Countrycide

"None of the bodies have ever been found. These people just fell off the radar. No patterns in age, sex, race. One minute they're here, the next... boof. Gone."

Writer: Chris Chibnall
Format: TV
Broadcast: 19th November 2006
Series: Torchwood 1.06

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Owen, Tosh, Ianto

Synopsis

Concerned that the space-time rift is spreading, Torchwood investigates a series of gruesome deaths located in a small village in the Brecon Beacons. What sort of creature could cause such shocking injuries? Stranded without communication or equipment and isolated from one another, the team confronts a terrifying enemy...

Verdict

Countrycide was a gruesomely good episode of Torchwood. The plot was sadistic but brilliant and the setting in the middle of the Brecon Beacons was perfect. The eeriness was outstanding and the innuendo and sexual tension between Gwen and Owen was incredible. I think the episode may have slightly gone over the top with gruesomeness however. The idea of cannibals doing what they were doing was just incredibly sick! The married couple's ideology on human stock was just horrific. They skinned people to the very bone and used every single part of the body for their own taste! It's quite hard to believe that anyone can be a cannibal, it's just unimaginable! And Evan's reasoning to Gwen as to why he does it was just terrible, which made him an outstanding villain. "It made me happy." Gwen's reaction was one of horror and the acting from Eve Myles was tremendous. I really liked the mystery behind the SUV being stolen and also the lingering tension between Jack and Ianto after the events of Cyberwomen seemed to slowly be fading. Ianto was stepping up, becoming more than just a tea boy. Tosh was great in this also and I liked her reactions to the thought of being skinned to bone. Some thought, huh? The twist with the police officer was a little obvious but still good and then the climax that came was enjoyable! The revelation at the end with Gwen and Owen having a sexual affair was incredibly surprising despite them having obvious attraction to each other as seen with the abrupt kiss two episodes prior. I really look forward to seeing where this relationship goes and the affect, if he finds out, it will have on Rhys.

Rating: 9/10