As promised, we continue our retrospective of TORCHWOOD - Series One…
1x04 - CYBERWOMAN
Written by Chris Chibnall
Directed by James Strong
An indirect sequel to the Doctor Who series two finale, Army of Ghosts & Doomsday…and it manages to top Day One as the queen bee of outrageous episodes. Ianto hides his half-converted Cyber-girlfriend in the basement…girlfriend escapes and runs amok throughout the Torchwood Hub…end result, one of the most ridiculously (and unintentionally) hilarious episodes of the season. It doesn’t have a single clue about what it wants to be, and what it wants to say…which results in the entire Torchwood cast hurling themselves so far over the top that they break all high jump records in the process. Hell, even the pet pterodactyl gets its finest hour…and why not! If nothing else, it’s worth it for the Cyber-booty duct-tape-and-metal costume…complete with a pointy bra that Madonna would kill to own!
4
1x05 - SMALL WORLDS
Written by Peter J. Hammond
Directed by Alice Troughton
A disturbing, challenging episode that leaves the bitter taste of defeat in the mouth of viewers. It’s the first time that Torchwood is utterly defeated…and it’s the first time the opponent is a terrifying, invincible force of nature. From the creator of the creepy, early 80s sci-fi hit Sapphire and Steel, comes an episode of terrifying beauty, unrequited love, and the fear of a truly unearthly child – where the safety of a suburban backyard is violated, and precious innocence is ripped away from the unluckiest of parents. Throw in some fascinating-yet-disturbing revelations about Jack’s past for good measure, and the end result is a fine example of how Torchwood can shake up its audience. After Small Worlds, you’ll never again think of fairies as quaint, sparkly, happy things…and it’s probably best not to watch this episode alone…or in the dark.
9
1x06 - COUNTRYCIDE
Written by Chris Chibnall
Directed by Andy Goddard
Torchwood has a lock on all things disturbing: emotional, physical, spiritual…but no other episode does the out and out horror that humanity can breed showcase itself so evidently. Countrycide’s tale of cannibalism, overly-close family, and brutality makes The Texas Chainsaw Massacre look like a tea-party…quite an achievement, considering it’s half as explicit, yet far more terrifying. The wet and cold Welsh countryside becomes a crucible for everything that is ugly, misbegotten, and disgusting in the human psyche…and the final scene, with Gwen demanding an explanation for the vile and sickening events of the episode, will knock you flat on your back! This is astonishing, visceral, powerful stuff…but it’s not for the weak of heart or mind. Stunning on every level…and DEFINITELY don’t watch this alone.
10
1x07 - GREEKS BEARING GIFTS
Written by Toby Whitehouse
Directed by Colin Teague
An interesting episode, that somehow doesn’t quite live up to the rest of the season. It’s an excellent – and long overdue – insight into the character of Tosh, and it’s full of the usual sexual tension that permeates the average episode of Torchwood. But all feels very lacklustre and same old, same old…as if the series had run out of steam half-way through the season, and this was the episode where they took a breather. There’s nothing inherently wrong here, but it’s easily the most forgettable episode of the season (at least Cyberwoman was funny). It simply doesn’t have the ambition shared by all the other episodes this season…which is a shame. Even this week’s alien creature (which featured in a cameo in the pilot episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures) isn’t anything write home about. It’s definitely inferior to Toby Whitehouse’s superb Doctor Who script for School Reunion.
3
1x08 - THEY KEEP KILLING SUZIE
Written by Paul Tomalin & Dan McCulloch
Directed by James Strong
A story with a life lesson that would make Thomas Hobbes proud. The episode that ties up a number of loose ends from the first episode, this is an exceptionally morbid outing. The resurrection of the treacherous Suzie Costello brings into sharp relief the changes that have taken place in Torchwood since the arrival of Gwen, and the end result is a dark and twisted piece that explores the similarities and differences between the two women. They episode is full of building tension and shocking moments, and has much to say about the nature of existence. But much of what it says is cynical, brutal, and hopeless…wondering, as it does, about the futility of human life…and whether there is anything waiting for us when life is finished. It’s full of difficult questions that aren’t easily answered, and it’s very hard to watch…but it’s also VERY compelling. Then again, so is watching a car accident…
8
1x09 - RANDOM SHOES
Written by Jacquetta May
Directed by James Erskine
An oasis of pure delight in a sea of mounting despair, Random Shoes is Torchwood’s answer to the Doctor Who episode Love & Monsters: observing and commenting on the Torchwood team from the point of view of a groupie/outsider. In this case, a young man named Eugene, who owns an alien eye that has led him to try and contact the Torchwood team, and investigate extra-terrestrials on his own. At times absolutely hilarious, it’s also poignant, melancholy, incredibly sad, and completely surprising. It exists as a single light that shines against Torchwood’s usual darkness, and is both life-affirming and uplifting, in a series usually concerned with exploring the darker corners of the human psyche. It’s a quirky, shining gem that should be cherished.
9
Coming Soon: Episodes 10 to 13…
