A Day in the Death

"My name is Dr. Owen Harper, and this is my life. A life that is full of action and violence and work and wonder. Secrets and sex and love and heartbreak and death. My death. The death I survived. The death I am now living through."

Writer: Joseph Lidster
Format: TV
Broadcast: 27th February 2008
Series: Torchwood 2.08

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

Synopsis

Owen chats with a suicidal woman on a rooftop, reflecting on his adjustment to his new life. Will a mission with Torchwood assist in his salvation or bring about the end of the world?

Verdict

A Day in the Death was an intriguing episode of Torchwood. The format was very unique with basically Owen narrating the story and explaining how he's dealing with his new life, well death. I liked the way in which a story was being told involving the whole team, with the addition of Martha, whilst Owen was also explaining the massive changed that had occurred to him. Maggie was a good character but I wasn't quite sure why she would want to end her life! Suicide is one thing I just cannot comprehend. There's always another answer and if things are that bad, then surely the only way is up? I liked how Owen was showing her that she wasn't going to jump off the building, it was clear she was too scared. He obviously talked her out of it and gave her a reason to keep going forward in life. Tosh's concern for Owen was quite touching in this but he was angered as he had absolutely nothing to give her back which must've hurt them both! Martha's farewell from Torchwood was not welcomed, I wanted her to stay and remain part of the Torchwood team! But I guess it was inevitable she would return to UNIT and be ready to call upon the Tenth Doctor in The Sontaran Stratagem. But the highlight of the episode was Owen's talking with Henry and how the latter gave up his life-support machine, in turn giving him cardiac arrest. Owen tried to save him with CPR and mouth-to-mouth, but he's already dead and had no breath. Henry died. The tying up at the end of the episode with Owen meeting Maggie from the start was good and finished off a good episode!

Rating: 8/10