Resolution

Context

“Resolution” comes out in a very strange and difficult place in Doctor Who history. It follows straight after “The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos,” which is often seen as one of the worst finales of the entire show, and for some fans even a strong contender for the worst episode ever. Because of that, expectations were very low and a lot of goodwill toward the show had already been lost.

Because of this, Resolution almost feels like a quiet attempt to fix things. In my own head canon, this episode is the real finale of Series 11. It actually resolves character arcs that the real finale ignored, it brings back tension and danger, and it gives emotional moments that feel deserved instead of rushed.

It is also the first New Year’s Day special, replacing the long-running Christmas specials, which already made it controversial. While it does not fully reach the level of the best Christmas episodes, it works by being smaller, more focused, and more personal. Instead of trying to be huge and epic, it focuses on story and characters, and that choice helps the episode a lot.

Synopsis

When an ancient alien artifact is discovered, the Doctor and her companions realize that a lone Dalek mutant has survived. Even without its casing, the creature is extremely dangerous and starts possessing humans in order to rebuild itself. As the Dalek gets closer to full power, the Doctor must stop it. At the same time, Ryan is forced to face his absent father, bringing unresolved family issues to the surface.

Review

One of the biggest strengths of Resolution is how it continues the season’s main theme of family. Series 11 talked about family a lot, but rarely explored it properly. The relationship between Ryan and Graham was always meant to be the emotional core of the season, and this episode finally adds another important layer by bringing Ryan’s dad into the story.

Ryan’s confrontation with his father is easily the strongest moment his character has had in the entire series. The scene where he finally speaks up and explains how much his dad disappointed him and how deeply the abandonment affected him feels honest and real. It is genuinely the only scene where Ryan truly feels worth being a companion.

Outside of this episode, and with no offence meant to Tosin Cole or Chris Chibnall, Ryan’s character usually feels like the bare minimum version of what that role requires. He exists, he reacts, and he fills space, but he rarely stands out. In other words, he is bland. However, in Resolution, Ryan is actually good. He has purpose, emotion, and a reason to be there, and that almost justifies his entire run on the show.

The Dalek is also a very strong choice for a special episode villain. Daleks are naturally suited to event episodes, and while this one may not be truly iconic, it finally feels worthy of a holiday special. By focusing on a single Dalek instead of an army, the episode makes the threat feel more intense and personal. It is not about scale, it is about danger.

This episode also starts a visual trend where the story jumps between many locations around the world, each introduced with large on-screen captions. This is something I always secretly liked, as long as it did not pull attention away from the main story. In Resolution, it works well and gives the episode a sense of scale without becoming distracting.

Resolution is also very well directed. In fact, it stands out as one of the better-directed episodes of the era. The Dalek being mostly CGI is especially interesting, and this is the only time I can think of where a single Dalek is presented this way for such a long time. Instead of feeling fake, the CGI makes it feel more alien and unsettling, especially in how it moves.

Charlotte Ritchie gives an excellent performance as a guest star. Her character feels human and believable, and she brings real emotion to the role. It would not surprise me if this performance helped her later get a main role in the Netflix series Youduring its final seasons. That is just speculation on my part, but it shows how strong her performance is here.

Overall, Resolution works because it knows what kind of episode it wants to be. It does not try to fix everything, and it does not rely only on spectacle. It focuses on character, mood, and a classic Doctor Who villain handled in a more modern way. After such a weak finale, Resolution feels like a quiet redemption and proof that this era could still deliver something meaningful.

It may not be a masterpiece, but it is sincere, well made, and most importantly, it actually feels like Doctor Who again.

20 dec. 2025

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