I really liked this episode! You do have to look past some truly godawful CGI at the emotional climax of the episode, but all in all it's just very well done, which you can't often say about a Torchwood episode

Another extremely strong episode. This is basically Rhys's 'Everything Changes', with some clear influence taken from the film Mr and Mrs Smith with the excellent steadycam shots in his and Gwen's flat. You really feel the paranoia, with each suspecting and not knowing why the other wasn't at the meat processing plant.

The plot is reminiscent of real life scandals such as the horse meat one from a few years' back, and it really plays into the senseless torture of the alien beast in a very emotional and profound way.

Also: I find it quite amusing to think Mary Taylor from Corrie is in Torchwood. I mean, strictly speaking it's not the same character - but it's still who I think of Patti Clare as in my mind when I see her in something

Whether you have seen Torchwood or not, this story is packed with metaphors regarding corporate greed in the meat industry. If you are familiar with Torchwood, it moves from the very beginning from where Gwen’s boyfriend Rhys finds out about Torchwood to where he ends up helping her and the Torchwood gang in rescuing the alien animal that is being used as a mere “cash cow”  to make profit regardless of what is in the meat.

I love Rhys. As a support character, he represents us all.

Many times, the main characters don’t seem to work as well together as a team as I would like to see them, but here is a definite exception.

Meat is something I highly recommend. Not perfect. But just perfect enough meat to keep you hanging.

4 1/2 Stars

I can't say Meat is a stand-out favourite of mine, but it is characteristic of Series 2 for Torchwood being a bit more dynamic in the storytelling compared to the more static nature of Series 1. Rhys knowing about Torchwood is in my opinion the first true shift of status quo for the show and it feels pleasant. The show is definitely at its best when it is swinging for the fences or being a bit more experimental. Unfortunately, Meat to me is only barely qualifying as that. The character stuff and the novelty of the episode to me wears pretty thin and we end up with more typical sci-fi content as the episode goes on that I largely started checking out of. It's not bad, just fine. Barely acceptable in its ambition and budgeted special effects, I view it as more watchable and average than anything special.