If you only have six bullets in your pistol, you better aim true. That’s why we’re hoping that Chris Chibnall knows exactly what he’s gunning for in the six-part Doctor Who: Flux series that the program has just embarked on, because not only is he working to entertain and reward fans for riding all the ups and downs of the past four years, he’s aiming to end his tenure on a high note that will earn — possible redeem — the respect of fans who have been less than pleased with his creative direction.

With more pieces in play than a D&D tournament arena, Series 13 crashes in with a frenetic first episode that brings new adversaries, new friends, new conflicts, and new locations. All this in combination with the return of previous adversaries, past friends, ongoing conflicts, and locations we thought we knew well enough but now…but now…

We’re thoroughly flummoxed by the Flux storyline at the outset, being given a ton of material to sort and opine, but little (yet) in the way of connective tissue. To us however, that’s a good thing, as we all agree that this style of “hit the ground running” is familiar from Classic Who, Big Finish stories, and even Broadchurch and similar crime/drama series. We also discuss the questions burning brightest in our minds going forward, the aspects of this chapter that worked best (and least) for us personally.

Lastly, we have a good old-fashion rant about how horribly the live and next-day distribution — particularly online — for the show is being handled, and the worries that this will do continued damage to the viability of the franchise long before the baton is passed in 2023. Seriously. It’s a hot mess.