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Disc One
10/10 Day One – On her first day as a Torchwood agent Gwen accidentally releases an alien gas. It is a creature that feeds of orgasmic energy and it has taken over an innocent woman, Carys, who proceeds to kill her ex boyfriend and any other man who stands in her way by bringing them literally to an explosive climax. 10/10 Commentaries Russell T. Davies, Julie Gardner and director, Brian Kelly chat 10/10 Richard Stokes, producer, Chris Chibnall, writer and Eve Myles, commentate on the second episode. Eve seems a little shy and hesitant at first but soon gets into her stride. Richard and Chris talk technical, she regales us with anecdotes. If for nothing else, listen to the commentary for her anecdote about John Barrowman in his freshly ironed transformers pyjamas. 9/10 Extras Welcome to Torchwood is the introductory documentary which we saw before the series began. It is full of fast soundbites and clips as well as interviews with cast and crew, glimpses of the set and episode teasers. It was interesting to see it in retrospect now we’ve seen every episode a dozen times or more. 10/10 Torchwood on the Scene – follows the script reading, rehearsal and filming of episode one. 10/10 Torchwood Out of This World – Short features on the alien elements. Weevil – features the prosthetics and animatronics involved in creating the Weevil, discussion of what a Weevil might be. Sound bites from designers and make up artists. Sex Gas – partly about the design of the gas creature in CGI, but also about how 9/10 Deleted Scenes: Scene on top of the Millennium Centre that was going to go at the front of Episode One, some running scenes, an alternative doctor treating Gwen for her bang on the head, a longer scene in the hub, alternative pub scene with rehydrating comment, a scene where Gwen arrives at the office for work on her first day, Carys tracking a boy who snogged her at school and killing him, longer chase scene at the start of episode three, boardroom scene with the ghost machine that would have slowed the story, and which explains the purpose of the machine, Owen disliking cricket, Toshiko getting Ianto coffee and trying to be nice to him post-cyberwoman. 10/10 Disc Two Ghost Machine takes first Gwen, then Owen back in time. Owen witnesses a murder and goes after the killer in present day Cardiff. He runs into Bernie Harris, a would be street hood whose own mother wants nothing to do with him. Bernie found the alien artifact and saw the past and the future – his own death by the 1950s murderer who he has been blackmailing. 10/10 In Cyberwoman we find out that Ianto has a secret. He is hiding his girlfriend in the Torchwood basement. The trouble is, she is a half-converted cyberwoman. And more of her is converted than he realizes. A murder and a lockdown and Ianto turning on his colleagues in defence of Lisa, and a bloody conclusion to a terrifying and dark episode. 10/10 Small Worlds is strangely beautiful. It features Estelle, an elderly woman who was Jack’s wartime sweetheart, believes in fairies. Jack doesn’t. He knows the truth about them. He knows that they are cruel creatures who care only about their chosen ones. The chosen one of Cardiff is a solitary girl, Jasmine, whose mother’s boyfriend is a bully and who has few friends at school. Eventually, Jack has to decide whether to save the girl, or let the fairies take her as one of them and protect the planet from their vengeance. 10+/10
Director, Colin Teague, Burn Gorman and writer Helen Raynor commentate,
with coffee, tea, and very excellent chocolates, apparently. Food
dominates the discussion at times. On screen there are doughnuts,
pasties and lollipops. They discuss the importance of a strong opening
chase scene despite the story not being an ‘action’ one
of the traditional sort. We see Owen’s flat – aka the
St. David’s Hotel and Burn Gorman’s feelings about how
he portrays Owen, especially in this very emotionally charged episode
where we see Owen for the first time as more than just a hard nosed
misogynist. 10/10 James Strong, director, Chris Chibnall, writer, Gareth David Lloyd, commentate. Gareth speaks well about his role as Ianto, especially in this highly emotional episode. The positioning of the episode is discussed. The director and writer both think it ought to have come later in the series. Gareth discussed the problems of lying in pools of water for a lot of the shoot, location filming and the destruction of a door in Jack and Ianto’s fight scene. James strong waxes lyrical about the beautiful filming of the half dark Hub in lockdown. 10/10 Alice Troughton, director, Ben Foster, musical director, and Eve Myles commentate. Ben manages to talk about his opening music for a while, but then the ladies take over with a thoroughly ‘girly’ reaction to Captain Jack sleeping with his shirt off that PROBABLY most of the female and some of the male viewers share. After that Ben actually has trouble getting a word in, and there is a lot of female empathy with Jack’s emotional side in this episode. And here’s something nobody knew – the first cat to play Moses was sacked for being too thin. A first for Alice Troughton as a director, sacking a CAT, and a first for the film and TV industry, sacking a cast member for being too THIN. 9/10 Extras Torchwood Out of This World Ghost Machine – All about the alien machine that is NOT a weapon, not dangerous in itself, but can put dangerous ideas in Human minds, the design of the prop that is the ghost machine and how much fun the cast had, playing with it. Cyberwoman – A lot about the costume, made of rubber and plastic, made to look metallic quite convincingly. A lot of fast soundbites from the actors and designer and the intriguing prospect of cyberbabe posters on fanboy walls. Fairies – a little philosophy about evil and innocence, good fairies and bad fairies, bad men and innocent children. Alice Troughton has a lot of sound bites about how she approached this theme, and especially how they filmed an essentially invisible creature wreaking havoc. 9/10 Disc Three
10/10 Greeks Bearing Gifts sees Toshiko having a love affair with a woman called Mary who gives he a pendant – that lets her read other people’s thoughts. When it transpires that Mary is an alien marooned on Earth as punishment for her crimes Jack takes drastic action and Toshiko comes to terms with what she knows about her friends. 10/10 Commentaries Chris Chibnal, writer, Andy Goddard, director, Gareth David Lloyd,
commentate. Chris admits that his first idea for this episode stemmed
from the song that plays on the car radio in the first scene. Andy
Goddard sounds very young and it begs the question whether some of
the directors are experienced enough. What target audience are they
aiming the programme at? One of the more interesting technical notes
is about location shooting with HD cameras which are described as
the size and weight of a sack of potatoes. Another learning curve
for the makers of this flagship HD show. 9/10 Colin Teague, Richard Stokes, Toby Whithouse commentate. Richard begins by telling us how they did the scene that opens each show, with the five cast members walking in a line. Toby then goes on to reveal that his original script had a male alien seducing Toshiko. The change to the lesbian romance came at a much later stage and may have been Russell’s idea. The difficulties of filming in crowded streets and late nights on Roald Dahl Plas also come into the discussion. 9/10 Extras Sex, Violence, blood and gore This mini documentary opens with soundbites from cast and crew before going on to discuss the personal relationships in the series and the level of violence, particularly just how free they are to show violence after the watershed, while still being aware of responsibilities not to show gratuitous violence for the sake of it. 10/10 Torchwood Team and their Troubles Ianto and Evan – focusing on Ianto’s first field trip and how his character has developed in the first half of the series, and on cannibal Evan and his motives. Toshiko and Mary – Toshiko’s expanding character profile, especially in Greeks Bearing Gifts with her first lesbian romance. And Mary, the alien, especially the problems of designing and actualizing her alien form. 9/10 Disc Four
10/10 Random Shoes is the story of Eugene, who died in a hit and run accident, but whose ghost followed Gwen as she tried to find out why he was on the dual carriageway to be killed. An alien eye on Ebay leads to the sad truth about Eugene’s life. 9/10 Commentaries James strong, director, Chris Chibnal, co-producer, Brian Minchin,
script editor, who was doing his first commentary and actually WASN’T
naked, despite what the other two said. Interesting points to note
include the fact that the murder scene was both on location and a
set in the Upper Boat studio. There is a lot of director talk about
camera angles and technical detail which is interesting in one way.
But I think that sort of thing is a bit of an acquired taste. I’m
not sure it was necessary to tell us that the knife in Suzie’s
chest was rubber and a prosthetic. I think we’re all grown up
enough to realize that. Actors prepared to be stabbed in the name
of art are in quite short supply. They NEVER explain the stopwatch joke. 10/10 Commentary – Richard Stokes, producer, James Erskine, director, Paul Chequer, who plays Eugene take up the reins. There is a fair amount of technical detail about locations and sets and cameras. But for the most part Paul talks about how he played the role of a dead, invisible character. It’s quite an interesting commentary but not being as familiar with Paul as the main characters it felt less important than ones with the main stars. 9/10
Torchwood on the road – all about the SUV. The creation of an iconic vehicle. There is no mention, ever, of the brand name, though most people reckon it is either a land rover or range rover. But it clearly is one. The fact that they chose an iconic BRITISH car gives that away. But it is a complete custom rebuild. And it looks fantastic on the streets of Cardiff. Everyone loves it. 10/10 Torchwood Team and their troubles Owen and Suzie – about Suzie, and her relationship with the rest of the Torchwood team, especially Owen, who once had an affair with her but now hates her. Gwen and Suzie examines the almost loving relationship of Gwen and the dead Eugene, who obviously carried a torch for her in life. 9/10 Deleted Scenes – longer scene with Jack shooting the cannibals, and a longer one with the cannibals being arrested. A scene with Gwen making excuses to go out of the flat, away from Rhys, and into Owen’s arms. A sad scene about a female weevil and its dead baby; a longer version of the stopwatch scene between Ianto and Jack; a longer Emily Dickinson scene with DCI Swanson; deleted scene of Max going mental in the cells; scene with Craig, the pervy boss of Eugene’s office; Eugene talking about milk shake. 10/10 Disc Five
10/10 Combat - Owen is emotionally scarred by losing Diane. Meanwhile, somebody is kidnapping weevils. Owen goes undercover and finds a Cardiff ‘Fight Club’ where people pay to fight a weevil. Owen goes into the cage and gets mauled. Jack visits him in hospital and tells him to pull himself together. 8/10 Commentaries Out of Time - Eve Myles, Ben Foster and Alice Troughton again. Ben
has little chance of getting a word in edgeways again! Ben at least
manages to talk about his music NOT being used in the first seconds
of the episode! There is a bit too much of them describing what is
happening on screen as if the audience isn’t looking at it,
which can be annoying. What comes across well from the two females
is their empathy with Jack’s character as he goes through a
particularly harrowing time in his relationship with John. They go
into a very strange diversion about Jack as a Christlike figure, 8/10 Noel Clarke, Chris Chibnall, Burn Gorman and Andy Goddard commentate here. Too many cooks, in my opinion. Noel Clarke talks a lot initially, but then drifts off. Chris Chibnall and Burn Gorman dominate. Chris guides the discussion. Burn talks mostly about his role and the emotional hang ups that Owen has. An interesting point is made by Chris about the fact that the ‘monster’ of the episode is the human, Mark, and the Weevils are the victims, sympathetic characters much of the time. 8/10 Extras Torchwood: Moments in the Making – A Wing and a Prayer, 10/10 Fight Night goes into the emotional issues of Combat, though the item is so short it really doesn’t scratch the surface. There is a discussion, also, about the location in the old Corn Exchange and the role of second and third directors. 9/10 Disc Six
10+/10 End of Days is the consequence of opening the rift. People are falling through it into the present day, including a very angry Roman soldier and a woman with the black death. Meanwhile the Torchwood team see visions of people they love telling them to open the rift and Billis Manger is up to mischief. They open the rift and unleash Abaddon, the great destroyer. Jack sacrifices himself to save the world and is resurrected three days later. Then the TARDIS turns up…. 10+/10 Commentaries Richard Stokes, Producer, Ashley Way, Director, and John Barrowman commentate on Captain Jack Harkness. John waxes lyrical about the chips and gravy in Merthyr Tidvyl and then shows his ignorance of the Chartists, which is probably accounted for by the fact that he was educated in America. Then they get into proper detail about the locations, the sets, training the dancers, double banking and lots of wonderful technical detail. There is a lot about the emotional issues for Jack and for Ianto and Owen, too. John makes a fascinating point about the US flag on the wall of the 1941 dance hall which he insisted on being removed as it was a modern one with 50 stars and in 1941 there should only have been 48. 10/10 The same three commentate on the last episode. Richard Stokes talks about how thrilled they were that News 24 agreed to allow them to record a scene with their journalist in their studio. John talks about how ‘hot’ she thinks Toshiko is in her hazmat suit. They talk about Burn Gorman’s dental problems holding up the production and the emotional turmoil of this episode we are treated to John Barrowman’s Scottish accent as they discuss the work Brian Kelly did as 2nd unit director in the hectic last days of shooting. And we have to know that the Mill christened Abaddon as Bob while they created him, and that the morgue is two third CGI. Nor can we do without knowing that John Barrowman absolutely thinks that the TARDIS engine is the most glorious sound in the world. 10/10 Extras Torchwood Moments in the making – Officer and a Gentleman – Jack and Jack falling in love, THAT KISS – and a nightingale sang in Berkley Square…. Bombing the Base – about the destruction of the Hub in the final days of filming – a once only take that they had to get right first time. Witnessed by the whole cast and crew before the wrap party got underway. 10/10 Torchwood on Time – About the Dance Hall set, making it look right, costumes, hair. And a wonderful treat – John Barrowman, in character, singing Anything Goes in front of a 1941 microphone and everyone dancing. VERY sexy. 10+/10 Deleted Scenes Out of Time - Toshiko explaining what happened to the plane in 1953; Own giving medical examination to Diane; team discussing what to do with the time travelers; longer scene of everyone unpacking at their boarding house; Diane working out how to use a lo-flush loo; teaching them to use mobile phones; Jack developing John’s pictures; Emma learning to use an electric sewing machine and a Dyson and talking about modern wasteful living; Jack talking to John after seeing his son; a painful scene at a bus stop; Owen and Diane having sex in the plane; Emma and Gwen exchanging presents. Captain Jack Harkness – longer scene in 1941 with Jack talking about how people live for the moment not knowing what their future holds; Jack talking to one of the airmen; Jack and Jack toasting victory, death and heroism; Toshiko talking to a young soldier; Toshiko discovering that Jack is immortal. End of Days – Toshiko and Owen at the hospital before hasmats; Protocol One scene; bigger scene with Gwen when Jack talks about sacrifice. 10/10 Outtakes – falling over, forgetting lines, laughing or swearing at the wrong time; taking the piss out of the scenes; Jack choking on a doughnut; John and Brian Kelly cracking up over a line; Naoki Mori nearly knocking an actor senseless with a gold club. 10/10
Disc Seven – The De-Classifieds. We’ve seen a lot of it already in the main disc extras, but these are how they were originally broadcast. 9/10 Overall it is a good presentation, although the extras seem a bit repetitive and some of the crew don’t quite get how to do a commentary. One annoying thing. EVERY section of the special features has the Torchwood theme blasting out. After a few times it REALLY gets on your nerves. 9 out of 10.
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Everything
Changes – beat copper Gwen Cooper discovers the secret of Torchwood.
Her world turns upside down. She gets Retconned and forgets, but then
she makes herself remember and finds a homicidal Torchwood employee,
Suzie, trying to shoot her, Captain Jack who can’t die, and
a new job as one of the Torchwood team.
about the first episode. Russell and Julie wax lyrical about Torchwood’s
genesis long before the return of Doctor Who as an idea for a British
X-Files/Buffy style series. Brian Kelly talks about the pitfalls of
bringing a new series to the screen, and especially the problems of
filming in the brand new High Definition format which opens up a whole
set of new problems for filming, but also makes the final result fantastic.
Countrycide
is Torchwood meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The team are on a field
trip to the Brecons looking for missing people and become missing
people themselves for a while as they wind up prisoners of a cannibal
village that has a feast of human flesh once every decade. Creepy
and dark – this time the monsters are Human. 
They
Keep Killing Suzie starts with a bloodbath and sees the Torchwood
team bringing Suzie back to life to find out why a serial killer is
murdering people. Unfortunately, as Suzie comes back to life, Gwen
is slowly dying, and it transpires that Suzie made the killer psychotic
so that they would revive her and she could murder her own father.
Out
of Time brings the Torchwood team into the personal lives of three
people who flew through the rift in 1953 and ended up in 2007. Jack
becomes close to John, a man who discovers his son is now old and
senile, Owen falls for Diane, a beautiful lady pilot who only wants
to get back in the air, and Gwen has to take care of Emma, an innocent
18 year old who has to come to terms with a more knowing era. 
dying for the people and then rising again after three days. While
this is possibly worth exploring, it’s not the right episode.
It’s a symptom of the all over the place nature of this commentary.
goes
into the development of the Out of Time story from a basic idea of
the plane landing out of its time. As usual there are lots of sound
bites before getting into the detail of the plane scenes, including
a short interview with the REAL pilot. And we get the rather nice
titbit of information that the owners of the plane kept the Sky Gypsy
name on it afterwards.
Captain
Jack Harkness takes Jack and Toshiko through the rift to 1941, where
Jack meets the REAL Captain Jack Harkness and the two fall in love
while Toshiko tries to hide the formula where it will be found in
2007 and they can get back. Meanwhile, Owen and Ianto fight over whether
to open the rift. Jack and Jack kiss as the rift is opened. 
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