Beginning his second full season as the Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa is on a new adventure with a new companion. He’s ed in the TARDIS by Varada Sethu’s Belinda Chandra, a reluctant traveler who the Doctor has promised to take back home. That task, along with unraveling mysteries held over from last season (Mrs. Flood, anyone?) and new ones surrounding Belinda, are what’s in store for Doctor Who season 15, and honestly, it looks to be a fun one. I just wish it got off to a better start, as this season’s opener already feels forgettable.

Written by Russell T Davies and directed by Peter Hoar, “The Robot Revolution” finds Belinda taken by alien robots who believe she is their queen and want her to merge with their A.I. The Doctor vows to save her and free the robot-oppressed planet, all the while also trying to figure out why the robots are interested in Belinda in the first place. The answer comes from a timey-wimey twist befitting the series, and once resolved, Doctor Who season 15 feels like it’s actually ready to get started.

Season 15, Episode 1’s Story Is Pretty Average

It's At Least Elevated By Strong Performances & Fun Visuals

“The Robot Revolution” isn’t a bad episode, but it’s a pretty average entry, and that’s disappointing when it’s kicking off the new season. The story is one where almost everything has been done before and done better in previous Doctor Who episodes. There are some cool visuals, from the robot designs to a wildly avant-garde sequence, and along with the action and humor, it makes for an enjoyable hour of television. As does Gatwa delivering another fantastic performance as his effusive Fifteenth Doctor. But I quickly found myself ready to get on with the rest of the season.

Belinda is set up as a companion who will challenge Gatwa’s Doctor more than Ruby ever did, and that’s an interesting dynamic being offered by season 15.

Though it’s a somewhat underwhelming premiere, the real draw of “The Robot Revolution” is establishing the Doctor/companion dynamic between Gatwa’s Doctor and Sethu’s Belinda. From that standpoint, the episode is a great success. We already knew the actors had good chemistry thanks to Sethu’s appearance previously in season 14, but it’s now clear that Belinda will be an interesting companion to see alongside the Fifteenth Doctor. In contrast to Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), Belinda doesn't willingly choose to the Doctor on some adventure, and her attitude towards him is more antagonistic as a result.

She’s brave, fierce, and already willing to stand up to the Doctor. She’s also aware of the risks that come from being near him, and even brings up a recently lost companion when he invites her to travel with him. Belinda is set up as a companion who will challenge Gatwa’s Doctor more than Ruby ever did, and that’s an interesting dynamic being offered by season 15.

The Mystery Teased For Season 15 Will Hopefully Be Compelling

The Success Of The Season Will Likely Hang On Whether This Mystery Satisfies

Along with wanting to see how the Doctor/companion relationship will play out between the Doctor and Belinda, there is also an intriguing mystery teased. It doesn’t have quite the level of setup as the mystery surrounding Ruby’s mother did, but then I’m hopeful it will conclude in a more satisfying manner, too. The success of Doctor Who season 15 could hinge on how well the mystery around Belinda pays off. The teasing final seconds of “The Robot Revolution” promise a reveal up to Davies’ usual standards, and I’m hopeful it’ll be a compelling one.

Coming off a very enjoyable Christmas special and an uneven season 14, Doctor Who is looking to deliver a strong season that will get audiences talking about more than whether Gatwa is leaving at the end of it. This first episode, sadly, isn’t their best foot forward. That said, I’m on board with what Fifteen and Belinda have going on, and look forward to seeing how it pushes Gatwa as the Doctor. And if Davies and his team can deliver an interesting mystery arc with a satisfying reveal, Doctor Who season 15 could be another entertaining chapter in the show’s long history.

Doctor Who season 15 premieres on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer this Saturday, April 12.