Submission

"Welcome to the bottom of the world."

Writer: Ryan Scott
Format: Audio
Released: July 2011
Series: Torchwood: The Lost Files 02

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto

Synopsis

Torchwood are chasing aliens down the M4, when Jack accidentally blows a hole in the Severn Bridge, and the SUV hits the water. Whilst submerged, Jack, Gwen and Ianto hear a strange noise, which, back at the Hub they realise is a cry for help. They track the cry to its source which turns out to be the deepest part of the Ocean - the Mariana Trench. Ianto rings old Torchwood flame, Carlie Roberts, who's an expert in marine geology, and Jack pulls strings with the US government to get them all on board the USS Calvin, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer, which is heading for the Trench. From there they board the Octopus Rock, the only submarine built to withstand the pressure at that depth, and follow the signal. But when the Submarine crashes, the team are left at the mercy of a hungry alien.

Verdict

Submission was another very good Torchwood audio adventure! In a round about way, over a number of years, it saw me conclude the full cast Torchwood audios from the BBC and I was very grateful once again to Libraries West for their online service allowing me to access this story for free. It was a fantastic little adventure and I thought the predominant setting of the bottom of the ocean at the Mariana Trench was excellent. It was like a completely different world down there and I found it really fascinating that the submarine went deeper than ever before in human history. That was quite the feat for the Torchwood team! With a journey planned across the Severn Bridge tomorrow, thankfully into Wales (no tolls!), the image of half of it blowing up was quite something! It turned out to be a minimal feature of the audio though and the plunge into the waters below was of more importance. The noise heard was quite entrancing but I liked how once it was slowed down it was a cry for help. So Torchwood being what they are, they tracked it down and wanted to help. Ianto enlisting Carlie, an old flame from his days at Torchwood One, was really good and I liked how knowledgeable she was on the Trench. She was really helpful for explaining just what it was and what was around them. Gwen was terrific once again here and I just really liked that we got an original adventure with this Torchwood trio. I wish there were more of them. The dangers below the sea with the immense pressure were fantastic and I liked how the submarine used was the only one built to withstand it. Jack had to pull some strings at UNIT by mentioning the Doctor to get it which was good. Sam was a hugely fascinating character and the history behind the 1959 mission was really intriguing. The alien parasite actually being hungry for memories was a good twist but I thought the revelation surrounding the connection over the 50 year wait and the fact that Sam was 50 on the mission was a little too obvious. It worked well though and after going through all of his memories, the parasite needed more to feed on. It needed to replace the memories of losing a loved one which I thought was quite emotional but its connection with the underwater volcano, and only being able to breath in the proximity of its toxic atmosphere was good, and it made for a simple resolution. Once it took over Carlie, Jack being more than willing to see her to die to rid the ocean of the parasite was very good but Ianto couldn't quite see it the same way. His determination meant she would survive though and I loved how Gwen didn't let him give up. Overall, a very good audio!

Rating: 8/10