Doctor Who: Flux Review: Chapter 1: The Halloween Apocalypse (Season 13 Episode 1)
The Doctor and Yaz are back on Doctor Who: Flux Season 13 Episode 1, “Chapter 1: The Halloween Apocolypse.”
The first outing in this series wastes no time dropping viewers right into the action as the Doctor and Yaz are in danger. The usual chaotic hijinx ensues and they find out that Earth is in danger. It’s basically, another Tuesday for the Doctor.
Aside from the initial setup, “Chapter 1: The Halloween Apocolypse” feels like a chaotic jigsaw puzzle meant to appeal to a wide variety of fans. It introduces a plot with the Weeping Angels and the Sontarons and pushes through with other threads introducing new aliens and new humans.
This is definitely a step in the right direction. Jodie Whittaker’s reign as the Doctor has suffered from a lack of mythology-rich storylines. Doctor Who Season 12 amended it a little bit, but Doctor Who: Flux feels like the kind of even she needs to really delve into the character.
One of the threads I was hoping we’d explore more this season was the end of Doctor Who Season 12 Episode 10, “The Timeless Children.”
The New Year’s episode didn’t begin to unpack the revelation that led the Doctor to be in prison, but “Chapter 1: The Halloween Apocolypse,” made it clear that the Doctor is trying to deal with this on their own.
Yaz’s confrontation about how the Doctor has been secretive is enough to give us a marker that tells us that is still relevant, but it doesn’t begin to explain what the Doctor has found out.
The dynamic between Yaz and the Doctor feels different too. With just her and the Doctor in the Tardis, it gives Mandip Gill more space to spread her wings, but that doesn’t stop the series from creating new characters to share the stage.
The extended cut episode moves along introducing us to several new characters in different locations and timelines. It feels a bit like the conclusion to Season 4 where different people from the Doctor’s life were starting to come together. The difference here is that we don’t know how these characters connect yet.
One of the bright spots in the unyielding new characters is the introduction of Dan Lewis (John Bishop) who was announced as a new companion earlier this year.
His introduction is the only solid thread in the episode as we watch him get kidnapped and learn about aliens. So far, his personality seems to be a good match for the Doctor, but we haven’t really gotten to see them together for more than a few moments.
It’s a promising start but that’s all it is.
Looking at the first episode as a whole, it’s hard to tell where everything is going. It’s a good storyline with a promising setup, and on those grounds, “Chapter 1: The Halloween Apocolypse,” does its job. The question will be if they can tie up all the threads they’ve pulled at in six episodes.
Stray Thoughts:
- The moment where Yaz introduces the Doctor to Dan and then she says, “Nice to meet you, Dan! Run for your life!” is a nice callback to when the Ninth Doctor meets Rose Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 1, “Rose.”
- Any other dog lovers kind of smiling at the idea of a dog race that is bonded to humanity? Cos I kind of like the idea of man’s best friend saving humanity even if Karvanista was kind of an idiot.
- Why is everyone surprised at the doors moving? The Tardis has changed before.
- It really feels like there is almost no reason for this to take place on Halloween. Maybe that will make more sense in later episodes, but it does feel like a gimmick to premiere on a holiday at the moment.
What did you think of this episode of Doctor Who? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Doctor Who airs Sundays at 8/7c on BBC America.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.