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This review contains spoilers!

This review would hardly be the first to suggest that there is not much to separate Yvonne from Barry in One Rule. The eponymous rule is simply their class backgrounds, and how it leads them to present themselves, ultimately a hair's breadth between their staunch nationalism. When this ellipses in the conclusion over their mutual interests, the only thing preventing it from being an assertion of workplace hierarchy is the fact that this is Torchwood, with all of its flairs for the dramatic. Speaking of which, this is easily the most stylised story in the range so far, no less down to the motifs of Joseph Lidster; the sole reason as to why the monster attacks people when they are alone is to elicit as many scenarios as possible where two characters can sit down, in one location, for an extended conversation, a blissful recurring motif of his. Even when we do see the creature attack Ryan in isolation, his conversation over the phone brings a world of revelations, only for him to appear for but a minute. The nameless, superficially unimportant immediate antagonist perfectly lends itself to its style. It says a lot in One Rule's favour that its earnest, down-to-earth presentation of ideology boiling in the pot post-Rose left me wanting of Series 1.


koquillicsoothsayer

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This review contains spoilers!

One of my favourite Torchwood stories of all time. I know it seems a bit of an odd choice, but the humorous elements really lift this story up for me! Yvonne was a character I was always intrigued by in Army of Ghosts / Doomsday, so to get more of her on audio was brilliant! She really comes off as out of her element, wanting to keep calm and carry on and trying (poorly) to keep people safe on her own without her team. It is nice to briefly hear Gwen and Andy in the story and Ianto being an unheard presence was a great addition. I think the ending is great and the twists and turns throughout were brilliant.


Saturn

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This review contains spoilers!

Torchwood Monthly Range #4 - "One Rule" by Joseph Lidster

The concept of Yvonne Hartman has always confused me. A one time minor antagonist from a season finale where two legacy villains took turns eclipsing each other felt like a strange character to bring back as a main character of multiple and even ranges but following listening to One Rule, Yvonne's first audio outing and a powerhouse script from legendary writer Joseph Lidster, I now realise exactly why she's so popular.

On a visit to the HQ of Torchwood Three, Torchwood One leader Yvonne Hartman finds herself protecting two candidates for Mayor of Cardiff after their competitors are found brutally killed by a particularly violent alien.

(CONTAINS SPOILERS)

Considering she's the main draw of the audio, I'll just get it out the way; Yvonne Hartman is the best thing about One Rule; from her blasé cheek in the audio's opening to her furious condemnation in the final scene, Yvonne proves herself as an incredible character built on a some brilliant scripts and a brilliant performance. Besides her, this audio is just well paced fun. Described as the worst possible night out in Cardiff, Yvonne and two bickering councillors find themselves chased across the city by an unspecified alien monster. It's a fun audio combined with great character work, showing that something doesn't have to be serious and toned down to be brilliant, the characters here are bright and well-defined and it still manages to insert some gut wrenching scenes, in particular a scene early on where Yvonne tells councillor Barry Jackson about her phone call with ex-Torchwood 3 leader Alex Hopkins as he murdered his entire team; it's here we really see Ann-Oberman's acting chops and Lidster's ability writing character drama. This all comes together at the end when Yvonne finally breaks her composed visage in a magnificent scene where she confronts Barry, Lidster once again showcasing his chops as a writer.

If I had to criticize One Rule, I'd say that it could be a lot tighter. There's one too many moments of characters just explaining things they can see for no reason and though the run around is fun it is still a run around and veers off into a series of asides rather than a coherent story.

But other than that, One Rule is just good. It's completely solid, the only downsides are a few nitpicks: it's a legendary writer introducing an all time great character as a regular with, as always, a stellar script.

9/10


Pros:

+ Yvonne Hartman is a powerhouse character written to perfection by Lidster

+ Fast paced and energetic but with excellent pacing

+ Fun and well developed side cast

+ Takes time to explore its emotional moments and develop its side character

 

Cons:

- Falls into the audio trap of characters just explaining the things they see

- It's structure leads to a small amount of meandering throughout

- The undefined alien creature is a rather basic intrusion


Top 5 Best Torchwood Monthly Range Stories:
5.
4. #1 - The Conspiracy by David Llewellyn
3. #3 - Forgotten Lives by Emma Reeves
2. #2 - Fall to Earth by James Goss
1. #4 - One Rule by Joseph Lidster

Top 5 Worst Torchwood Monthly Range Stories:
5.
4. #4 - One Rule by Joseph Lidster
3. #2 - Fall to Earth by James Goss
2. #3 - Forgotten Lives by Emma Reeves
1. #1 - The Conspiracy by David Llewellyn


Speechless

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