The mystery with Torchwood is set up well in this first episode. I like Gwen, and it's interesting to follow her as she finds out more about Captain Jack and Torchwood. It would have been a pretty good start to the series, if it wasn't for Owen...

During the montage where we're shown that the Torchwood team takes home alien tech even though they're not supposed to, we see that everyone does it because they're curious about it. Everyone except Owen. He uses it to get people to have sex with him, people who don’t want to have sex with him. That could have worked if it was used to show what an awful human being he is, but it’s not. It’s played for laughs.

In the end, I still give it 3.5/5, but it would be better if it just didn’t include Owen (and that’s not just true for this episode, it’s true for all of season 1).

Can’t believe I’ve never watched this before! Right up my alley, loved it.

It was alright. Not the best story ever, but a pretty good introduction to Torchwood as a group and as a series. I like the fact that everyone is so unlikeable right from the start lol

While Torchwood is a blind spot for me, I can comment on the first Series (maybe in the future the rest of the televised Shows, despite being very much not interested in its EU Material).

It’s been a while since I watched this Episode, only really rewatched it like possibly once? But… I thought the Episode was pretty solid. Love Gwen and the Episode does its Job very well, introducing you to the wider World of Torchwood.

Funnily enough, I would compare it to Rose, while I enjoy that one (Rose) a bit more slightly, this one is also just a great introduction as was Rose. As stories on their own? Pretty solid. But that’s all, just solid.

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

"Everything Changes: Torchwood Steps Out of the Shadows"

The success of Doctor Who’s 2005 revival inspired Russell T Davies and the BBC to launch its first spinoff, Torchwood. Introduced during Series 2 of Doctor Who, the spinoff follows Torchwood 3, a small Cardiff-based team led by Captain Jack Harkness. Their mission: to investigate alien activity, collect remnants of invasions, and protect the city in the Doctor's absence.

The opening episode, Everything Changes, effectively establishes the show’s darker, more mature tone while firmly grounding it in the Doctor Who universe. It also introduces the cast of characters, from Gwen Cooper, a sharp and determined police officer who stumbles upon Torchwood, to her boyfriend Rhys, and the rest of the team—Captain Jack, tech-savvy Toshiko, cynical Owen, secretive Ianto, and the enigmatic Suzie.

Davies crafts a compelling mystery that balances intrigue and action, giving a taste of the show’s character-driven storytelling. Through Gwen’s eyes, we gradually learn about Torchwood’s purpose and its flawed, very human members. These moments lay the foundation for long-term storylines and emotional arcs.

Eve Myles shines as Gwen, the perfect audience surrogate. Her quick wit, courage, and compassion make her an easy character to root for. John Barrowman’s Captain Jack is equally magnetic, blending charisma and mystery, even for viewers unfamiliar with his Doctor Who appearances.

The supporting cast also impresses. Burn Gorman’s Owen stands out with his sarcastic humor and cynicism, though his use of a “love potion gas” to get laid in one scene feels ethically dubious. Naoko Mori’s Toshiko is clever and resourceful, though her role here is more subdued.

The series’ mature tone is immediately evident, with bloodier action, tenser interactions, and darker themes than its parent show. The climax delivers a memorable twist, revealing Suzie as a weak link and unexpected villain, leaving the episode on a bleak, impactful note.

📝Verdict: 8/10

With Everything Changes, Torchwood carves out its own identity while staying firmly rooted in the Doctor Who world. It’s a thrilling start to a spinoff that promises plenty of intrigue, drama, and moral complexity.