The Halloween Apocalypse

Last updated

297a –"The Halloween Apocalypse"
Doctor Who episode
Cast
Others
Production
Directed by Jamie Magnus Stone
Written by Chris Chibnall
Script editor
  • Caroline Buckley
  • Rebecca Roughan
Produced by Nikki Wilson
Executive producer(s)
  • Chris Chibnall
  • Matt Strevens
  • Nikki Wilson
Music by Segun Akinola
Series Series 13
Running time1st of 6-part story, 50 minutes
First broadcast31 October 2021 (2021-10-31)
Chronology
← Preceded by
"Revolution of the Daleks"		Followed by →
"War of the Sontarans"
List of episodes (2005–present)

"The Halloween Apocalypse", prefixed frequently with either "Chapter One" or "Flux", [1] [2] is the premiere episode of the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who , and the first part of the six-episode serial known collectively as Doctor Who: Flux. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 31 October 2021. It was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall, and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone.

Contents

The episode stars Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor, Mandip Gill as Yasmin Khan, and John Bishop as new companion Dan Lewis. The episode features the return of the Sontarans and Weeping Angels.

Plot

The Doctor and Yaz are in pursuit of Karvanista, one of the dog-like Lupari species, for reasons unclear to Yaz. They escape from his capture and follow him to Earth in the TARDIS. En route, the Doctor experiences a psychic vision of Swarm, a mysterious being, escaping from its millennia-long imprisonment by the Division.

In present day Liverpool, Dan Lewis arranges a date with museum worker Diane before attending a shift at the soup kitchen and heading home. Karvanista breaks into his house and transports him onto his Lupari ship. The Doctor and Yaz arrive after Dan's abduction, investigating his house and discovering what appears to be a Lupari invasion fleet approaching Earth. They escape just before Dan's house is collapsed by a trap set by Karvanista. They then briefly encounter Claire, a woman who claims to have met the Doctor in the latter's future. Departing, the Doctor and Yaz are confused by the appearance of a second doorway in the TARDIS' console room. Claire is subsequently captured by a Weeping Angel.

On Karvanista’s ship, Yaz rescues Dan while the Doctor confronts Karvanista over his connection to the Division. Karvanista reveals that the Lupari are in fact saving humanity from Earth’s imminent destruction by the Flux, an unknown entity that defies all laws of space and time and consumes everything in its path. The Doctor, Yaz and Dan escape the ship and return to the TARDIS (where another doorway has appeared) to investigate the Flux.

Meanwhile, the Flux causes Vinder, the sole crew member of a remote outpost in deep space, to evacuate his position. It also catches the attention of the Sontarans, who relish the prospect of destruction it poses. Swarm attacks a base in the Arctic Circle, killing one of its two crew members and reviving his "sister" Azure from the other. Azure later lures Diane into a derelict house.

The TARDIS takes the group to an area of space where they observe the Flux from a distance. The Doctor experiences another vision of Swarm, who claims an old association with her. The Flux then accelerates its attack on Earth, before the Lupari fleet can rescue its population. The Doctor has Karvanista form a defensive shield with the other Lupari ships, protecting Earth from the Flux. However, the TARDIS is unable to transport behind the shield. The TARDIS' three doorways fly open as the Flux approaches.

Production

Development

"The Halloween Apocalypse" was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall. [3] The story featured the return of the show's recurring aliens, the Sontarans and the Weeping Angels. [4]

Casting

The series is the third to feature Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor. [5] Mandip Gill also returns as Yasmin Khan. [6] John Bishop joined the cast for the series as Dan Lewis. [7] Guest actors within the episode include Annabel Scholey, Rochenda Sandall, Sam Spruell, Craige Els, Steve Oram, Nadia Albina, and Jonathan Watson. [4] [8]

Filming

Jamie Magnus Stone, who directed four episodes of the previous series, directed the first block, which comprised the first, second and fourth episodes of the series. [9] Filming was originally set to begin in September 2020, [10] but eventually commenced in November 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on television. [11]

Broadcast and reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer)77% [2]
Rotten Tomatoes (Average Score)6.8/10 [2]
Review scores
SourceRating
Evening Standard Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Radio Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]
The A.V. Club B [14]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [15]
The Telegraph Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [16]

Broadcast

"The Halloween Apocalypse" aired on 31 October 2021. [1] The episode serves as the first part of a six-part story, entitled Flux. [17] [18] In the United States the episode aired on BBC America at the same time as its broadcast on BBC One. [19] An "extended cut" of the episode aired on BBC America later that day featuring an additional two minutes of content that had been edited out of the initial broadcast to allow for television advertisements. [20]

Ratings

"The Halloween Apocalypse" was watched by 4.43 million viewers overnight and a 26.9% share, [21] making it the second most watched programme for the night in the United Kingdom. [22] The episode received an Audience Appreciation Index score of 76. [23] Within seven days the total number of viewers rose to 5.81 million ranking as the ninth most viewed program for the week. [24] The original BBC America broadcast of the episode was watched live by 339,000 viewers, while its later evening broadcast was seen by 277,000. [25]

Critical reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 77% of 13 critics gave the episode a positive review, and an average rating of 6.8/10. The site's consensus reads, "Setting a crowded table for this season of Doctor Who, 'The Halloween Apocalypse' is an ambitious opener that should leave fans feeling optimistic." [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Doctor Who</i> series 11 2018 series of Doctor Who

The eleventh series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who premiered on 7 October 2018 and concluded on 9 December 2018. The series is the first to be led by Chris Chibnall as head writer and executive producer, alongside executive producers Matt Strevens and Sam Hoyle, after Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin stepped down after the tenth series. This series is the eleventh to air following the programme's revival in 2005 and is the thirty-seventh season overall. It also marks the beginning of the third production era of the revived series, following Russell T Davies' original run from 2005 to 2010, and Moffat's from 2010 to 2017. The eleventh series was broadcast on Sundays, a first in the programme's history; regular episodes of the revived era were previously broadcast on Saturdays. The series was followed by a New Year's Day special episode, "Resolution", instead of the traditional annual Christmas Day special.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirteenth Doctor</span> Fictional character from Doctor Who

The Thirteenth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who. She is played by Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to portray the character, in three series as well as five specials.

"The Woman Who Fell to Earth" is the first episode of the eleventh series and the 845th episode overall of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. It was written by new head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall, directed by Jamie Childs, and was first broadcast on BBC One on 7 October 2018. It stars Jodie Whittaker in her first full appearance as the Thirteenth Doctor, and introduces the Doctor's new companions – Bradley Walsh as Graham O'Brien, Tosin Cole as Ryan Sinclair, and Mandip Gill as Yasmin Khan. The episode also guest stars Sharon D. Clarke, Johnny Dixon, and Samuel Oatley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graham O'Brien</span> Fictional character in the TV series Doctor Who

Graham O'Brien is a fictional character created by Chris Chibnall and portrayed by Bradley Walsh in the long-running British sci-fi television series Doctor Who. A retired bus driver from Essex who is in remission from cancer, the character is portrayed as an everyman. In the show's eleventh series, starting with the first episode, he served as a companion of the thirteenth incarnation of the alien time traveller known as the Doctor until the 2021 New Year's Special "Revolution of the Daleks".

Yasmin Khan (<i>Doctor Who</i>) Fictional character in the TV series Doctor Who

Yasmin "Yaz" Khan is a fictional character created by Chris Chibnall and portrayed by Mandip Gill in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. In the show's eleventh series, starting with the first episode, Yasmin serves as a companion of the Thirteenth Doctor, an incarnation of the alien time traveller known as the Doctor ; she would part ways with the Doctor in "The Power of the Doctor", the Thirteenth Doctor's final episode, and was the last person with her before she regenerated on her own. She is one of just two full-time companions to be present throughout the entirety of an incarnation's tenure, the other being Rose Tyler who starred alongside Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor.

"Spyfall" is the two-part premiere of the twelfth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, first broadcast on BBC One on 1 and 5 January 2020. It was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall. The first episode was directed by Jamie Magnus Stone, and the second by Lee Haven Jones.

"Praxeus" is the sixth episode of the twelfth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, first broadcast on BBC One on 2 February 2020. It was written by Pete McTighe and Chris Chibnall, and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone.

<i>Doctor Who</i> series 13 2021 series of Doctor Who

The thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, known collectively as Flux, was broadcast from 31 October to 5 December 2021. The series is the third and last to be led by Chris Chibnall as head writer and executive producer. It is the thirteenth to air following the programme's revival in 2005, and the thirty-ninth season overall. The series, initially announced in November 2019, was the last to be broadcast on Sunday nights, continuing the trend set by the previous two series. It was followed by three associated specials, all of which aired in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fugitive Doctor</span> Fictional character from Doctor Who

The Fugitive Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. She is portrayed by the English actress Jo Martin, the first person of colour to play the role.

"The Timeless Children" is the tenth and final episode of the twelfth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, first broadcast on BBC One on 1 March 2020. It was written by Chris Chibnall, and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone. It is the second of a two-part story; the previous episode, "Ascension of the Cybermen", aired on 23 February.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revolution of the Daleks</span> 2021 Doctor Who episode

"Revolution of the Daleks" is a special episode of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, first broadcast on BBC One on 1 January 2021. It was written by Chris Chibnall, and directed by Lee Haven Jones. The episode follows the twelfth series as a New Year’s Day special, continuing on from "The Timeless Children" (2020).

<i>Doctor Who</i> specials (2022) 2022 special episodes of Doctor Who

The 2022 specials of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who are three additional episodes that follow the programme's thirteenth series. The first special aired on BBC One on 1 January, followed by the second on 17 April, and the final on 23 October. They are the final episodes to be overseen by Chris Chibnall as showrunner.

"War of the Sontarans", prefixed frequently with either "Chapter Two" or "Flux", is the second episode of the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, and of the six-episode serial known collectively as Doctor Who: Flux. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 7 November 2021. It was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall, and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone.

"Once, Upon Time", prefixed frequently with either "Chapter Three" or "Flux", is the third episode of the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, and of the six-episode serial known collectively as Doctor Who: Flux. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 14 November 2021. It was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall, and directed by Azhur Saleem.

"Village of the Angels", prefixed frequently with either "Chapter Four" or "Flux", is the fourth episode of the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, and of the six-episode serial known collectively as Doctor Who: Flux. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 21 November 2021. It was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall and Maxine Alderton, and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone.

"Survivors of the Flux", prefixed frequently with either "Chapter Five" or "Flux", is the fifth and penultimate episode of the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, and of the six-episode serial known collectively as Doctor Who: Flux. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 28 November 2021. It was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall, and directed by Azhur Saleem.

"The Vanquishers", prefixed frequently with either "Chapter Six" or "Flux", is the sixth and final episode of the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, and of the six-episode serial known collectively as Doctor Who: Flux. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 5 December 2021. It was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall, and directed by Azhur Saleem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eve of the Daleks</span> 2022 Doctor Who episode

"Eve of the Daleks" is the first of three special episodes that followed the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. The episode was first broadcast on BBC One on 1 January 2022 as Doctor Who's annual holiday special. It was written by Chris Chibnall, and directed by Annetta Laufer. It is the third and final part of a loose trilogy that developed in previous festive specials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legend of the Sea Devils</span> 2022 Doctor Who episode

"Legend of the Sea Devils" is the second and penultimate of three special episodes that followed the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. The episode was first broadcast on 17 April 2022 as an Easter Sunday special. It was written by Ella Road and Chris Chibnall and directed by Haolu Wang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Power of the Doctor</span> 2022 Doctor Who episode

"The Power of the Doctor" is the third and final story of three special episodes that follow the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. The episode was written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 23 October 2022. The special was commissioned to air during the British Broadcasting Corporation's centenary celebrations.

References

  1. 1 2 "Series 13, Ep. 1/6 - Chapter One: The Halloween Apocalypse". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Flux: The Halloween Apocalypse". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  3. ↑ "Chibnall Has Written All of Series 13 Solo (Bar One Episode), Confirms Directors". Doctor Who TV. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  4. 1 2 Haring, Bruce (15 October 2021). "'Doctor Who: Flux' Releases First-Look Trailer For 13th Season, Spotlighting Guest Actors And Monsters". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  5. ↑ Collis, Clark (22 January 2020). "Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker will play time traveler for at least one more season". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 23 January 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  6. ↑ Cremona, Patrick (30 November 2020). "Doctor Who: Mandip Gill says there's "more to come" for Yaz and her mental health storyline". Radio Times. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  7. ↑ Foster, Chuck (1 January 2021). "New companion for Series 13". DoctorWhoNews.net. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  8. ↑ "Doctor Who reveals more series 13 cast including another Line of Duty star". Radio Times. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  9. ↑ Laford, Andrea (9 August 2021). "Doctor Who Series 13 and 2022 specials: directors and casting news". CultBox. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  10. ↑ Jeffery, Morgan (16 February 2020). "Doctor Who series 13 to begin filming in autumn 2020". Radio Times. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  11. ↑ "Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall confirms three episodes cut from next series". Radio Times. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  12. ↑ Nicholson, Tom (31 October 2021). "Doctor Who review - A promising start to Jodie Whittaker's closing run". www.standard.co.uk.
  13. ↑ "Doctor Who - The Halloween Apocalypse review: Chris Chibnall turns up the heat for a fast, fun-packed opener". Radio Times.
  14. ↑ "Doctor Who returns with a new experiment in serialized storytelling". The A.V. Club.
  15. ↑ "John Bishop is the shining light in Doctor Who's chaotic series 13 opener – review" . The Independent. 31 October 2021. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022.
  16. ↑ Hogan, Michael (31 October 2021). "Doctor Who: Flux, episode 1 review: Whittaker's long goodbye has begun and it was bafflingly hectic". The Telegraph– via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  17. ↑ Haring, Bruce (9 October 2021). "'Doctor Who: Flux' Unveils Season 13 Trailer, Promises New Villains For Jodie Whittaker Finale". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  18. ↑ Mellor, Louisa (9 October 2021). "Doctor Who Series 13 is Titled 'Flux' and Starts On Halloween". Den of Geek. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  19. ↑ Cooper, Matt (31 October 2021). "What to watch on TV: 'Doctor Who,' 'Narcos: Mexico,' the World Series and more" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  20. ↑ Jacobs, Meredith (31 October 2021). "How to Watch the 'Doctor Who: Flux' Premiere on BBC America This Weekend". TV Insider . Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  21. ↑ Marcus (1 November 2020). "The Halloween Apocalypse - Overnight Viewing Figures". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  22. ↑ "Ratings Guide". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  23. ↑ Foster, Chuck (2 November 2021). "The Halloween Apocalypse - Appreciation Index". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  24. ↑ "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board . Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  25. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (2 November 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Sunday 10.31.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". ShowbuzzDaily. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.