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TARDIS Guide

Overview

First aired

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Production Code

1.2

Written by

Chris Chibnall

Directed by

Brian Kelly

Runtime

50 minutes

Time Travel

Present

Tropes (Potential Spoilers!)

LGBTQA+

Location (Potential Spoilers!)

Cardiff, Earth, Wales

UK Viewers

2.5 million

Synopsis

Gwen's first day on her new job at Torchwood sees Cardiff's night-life at the mercy of a gaseous alien who consumes its victims during orgasm, leaving behind only dust. And it's all her fault — she let it escape a fallen meteorite. The gas is devouring its teenage host. She's fighting for control as the alien inside takes down victim after victim. Torchwood tracks the alien to a sperm bank, but too late for the patrons within. Soon, if they don't act quickly enough, it'll be too late for everyone else too!

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7 reviews

Oh hey, it’s the infamous Sex Gas Episode!!

Hot take, but the Concept of the “Sex Gas” itself is not bad. Does it border on being a bit too edgy and just well… feeling like something slightly trying too hard? Yes, for sure, but on paper such a concept could work. Do I think it works here? No not really, with stuff such as that you have to balance it somewhat so it doesn’t come off as immature and well this Episode just kinda doesn’t do it, in my Opinion.
The Highlight here is easily Gwen, who kinda needs to find her place in Torchwood and I think it’s done rather well for the most. We also get some lovely Moments, but ehhh… I simply don’t like it, it feels a bit too much.


RandomJoke

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This review contains spoilers!

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

“Day One: A Sex Gas Alien and Gwen’s First Big Test’

With the groundwork for Torchwood laid in the pilot episode, Day One gives the team their first mission: hunting a sex gas alien. While the mature themes align with Torchwood's aim of exploring darker, more adult sci-fi, the concept is so over-the-top that it borders on parody. The idea of an alien that feeds on orgasmic energy and turns its partners into dust is more bizarre than compelling, and the awkwardly executed sex scenes only add to the absurdity.

Despite the strange premise, the episode is a showcase for Gwen’s evolution within the team. Still adjusting to Torchwood’s unconventional world, she begins to find her footing, balancing her natural empathy with a growing understanding of her new role. The charming, slightly flirtatious rapport between Gwen and Jack remains a highlight, while Owen’s cynical humour and Tosh’s technical brilliance provide contrast. However, Ianto remains underutilised, still relegated to the background.

The midsection, which focuses on the team discussing the alien and Torchwood’s moral ambiguities, serves as a chance to flesh out the characters. Gwen’s guilt over accidentally releasing the alien adds emotional depth, but the slower pace saps some of the episode’s energy. The ethical questions raised about Torchwood’s methods are intriguing but feel underexplored in favour of the main plot.

The alien’s motivation—feeding on orgasmic energy rather than seeking domination—offers a refreshing twist on typical alien invasions. The revelation that excessive feeding could cause the host body to explode adds a tragic layer to the creature’s predicament. However, the execution often leans too heavily into humour, diluting the potential emotional impact.

The episode regains momentum in the final act, with Gwen stepping up to save the day. Her heartfelt plea to the alien shows her growing confidence and her ability to lead with compassion, making her victory feel earned.

📝Verdict: 6.86/10

Day One highlights Torchwood’s willingness to push boundaries, but its outlandish premise and uneven pacing undermine its potential. While the episode offers strong character moments and a unique alien threat, it struggles to balance its mature themes with a coherent tone. Still, it’s an important step in Gwen’s journey and a memorable, if polarising, entry in the series.


MrColdStream

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Look, I like laughing. And this episode is a great comedy for an asexual person. Don't trying to offend anyone but I just can't imagine the same happening to me. Although, again, this is too funny for me and I simply can't give anything this hilarious a rating lower than 10/10


VoRus1

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Sex gas episode. What more is there to say?

 


greenLetterT

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Oh dear. This episode is an embarrassment for the Whoniverse. The first ten/fifteen minutes are great, as you see something zooming across the sky and Gwen accidentally release alien gas, but soon as it's revealed to be a sex alien it just becomes laughable.

It's basically just a fifty minute excuse to shout 'Hey, we're an adult show! We can do adult things that Doctor Who can't!', when in actuality how adult a show appears comes from how mature it is rather than because it explores adult topics.


WhoPotterVian

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AVG. Rating66 votes
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Quotes

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OWEN: I infected the rat with a combination of the Vorax and the Suranium gas traces we found at the crash site and the nightclub.

TOSH: Looks fine so far.

OWEN: Once the gases start to flow round the body, the party really starts. The heart rate triples. The brain swells, pressing against the skull. As that keeps going, the lungs began to shrink, making it impossible to breathe. The pressure increases on all the internal organs until

(The rat goes Splat.)

OWEN: Rat jam.

Transcript Needs checking

[Bowling alley]

(Gwen does better than Rhys.)

GWEN: Yes.

[Outside the cinema]

GWEN: That is the last time you choose a film.
RHYS: I was told it was good.
GWEN: I feel asleep, Rhys.


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