THE COMMITTEE ARC #5 - Uncanny Valley

After the success of The Conspiracy and the start of this range, Big Finish decided to create a sequel to this episode, which ended with several promises, including the impending clash between Torchwood and the Committee. Was that promise fulfilled?

Exploring Neil's life was quite interesting, and the subject matter is captivating. Learning about his disability and the repercussions on both his past and present life creates a certain attachment to the character. The sci-fi element with the presence of a robot clone might seem clichéd, but this solution raises many questions that the episode manages to address. That’s the beauty of Torchwood, it allows for themes like psychological distress to be explored, which I love, especially when it’s done well, as it is here.

However, the episode feels like an alternative version of The Conspiracy, because aside from the ending, it doesn’t advance the plot much. None of the promises from the end of Episode 1 were honored. The story even feels dispensable, honestly. Much like the previous three episodes, the plot doesn’t see any major development, but the issue here is that Jack was supposed to drive the story forward. I’m very disappointed with the direction the Main Range has taken; it feels like they’re just delaying the real confrontation between Torchwood and the Committee. I genuinely expected Jack to discover the Committee’s location and dive headfirst into confronting them, but there’s none of that. Instead, the Committee is barely mentioned.

On top of that, there are some sex scenes whose purpose I couldn’t discern. While I praised The Conspiracy for redefining Torchwood with a more mature tone, here it’s the complete opposite—it falls into the same pitfalls as the TV series, unfortunately. This episode has a strange feeling of backtracking.

I must admit that the ending was striking and filled with promise, but it didn’t work for me because I know it won’t lead anywhere. I know Big Finish decided to stretch out the storyline as much as possible to produce more audio episodes, and that, like here, they won’t add much to the narrative. If Big Finish has already broken its promises once, why trust them now? I seem to have forgotten that Big Finish is, above all, a business selling a product—not crafting grand storylines that risk alienating listeners. In a way, it’s a bit like a soap opera.

I’m not sure where the problem lies. Did I set my expectations too high, or did Big Finish fail to deliver on its promises? I still believe that this episode, even though it has a few qualities, is ultimately poor in its very existence.

NEXT: THE COMMITTEE ARC #6 - Zone 10

THE COMMITTEE ARC #4 - One Rule

What makes Torchwood so remarkable is its richness. From its inception, with the introduction of Torchwood in Doctor Who, it was planned to feature two teams: one based in London and the other in Wales. The richness lies in how vastly different these two branches are. One is essentially an office-based operation, while the other feels more like the Scooby Gang. It was inevitable that Big Finish would want to explore this aspect of the Torchwood Institute as well. But did they manage to do justice to Torchwood One?

Yvonne Hartman, the head of Torchwood One, is a character I adore for her manipulative and badass personality. One Rule uses these traits perfectly, making them integral to the episode. It’s a real treat to see this underutilized character from the TV series brought back. The episode captures Yvonne so well that it even places her in comedic situations, which works brilliantly. Yvonne Hartman is a character who truly deserves more spotlight.

However, the story doesn’t do her justice at all. The beginning doesn’t work. Yvonne is sent to infiltrate Torchwood Three, but I don’t see why this mission should fall to her. It’s far too dangerous, and it’s only to retrieve a scanner. Granted, we’re told it’s a top-secret project, but surely several people at Torchwood One must know about it. So why not send one of them to pick up the scanner from Torchwood Three? If the episode had been about a random Torchwood One agent, this wouldn’t have been an issue. As it stands, the justification for Yvonne’s presence in Cardiff undermines the rest of the episode.

And unfortunately, that’s not the only problem. The episode lacks standout elements and is, at times, uninteresting. The main antagonist, an alien, is purely functional and has nothing going for it. It’s just a big monster attacking people, without any added value. What makes the aliens in the TV series memorable is their design, culture, or some cool gimmick. Here, there’s nothing.

The episode also leans heavily on Torchwood lore, referencing Raj, Ianto, Hopkins, and even featuring Gwen and Andy. While it’s great for building a cohesive lore, here it feels very forced. The episode does so much name-dropping that it strains credibility.

For me, this isn’t a good episode. The spirit of Torchwood One isn’t truly present, and the story’s flaws are too significant to overlook. It’s a shame because it’s written by Joseph Lidster, whose work on the TV series I loved.

NEXT: THE COMMITTEE ARC #5 - Uncanny Valley

THE COMMITTEE ARC #3 - Forgotten Lives

The TV series Torchwood abruptly ended in 2011 with a cliffhanger at the end of its fourth season. What a delight it was to learn that in 2015, Big Finish acquired the rights to the series! Even better, they could continue the story from season 4! So, how does the first episode post-Miracle Day fare?

The episode takes the bold step of offering us a horror story, which is fantastic. For an adult series, it’s only natural to delve into this theme. The horror here is conveyed through the atmosphere, steeped in the Welsh setting, with locations like the forest or the nursing home, as well as through the characters, who are primarily elderly. When it comes to fear-inducing tropes, the writer handles them brilliantly.

There’s one element I haven’t mentioned yet that is terrifying both tangibly and metaphorically: the Evolved. Tangibly, because they pose a real threat to humanity, and metaphorically, due to their culture, which drives them to believe they’re justified in their actions. What can you do when confronted with someone who genuinely believes they’re in the right and part of the “good” side?

Their influence even touches Gwen in a particular scene that gave me chills. I was so invested in the story and had always considered Gwen untouchable.

As for the Committee, they aren’t present in this episode, but we do encounter a species related to them. We learn about the Committee through the lens of this other species. It adds a whole new layer of understanding and enriches the lore. This kind of narrative approach is something I absolutely love.

For a first episode post-Miracle Day, it’s fair to say it’s a success. Sure, it’s not the story everyone might have wanted, but it’s still a great story that lays the foundation for what Torchwood is in 2015. Its horror elements are perfectly executed, making it a solid episode overall.

NEXT: THE COMMITTEE ARC #4 - One Rule

THE COMMITTEE ARC #2 - Fall to Earth

After redefining what Torchwood could be and launching an epic saga against the Committee, Big Finish returns with a new audio drama! Expectations are sky-high, especially given how exceptional The Conspiracy was in every aspect. Can Big Finish maintain the standard?

Big Finish takes an original approach with this new episode. Only two actors were cast. While this might be a concern for some, I find the idea both creative and refreshing, especially since the writer cleverly justifies it through a phone call between the two characters. It’s impressive to see how, with such a small cast, they manage to create a substantial Torchwood story.

Substantial, because between the action scenes, we get to experience the brilliance of the writer, sound designer, actor, and composer, who together deliver stunning moments. Even though they’re purely auditory, they manage to immerse us in the plane with Ianto and convey the beauty of the universe. There’s a certain elegance to this episode that deeply moved and impressed me. It’s remarkable to evoke such emotions through sound alone.

The presence of the Committee is a bonus, but it’s an aspect of the story I found somewhat confusing. I didn’t fully grasp everything, including the resolution. Maybe that’s on me, or perhaps it’s the episode’s fault, but it felt unclear. However, having the Committee involved adds consistency to the episodes and once again demonstrates that the Committee could truly be anywhere.

The episode has a much lighter tone, thanks to its contemplative nature and the humor brought by the characters and the situation itself. Still, it doesn’t shy away from more mature themes, such as sacrifice and its profound implications.

For me, this episode is a resounding success! Big Finish’s signature touch is unmistakable, offering originality and a truly compelling story.

NEXT: THE COMMITTEE ARC #3 - Forgotten Lives

THE COMMITTEE STORY ARC #1 - The Conspiracy (MR #1)

What makes Torchwood, Torchwood? Some might mention its gallery of villains, Captain Jack Harkness, character relationships, or even the sex. Yet, when we go back to the very roots of Torchwood, it’s essentially an adult science fiction series. That was the challenge Big Finish faced when they acquired the rights to the series in 2015: delivering adult-oriented science fiction.

Unlike the TV show—which, though aimed at adults, had a somewhat immature side—this first Torchwood audio drama from Big Finish feels decidedly different. Here, "adult" doesn’t mean excessive sex but rather deeply dark themes aimed at a mature audience. The conspiracies that surround our world—and especially the people who create and follow them—are, in my opinion, a theme that aligns perfectly with Torchwood while being, unfortunately, firmly rooted in our reality. Yes, seeing people engage in revisionism driven by paranoia to the point of marginalizing themselves, loudly proclaiming that they know "the truth," and disregarding past events they deem "fake" are heavy and mature topics that Torchwood can tackle.

Among the weighty events in the audio, there are a few striking deaths. None of them will ever leave my mind. It’s always been part of Torchwood’s essence to kill off its characters, but here, it’s done magnificently. We grow attached because we think, “This could be us.” Anyone can become broken, have a fragile mind, and spiral into paranoia. This audio explores what could happen, and it’s terrifying.

The story instills not just fear but also paranoia. The enemies of the episode, the Committee—an invisible foe controlling Earth’s history through institutions and high-ranking positions—could truly be anyone, if they exist. Who do we believe? Who can we trust? We’re left waiting for the episode to confirm or deny our suspicions. This single emotion pulls us deeply into the story, which is its greatest strength. We feel like we’re part of it.

The episode ends with promises. The promise of a much more mature Torchwood unafraid to delve into dark themes, the promise of a long battle between the Committee and Torchwood, and the promise to avenge the dead and bring it all to an end.

That’s all I’ll say about the episode. It’s for the emotions it evoked in me and its adult themes that I love this episode and believe Big Finish succeeded brilliantly in redefining the series with this first release.

NEXT: THE COMMITTEE STORY ARC #2 - Fall to Earth (MR #2)