"the chase" has received some positive reviews. dvd talk's john sinnott praised the serial, writing that the story's unusual structure was to its benefit. jonathan wilkins of "dreamwatch" likened the serial to pop art and felt that "only an utter grouch could dislike a "doctor who" story as zany and iconic as "the chase"". he highlighted the character work concerning ian and barbara and the "sense of epic science fiction that is only slightly betrayed by the ever-present problems of budget". in 2012, "sfx" will salmon listed the departure of ian and barbara as the eighth best companion departure.