28th November 2021
Right …
I’m start thing post early: in the run-up to tonight’s episode of Doctor Who.
Hopefully?
I’ll be able to finish this post, along side its video equivalent, late tonight.
For now?
I’m going to wander over to the TV, get myself comfortable: whilst Countryfile tells me about wattle and daub houses.
Back in a bit.
Chapter 5 — Survivors of the Flux opens with a summary of earlier episodes.
Then shifts, post-titles: to show how the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) is being transported by a massed horde of Weeping Angels.
Transported to a gap between universes, to met a woman who reveals herself to be Tecteun (Barbara Flynn): the woman who found the Doctor as a child at the dawn of Time Lord civilisation, who’s in charge of the Division, and a woman who has something the Doctor wants.
Meanwhile? Bel ALMOST meets Vinder: at an abandoned ‘monolith.’
But her ship — her stolen Lupari ship — is hijacked by Karvanista and placed back in the shield around Earth.
Another thread sees the Grand Serpent (Craig Parkinson) — calling himself Prentis — slowly taking over UNIT, over the course of years. Slowly building it up, and, by killing various figures over its history, becoming the man in charge.
It’s only when he meets the tough as nails Kate Stewart* (Jemma Redgrave) that he briefly pauses: to order an explosive wired into the from door of her house.
Meanwhile? Yaz, Dan and Professor Jericho (Mandip Gill, John Bishop and Kevin McNally) are trapped in 1904.
But, thanks to a message left for Yaz by the Doctor, they know a battle for control of Earth is coming, a battle with creatures left homeless by the Flux: they want to find out the date, so they can pass it to the Doctor.
Someone is trying to stop them, though.
Someone who possibly has access to time travel, and to hordes of fanatical agents with serpent tattoos.
Back at Tecteun’s base?
Tecteun has a couple of things for the Doctor.
A confession for one.
Tectuen started the Flux: so she could move everything worth saving from the dying old universe, into a new one.
She has the Doctor’s memories in a Chameleon Arc.
And she has a choice to offer the Doctor.
Join her in a new universe, complete with her old memories.
Or?
Die defending the Earth, and the rest of the old universe.
~≈🪐≈~
Now …
I have got to admit, the first four episodes of Doctor Who Flux has been superb.
I think it’s some of Chibnall’s finest writing for the show: although, given how much flack the man’s had, I suspect many will disagree.
Personally?
I felt tonight’s episode saw some of Chibnall’s finest dialogue: especially between Gill and Bishop as Yaz and Dan.
It possibly helps that there’s more room in the TARDIS for this series … but I suspect the fact the pair seem to get on well — at least, in some of the publicity videos I’ve seen — also helps.
But from what I could see? The rest of the cast were blessed, there, as well.
Practically anything involving Prentis seemed very well written: and something that had a touch of fan service, as well.
There’s a scene with the General in charge of UNIT, and Prentis thats stuck in my mind: the throwaway line about a new Corporal is a blatant nod to a certain Corporal Benton, and nicely done.
The writing is very good!
As is those references …
Including ones to real world figures, I should add, and — possibly — to other shows or other’s ideas.
Joseph Williamson — the Mad Mole, the Liverpudlian builder who dug extensive tunnels under the city — meets Yaz, Dan and Jericho towards the climax of this episode.
And shows them the doors he’s found: that lead to various different time zones.
That’s a familiar idea to me: giving I’ve see the cult Spanish series, El Ministerio del Tiempo, whose protagonists travel to various points of Spain’s past through doorways under the Ministry’s HQ.
I’m not going to say Chris Chibnall’s nicked an idea, there.
Just that it was something I was familiar with.
Especially given I — and Daily Teaser regular, Olga — had been discussing the show on Twitter, with another regular reader, Nina.
Bel has a little digital assistant: that could be seen as Doctor’s take on the Culture’s drone characters … or just a logical extension of modern AIs: like Siri or Alexa.
Either way?
I’ve seen another great episode, tonight.
One that leaves me with a thought or two.
Yes: I want to be back for next Sunday’s episode, The Vanquishers.
I want to see Kate Stewart fighting the Sontarans: and how this story finishes.
Because, yes: I have a suspicion I want confirmed.
I think Vinder and Bel’s child will turn out to be the Doctor, herself.
I want to see if I’m right.
See you next week.
Survivors of the Flux.★★★★
* ‘Divorcee, mother of two, keen gardener, and outstanding bridge player.’
1 comment:
Excellent review
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