Episode #182 : Smith and Jones

"I'm talking to an alien? In hospital?! What, has this place got an E.T. department?"

Episode #182:   Smith and Jones.
Companions:     The 10th Doctor and Martha Jones.
Air Date:           31st March 2007.

Just when it seemed it would be yet another chaotic day managing her family's disputes, Martha Jones finds trouble waiting for her at work. Trapped on the Moon with space rhinos looking for a criminal and the air running out, she will have to come to trust a seemingly mad stranger calling himself "the Doctor". But can the Tenth Doctor save the day this time?

The new season of Doctor Who starts with a nice story about an abducted hospital and an alien search for a missing murderer. It sees the introduction of Martha Jones as the new companion, her dysfunctional family and the first appearance of the Judoon.

The episode deals with the translation of a London hospital to the moon where the "police for hire" Judoon can legally search it for a missing plasmavore responsible for the murder of the Child Princess of Padrivole Regency Nine. Because they have no legal right to search on Earth they move the hospital so that it isn't under legal protection. The problem is that both the plasmavore and the Doctor are both aliens in a hospital full of humans.

Smith and Jones is a clever story and despite looking somewhat silly, the Judoon are a nice new addition that wouldn't have been out of place in the classic era of the show. What lets this one down for me is a certain scene where the Doctor hops around whilst somehow transferring radiation into his foot and then his trainer before throwing it in the bin. Whoever though up that scene needs a slap. It's another element of silliness that fails to work and for me spoils the entire episode really.

I like Martha in this one. She is a good strong female role and at least for now isn't in love with the Doctor. She is along for the ride because it is exciting and takes her away from the hassles she has back home with work and family. If only we had more companions like this. Unfortunately over time she does get written with some small infatuation with the Doctor but for now it is a breath of fresh air to just have a self sustained companion.

In the last couple episodes of Torchwood there are signs showing "Vote Saxon" which also appear here. This would be the plot for the season that won't play out until near the end.

SJA #1 : Invasion of the Bane

"I saw amazing things, out there in space--but there is strangeness to be found, wherever you turn. Life on Earth can be an adventure too... you just need to know where to look!"

Episode #1:       Invasion of the Bane.
Companions:     Sarah Jane Smith, K9, Luke Smith, Maria Jackson, and Mr Smith.
Air Date:           1st January 2007

Investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith teams up with her new, thirteen-year-old neighbour, Maria Jackson, to face the scheming Mrs Wormwood, the head of a company producing a popular and addictive soft drink called "Bubble Shock!"

This was the pilot episode for a new spin off series featuring Sarah Jane Smith following from her popular appearance in School Reunion. Where Doctor Who is family viewing and Torchwood was directed for adults, the Sarah Jane Adventures was firmly pointed at children and young teens. You can tell that easily just by the much weaker scripts and cheap special effects. The show starts off weak in my opinion but does build up as it goes along to be quite entertaining.

The concept of the show is simply that Sarah Jane and her teenage neighbours save the world or investigate mysterious happenings around London. As the show goes along we see many new monsters and a few old favourites from Doctor Who. There are also many references throughout to the Doctor and the shows history. Something that Torchwood could have done more with.

In this story the world is being slowly invaded by a race of tentacled monsters called the Bane who try to transform everyone by selling them a new fizzy drink containing their own juices. Once again you can tell this is a children's program. Sarah Janes' new neighbour becomes involved and together they rescue the "archetype" (later to be Sarah's adopted son Luke), find a means to stop the bane and save the world.

The Bane might have been more of a threat had some thought gone into the CGI for them which just has them looking like animated 80's plastic toys. Maybe it's the idea of them taking over the world via fizzy drinks that I find most awkward to deal with. You have to keep reminding yourself that it is a children's show and try not to worry. Don't get me started on sonic lipstick!

Nearly all TV pilots are weak compared to their actual show so I can understand why this doesn't grab me as well as the later episodes. However, I find it a poorly written story and it feels cheap. Having Sarah Jane back is great though. Shame that K9 and the new alien computer Mr Smith don't get enough screen time at this stage.

TW #13 : End of Days

"And I heard but did not understand and I said, 'Master, what is the end of all things?' And he said, 'Go, Daniel, for the things are closed up and sealed until the end of time.'" Daniel 12, verse 10.

Episode 13:   End of Days.
Companions: Jack Harkness, Gwen Cooper, Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper and Ianto Jones.
Air Date:       1st January 2007.

The Rift is open and beings from all the periods of time are seeping through. What exactly does Bilis Manger know and what lurks in the rift? Can Jack save the world?

Season one of Torchwood comes to a mighty climax with an excellent ending. Bilis Manger has manipulated the team and following the events of the previous episode manages to use the Cardiff rift to orchestrate the return of Abaddon, the son of the Great Beast (see The Satan Pit) who appears to have been sealed away somewhere. Freed the monster strides across Cardiff and wherever his shadow falls people die.

First off I am going to point out something that does grate on my nerves with the current Whoniverse. In recent years there have been too many major events where there is no chance for anyone (other than Donna Noble it seems) to have missed it. Classic Who never did this. Lots of little things and events that could be covered up. The 21st century may be when everything changes but personally I find it a bit much. Especially as these events rarely get mentioned again despite being huge occurrences for the world.

Despite that we have here a really good episode and some excellent closure for events that have taken place this season. Jack's immortality is revealed to the rest of the team, the team themselves seem to have a moment where their past transgressions are forgiven and you get a sense that maybe, just maybe everything will be ok now even though we know it won't be.

Using Abaddon is a nice tie in to Doctor Who and we have had such few connections really considering this is a spin off set in the same universe. I just wish he had received more and useful screen time. 

At the end of the episode we hear a familiar whirring groaning noise and Jack takes off in a rush before anyone realizes where he has gone. It ties in to the end of the next Doctor Who series but with a small and probably forgotten at the time continuity issue.

Sadly the following seasons of Torchwood never live up this first season which I think is a real shame as it had potential to be a good adult version of Doctor Who. 

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.