I think this is fun.

Yes the alien sex gas is incredibly silly. But we're all Doctor Who fans here, silly is nothing to be ashamed of. As long as it's fun, I've no issue with silly. This is fun.

I think it's valid for people to dislike the horniness of this episode. At points it goes (maybe too) hard on the horniness (teehee I wrote hard on). But in the beginning at least, that was arguably the entire raison d'être for the show. It's Doctor Who, but edgy and cool and bloody and sweary and horny as hell. This episode leans on the horniness more than most episodes, so I get why people who aren't a fan of the horniness dislike this episode. But I'm fine with it, so it rarely becomes any sort of an issue to me.

I actually think if you ignore all the Alien Sex Gas nonsense, this does a better job of establishing Torchwood than the first episode. The Gwen having a bad first day, but perservering and showing she's a worthy addition to the team is good stuff here. This episode actually shows the workings of Torchwood a lot better than in the first episode. It definitely shows the Torchwood team and their dynamic much, much better than in the first episode.

I also buy why Gwen would want to join, as well as why Jack would want to recruit her here. A big complaint of mine regarding the first episode is that I don't think it justifies Gwen's recruitment. It doesn't really make sense for either Gwen or Jack for her to join the team at the end of that episode.

Gwen in this episode wants to do good and recognises the growing need for a team like Torchwood. But she also recognises that Torchwood can be a little detached from humanity. Too focussed on the alien goings on and not focussed enough on the humans that are impacted by it. She not only recognises this, but seeks to rectify it.

This human touch, as well as the fact that Gwen grows into the team throughout the episode, coming up with a plan to stop the alien all by herself, clearly demonstrates why she is a valuable addition to Torchwood. Jack sees this, and says this. So I fully accept why he'd recruit her now as well.

For me this is both more fun than episode 1, and does a better job of establishing the show. It's far from great television. But I think it's a step up from 'Everything Changes'.