View source for Nightmare in Silver

{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox Doctor Who episode
| number             = 238
| serial_name        = Nightmare in Silver
| show               = DW
| type               = episode
| image              = [[File:Doctor Who Nightmare In Silver title card.jpg|250px]]
| caption            = Promotional poster
| doctor             = [[Matt Smith]] – [[Eleventh Doctor]]
| companion          = [[Jenna-Louise Coleman]] – [[Clara Oswald]]
| guests             = 
* Eve de Leon Allen – Angie Maitland
* Kassius Carey Johnson – Artie Maitland
* [[Jason Watkins (actor)|Jason Watkins]] – Webley
* [[Warwick Davis]] – Porridge
* [[Tamzin Outhwaite]] – Captain
* Eloise Joseph – Beauty
* [[Will Merrick]] – Brains	
* [[Calvin Dean]] – Ha-Ha
* [[Zahra Ahmadi]] – Missy
* Aidan Cook – [[Cyberman]]
* [[Nicholas Briggs]] – Voice of the Cybermen
| director           = [[Stephen Woolfenden]]
| writer             = [[Neil Gaiman]]
| producer           = {{Plainlist|
* Denise Paul
* Marcus Wilson (series producer)
}}
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Steven Moffat]]
* Caroline Skinner
}}
| composer           = [[Murray Gold]]
| production_code    = 
| series             = [[Doctor Who (series 7)|Series 7]]
| length             = 45 minutes
| date               = {{Start date|2013|05|11|df=y}}
| preceding          = "[[The Crimson Horror]]"
| following          = "[[The Name of the Doctor]]"
}}

"'''Nightmare in Silver'''" is the twelfth and penultimate episode of the [[Doctor Who (series 7)|seventh series]] of the British science fiction television series ''[[Doctor Who]]'' and was first broadcast on [[BBC One]] on 11 May 2013. It was written by [[Neil Gaiman]] and directed by [[Stephen Woolfenden]].

In the episode, the alien [[Time travel in fiction|time traveller]] [[Eleventh Doctor|the Doctor]] ([[Matt Smith]]) and his companion [[Clara Oswald]] ([[Jenna-Louise Coleman]]) bring two kids Angie (Eve de Leon Allen) and Artie (Kassius Carey Johnson) to an extraterrestrial theme park, where an army of [[cyborg]]s called [[Cyberman|Cybermen]] reawaken centuries after their defeat in a war. The Cybermen discover the Doctor, and attempt to transform him into a "Cyber-Planner", which creates a [[split personality]] fighting for control of the Doctor's body with a game of [[chess]].

The episode, watched by 6.64 million viewers in the United Kingdom, was the first to feature the Cybermen since the episode "[[Closing Time (Doctor Who)|Closing Time]]" in the [[Doctor Who series 6|previous series]]. Gaiman later stated that he did not love the experience and that it inspired him to become the showrunner of his series ''[[Good Omens (TV series)|Good Omens]]'' (2019–present).

==Plot==
The [[Eleventh Doctor]] takes [[Clara Oswald|Clara]], Angie and Artie to an extraterrestrial theme park. They find the park is closed down and occupied by a [[Penal military unit|punishment platoon]], Webley, the theme park's museum curator, and Porridge, a little person who runs the museum's star attraction – a [[Mechanical Turk]]-type chess apparatus with a deactivated [[Cyberman]] in place of the Turk. There are a number of these deactivated Cybermen around the park, as they were defeated a thousand years ago. The Doctor convinces the platoon that he is an ambassador working for their missing Emperor, and is allowed to stay. An army of Cybermen that were hiding under the park and slowly upgrading their parts wake up and kidnap Angie and Artie. The Doctor puts Clara in charge of the troops, warning her not to let them destroy the planet while he rescues the children.

The Doctor finds the kids, but he is partially upgraded into a Cyberman, sharing the Cyberman [[Hive mind (science fiction)|hive-mind]]. This gives him a split personality as both the Doctor and the "Cyber-Planner", who names himself Mr Clever, share the same body and each control almost half of the brain. The Doctor and Mr Clever agree to play [[chess]] for the complete control of the body. Mr Clever is temporarily stopped by the Doctor placing a golden ticket on his face, explaining that the Cybermen's weakness to gold is still present in their current code; Mr Clever soon installs a patch to overcome this weakness.

Clara relocates the platoon to elsewhere in the park and they take stock of minimal arms: one large anti-Cyberman gun with a limited charge, five hand pulsers, and a planet-imploding bomb. The Doctor returns with Angie and Artie, and demands that Clara tie him up to let him finish his chess game, while the platoon hold off poorly against the Cybermen, who can quickly adapt and upgrade to overcome any obstacle. Mr Clever destroys the bomb trigger, leaving the group defenceless. The Doctor uses a hand pulser to remove Mr Clever from his mind. Angie realises that  Porridge is the Emperor after recognising him from an imperial penny and a waxwork model. Porridge then  activates the bomb verbally and signals for an imperial spaceship to teleport them away. At the Doctor's request, Porridge retrieves the Doctor's ship the [[TARDIS]] just before the planet implodes, destroying the Cyberman army.

==Production==
"Nightmare in Silver" was written by [[Neil Gaiman]] and directed by [[Stephen Woolfenden]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=2012-11-07 |title=Neil Gaiman To Pen Upcoming ‘Doctor Who’ Episode That Marks Return Of The Cybermen |url=https://deadline.com/2012/11/neil-gaiman-to-write-doctor-who-episode-cybermen-return-warwick-davis-harry-potter-367385/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603145741/https://deadline.com/2012/11/neil-gaiman-to-write-doctor-who-episode-cybermen-return-warwick-davis-harry-potter-367385/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The episode had the working title of "The Last Cyberman".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2012-11-18 |title=Lost Doctor Who script returned after student finds it in back of cab |url=https://metro.co.uk/2012/11/18/lost-doctor-who-script-returned-after-student-finds-it-in-back-of-cab-499445/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=[[Metro (magazine)|Metro]] |language=en |archive-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516195617/https://metro.co.uk/2012/11/18/lost-doctor-who-script-returned-after-student-finds-it-in-back-of-cab-499445/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gaiman had previously written the [[Doctor Who series 6|series 6]] episode "[[The Doctor's Wife]]", which was positively received. Lead writer and executive producer [[Steven Moffat]] contacted Gaiman about writing for the series and asked him to make the Cybermen "scary again". Gaiman announced his return to ''Doctor Who'' during his [[Hugo Award]] acceptance speech for "The Doctor's Wife", commenting that "only a fool or a madman would try again – so [he was] on his third draft now".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://io9.com/5940031/more-details-about-neil-gaimans-new-doctor-who-episode |title=More Details about Neil Gaiman's Brand New ''Doctor Who'' episode. |date=3 September 2012 |work=io9 |publisher=io9 |access-date=13 May 2013 |archive-date=29 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429145919/http://io9.com/5940031/more-details-about-neil-gaimans-new-doctor-who-episode |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some location filming took place at [[Castell Coch]]. The castle was previously in the [[Doctor Who series 4|series 4]] episode "[[Journey's End (Doctor Who)|Journey's End]]" as a [[UNIT]] base and in [[Doctor Who series 5|series 5]] episode "[[The Vampires of Venice]]" as the Calvierri Castle.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=21 October 2013 |title=14 Doctor Who locations that were recycled for new episodes |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/14-doctor-who-locations-that-were-recycled-for-new-episodes/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516184426/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/14-doctor-who-locations-that-were-recycled-for-new-episodes/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The episode stars [[Matt Smith]] and [[Jenna Coleman]] as the [[Eleventh Doctor]] and [[Clara Oswald]] respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Aidan |date=2023-07-15 |title=Remember When Neil Gaiman Wrote for 'Doctor Who' and It Was Kinda Bad? |url=https://collider.com/doctor-who-neil-gaiman-nightmare-in-silver/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |language=en |archive-date=23 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723055816/https://collider.com/doctor-who-neil-gaiman-nightmare-in-silver/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Warwick Davis]], who portrayed Poridge, stated that it was a "thrill" to be in ''Doctor Who'', especially in an episode with the Cybermen written by Gaiman.<ref>{{cite web |last=Golder |date=24 January 2013 |title=Warwick Davis On Doctor Who And Star Wars Sequels |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/warwick-davis-on-doctor-who-and-star-wars-sequels/ |access-date=1 March 2013 |work=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]] |via=[[GamesRadar+]] |archive-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614101800/https://www.gamesradar.com/warwick-davis-on-doctor-who-and-star-wars-sequels/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Angie and Artie, the kids Clara babysits, were portrayed by Eve de Leon Allen and Kassius Johnson respectively,<ref name=":1" /> who previously appeared in "[[The Crimson Horror]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=21 October 2013 |title=Doctor Who: The Crimson Horror ★★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-crimson-horror/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=6 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306092354/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-crimson-horror/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Cyberman redesign ===
[[File:Doctor Who Experience (13081045764).jpg|thumb|The redesigned Cybermen as they appear at the Doctor Who Experience]]
On redesigning the Cybermen, Gaiman thought back to classic series serials ''[[The Moonbase]]'' (1967) and ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen]]'' (1967) and decided to "take the 1960s Cybermen and [incorporate] everything that's happened since".<ref name="DS Gaiman">{{cite web|first=Morgan|last=Jeffery|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a436955/doctor-who-writer-neil-gaiman-i-want-to-make-cybermen-scary-again.html|title='Doctor Who' writer Neil Gaiman: 'I want to make the Cybermen scary again'|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|date=9 November 2012|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=18 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518060355/http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a436955/doctor-who-writer-neil-gaiman-i-want-to-make-cybermen-scary-again.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Gaiman said that he "got completely side-tracked by a mad, strange romp".<ref name="interview1">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/articles/Neil-Gaiman-Exclusive-Interview-Part-One|title=Neil Gaiman Interview: Part One|publisher=BBC|date=8 May 2013|access-date=9 May 2013|archive-date=9 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609002718/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/articles/Neil-Gaiman-Exclusive-Interview-Part-One|url-status=live}}</ref> Moffat stated that the Cybermen were redesigned because they did so often in the classic series, and yet had been consistent in the new series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/articles/Steven-Moffat-on-the-Finale-New-Monsters-and-More|title=Steven Moffat on the Finale, New Monsters and More!|publisher=BBC|date=27 April 2013|access-date=27 April 2013|archive-date=1 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501233930/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/articles/Steven-Moffat-on-the-Finale-New-Monsters-and-More|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gaiman was motivated to provide a "rationalisation" for the Cybermen in current ''Doctor Who'' continuity. The classic series had depicted the Cybermen as alien cyborgs, while the revived series initially depicted them as human cyborgs from a [[parallel universe (fiction)|parallel Earth]];{{Efn|The alternate universe origin was dropped following "[[Doomsday (Doctor Who)|Doomsday]]"; afterwards, Cybermen used their original origin.<ref>{{cite book|page=142 |last=Hickman |first=Clayton |title=The Brilliant Book 2012 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-1849902304}}</ref>}} Gaiman opined that his Cybermen stemmed from an encounter and amalgamation of these two types of Cybermen.<ref>{{cite web |last=Setchfield |first=Nick |date=7 May 2013 |title=EXCLUSIVE – Neil Gaiman Talks Doctor Who And Cybermen |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/exclusive-neil-gaiman-talks-doctor-who-and-cybermen/ |access-date=12 May 2013 |work=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]] |via=[[GamesRadar+]] |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110213956/http://www.gamesradar.com/exclusive-neil-gaiman-talks-doctor-who-and-cybermen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Lost script===
During filming at Castell Coch, a copy of the readthrough script was found in a taxi in [[Cardiff]]. It was marked as being de Leon Allen's copy and had the working title of "The Last Cyberman", which was subsequently changed. The script was found by Hannah Durham, who posted a picture of the script to [[Facebook]] with the caption: "found Dr Who script in the back of a taxi. Cheeky spoilers anyone?" It was then posted to [[Reddit]] by Dan Rowling with the caption: "Look what a Facebook friend found in a taxi in Cardiff on Monday".<ref>{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Rowling|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/doctorwho/comments/12sx7e/look_what_a_facebook_friend_found_in_a_taxi_in|title=Look what a facebook friend found in a taxi in Cardiff on Monday|date=7 November 2012|publisher=[[Reddit]]|access-date=25 March 2013|archive-date=13 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113102021/http://www.reddit.com/r/doctorwho/comments/12sx7e/look_what_a_facebook_friend_found_in_a_taxi_in/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Arrangements were then made by Hannah Durham and Dan Rowling to return the script to the BBC.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pahle |first=Rebecca |date=8 November 2012 |title=Script to Neil Gaiman's New Doctor Who Episode Gets Left in the Back of a Cab; Rescued by Good Samaritans |url=http://www.themarysue.com/neil-gaiman-script/ |access-date=9 November 2012 |work=[[The Mary Sue]] |archive-date=28 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628192146/http://www.themarysue.com/neil-gaiman-script/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/11/08/neil-gaiman-doctor-who-script-the-last-cyberman-found-in-the-back-of-a-cab/|title=The New Neil Gaiman Doctor Who Script Found In The Back Of A Cab In Cardiff|date=8 November 2012|access-date=9 November 2012|author=Rich Johnston|website=[[Bleeding Cool]]|archive-date=12 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212112613/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/11/08/neil-gaiman-doctor-who-script-the-last-cyberman-found-in-the-back-of-a-cab|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Broadcast and reception==
===Broadcast===
{{TV ratings
<!-- Reviewers -->| rev1 = ''[[Den of Geek]]''
| rev1score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="DOG" />
| rev3 = ''[[IGN]]''
| rev3score = 7/10<ref name=":19" />
| rev4 = ''[[New York (magazine)|New York Magazine]]''
| rev4score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="vulture">{{cite web|last1=Ruediger|first1=Ross|title=Doctor Who Recap: Upgrade Is Progress|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/05/doctor-who-recap-season-7-episode-13.html|work=[[Vulture.com]]|date=12 May 2013|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=18 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218112721/https://www.vulture.com/2013/05/doctor-who-recap-season-7-episode-13.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev5 = [[Radio Times]]
| rev5score = {{rating|1|5}}<ref name=":1">{{cite web|last1=Mulkern|first1=Patrick|title=Doctor Who: Nightmare in Silver ★|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-10-21/nightmare-in-silver/|work=[[Radio Times]]|date=21 October 2013|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=18 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218185037/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-10-21/nightmare-in-silver/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]''
| rev6score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2013/05/11/doctor-who-7-12-nightmare-in-silver-review/|title=Doctor Who: 712 "Nightmare in Silver" Review|date=11 May 2013|website=SFX|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720131008/http://www.sfx.co.uk/2013/05/11/doctor-who-7-12-nightmare-in-silver-review/|archive-date=20 July 2013}}</ref>
| rev7 = [[The A.V. Club]]
| rev7score = B+<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilkins|first1=Alasdair|url=https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-nightmare-in-silver-1798176771|title=Doctor Who: "Nightmare In Silver"|date=11 May 2013|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=18 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218185034/https://tv.avclub.com/doctor-who-nightmare-in-silver-1798176771|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
Overnight viewing figures estimate that the episode was watched by 4.7 million viewers,<ref>{{cite web |last=Golder |first=Dave |date=12 May 2013 |title=Doctor Who "Nightmare In Silver" Overnight Ratings |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-nightmare-in-silver-overnight-ratings-b/ |access-date=19 May 2013 |work=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]] |via=[[GamesRadar+]] |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506213955/https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-nightmare-in-silver-overnight-ratings-b/ |url-status=live }}</ref> rising to 6.64 million after calculating the final ratings, making it the ninth most-watched programme of the week on BBC One.<ref name="ViewingStatistics">{{cite web |title=Top 30 Programmes |url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?_s=4 |access-date=26 May 2013 |publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]] |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306031324/http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?_s=4 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Critical reception===
The episode scored 84 on the [[Appreciation Index]], indicating that the public enjoyed it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2013/05/nightmare-in-silver-ai-84.html|title=Nightmare in Silver AI: 84|publisher=[[Doctor Who News Page]]|date=13 May 2013|access-date=27 May 2013|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110214319/http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2013/05/nightmare-in-silver-ai-84.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]''<nowiki/>'s Aiden Green reported that the episode "was far worse received" than Gaiman's previous episode.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Aidan |date=2023-07-15 |title=Remember When Neil Gaiman Wrote for 'Doctor Who' and It Was Kinda Bad? |url=https://collider.com/doctor-who-neil-gaiman-nightmare-in-silver/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=23 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723055816/https://collider.com/doctor-who-neil-gaiman-nightmare-in-silver/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Smith and Davis's performances were widely praised by critics.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":18" /><ref name=":19">{{cite web |author=Snow |first=Mark |date=11 May 2013 |title=Doctor Who: "Nightmare in Silver" Review - IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/12/doctor-who-nightmare-in-silver-review |access-date=2013-07-18 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516154730/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/12/doctor-who-nightmare-in-silver-review |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />}}

Dan Martin from ''[[The Guardian]]'' stated that "The Cybermen are back – and scary for the first time since the 60s, thanks to a whimsical but effective script from Neil Gaiman."<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Dan |date=11 May 2013 |title=Doctor Who: Nightmare in Silver – series 33, episode 12 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/may/11/doctor-who-episode-blog-nightmare-in-silver |access-date=16 May 2024 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520191059/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/may/11/doctor-who-episode-blog-nightmare-in-silver |url-status=live }}</ref> Ross Ruediger of ''[[New York (magazine)|New York Magazine]]'' wrote that Gaiman "created an amazing yet believable world here — one that felt otherworldly and yet close to home. The designs of the amusement park captivate", and praised the cast, especially Davis' performance.<ref name="vulture" /> Sarah Crompton at ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' felt that Gaiman succeeded in making the Cybermen scary again, though the episode "could have done with more variation in pace and tone".<ref name=":18">{{citation |last=Crompton |first=Sarah |title=Doctor Who: Nightmare in Silver, BBC One, review |date=11 May 2013 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/10050173/Doctor-Who-Nightmare-in-Silver-BBC-One-review.html |access-date=16 May 2024 |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306233555/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/10050173/Doctor-Who-Nightmare-in-Silver-BBC-One-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'''s Mark Snow gave the episode a positive review. However, he felt that the episode was somewhat underwhelming. He added that it worked as the return for the Cybermen.<ref name=":19" /> [[Simon Brew]] of ''[[Den of Geek]]'' praised the episode's nods to both previous ''Doctor Who'' episodes and to the [[Borg]] from ''[[Star Trek]].'' Brew specifically noted the Borg-like adaptation to specific threats, he described it as something that is both "familiar" and which "works in making them feel less beatable".<ref name="DOG">{{cite web |last=Brew |first=Simon |author-link=Simon Brew |date=11 May 2013 |title=Doctor Who series 7: Nightmare In Silver review |url=http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who/25584/doctor-who-series-7-nightmare-in-silver-review |access-date=16 May 2024 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |archive-date=24 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124162306/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who/25584/doctor-who-series-7-nightmare-in-silver-review |url-status=live }}</ref>

Neela Debnath at ''[[The Independent]]'' called it "another episode which failed to live up to the hype". She felt that while Gaiman's writing for the Doctor and his internal battle was good, other characters were "superfluous and two-dimensional". Debnath opined that Smith's performance partially redeemed the episode.<ref name=":17">{{cite web |last=Debnath |first=Neela |date=2013-05-12 |title=Doctor Who 'Nightmare in Silver' – Series 7, episode 12 |url=http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2013/05/11/doctor-who-nightmare-in-silver-series-7-episode-12/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913084828/http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2013/05/11/doctor-who-nightmare-in-silver-series-7-episode-12/ |archive-date=13 September 2015 |access-date=2013-07-18 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Patrick Mulkern of ''[[Radio Times]]'' was very critical of the episode, describing it as an "almighty Cyber flop". Mulkern thought the Cyber Planner-possessed Doctor scenes were "the principal failing of the drama [...] despite Matt Smith's gallant efforts", and compared it to the 1988 serial ''[[Silver Nemesis]],'' which he labeled "execrable".<ref name=":1" /> Gaiman later admitted that the episode was not the best, adding that it "left him with 'a bad taste in [his] mouth'" and inspired him to take more creative control with [[Good Omens (TV series)|''Good Omens'']] (2019–present) as its showrunner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Eleanor |date=4 October 2018 |title=Good Omens showrunner Neil Gaiman says he's "really glad" his Doctor Who episode turned out badly – for one important reason |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/neil-gaiman-good-omens-doctor-who-disappointing-episode/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB |archive-date=28 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128173454/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/neil-gaiman-good-omens-doctor-who-disappointing-episode/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote|Eleventh Doctor}}
*{{BBCDWnew | year=2013 | id=b01skfzk | title=Nightmare in Silver}}{{TardisIndexFile}}
*{{IMDb episode|2267338|Nightmare in Silver}}

{{Doctor Who episodes|N7}}
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