In my opinion, this is the best episode of series 1. There's a few things that are good about it, but I think one of the things that this episode does better than the rest of the series is that it gives every member of Torchwood something to do. There have been too many episodes where Tosh & Ianto especially are pretty much just left standing around in the background with nothing to do. But in this episode all of our characters have an active role in the story and are given some nice character moments. It's the most competent and likeable the Torchwood team as a whole has ever seemed to me.

The premise of this episode is that Jack and Tosh are investigating an old, derelict dancehall because people have heard strange noises and old music coming from inside. Whilst inside they get transported back to 1941. Here we meet Captain Jack Harkness, the real Captain Jack Harkness. The American soldier who's name our Cpt. Jack took, and is due to die the next day whilst out in his plane on a routine training exercise.

So the episode revolves around Tosh trying to leave clues in the past for Gwen to discover in the present, that will help them safely open the rift, thereby allowing Jack & Tosh to return to the present. At the hub Owen is desperate to open the rift, willing to do so without all the necessary information to do it safely as he hopes he'll be able to see Diane again if he does. Ianto rejects the idea of opening the rift without the data from Tosh needed to do so safely. This leads to the two of them fighting over whether to open the rift or not. There's also Bilus Manger, the manager/caretaker of the dancehall played wonderfully by Murray Melvin. He's a creepy and sinister figure, who can move from one timezone to the other seemingly at will. His goals and motives are unclear, especially as he appears at times to be helping our team, although he does sabotage one of Tosh's notes, meaning the present day Torchwood don't quite have all of the data needed to safely open the rift.

The present day stuff is good. Gwen demonstrates that she's good at her job, and the conflict between Owen and Ianto is rooted in their  respective characters, making for some very satisfying drama. But the best part of the episode is the stuff in 1941.

Firstly the period setting looks great. The costuming and hairstyles are incredibly well done. This is also probably Tosh's best episode. She's on a mission to leave the clues needed for her teammates to bring her back, and has to do so whilst navigating the racism & sexism of the time. She shows a sense of intellect in her problem solving, as well as a real dignity and mental fortitude that I wish we'd seen more of in the rest of the series.

The episode manages to also have a strong emotional core thanks to the burgeoning romance between both Captain Jack's. What starts quite coyly, with the two Jack's respecting each other whilst talking about leadership develops into more. John Barrowman is very good talking to Tosh about his past, and the real Captain Jack's tragic future. We get good moments exploring identity, legacy, leadership and overcoming fear. It culminates in the real Jack taking our Jack's hand, and leading him onto the dancefloor where they dance together before kissing in front of everyone, just as the rift reopens giving our heroes a way to return. Before leaving 1941 our Jack kisses real Jack again and watches as real Jack salutes him whilst 1941 fades away. It's a really beautifully realised scene, and John Barrowman really sells his pain at knowing the real Jack's fate, but knowing he cannot save him.

So this is not just the best episode of Torchwood the tv show so far, it's also the best episode for Torchwood the team so far. The biggest highlight in an underwhelming first series of the show.