In Review: Big Finish: Torchwood: Torchwood One – Latter Days

Synopsis: Torchwood One continue to save the world – and most importantly, the Empire – from alien threats.

This release contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners.

Review: I’m giving Torchwood One – Latter Days a perfect 10. I cried. These three stories weren’t just about the latter days of Torchwood One. They were very affecting explorations of how people face their latter days in general.

Structurally, “Retirement Plan” by Gareth David-Lloyd was the kind of story every science-fiction franchise gets around to eventually. That’s ok. In such cases, it’s the delivery that counts, and what David-Lloyd delivered was an unapologetic love letter to Torchwood, to James Bond, and to Knight Rider. Blair Mowat’s riff on the Knight Rider theme music justified this box set alone. Along the way, Timothy Bentinck’s performance as Tommy really brought home the toll Torchwood takes on those who actually survive to reach old age.

“Locker 15” by Matt Fitton also explored aging in Torchwood but from a significantly different angle. Former janitor Dave, played wonderfully by Derek Griffiths, was truly tragic commentary on corporate culture and dementia. Additionally, Tracy-Ann Oberman and Gareth David-Lloyd put in excellent performances as Yvonne, driven by necessity, and her “conscience.”

“The Rockery” by Tim Foley was a tour-de-force showcase for Tracy-Ann Oberman and Barbara Flynn as Yvonne’s mother, Anne. The alien plant at the center of the Hartmans’ dynamic served as a mirror for Anne’s depression, triggered by widowhood, and the struggle mother and daughter both faced confronting bereavement. Throughout, Michael Maloney gave a   very lovely performance as Anne’s neighbor, who was at a different stage of the grieving process.

Thank you, Big Finish. If listeners get more Torchwood One stories, that’s great. If not, that’s fine, however, because these three tales felt like the perfect lead-ins to “Army of Ghosts” and “Doomsday,”

• You can purchase Torchwood One – Latter Days here. 

Cast

Tracy-Ann Oberman (Yvonne Hartman), Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto Jones), Nathan Amzi (John), Timothy Bentinck (Tommy), Barbara Flynn (Anne), Derek Griffiths (Dave), Michael Maloney (William), Ony Uhiara (Kara)

Production Credits

Sound Design Steve Foxon, Iain Meadows

Additional themes by Ben Foster

Cover Artist Lee Binding

Director Barnaby Edwards

Executive Producer Jason Haigh-Ellery, Nicholas Briggs

Music Blair Mowat

Producer James Goss

Script Editor James Goss

Written by Matt Fitton, Gareth David-Lloyd, Tim Foley

Theme Music by Murray Gold