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'.

This one is pretty rough in certain regards, but I don't know if it fully deserves the infamous reputation it gets.

It isn't the best story in the world but it is made competently enough and I actually really like the "Day One" aspects of Day One. When we're dealing with Gwen getting to know Torchwood and the types of adventures ahead of her, all while she gets to know the team a bit more, I'm having fun. The sex gas stuff definitely comes across as Torchwood showing off how adult it can be in relation to Doctor Who, but I find it more underwhelming than anything else. I don't doubt that the subject matter doesn't come across as weird though, and sets the tone of the series in a rather unfortunate way.  Not a great episode overall but it does vaguely have its moments.

S1E2

Day One

4/10

This is where I could see a lot of people turning off Torchwood after this episode. It's not very good. I like the bits with it being Gwen's first day on the job. But the alien and their motivation? Ugh... Kind of painful to sit through. It's honestly not that interesting to follow either, feels like a waste of a plot for the 2nd episode. Though the Doctor Who spinoff can now be "mature", this is more juvenile if anything. Skip this one.

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.

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.