Written by Chris Chibnall
Directed by Jamie Magnus Stone
Swarm (to the Doctor): "Our final fight has begun."
If there's one word I could use to describe this episode, it would be "whiplash". Chris Chibnall did say this opening episode would feel like a finale and with a fancy subtitle named Flux, he wasn't exactly kidding about that one. Its hard to say whether he's hit the ball running or written himself into a corner. The next five weeks will tell.
Anyways, the Doctor and Yaz opened the episode nearly being booked in acid by the dog looking Karvanista (Craige Els) who then fled and kidnapped unemployed plasterer/wannabe museum guy, Dan Lewis (John Bishop). New companions are usually thrown into the deep end to prove their kettle but Dan's kidnapper turned out to be an inadvertent saviour and he was mostly bamboozled by both the Doctor and Yaz as he took in the Flux coming for the universe.
I liked that this episode wasted no time in telling us that the Flux was a universe destroying event along with the introduction of the mysterious Swarm (Sam Spruell) and his sister, Azure/Anna (Rochenda Sandall). While the latter seemed to take a perverse joy in tormenting Dan's would be girlfriend, Diane (Nadia Albina), the former was more interested in the Doctor.
With the Karvanista turning out to be more grudging friend than foe, it seems that these mystery aliens who I'm assuming are the Ravagers have a history with the Doctor. Keeping with this version of the character, its a history that she doesn't remember, something which which Swarm revelled in to boot. As a group of baddies, there's potential here with this mystery race and the event that seems to be the Flux.
Of course along with the universe ending, things also seem to be bad for the TARDIS. This episode had it leaking black goo and even the Doctor wanted vortex energy on trying to stop the Flux. It's not looking good for the best ship in the universe. Will the TARDIS even make it out of this six part series alive?
Then there's Yaz as well. In the near ten months since we've last seen her, she's quit her job and gotten more openly annoyed at the Doctor keeping secrets from her (the latter seeking the Karvanista for info on the Division). I liked seeing her confront the Doctor on that and she had a better rapport with Dan than the Doctor did if I'm being candid.
As for the rest of the episode, it wasn't just Dan that felt important here. We got to meet space pilot guy Vinder (Jacob Anderson) who seemed to abandon his mission when things got real with the Flux and then there was Claire (Annabel Scholey). She took the long path to reunite with the Doctor and Yaz. Then a Weeping Angel got her again. I wouldn't worry too much. This episode made it abundantly clear we'll be seeing her again.
- Flux is the third time this show has done this type of season (The Key To Time and Trial Of A Time Lord, anyone?) and the first Halloween we've gotten in it's 58 years.
- Steve Oram also appeared here as 19th century philanthropist Joseph Williamson and yes, he's another character we'll be seeing over the course of the series.
- Vinder's ship was called Outpost Rose and that wasn't the only allusion to that former companion in this episode.
- Two Sontarans also appeared in this episode, setting up the next chapter, War Of The Sontarans.
- This episode was dedicated to Julie Ankerson. The title sequence added John Bishop's name and the series new title.
- Chronology: October 31st 2021 and 1820 in Liverpool as well as two scenes in the Arctic Circle.
The Halloween Apocalypse definitely had a lot going on with it. Arguably too much in parts, especially for 50 minutes but between introducing several new characters, hinting at both the end of the universe and this version of the Doctor, I can't deny that it didn't keep my focus. This is a promising start to what hopefully will be the final stretch for both Chibnall and Whittaker.
Rating: 8 out of 10
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