We are now halfway through the series and showrunner Chris Chibnall has been involved in writing every episode so far. This is quite unusual. Even in their first series as showrunners, Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat weren't responsible for the entire first half (in both cases, Mark Gatiss wrote the episode the showrunners didn't). Of course, Rosa was co-written by Malorie Blackman, and I suspect Chibnall was the lesser involved of the two given the episode's themes. However, Chibnall has controlled the start of this series very carefully. This makes sense, considering how different Chibnall's vision for Doctor Who is from his predecessors. It's important that he establishes this new, character-driven focus so that viewers can get used to it and other writers can build on it. That said, it's also nice to have contributions from different writers and The Tsuranga Conundrum indicates that it's about time that happens.
The Tsuranga Conundrum is probably the weakest episode of this series so far. That isn't to say it's bad, because it isn't. It's still good Doctor Who fun with many of the great elements Chibnall has brought to the series. Once again, Chibnall thrives when he's focusing on the characters. We delve deeply into Ryan's traumatic past as he discusses the death of his mother and the absence of his father with Yaz. It's thoughtfully and tenderly handled, further fleshing out Ryan's character and developing his relationship with Yaz. The episode also features a number of one-off characters that are inevitably a mixed bag. Astos and Mabli, the doctors on board the medical ship, are uninteresting clichés that are never given the opportunity to develop beyond that. On the other hand, siblings Eve and Durkas Cicero have a far more complex relationship that's explored fully and provides some powerful moments.
Everyone is also doing their best to make the episode feel exciting. The performances are top notch all around. Jack Shalloo is particularly wonderful as Yoss, a pregnant man preparing to give birth to a baby he doesn't want. As well as being a brilliant subversion of gender, Shalloo's character helps ground the episode in a very real and emotionally effective issue. Jodie Whittaker performs the Doctor in a state of physical vulnerability, highlighting her character's determination as she tackles the titular conundrum despite the odds. There are also multiple moments when Whittaker firmly reminds you that she is the Doctor. The most Doctor-y of these occurs when she lists all the things she's a doctor of, beginning with ‘medicine’, moving on to 'Lego' and concluding appropriately with 'mostly hope’. There's also noticeably dynamic cinematography that intently changes pace in accordance to the action. This has been a consistently strong area for series 11 and it's used especially well here.
However, the episode falls short because of one major reason: the monster isn't scary. The frustrating thing is, in theory, it is scary. When the characters are describing the 'Pting’, it sounds like one of the most dangerous adversaries the Doctor has ever faced. When you actually see it it's... well, it looks really silly. It's a real shame because the CGI is actually rather good, but the design is just far too goofy to be convincingly frightening. Chibnall's decision to use only new creatures for this series is a risky one that hasn't entirely paid off. The Remnants from The Ghost Monument were nice and creepy, but - as gross as the teeth stealing thing is - I'm yet to be wholly convinced by the Stenza. The fact is, the scariest monsters we've had so far are just bigger versions of something that already exists. However, the Pting is easily the least effective yet. Consequently, as much as the episode tries, there's just no genuine sense of urgency to grip the viewer.
No Doctor Who series can be perfect and there's always going to be one or two weaker episodes in there. The real test of a series’ strength is whether or not those weaker episodes are still entertaining. The Tsuranga Conundrum is clearly one of those weaker episodes, dragged down by its ineffective monster and a couple of underdeveloped side characters. However, thanks to the efforts of a great cast, skilled camera work and otherwise well-written characters, The Tsuranga Conundrum is still an enjoyable watch. Plus, the next episode promises to be far more ambitious, as first time Doctor Who writer Vinay Patel puts Team TARDIS in the middle of the partition of India.
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