Here come the Cybermen!

[Cthulhudrew]

They stressed that Jackie's earpiece was special ('diamond studded'), given to her for her birthday. I took that to mean it had unique functionality that the standard-issue didn't have. And with Lumic dying and all, he couldn't arrange for all the guests to be similiarly gifted.

Except that there was that scene in the street when all the populace was frozen as information was being downloaded into their heads- the scene that made the Doctor realize that some action/investigation was in order. So it wasn't just Jackie's earpieces- I think the difference on that end was that her earpieces specifically transmitted information from her mind to Lumic, while the others are only for downloading information; no upload link.

 

[glass]

This is public TV we're talking about right? It's not like I ought to feel guilty and go watch some more commercials to make up for downloading the episode.

It public TV in the UK, because the UK public pay for it (via the TV licence). I'm guessing you aren't in the UK.


glass.

 

[glass]

Except that there was that scene in the street when all the populace was frozen as information was being downloaded into their heads- the scene that made the Doctor realize that some action/investigation was in order. So it wasn't just Jackie's earpieces- I think the difference on that end was that her earpieces specifically transmitted information from her mind to Lumic, while the others are only for downloading information; no upload link.

But those people were expecting and had signed up to that download. As a commercial service, presumably it had safeguards to stop it immobilising you in emergency situations -like being over-run by cybermen.


glass.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

But those people were expecting and had signed up to that download. As a commercial service, presumably it had safeguards to stop it immobilising you in emergency situations -like being over-run by cybermen.

I don't recall there being anything to indicate that those people were aware of and anticipating the download. In any case, I think you may be making some assumptions that aren't necessarily backed by the information we were given in the episode.

 

[Mallus]

I don't recall there being anything to indicate that those people were aware of and anticipating the download.

See, now I didn't think the crowd was literally 'frozen'. The all voluntarily stopped and listened to the download, much it the same way rude people will pause face-to-face personal interaction to take a cell-phone call. I took that scene as bit of satire.

Whereas with Jackie's earpieces, we are shown they are clearly different. They made the Cyberman handlebars, overrode her nervous system, and read her mind.

I think its more speculative to say that the run-of-the-mill consumer models could paralyze people. Or rather, its misreading what's meant to be a jab at cell phone culture.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

See, now I didn't think the crowd was literally 'frozen'. The all voluntarily stopped and listened to the download, much it the same way rude people will pause face-to-face personal interaction to take a cell-phone call. I took that scene as bit of satire.

Perhaps that was the intent, and again, I only saw it the once, so may not be remembering as clearly, but from what I recall, everyone stopped suddenly and simultaneously, completely frozen, not just standing and waiting. IIRC, the Doctor even checked the response of one of the people to see if they would react and they didn't. It may have been a tongue-in-cheek bit of humor, but it seemed pretty literal to me, and it seemed to be literal enough to the Doctor to make him finally give in to Rose and say "there is something amiss here."

 

[Felon]

It wasn't some aggressive form of paralysis followed by induced amnesia. They were standing still for the daily download of information. Note the laughter when they get their daily joke downloaded to them and the way they nonchalantly continued about their business.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

It wasn't some aggressive form of paralysis followed by induced amnesia. They were standing still for the daily download of information. Note the laughter when they get their daily joke downloaded to them and the way they nonchalantly continued about their business.

I see your point about them all being aware of the download, but disagree with them not being paralyzed by it. They may have been aware of the fact that they will periodically get information downloads, but I don't think they know/knew/could anticipate when it would happen. For everyone to stop so suddenly and completely to me says "unexpected."

I also noted that they all seemed to laugh at the same time, in the exact same manner, as they suddenly proceeded, just as they all simultaneously stopped and remained unaware of their surroundings as they downloaded. All of which seemed exceedingly strange to me, as a viewer, and evidently to the Doctor as well. Not that there was necessarily anything nefarious going on, but something definitely out of the ordinary, which was what piqued the Doctor's curiosity.

If one person had just stopped while downloading, or if they all sort of just stood patiently while downloading, I'm sure it would still have piqued his interest, but the manner in which it was depicted was decidedly strange.

I think we're going to go back and forth on this, though.

In any case, my original point was mainly that I think Jackie's earpieces are different in that they are a two-way connection to Lumic (download/upload), while the "standard" issue are just one-way (download).

 

[glass]

Only a few hours now till the conclusion! Don't forget it's on early this week due to the Eurovison Song Contest.


glass.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I think its more speculative to say that the run-of-the-mill consumer models could paralyze people. Or rather, its misreading what's meant to be a jab at cell phone culture.

Turns out I was pretty much spot-on, huh?