Without revealing spoilers of “The Robot Revolution,” an initially predictable plot has an unexpected and pretty ambitious twist in the third act, which it manages to land. The last few seconds of the first episode are particularly spine-tingling. A question going forward is that, whilst the show always manages to tie up the loose ends in each episode, whether this season will be able to land some of its overarching central plot mysteries.

While the new companion dynamic shows promise, the episode struggles to leave a lasting impression, weighed down by a dull plot and forgettable antagonists.

Sethu is just right for Belinda’s no-nonsense approach to unfamiliar experiences, underscored with an instinctive compassion for strangers. Her chemistry with the ever-engaging Gatwa looks good. So we’re ready to fly again, but there remains the issue of making the comeback work as an episode on its own terms.

Halfway through the episode Davies seems to reverse polarity, changing the theme from technology and AI overreach to toxic masculinity. Neither are really explored in anything close to the depth they should be. .... However, it is a fun, fast-paced hour of TV, laced with trademark Davies wit and the joyous surprises you expect from a man who still clearly longs for that blue box to come and sweep him far, far away.

The real highlight of “The Robot Revolution” is Sethu’s performance. .... “The Robot Revolution” ends up not really saying anything meaningful about either of these real-world antagonists [AI and incels].