AC7: TV Season Review - Doctor Who: Flux (aka Season 13)

 

Its been a strange period of time since the last New Year's special for Doctor Who. Not only will it play a huge part in the BBC's centenary celebrations, but Russell T Davis is returning to showrunner duties in a first for the revival. This being the first time a showrunner decides to step down with just one Doctor (previously, it had been two) and also the first time that a showrunner comes back. Plus, with the nature of this series, it marks the first time a series follows one continuous story instead of self-contained episodes with occasional multipart stories and reoccurring story arches and themes. Unlike many of you, I decided to wait until the series finished its run and then just binge-watch it on BBC iPlayer. Some debate whether this is the best or worst Jodie Whittaker series, but here are my thoughts on it:

In their continuing adventures through time and space, the Doctor (reprised by Jodie Whittaker) and her current companion Yaz (reprised by Mandip Gill) become aware of an entity known only as the Flux. They learn that this being defies all laws of space and time and consumes everything in its path. In various attempts to stop or delay it, the pair end up recruiting unofficial museum guide and Liverpool FC fan Dan Lewis (played by John Bishop) when they end up rescuing him from enemy turned ally Karvanista (played by Craige Els) who helps the trio with protecting Earth from the Flux. As the crisis continues, the trio are forced to take on Sontarans, Weeping Angels, Daleks, Cybermen, Ood and of course, the past, present and future all in the hopes of saving everyone from this Flux.

This series to me is not the best one overall. But certainly far from the worst. It's quite confusing and has an uneven path in its attempts to be one story spread across 6 45-minute episodes. But it has some great makeup, costume designs and sets and a couple of standout episodes too. I guess Chris Chibnall gave it his best shot with the people and stuff he had despite the pandemic, and the end result isn't perfect and will no doubt divide fans over what will become of the franchise going forward. But remember, even if this leads to a full on or soft reboot, the classic stories will still continue in some shape or form and the revival was always going to struggle with keeping continuity no matter who was in charge or who was piloting the Tardis. 7/10