Doctor Who: Flux “Chapter Five: Survivors of the Flux” Review – Finally, Some Answers!
Clint Hassell gives his SPOILER-filled commentary on the fifth episode of Series 13.
Note: this review contains full SPOILERS for episode 5 of Series 13.
Thus far, the sprawling narrative of Doctor Who: Flux has been unwieldy, at best, and messy, at worst. The plot is building towards something, but exactly what has remained a mystery. The episodes have been functionally incongruous, often following seemingly unrelated plot threads, though none have been separated enough from the overarching storyline to be enjoyed as episodes unto themselves. While serials are best enjoyed as complete works, they are also meant to be digested and appreciated in parts, over time, and only “War of the Sontarans” has balanced these two aspects well. Thankfully, “Chapter Five: Survivors of the Flux” answers enough of the audience’s lingering questions to begin to tie together Series 13’s disparate parts.
Oh, is it nice to finally have some answers! Headed by Tecteun, the woman who initially found the child who would become the Doctor, Division has been working clandestinely to influence the development of planets throughout the Universe. Prepared to seed the next Universe with “genetic traces” from this one, Division engineered the Flux as a means to destroy everything within the current cosmos, including the meddlesome Doctor. Unrelated to the Flux – – though certainly taking advantage of it – – are Swarm and Azure, who seek revenge on Division for imprisoning them, and the Sontarans, who finally succeed in invading Earth.
While there are still issues that need to be addressed – – Swarm and Azure invading Division just as Division is destroying the Universe is a bit too coincidental – – it is exciting to see seemingly unrelated characters interact, as the plot threads are pulled tighter into the narrative tapestry. From 1904, Dan leaves a painted message for the present-day Karvanista. Karvanista reclaims Bel’s stolen spacecraft, just before she is able to reconnect with Vinder. Vinder meets Diane, Dan’s crush, bringing the connections full circle.
As if to counter the many links made between the pieces of Series 13’s narrative puzzle, “Survivors of the Flux” dumps even more pieces onto the table. Prentis, the “Grand Serpent,” has slithered into UNIT’s history, seemingly to co-opt its resources for – – and attention away from – – the invading Sontarans. While it is frustrating to add yet another villain to the mix, it does answer the question regarding the dissolution of UNIT, as mentioned in “Resolution” and Spyfall. Hopefully, “Chapter Six” will reveal how and why Prentis is associated with the Sontarans.
Further, showrunner Chris Chibnall can’t resist again warping Flux’s narrative, revealing Yaz, Dan, and Professor Jericho’s actions in the chapter’s opening scenes, before revealing the true nature of their mission, in the episode’s second act. While this technique matches much of this serial’s aesthetic, it does cause an astute audience to initially question why someone as experienced as Yaz, or as principled in science as Professor Jericho, would cross continents in search of objects of prophecy. The Doctor’s time-delayed hologram message reveals that the trio are using artifacts from ancient psychics to deduce when the alien survivors of the Flux will come to Earth, inadvertently setting off a battle for the planet; however, until the context is revealed, the globetrotting adventures of Yasmin, Dan, and Jericho feel inorganic.
Still, the reveal justifies the confusion, as it gives Yaz some of her best character development in this series. While the Doctor speaks of Dan as a companion, he is given little more bearing than Professor Jericho, in the narrative. It is Yasmin whom the Doctor trusts, and for whom she admits, “And I’m sure I miss you.” Considering their sides were shot separately, Mandip Gill and Jodie Whittaker both turn in accomplished performances, conveying the love their characters feel for each other in only a few sentences. Thus far, Flux has been so busy trying to reveal the biography of the pre-Hartnell Doctors that it has not devoted time to exploring the nature of the Doctor. “Survivors of the Flux” dissects why the Doctor does not travel alone, and this scene is a strong counterpoint to Tecteun’s assertion that the Doctor only takes companions with her as “reassurance” or “company” – – that they are “experiments,” just as the Timeless Child was to Tecteun. Seeing the stark contrast in how the Doctor reacts to Yasmin versus Tecteun, it is obvious that the motives of the two Time Lords “are not the same.”
Like most of the preceding chapters, “Survivors of the Flux” is too interlaced into Series 13’s larger narrative to deliver any sort of self-contained storyline. However, “Chapter Five” does finally explain who caused the Flux and why, and begins to pull the serial’s behemoth cast of characters into a more sensible storyline, hopefully paving the way for a conclusion that is as satisfying in its resolution as it is epic in its reach.
Random Musings
(Time) Capsule Review
While still shackled by the overarching narrative, “Chapter Five” improves upon its predecessors by finally revealing the cause of the Flux and bringing unrelated characters into contact with each other. The Grand Serpent is seen infiltrating UNIT, in order to help the Sontarans, leading to a memorable appearance by Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart. In a scene reflecting the deep love that Yasmin and the Doctor share, after a year of traveling as a pair, “Survivors of the Flux” examines the nature of the Doctor’s relationship with her companions, sharply contrasting it to the Time Lord’s connection to Tecteun. While this chapter’s context provided many needed answers, a lot remains to be accomplished in next week’s finale.
