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

2. Swarm's Identity (And All The Other Teases)

As we mentioned, The Halloween Apocalypse sets up an insane amount of bowling pins to be knocked down later on. Mr. Williamson in 1820s Liverpool, the involvement of the Sontarans, Vinder's escape, the fate of Dan's ladyfriend, that cliffhanger... there was so much setup here, and very little payoff.

Fortunately though, most of these questions and mysteries feel genuinely intriguing, rather than frustrating and unsatisfying. Once we have all the answers in six weeks' time, that might change, but for now, we're along for the ride.

We particularly loved Swarm - aka that crazy crystal-face guy. He's clearly something to do with the Division, and the Doctor's Timeless Child past (he tells her "there is not a tiny corner of you that remembers", which seems to be referencing how said past was hidden from her), but his true identity and ultimate goal remains to be seen.

It's also still possible that he's the Master, what with all that talk of him and the Doctor battling across space and time. That twist does seem a bit too obvious though, so it's unlikely Chibnall will go for it. Although, with Chibnall, you never know.

We also want to mention another dangling thread that got our heads buzzing: Claire. Claire knowing the Doctor before the Doctor knows her is a very Moff plot device, and we're eager to see how it plays out. It looks like she got zapped into the past, so how does she rejoin the story from there?