The ArcHive Tapes is a series of four audio episodes presented as an
In-Universe historical document, dedicated to
filling in the gaps of the Cybermen's appearances in the classic series of
Doctor Who. Narrated by Cyberman actor David Banks.
Tropes
- Actor Allusion: The narrator is David Banks, who played the Cyber-Leaders in the 80s' (CyberNeomorphs). There is even a point where he touches on how similar the Cyber-Leaders are.
- Canon Welding: This series is dedicated to plugging in the gaps between the Cybermen's televised appearances, cementing connections which are not so clear on-screen.
- "The Tenth Planet": The Cybermen here identified as CyberMondasians, the original incarnation of the Cybermen created when the humanoid Mondasians converted themselves as their organic bodies grew weaker. This branch of Cybermen seemingly become extinct when Mondas is destroyed during the invasion of Earth in 1986.
- "The Moonbase": In the year 2070, a new type of Cybermen attack Earth's Moonbase.
- "The Tomb of the Cybermen": Following "The Moonbase", the Cybermen settled on Telos, becoming recognised as CyberTelosians. The encounter here is placed towards the end of the 25th century.
- "The Wheel in Space": Placed four decades before "The Moonbase" (the serial itself is just somewhere in the 21st century), the Late CyberFaction based in the solar system attack an Earth space station. They eventually evolve into "The Moonbase" Cybermen.
- "The Invasion": The Early CyberFaction invades Earth in the 20th century, prior to "The Tenth Planet". The narrator reveals that the CyberFaction is a group of Cybermen who left Mondas after taking their upgrades up a notch, while the remaining Mondasians replaced only what their needed.
- "Revenge of the Cybermen": The Cybermen here are CyberNomads who spread out into the galaxy after breaking away from the Early CyberFaction remaining in Earth's solar system. This story too is placed towards the end of the 25th century.
- "Earthshock": The Cybermen (of the 1980s serials) introduced here are CyberNeomorphs, the ultimate Cyber-subspecies created when a shipful of Nomads came across the Telosians and combined their technologies. In the year 2526, the Neomorphs fail to destroy Earth in order to prevent a conference which will unite the galaxy in a war against them.
- "The Five Doctors": A squad of Neomorphs are found on Gallifrey.
- "Attack of the Cybermen": Losing the war, the Neomorphs of Telos anticipate an all-out attack on their planet and so perform a desperate gambit, attempting to flee their adopted homeworld while using a stolen alien Time Machine to go back to Earth in 1985, where they intend to prevent the destruction of Mondas. Ultimately, both plans fail.
- "Silver Nemesis": Stranded in the 1980s, surviving Neomorphs perform minor cosmetic adjustments, becoming CyberIsomorphs. In 1988, they make a final attempt to conquer Earth but are all destroyed.
- Clip Show: Uses audio from throughout the classic series.
- Continuity Nod: Beyond the Cybermen stories, there is the odd nod to other classic serials.
- Leaning on the Fourth Wall: The narrator notes that the document pertaining to "Silver Nemesis" is a recent addition. Indeed, the 1988 serial was the last to feature the Cybermen in the classic series. For context, ''The ArcHive Tapes were only released completely in 1990.
- Recap Episode: Of the history of the Cybermen.
- Retcon: Using evidence of low Cyberman resources taken straight from "Silver Nemesis", the narrator makes the claim that what appeared to be an invasion fleet numbering thousands of Cyber-Warships was actually an illusion, with the true number being no more than 3 ships.
