Total Pageviews

Wednesday 2 July 2014

TW #12 : Captain Jack Harkness


"He would have been so proud that you took his name. 'Cause here you are, saving the world. To Captain Jack."

Episode 12:   Captain Jack Harkness.
Companions: Jack Harkness, Gwen Cooper, Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper and Ianto Jones.
Air Date:       1st January 2007.

Investigating reports of ghostly music, Jack and Toshiko find themselves stranded in a packed dance hall — in 1941. As Gwen, Owen and Ianto work to rescue their colleagues, Jack and Toshiko meet a handsome young American squadron leader by the name of Captain Jack Harkness.

In this episode we learn something of the back story behind our captain Jack. Drawn to strange reports in an abandoned dance hall Jack and Tosh find themselves back in the 1940's at the height of the second world war. There they encounter the real Jack Harkness whose identity was taken by our protagonist as well as a strange man named Bilis who seems able to time travel at will between the 1940's and modern day.

For an episode where nothing really happens this is an excellent and entertaining story. The two sides of Torchwood in different years trying to contact each other so theat Jack and Tosh can get home is well written and again it leads to dissension in the ranks as to how to get them home which comes to blows between Ianto and Owen. The brief romance between the two Jack's is also a nice touch. I know a few people who complained that it was Russell T Davis pushing the gay agenda once more but really I don't understand that attitude.

The character of Bilis Manger is introduced here in preparation for the following story. The actor portraying him does a wonderful job of showcasing a strange and disturbing figure with unexplained powers.

Ultimately as good an episode as this is it is purely a set up for the final episode of Torchwood's first season.

No comments:

Post a Comment