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“GREEKS BEARING GIFTS: A GREEK TRAGEDY FOR TOSHIKO”

Greeks Bearing Gifts finally places Toshiko at the centre of the action, giving her a much-needed focus episode after spending much of the series so far in the background. Torchwood often explores the personal lives of its team members, and here, we get an intimate look at how Toshiko perceives herself and, more painfully, how her colleagues truly see her. The episode revolves around an alien artefact—specifically, a pendant that grants its wearer the ability to read minds. Given to her by a mysterious woman named Mary, this device initially seems like a gift but quickly becomes a curse as it forces Toshiko to confront the ugly truths lurking beneath the surface.

While this premise has been explored in countless sci-fi and fantasy stories before, the episode does a good job of depicting the sheer weight of such an ability. Rather than being a superpower to be envied, the ability to hear every stray thought is shown as overwhelming and invasive. The moment when Tosh is bombarded with the cacophony of people’s unfiltered minds is well-executed, making it clear just how impossible it would be to function with such an ability long-term.

This also allows us to see a different side of Torchwood’s team dynamics. Tosh, always the quiet and competent one, is forced to hear what her teammates truly think of her. She learns that Owen, whom she has quietly admired, doesn’t respect her at all. Gwen, who has always been friendly on the surface, harbours feelings for Owen and thinks of Tosh as more of a distant acquaintance than a close friend. Jack, ever the enigma, is the only one whose thoughts she can’t access—reinforcing his alien, unknowable nature. It’s a cruel revelation for Tosh, whose self-worth has already been shaky, and watching her internalise these discoveries is one of the episode’s stronger emotional beats.

MIND-READING VIGILANTE

Once she gets past the initial shock, Tosh begins using her new ability in a more proactive way. She picks up on the thoughts of potential wrongdoers—murderers and predators planning their next move—and takes action to stop them before they can do harm. This briefly turns her into something of a vigilante, a rare moment where she has agency outside of Torchwood’s usual group dynamic.

However, while these scenes are engaging, the concept itself doesn’t feel particularly fresh. The "mind-reading morality crisis" has been covered in numerous sci-fi stories before, and Greeks Bearing Gifts doesn’t offer a particularly unique spin on it. Yes, the episode acknowledges the heavy responsibility that comes with such power, but it doesn’t take it anywhere particularly surprising.

The writing also doesn’t dig deep into the ethical implications of Tosh’s actions. The show touches on the potential for abuse—what if she were to start preemptively punishing people for thoughts they haven’t acted on?—but never fully explores the ramifications of having this much insight into the human mind. Instead, the plot steers back towards Mary, her mysterious benefactor, and the inevitable betrayal waiting in the wings.

THE ALIEN SEDUCTRESS AND A PREDICTABLE TWIST

Mary is introduced as a seductive and mysterious stranger who quickly takes an interest in Toshiko, feeding her compliments and showering her with attention. It’s a refreshing change to see Tosh in a romantic subplot, given how often she’s overlooked in favour of Gwen and Owen’s ongoing drama. However, from the moment Mary appears, it’s clear that she’s not what she seems.

The episode doesn’t attempt to disguise the fact that Mary is more than just a flirtatious scavenger of alien technology. From the moment she gifts Tosh the pendant, it’s obvious she has ulterior motives, and the way she pushes Toshiko to use it only reinforces the suspicion that she’s manipulating her. When the inevitable reveal comes—that Mary is actually an alien criminal in disguise—it lacks impact because the audience has been expecting it from the start.

That said, the design of Mary’s true alien form is one of the episode’s more striking elements. The Arcateenians are visually impressive, and the effects work well in making her transformation memorable. It’s also a nice touch that she’s not simply a generic villain but a political exile, adding a bit of depth to an otherwise predictable character.

Unfortunately, her relationship with Tosh never feels particularly genuine. It serves more as a plot device than an organic connection, and by the time Tosh realises she’s been used, the emotional weight of the betrayal doesn’t quite land as strongly as it could have.

THE B-PLOT THAT GOES NOWHERE

Meanwhile, Gwen and Owen spend the episode investigating the mysterious remains of a body. While this subplot eventually ties into the main storyline, it doesn’t feel particularly engaging on its own. Much of the early investigation feels like filler, and since the audience is already clued into Mary’s true nature, there’s no real mystery to unravel.

It seems as though the subplot exists primarily to give the rest of the Torchwood team something to do while Toshiko is off having her adventure. While Gwen and Owen’s dynamic is usually interesting, their interactions here don’t add much to the episode overall.

STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE

From a production standpoint, Greeks Bearing Gifts leans heavily into stylised editing choices, which don’t always work in its favour. The episode occasionally overuses effects to create tension, but instead of adding to the atmosphere, they can feel a bit clumsy and forced. The pacing also feels uneven, with some moments dragging while others rush through key developments too quickly.

Ultimately, the episode struggles with its execution. It has a solid premise and great potential—Toshiko finally taking the spotlight, a powerful alien artefact, a mind-reading crisis—but the story doesn’t quite pull these elements together in a way that feels fresh or exciting. By the time the climax arrives, with all the characters gathered back at Torchwood HQ for a final confrontation, it feels oddly small-scale and unsatisfying.

📝VERDICT: 5.5/10

Greeks Bearing Gifts is an episode filled with good ideas that don’t quite come together as well as they should. It gives Toshiko much-needed character focus, and the exploration of her insecurities and frustrations is one of the episode’s strongest aspects. However, the story relies on predictable twists, underdeveloped subplots, and a romance that never feels entirely genuine.

Despite some solid performances—Naoko Mori does a fantastic job portraying Toshiko’s growing confidence and subsequent heartbreak—the episode lacks the depth and tension needed to make it a standout. While it’s always nice to see an underused character get their time in the spotlight, Greeks Bearing Gifts ultimately feels like a missed opportunity to do something truly special with Toshiko’s character.