Doctor Who Flux: The Halloween Apocalypse Review - 6 Ups & 3 Downs

Ups

6. Karvanista. Just... Karvanista.

It's almost cheating to design an alien that looks exactly like a dog, because the vast majority of viewers will be predisposed to like it. But regardless, Karvanista is a fantastic addition to the Whoniverse.

From concept to execution, it's hard to find any faults with him. The costume itself looks convincing, and it's easily one of the best practical creature effects the show has done in years. Plus, the simple fact that he sounds like an average guy you'd see down the pub, yet looks like a giant dog, is a fun contrast.

His role in the story was interesting too (especially the bit about protecting a designated human, taking "man's best friend" quite literally), and he was used really effectively, going from a villain, to an anti-hero, to a good guy in the span of one episode. Even with a serialised story, it's important for each episode to have some kind of mini-arc, and The Halloween Apocalypse's was very much about Karvanista.

If we had to pick a single standout moment of his, then we'd definitely say that first encounter with Dan. Watching Dan mistake him for a Halloween cosplayer - even going so far as to stroke his "mask" - was absolutely hilarious.

And speaking of Dan, we also want to give John Bishop a shoutout here. Despite some of his early dialogue feeling a wee bit cringey, he brought incredible warmth to the screen, and you can already tell it's going to be an absolute blast spending the series with him.