Doctor Who: Flux review, “Chapter Six: The Vanquishers”

Doctor Who officially wraps up its “Flux” storyline this week, leaving us with many unanswered questions. This episode split the Doctor into three parts (literally) as her consciousness is spread over different points in time. It’s a strange plot point but very reminiscent of past episodes that brought former Doctors back together. In this case, it was just Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor split three ways, but it definitely felt like a callback.

What I enjoyed about this six-episode arc is that it dove into the Doctor’s blurry past, picking up the narrative thread that started to unspool last season during “The Timeless Child.” We still don’t know a whole lot at the conclusion of “Flux,” but it’s clear that the Doctor will, at some point, regain those lost memories.

The Sontarans, Cybermen, and Daleks all returned for the thrilling conclusion of “Flux,” which was fun. These infamous foes made for some exciting episodes.

And with that, let’s dive into the major events of this week’s conclusion in “The Vanquishers.”

SPOILERS ahead!

The Sontarans return to Doctor Who

We’ve heard a lot of “Sontar-Ha” chants recently. The awkward-looking Sontarans aren’t my favorite villains, but it’s fun to have them in the lineup. This episode was a big one for them as they were the titular “vanquishers” hoping to destroy the Lupari species.

Well, not exactly destroy them, but they did want to take over the Lupari’s fleet in hope that it would help them face the second Flux. That meant double-crossing the Daleks and Cybermen, thus ensuring their own survival.

The Doctor is not a fan of the Sontarans, either, so once she figures out their plan, she steps in to mess it all up. While the Cybermen and the Daleks work out a temporary truce, she decides that she wants to destroy the Sontarans by throwing them into the Flux.

I was surprised that the Doctor would consider such an idea because she’s always tries to do what’s best for everyone, even her enemies. She’s even been willing to save the Daleks in the past!

But the Doctor’s plan doesn’t go as planned. Diane (Nadia Albina) offers up some insider information about Passengers, and a new plan forms. Diane hasn’t done much up until this point so her coming up with a way out is unexpected.

Vinder, Bel, and Professor Jericho

Amidst this chaos, we finally see Bel (Thaddea Graham) and Vinder (Jacob Anderson) reunite, which was as sweet as expected. Throughout the entire six-episode storyline, they’ve been trying to find their way back to each other, and it finally happens.

They work alongside the cute adorable dog alien Karvanista (Craige Els) and form their own version of the Doctor/companion setup. If they get their own spinoff show, I’m so on board.

Professor Jericho (Kevin McNally) has a heroic send-off as he sacrifices himself for the greater good. In some ways he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it was heroic nonetheless.

The Grand Serpent

The Grand Serpent (Craig Parkinson) helps the Sontarans out during the episode. I think they were really trying to make him frightening and intimidating but it was executed poorly. I felt like he was in a position to really face the Doctor and potentially take her down, but I didn’t buy it.

By episode’s end, Vinder places the Grand Serpent in some obscure place in space. He’s left isolated just as Vinder once was, which is nice and ironic but the whole thing was still just a bit underwhelming. Perhaps he’ll return somehow in the future.

Swarm and Azure’s “attack” the Doctor

Not to be rude, but Swarm (Sam Spruell) and Azure (Rochenda Sandall) just might be the ugliest villains I’ve ever seen in my life. That’s a compliment for whoever did their makeup, but seriously, these guys are atrociously uncomfortable to look at.

They too feel underused here. Throughout the six-episode storyline it felt as if they were going to serve some huge purpose, but they just didn’t at the end, which is disappointing.

Instead, they’re exterminated by Time itself, who has something to say about The Master (Sacha Dhawan, are you coming back?!) and how the Doctor might not regenerate. It’s nothing we haven’t heard before, but exciting nonetheless, especially if Dhawan returns in some capacity!

The end of the Flux

After the Flux is obliterated, there’s still much reason to be wary. There remain unknown threats out there and any one of them could spell doom for the Doctor. However, the conclusion didn’t pound any of this home.

Instead, things wrap up, the universe is saved, time and space are as they should be, and it seems like no one is perturbed by what the Flux did. I’m not sure if this cheerfulness is on purpose, a narrative mess-up, or just showrunner Chris Chibnall’s way to keep us in the dark.

After six episodes of gloom and doom, it just feels weird that this is all it amounted to. There has to be more…right?

All in all, the conclusion to the “Flux” storyline wasn’t what I wanted, but it did give us some epic moments that may grow into something later. Doctor Who doesn’t just skip over things or forget to complete a storyline. I’m sure this will all make sense at some point, but until then, we have a New Year’s special to look forward to!

“Eve of the Daleks” will air on New Year’s Day 2022 and set the Doctor and her companions against the infamous Daleks once again!

See ya next year!

Grade: B

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