Torchwood: Aliens Among Us #1.1 - "Changes Everything" by James Goss

Torchwood has always been a series I've had a soft spot for, even through its rocky spells, I've always felt it was bursting with potential. Thankfully, even past its end, our lord and saviours Big Finish decided to keep it going with a fifth series, this time on audio. Acting as a soft reboot of the show, the cleverly titled Changes Everything kicks of Series Five with a decent story that basically remakes its namesake: Everything Changes.

Tyler Steele nearly got killed yesterday. A reporter investigating the many hate crimes that have sprung up across Cardiff, he was nearly blown up trying to meet with a contact, and he was saved by Gwen Cooper and a rebuilt Torchwood Three. Offered a new job in a new world, will Tyler take the deal, or lose his chance?

(CONTAINS SPOILERS)

Changes Everything is, lets be honest, nothing special. It's basically a remake of the already pretty barebones Everything Changes but instead of introducing Gwen, it introduces Tyler. Because of that, the main focus for this episode like these will mostly just be character and luckily, that is fantastic here. Tyler is arrogant but likable and full of potential, this is my first exposure to Mr. Colchester and already I love him and, like always, Gwen and Jack are both a joy. This episode hasn't a lot going on but it also seems to have basically everything we need for a pilot: a decent amount of action, set up for later characters and plot threads, just enough exposition to not be boring but get the point across. There just isn't much to say, this episode is entirely set up, just like Everything Changes, which it, again, is basically a remake of. Although, I did like the subversion of expectations with Tyler not being admitted into Torchwood at the end.

The negatives mostly consist of plot related things, barely anything happens in it. It's mostly just following Tyler walk around Cardiff running into Jack and Co and then some alien fighting near the end. The antagonist for this story is also pretty lackluster, a character introduced in the last ten minutes who does some generic evil stuff and turns out to be an alien. I know it's set up for later plot threads but the thing is that's all this episode is, it's pretty bare bones.

Not exactly the most impressive story of all time but it was perfectly serviceable as an introduction to The Story Continues and it did some good stuff with the characters, even if it sacrificed its plot for set up.

8/10

Pros:
+ Tyler seems like a really promising character with some interesting motivations
+ Torchwood Three are all really enjoyable to be around, especially Mr. Colchester
+ Really liked the ending, with Tyler not getting into Torchwood unlike Everything Changes

Cons:
- Too caught up on trying to set up the season to work on its own story
- Too bare bones to really satiate the listener
- The antagonist wasn't incredibly threatening

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1. Changes Everything by James Goss - 8/10

Overall - 8.0/10

Big Finish takes on the mantle for Torchwood series 5, and based on this opening episode it is an absolute success. They have reinserted the Welshness into the show and found the right balance between the seriousness of series 3 and the silliness of series 1 and 2, tactfully ignoring series 4 altogether.

Tyler Steele and Mr Colchester are excellent additions that immediately feel like authentic Torchwood. Mr Colchester pushes the show in a new direction by being the officious, government stick in the mud with (at least some perceived) conservative views. He inspires fresh reactions from the established characters and world around him. Tyler then gets to be the hapless “would-be” new recruit who mucks it up but shows enough promise to be kept in the loop - at an arm's distance from Torchwood. Just about helpful enough to not have his mind wiped.

I love that Gwen then gets to be the mentor, taking on Jack’s old role, freeing Jack up for introducing himself to the series via sexual conquests. Which is really very funny.

The amazing thing series 5 achieves with this opening episode is that it absolutely does feel like the start of something new but also is totally believable as a continuation of what has gone before, despite being in audio.

oh we are soooo back

I suspect I spoiled something for myself because I was confused and looked something up, but whatever it's fine

Torchwood finds a new twink and Jack f**ks him after he turned down the job offer

Jack: *saves twink from being killed* come with me... heh, not the first time

THIS IS WHY THE DOCTOR IS ALWAYS SAYING STOP, JACK

definitely picked up on the Everything Changes parallels, those were fun, it's been too long since we've seen Jack Harkness standing on a roof

I see the next episode has "Aliens & Sex" at the beginning of the title, if it pulls from Day One I'm gonna lose my f**king MIND