBC America on New Year's Day.