THE COMMITTEE STORY ARC #1 - The Conspiracy (MR #1)

What makes Torchwood, Torchwood? Some might mention its gallery of villains, Captain Jack Harkness, character relationships, or even the sex. Yet, when we go back to the very roots of Torchwood, it’s essentially an adult science fiction series. That was the challenge Big Finish faced when they acquired the rights to the series in 2015: delivering adult-oriented science fiction.

Unlike the TV show—which, though aimed at adults, had a somewhat immature side—this first Torchwood audio drama from Big Finish feels decidedly different. Here, "adult" doesn’t mean excessive sex but rather deeply dark themes aimed at a mature audience. The conspiracies that surround our world—and especially the people who create and follow them—are, in my opinion, a theme that aligns perfectly with Torchwood while being, unfortunately, firmly rooted in our reality. Yes, seeing people engage in revisionism driven by paranoia to the point of marginalizing themselves, loudly proclaiming that they know "the truth," and disregarding past events they deem "fake" are heavy and mature topics that Torchwood can tackle.

Among the weighty events in the audio, there are a few striking deaths. None of them will ever leave my mind. It’s always been part of Torchwood’s essence to kill off its characters, but here, it’s done magnificently. We grow attached because we think, “This could be us.” Anyone can become broken, have a fragile mind, and spiral into paranoia. This audio explores what could happen, and it’s terrifying.

The story instills not just fear but also paranoia. The enemies of the episode, the Committee—an invisible foe controlling Earth’s history through institutions and high-ranking positions—could truly be anyone, if they exist. Who do we believe? Who can we trust? We’re left waiting for the episode to confirm or deny our suspicions. This single emotion pulls us deeply into the story, which is its greatest strength. We feel like we’re part of it.

The episode ends with promises. The promise of a much more mature Torchwood unafraid to delve into dark themes, the promise of a long battle between the Committee and Torchwood, and the promise to avenge the dead and bring it all to an end.

That’s all I’ll say about the episode. It’s for the emotions it evoked in me and its adult themes that I love this episode and believe Big Finish succeeded brilliantly in redefining the series with this first release.

NEXT: THE COMMITTEE STORY ARC #2 - Fall to Earth (MR #2)