Children of Earth: Day Three

"1965 - I gave them twelve children... as a gift."

Writers: Russell T Davies & James Moran

Format: TV 

Broadcast: 8th July 2009

Series: Torchwood 3.03

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Rhys

Synopsis 

The eyes of the world turn to Britain. The 455 announce they are here. A pillar of fire descends upon London and Torchwood must battle to protect their own families as the fight gets personal. Will Clement's memory destroy everything?

Verdict 

Children of Earth: Day Three was an another excellent episode to continue this high quality third season of Torchwood! After Day Two saw Torchwood stripped down to the bare bone, actually very literally in Jack's case, but here it was brilliant to see them getting back on their feet. The foursome of Jack, Gwen, Ianto and Rhys had trekked to an abandoned Torchwood One base and we're slowly building up their resources. I thought it was fantastic that Jack basically welcomed Rhys to the team, or what was left of it at least. With Owen and Tosh gone, there seemed to have been a little gap within the main characters but now I think it's clear that void has been filled. The episode itself was full of events and drama. The 456 finally arrived in frightening and freaky style and their appearance was nothing like I'd have envisaged. They weren't too far different from the Macra it seemed! Clement's relationship with Gwen was beautiful during the episode and I loved the look on his face when she came to take him out of jail and into the shelter of the semi-operating new Torchwood base. I loved how Torchwood embraced their status as being on a hit list. They were being treated like criminals so they were going to act like criminals! I guess that's fair enough. The numerous robberies of credit cards were too easy, the acquisition of the car was rather funny and Ianto bringing in the supplies and fresh clothes was terrific. The team were slowly but surely getting back on their feet. Jack was back in army-like uniform too so they must have been somewhere close to functioning. Frobisher has been absolutely brilliant during the series thus far and Peter Capaldi gave another stellar performance here. I loved how he was the spokesperson for Britain, and the human race, with the 456. How he easily convinced them to not talk of their previous visit to Earth in 1965 was frightening. The event must have been horrific, and we would soon find that to be extremely true. I loved how upset the United States were that they weren't the focal point of attention. Britain was shining, gaining publicity and attention, and the States didn't like that, as they wouldn't. Silly Americans. Anyway, the cabinet meeting was very good to see and I liked how UNIT were represented and continue to pop up in the spinoff series. The Prime Minister hasn't been greatly significant in the series to my surprise and that was just proven in this episode as it was agreed he wouldn't be allowed contact with the 456. Lois was excellent in this episode, just like the previous, and I was really fond of the high-tech lenses being used once again. They were so effective in Reset and once again they did the same here. The way Torchwood pushed and persuaded her to help them was very good, and it was nice to see she obliged. The direct reference to the Doctor was tremendous and as echoed in Last of the Time Lords, Jack is a fixed point in time. He just can't die because Rose decided he would live in The Parting of the Ways. Forever. The eeriness behind the children all stopping and pointing was outstanding! What an image. Every child on the planet all pointing towards London. Because they were coming. And they were here. Their arrival into the constructed compound was unexpected with the beam of light descending over Thames House. Alice being worried by Jack's involvement in the Cardiff Bay bombing was nice to see, despite the fact she loathed that her own father looked younger than her, she still cared for him. Of course she did. And it would result in her and her son's capture. The talking of Jack's deceased wife was really intriguing too, as Alice's parents both had undercover names. I was surprised by Ianto when he asked Jack how it felt to be blown up. What a question! It was pretty heartwarming when Jack revealed he felt it all. The impact. I liked the phone call between Jack and Frobisher and the admittance from the latter that the former was a better man than he. That much was obvious. Or at least it seemed. The revelation about what happened in 1965 during the 456's last visit was horrifying. The other names on the blank page order were explained, they were there in Scotland when the kids stepped into the light. They knew what the government didn't want anyone knowing and they paid the price. They, along with Jack, gave the 456 twelve children as a gift. But now they were back and after a much bigger gift - 10% of the children's population. A wonderful cliffhanger to an episode full of shock!

Rating: 9/10