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“THE TSURANGA CONUNDRUM: CHIBNALL'S CUTEST CHAOS UNLEASHED IN SPACE”

The Tsuranga Conundrum might be one of the most wonderfully titled episodes of modern Doctor Who – and fortunately, it lives up to that promise with a zippy, chaotic adventure featuring one of the Chibnall era’s most memorable monsters. A classic base under siege tale set aboard a medical rescue ship, this episode fuses creature feature horror, slapstick space comedy, and emotional side quests into an experience that, while uneven, remains energetic and endearing. And at the heart of the chaos? The irrepressibly adorable Pting, perhaps the most mischievous monster to ever snack its way through a spaceship.

HOSPITAL HORRORS AND COMIC CHAOS

After being knocked unconscious by a sonic mine on a junk planet, Team TARDIS wakes up aboard the Tsuranga, a sleek white medical vessel en route to a homeworld. The setting is reminiscent of The Ark in Space's Nerva Beacon but given a high-budget gloss – white corridors, futuristic med-tech, and a lively roster of patients and medics.

The episode starts strong with Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor in full-on anxious mode, neurotic at being separated from the TARDIS and surrounded by mystery. The tension builds well, as we sense something stowed away and dangerous is aboard – and then, delightfully, the big reveal: the Pting. It’s small, fast, destructive, and irresistibly cute – a sort of intergalactic Stitch with a taste for metal and an eye for chaos. It even eats the Doctor’s sonic. Monster of the week? Yes. Iconic? Also yes.

A STUFFED ENSEMBLE WITH MIXED RESULTS

As with much of Series 11, the Fam takes a bit of a backseat to the Doctor and guest cast. Astos (Brett Goldstein) is likeable but a bit stiff as the ship’s lead medic, and once he’s unceremoniously killed off, it’s up to his junior colleague Mabli to step up. Lois Chimimba makes Mabli a strong secondary character – unsure at first but growing in confidence through necessity, echoing the Doctor’s own method of coaxing heroism out of the unlikely.

The rest of the supporting cast is hit and miss. David Shields brings a stillness and eerie calm to Ronan, the emotionless android assistant to Eve Cicero, a legendary general suffering from a fatal condition. Sadly, Eve, her brother Durkas, and Ronan only come into their own in the final act, by which time their storyline feels a little undercooked. Jack Shalloo fares better as the pregnant Yoss – his comedic subplot is breezy but also contains real heart. His scenes with Ryan and Graham are warm and funny, and even serve as a means for Ryan to reflect on his own relationship with his absent father.

CHARACTER BEATS AND PACING STUMBLES

Ryan’s recollection of his father’s abandonment is a poignant character beat – but like many emotional moments in Chibnall's era, it lacks the necessary dramatic punch. The dialogue feels earnest but wooden, and the performances (particularly Tosin Cole’s) struggle to bring the scene to life. Meanwhile, Yaz doesn’t get much to do at all – a recurring issue for her during this run.

The story’s energy flags slightly in the middle, as technobabble begins to overwhelm tension. The fast-paced sequences with the Pting tearing through the ship give way to long discussions about containment, shielding, flight decks, and decompression. It’s clever, but rarely exciting. The stakes – a ticking self-destruct mechanism triggered by the Pting’s presence – are strong in concept but occasionally lost in the static.

BACK ON TRACK WITH A STRONG FINISH

Fortunately, the final act pulls it together. The Doctor’s effort to disarm the bomb (ultimately feeding it to the ravenous Pting) is nicely intercut with Yoss’s increasingly frantic labour, complete with Graham and Ryan’s comic attempts at being doulas. It’s these twin threads – one tense, one tender – that bring the emotional and narrative climax into sync.

And the resolution? Just as bonkers as the rest. The Pting, now full and content, is ejected into space, floating happily off like a balloon lost at a party. It’s both hilarious and surprisingly bittersweet – he’s a menace, yes, but also weirdly loveable. The episode wraps with a fun naming gag, as Yoss names his child Avocado, after the “great Earth hero Avocado Pear.” Peak Doctor Who absurdity.

📝VERDICT: 8/10

The Tsuranga Conundrum is far from perfect – its guest characters are uneven, the pacing sags under the weight of exposition, and the Fam are often underused. But what it lacks in cohesion, it makes up for in personality. The Pting is an instant classic, the set design is gorgeous, and there’s enough humour, heart, and chaos to make the episode a fun, memorable romp. Chibnall’s era often struggled with balance, but this one, for all its faults, finds a kind of scrappy charm. It may condescend to silliness, but never to boredom – and sometimes, that’s more than enough.

Tauranga conundrum

An episode I cannot spell

No idea why it's hated it's a good story, the P'ting is so cute, I want one despite the fact it would destroy everything I own. One of my favorite Thirteenth Doctor episodes.

yawn