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'{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox Doctor Who episode | number = 297e | serial_name = Survivors of the Flux | show = DW | type = episode | image = | caption = | doctor = [[Jodie Whittaker]] – [[Thirteenth Doctor]] | companions = * [[Mandip Gill]] – [[Yasmin Khan (Doctor Who)|Yasmin Khan]] * [[John Bishop]] – Dan Lewis | guests = <!-- Please do not change these credits from how they are set out, including name of characters, as these are listed as they were in the episode's closing credits. Actors who only appear in part two should be listed below actors who appeared in part one.--> * [[Kevin McNally]] – Professor Jericho * [[Barbara Flynn]] – Tecteun * [[Craig Parkinson]] – Prentis/Grand Serpent * [[Robert Bathurst]] – Farquhar * Craige Els – [[Karvanista]] * [[Thaddea Graham]] – Bel * [[Jacob Anderson]] – Vinder * [[Sam Spruell]] – Swarm * [[Rochenda Sandall]] – Azure * Nadia Albina – Diane * [[Nicholas Blane]] – Millington * [[Steve Oram]] – [[Joseph Williamson (philanthropist)|Joseph Williamson]] * [[Jemma Redgrave]] – [[Kate Stewart (Doctor Who)|Kate Stewart]] * [[Jonathan Watson]] – Sontaran Commander Stenck * Barbara Fadden, Isla Moody, Lowri Brown – [[Weeping Angels]] * Simon Carew – [[Ood]] * [[Silas Carson]] – Voice of the Ood * Guy List – Waiter * Jonny Mathers – Passenger * [[Nicholas Courtney]] – [[Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart]] * Kammy Darweish – Kumar * George Caple – Alfie <!-- Please do not change these credits from how they are set out, including name of characters, as these are listed as they were in the episode's closing credits --> | director = Azhur Saleem | writer = [[Chris Chibnall]] | script_editor = {{Unbulleted list|Caroline Buckley|Rebecca Roughan}} | producer = Pete Levy | executive_producer = {{Unbulleted list|Chris Chibnall|Matt Strevens|[[Nikki Wilson]]}} | composer = [[Segun Akinola]] | series = [[Doctor Who (series 13)|Series 13]] | length = 5th of 6-part story, 50 minutes | date = {{Start date|2021|11|28|df=y}} | preceding = "[[Village of the Angels]]" | following = "[[The Vanquishers]]" }} "'''Survivors of the Flux'''", prefixed frequently with either "Chapter Five" or "''Flux''", is the fifth and penultimate episode of the [[Doctor Who (series 13)|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 episode stars [[Jodie Whittaker]] as the [[Thirteenth Doctor]], alongside [[Mandip Gill]] and [[John Bishop]] as her [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]], [[Yasmin Khan (Doctor Who)|Yasmin Khan]] and Dan Lewis, respectively. == Plot == The Weeping Angels transport the Doctor to a spacecraft carrying Division's head, Awsok from "[[Once, Upon Time]]", who is ordering an Ood to create a final Flux event. Awsok explains Division's involvement in the development of this current, and upcoming, universes. Division's spacecraft is travelling to another universe, as a "seed vault" containing genetic remnants of this universe. Awsok blames the Doctor for destroying this universe because the Doctor defected and interfered with Division's work. Thus, Division engineered the Flux to destroy this universe, with the Doctor still in it. Awsok reveals herself to be Tecteun, the Gallifreyan who found the young Doctor by a wormhole and raised her, while creating Time Lords ("[[The Timeless Children]]"). The Doctor blames Tecteun for robbing her of a life that could have been, but Tecteun counters that the Doctor does the same when she takes companions. Tecteun reveals the possession of a fob watch with the Doctor's lost memories. Dan, Yaz, and Jericho travel around the world in 1904 to try to discover the date for world's end, evading countless assassins. A Nepalese hermit suggests they should reunite with Karvanista; although they leave a message for him at the [[Great Wall of China]], he cannot use time travel so cannot respond. The trio search out [[Joseph Williamson (philanthropist)|Joseph Williamson]] and the mysterious tunnels he dug under Liverpool, realizing he had discovered doorways leading to various time periods and locations. In 1958, a general asks the Grand Serpent, going by "Prentis", to help form [[UNIT]]. Prentis embeds himself into UNIT leadership over the decades, eliminating potential threats to him. In 2017, when he closes UNIT down, [[Kate Stewart (Doctor Who)|Kate Stewart]] realises his deception and threatens to expose him. After a failed assassination attempt, she goes into hiding. With UNIT eliminated, in 2021 Prentis orders Earth's defences be lowered, inviting a second [[Sontaran]] invasion. When a Lupari ship falls from Earth's shield, [[Karvanista]] recalls the missing Lupari ship stolen by Bel, just as she was arriving at the source of the Passenger signal. With Karvanista on board, Sontaran forces attack Bel's ship. Vinder also pursues the Passenger signal, arriving moments after Bel's ship is recalled, but finding kidnapped survivors being disintegrated by Swarm and Azure for use as a power source. As he intended, Vinder is captured by Swarm in a Passenger, where he meets Diane. Swarm and Azure arrive on the Division spacecraft and plan on exacting revenge upon Division for imprisoning them. Swarm disintegrates Tecteun and approaches the Doctor to do the same. == Production == === Development === "Survivors of the Flux" was written by showrunner and executive producer [[Chris Chibnall]].<ref name="Directors&Writers">{{cite web |url=https://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/chibnall-has-written-all-of-series-13-bar-one-confirms-directors-95301.htm |title=Chibnall Has Written All of Series 13 Solo (Bar One Episode), Confirms Directors |work=Doctor Who TV |date=15 October 2021 |accessdate=11 November 2021}}</ref> === Casting === The series is the third to feature [[Jodie Whittaker]] as the [[Thirteenth Doctor]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/22/jodie-whittaker-doctor-who-3/ |title=Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker will play time traveler for at least one more season |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Clark |last=Collis |date=22 January 2020 |access-date=23 January 2020 |archive-date=23 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123053424/https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/22/jodie-whittaker-doctor-who-3/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Mandip Gill]] as [[Yasmin Khan (Doctor Who)|Yasmin Khan]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-11-30/doctor-who-yaz-mental-health-series-13/ |title=Doctor Who: Mandip Gill says there's "more to come" for Yaz and her mental health storyline |work=Radio Times |first=Patrick |last=Cremona |date=30 November 2020 |access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> with [[John Bishop]] having joined the cast for the series as Dan Lewis.<ref name="BishopS13">{{cite web |url=https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2021/01/new_companion_for_series_13.html |title=New companion for Series 13 |work=DoctorWhoNews.net |first=Chuck |last=Foster |date=1 January 2021 |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> [[Jemma Redgrave]] reprised her role as recurring character [[Kate Stewart (Doctor Who)|Kate Stewart]], having been absent from the series since "[[The Zygon Invasion]]" / "[[The Zygon Inversion]]" (2015).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/kate-lethbridge-stewart-doctor-who-unit-return/|title=Kate Lethbridge-Stewart makes shock Doctor Who return – but is UNIT back?|last=Fullerton|first=Huw|date=21 November 2021|accessdate=22 November 2021|work=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref> The episode also featured an off-screen voice cameo from [[Nicholas Courtney]], using archive audio, as [[Alastair Lethbridge-Stewart]], the father of Redgrave's character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-brigadier-unit-dating-controversy/|title=Doctor Who's Brigadier cameo makes an even bigger mess of UNIT dating|last=Jeffery|first=Morgan|date=28 November 2021|accessdate=29 November 2021|work=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref> === Filming === Azhur Saleem directed the second block, which comprised the third, fifth, and sixth episodes of the series.<ref name="Directors">{{cite web |url=https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/doctor-who-series-13-and-2022-specials-directors-and-casting-news |title=Doctor Who Series 13 and 2022 specials: directors and casting news |work=CultBox |first=Andrea |last=Laford |date=9 August 2021 |accessdate=11 November 2021}}</ref> == Broadcast and reception == {{TV ratings | aggregatenosort = y | aggregate1 = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] (Tomatometer) | aggregate1score = 80%<ref name="RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/doctor_who/s13/e05|title=Flux: Survivors of the Flux|accessdate=12 January 2022|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> | aggregate2 = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] (Average Score) | aggregate2score = 6.30/10<ref name="RT" /> | rev1 = [[The A.V. Club]] | rev1score = B+<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-doctor-meets-her-maker-as-doctor-who-barrels-toward-1848129220|title=The Doctor meets her maker as Doctor Who barrels towards its endgame|last=Siede|first=Caroline|date=29 November 2021|accessdate=29 November 2021|work=[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref> | rev2 = [[Radio Times]] | rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-survivors-of-the-flux-review/|title=Doctor Who – Survivors of the Flux review: Jericho, Yaz and Dan provide great entertainment in Phileas Fogg mode|last=Mulkern|first=Patrick|date=28 November 2021|accessdate=29 November 2021|work=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[The Independent]]'' | rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/doctor-who-review-episode-5-flux-b1964724.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/doctor-who-review-episode-5-flux-b1964724.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Doctor Who review, 'Survivors of the Flux': Jodie Whittaker gives a subtle, pained performance as we discover the Time Lord's origin story|first=Isobel|last=Lewis|date=28 November 2021|accessdate=28 November 2021|work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' | rev4score = {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2021/11/28/doctor-flux-episode-5-review-sonic-screw-up/|title=Doctor Who: Flux, episode 5, review: a sonic screw-up|first=Michael|last=Hogan|date=29 November 2021|accessdate=28 November 2021|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref> }} === Broadcast === "Survivors of the Flux" aired on 28 November 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00123l4|title=Survivors of the Flux|accessdate=12 November 2021|work=[[BBC]]}}</ref> The episode serves as the fifth part of a six-part story, entitled ''Flux''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/doctor-who-season-13-trailer-jodie-whittaker-finale-1234853340/|title='Doctor Who: Flux' Unveils Season 13 Trailer, Promises New Villains For Jodie Whittaker Finale|last=Haring|first=Bruce|date=9 October 2021|accessdate=9 October 2021|work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-series-13-is-titled-flux-and-starts-on-halloween/|title=Doctor Who Series 13 is Titled 'Flux' and Starts On Halloween|last=Mellor|first=Louisa|date=9 October 2021|accessdate=11 November 2021|work=Den of Geek}}</ref> === Ratings === Overnight the episode was seen by 3.82 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2021/11/survivors_of_the_flux_overnight_viewing_figures.html |title=Survivors of the Flux - Overnight Viewing Figures |work=Doctor Who News |last=Marcus |date=29 November 2020 |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref> The seven-day consolidated rating (counting all views across all platforms within seven days of broadcast) was 4.83 million. The episode was the ninth-highest rated programme on BBC1 for the week, and the 21st-highest programme across all channels for the week.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2021/12/ratings_latest.html |title=Ratings Latest |work=Doctor Who News |last=Marcus |date=6 December 2021 |access-date=7 December 2021}}</ref> === Critical reception === On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], a [[review aggregator]] website, 80% of five critics gave the episode a positive review, with an average rating of 6.3 out of 10.<ref name="RT" /> ''[[Bleeding Cool]]''{{'}}s Adi Tantimedh criticised Tecteun as "smug and bored. Chibnall's writing here was so mediocre that Tecteun didn't stop looking bored when the Big Bad showed up and killed her".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-the-moral-failings-of-the-thirteenth-doctors-era/ |title=Doctor Who: The Moral Failings of the Thirteenth Doctor's Era |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |date=10 December 2022}}</ref> == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{wikiquote|Thirteenth Doctor}} * {{BBCDWnew||m00123l4|Survivors of the Flux}} * {{TardisIndexFile|Survivors of the Flux (TV story)|"Survivors of the Flux"}} * {{IMDb episode|13469800|Chapter Five: Survivors of the Flux}} {{Doctor Who episodes|N13}} {{navboxes|list1= {{Doctor Who episodes by Chris Chibnall}} {{Thirteenth Doctor stories|selected=Television}} {{Ood stories}} {{Sontaran stories}} {{UNIT stories|selected=Television}} {{Weeping Angel stories}} }} [[Category:2021 British television episodes]] [[Category:Television episodes written by Chris Chibnall]] [[Category:Thirteenth Doctor episodes]] [[Category:UNIT serials]] [[Category:Doctor Who stories set on Earth]] [[Category:Doctor Who pseudohistorical serials]] [[Category:Fiction set in 1904]] [[Category:Fiction set in 1958]] [[Category:Fiction set in 2017]] [[Category:Fiction set in 2021]] [[Category:Television episodes set in the 1900s]] [[Category:Television episodes set in the 1950s]] [[Category:Television episodes set in the 2010s]] [[Category:Television episodes set in the 2020s]] [[Category:Television episodes set in China]]'