The Single Biggest Mistake Every Doctor Who Series Has Made

Faced with the challenge of how to make Doctor Who during COVID, Chris Chibnall returned to his Broadchurch roots, opting for a story that was completely serialised.

Marketed as an epic six-part saga, Series 13 raised the stakes, with a universe-spanning central mystery, multiple story threads, and the show’s first proper ensemble cast in years.

But was there perhaps too much going on?

Case in point: Kate Stewart. Nice as it was to see her again in Survivors of the Flux, introducing her so late in the game (and with so many characters already on the board), meant that there wasn’t room for her to do anything in The Vanquishers. After six years away it was hugely underwhelming.

Likewise, waiting until the finale to wrap up basically every story thread wasn’t wise, and teasing revelations about the Doctor’s past then not delivering was disingenuous.

There's a point in The Vanquishers where almost every hero character (including two Doctors) is stood in the TARDIS, idly watching on as the Doctor explains the plan. It really does serve as the perfect metaphor for Flux's primary failing.