“Resolution” Review – The Perfect Hangover Episode

Clint Hassell gives his commentary on Doctor Who’s 2019 New Year special.

Note: this review contains full SPOILERS!

Written by showrunner Chris Chibnall, and curiously airing on New Year’s Day, rather than the usual Christmas Day, “Resolution” capitalizes on a recurring plot thread from Series 11 – – Ryan’s never-before-seen father seems to desire reconciliation – – to give Ryan some much needed character development.

In a pivotal scene, Ryan and his father, Aaron – – who notably shares his son’s interest in mechanics and engineering – – have a frank discussion in a coffeeshop. With Aaron ostensibly returning to make things right in their relationship, Ryan is unwilling to commiserate with his father. Aaron has used his selfishness and immaturity as reasons to ignore his son’s feelings, so, for the two to reconcile, Aaron must finally acknowledge how his actions have affected Ryan. The scene features honest, realistic dialogue and offers a nuanced explanation for the young man’s directionless state at the beginning of Series 11. Ryan is revealed to be stunningly mature, despite how wounded he feels, and actor Tosin Cole really shines in the role.

Similarly stunning is Bradley Walsh as Graham. Forced to be civil to Ryan’s absentee father, Graham’s teary, red eyes denote that he is mournful because he does not want his relationship with his grandson to change, but also fearful that Ryan will get hurt. However, he doesn’t stand in his grandson’s way, when Ryan asks if he can go have coffee with Aaron. Walsh conveys layers of emotion with the briefest of glances, and it’s gratifying when, after Aaron registers surprise at Ryan addressing his grandmother’s second husband as “Gramps,” Graham calls Ryan “son.”

“Resolution” is remarkable in its deft character work as it concludes the Ryan/Aaron storyline. The rest of the episode? Well, it’s best viewed through the squinted eyes of an audience hungover after a late night of revelry, ringing in the new year. While serviceable enough to be a middle-of-a-series filler episode, “Resolution” lacks the spectacle of previous holiday specials. Worse, the episode completely misuses the Daleks. Well, a Dalek, really, since the oft-mentioned Dalek fleet isn’t actually seen – – a shame, as it would have both added to the episode’s scope and the threat of the solitary Dalek.

Just as the motile, neck breaking thugs present in “The Time of Angels”/”Flesh and Stone” were a poor representation of the stoic, cruel, time-shunting Weeping Angels introduced in “Blink,” “Resolution” features a monster that only resembles a Dalek in the episode’s final act. When have Daleks demonstrated such strong regenerative abilities or been capable of teleporting fragments of their bodies? Is it believable that a Dalek’s biology is so similar to a human’s that they can assume control of a person’s higher functioning, with no enduring ill effects to the subject? If the dictates of the plot necessitate a villain that can overcome a human host, then why not use this opportunity to create a new, lasting addition to the canon? If the Daleks aren’t a good fit for the story, then don’t use the Daleks. Heaping nonsensical layers onto an already iconic villain only dilutes the Dalek brand. Ironically, this heavy revision doesn’t add a new, terrifying facet to the Daleks, but reinforces the idea that the series’ writers don’t know how to craft a story that effectively utilizes the classic monster.

Still, the inclusion of a Dalek in “Resolution” isn’t a total loss. The redesigned claw arm is a sensible update to the suction cup appendage. Seeing the Doctor effortlessly switch from accosting a Dalek to comforting Lin demonstrates the level of Jodie Whittaker’s talent. Thirteen’s responding to the Dalek’s assertion that, “Humanity will surrender,” by stating, “They really won’t. Trust me, I’ve seen them in action. They’ve fought off so many things, including the worst of their own people,” dovetails with the overarching theme of Series 11.

If only “Resolution” had featured more scenes like the one in which the lone Dalek utterly decimates a battalion! As it stands, 42 minutes of the hour-long episode has elapsed before anything resembling a Dalek appears, and that Dalek is defeated when it is microwaved to death. The frequent inclusion of the popular Daleks has seemingly reduced them to the Doctor’s most easily vanquished foe. If Chibnall wants to correct this, perhaps not having the Doctor crack jokes while defeating them would be a good start.

Random Musings

(Time) Capsule Review

Showrunner Chris Chibnall caps off Thirteen’s introductory series with an episode that is insightful in its exploration of the dynamic between Ryan, his absentee father, Aaron, and grandfather, Graham. Lacking the spectacle of previous holiday specials, however, “Resolution” is best viewed while hungover – – it’s enjoyable enough to watch after a night of drunken merriment, but doesn’t stand up to scrutiny, once sober.