The Tsuranga Conundrum

The Tsuranga Conundrum is the fifth episode of the eleventh series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 4 November 2018. The episode was written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Jennifer Perrott.

Plot

The episode follows the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and her companions Graham O'Brien (Bradley Walsh), Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole), and Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill) as they find themselves aboard a medical spaceship, the Tsuranga, after being injured by a sonic mine. The ship is en route to a medical facility, but the journey is disrupted by the arrival of a dangerous alien creature known as a Pting.

The Pting is a small, seemingly harmless creature that is capable of consuming any non-organic material, posing a significant threat to the spaceship. The Doctor and her companions must work with the ship's crew, including General Eve Cicero (Suzanne Packer), her brother Durkas Cicero (Ben Bailey-Smith), and android Mabli (Lois Chimimba), to neutralize the Pting and ensure the safety of everyone on board.

Characters

• Thirteenth Doctor - Jodie Whittaker
• Graham O'Brien - Bradley Walsh
• Ryan Sinclair - Tosin Cole
• Yasmin Khan - Mandip Gill
• General Eve Cicero - Suzanne Packer
• Durkas Cicero - Ben Bailey-Smith
• Mabli - Lois Chimimba
• Ronan - David Shields
• Yoss Inkl - Jack Shalloo

Production

"The Tsuranga Conundrum" was written by Chris Chibnall, the showrunner and head writer of the eleventh series. The episode was directed by Jennifer Perrott, who also directed the series 11 episode "The Witchfinders". The episode was filmed as part of the production block that included "Arachnids in the UK".

Reception

The episode received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Some praised the performances of the cast and the introduction of the Pting, while others felt the plot was less engaging compared to other episodes in the series.

Continuity

• The Doctor mentions the TARDIS and its capabilities, although it does not appear in the episode.
• The Pting is a new alien species introduced in this episode, adding to the Doctor Who aliens and monsters lore.

External Links

• List of Doctor Who episodes (2005–present)
• Doctor Who (series 11)

References in Popular Culture

• The Pting has been referenced in various Doctor Who spin-off media, including novels and audio dramas.

See Also

• Doctor Who
• List of Doctor Who episodes (2005–present)
• Doctor Who (series 11)