In 2018, "Doctor Who" saw both a new Doctor and a new showrunner, with "Broadchurch" creator Chris Chibnall inheriting the show from Steven Moffat and Jodie Whittaker taking over from Peter Capaldi. And the 11th season was capped off on New Year's Day, 2019, with Whittaker's first holiday episode, "Resolution."
The story kicks off when a pair of archeologists unearth the remnants of a dangerous alien intelligence that had been marooned on Earth for centuries, which reassembles under their very noses. Arriving at the scene, the 13th Doctor (Whittaker) and her companions Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), and Graham (Bradley Walsh) don't realize that the intelligence has taken command of one of the archeologists' bodies. And when the Doctor finally realizes what's happening, she makes the shocking discovery that their enemy is none other than the dreaded Daleks.
The first of four episodes to air on New Year's Day under Chibnall's leadership, "Resolution" sadly suffers much the same fate as most of Season 11. A clumsy script, some nonsensical story beats, and plenty of cliches all add up to a holiday episode that's mediocre even in its best moments. A weak subplot that feels like something out of a primetime soap opera drags down the episode, too. While the cast does what they can, and Whittaker brings real charm to the proceedings, strong performances alone can't overcome the episode's many weaknesses.
