They Keep Killing Suzie

"Ordinary people ripped apart with your name written in their own blood."

Writers: Paul Tomalin & Dan McCulloch

Format: TV

Broadcast: 3 December 2006

Series: Torchwood 1.08

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

Synopsis

When the word 'Torchwood' is daubed in blood at several murder scenes, the investigation leads to the use of the Resurrection Glove, and back to a familiar face.

Verdict

They Keep Killing Suzie was another very good episode of Torchwood to continue my way through the first series rewatch! I like the continuity this brings to the series thus far and the little recap of Everything Changes is certainly helpful when it comes to what occurs in the episode. Of course, the title itself is a bit of a giveaway that Suzie is returning from the dead, but I try not to let that impact upon my viewing. The idea of deaths happening in brutal fashion and them being a message for Torchwood is great and the image of 'Torchwood' being written in blood is certainly an eye catcher! Jack was more than clear that they had their attention now which was a good way to lead into the opening titles. This was a goo little insight into what Torchwood was like prior to Gwen's arrival which is in when we as a viewer came on board to proceedings, particularly with Suzie's relationships with the other team members. She didn't have a lot to say about Ianto, but we learned that Suzie was quite a quiet person and someone who kept herself to herself. Tosh didn't want to look Suzie in the eye when she was revived which was telling for their relationship and Suzie's demise, but the highlight was definitely Suzie's interaction with Owen. She taunted him which was fun and I liked that he admitted he was frightened of her. I mean, given what she did in her final days and her obsession with the glove along with the fact that she was being revived, who could blame him! This was a very strong episode for Gwen and I enjoyed how she was able to use the resurrection gauntlet glove to bring back those victims sending a message to Torchwood. The connection that ensued between Gwen and Suzie was excellent and I love the way Ianto delivers the line revealing that Suzie is still alive. He was a delight in this episode to be honest! The risen mitten comment was magnificent. I thought the fun had by the regular cops when Torchwood had to ring and ask for help when Suzie locked them down in the Hub was fun, although I wasn't a massive fan of the ISBN being the way to reboot the system. That dragged slightly. Suzie's spitefulness in wanting to see her father only to kill him and bring him to the darkness made her a strong villain, as well as seeing her revel in replacing Gwen as she drained her of life. The chase by Jack to get to them before they departed on a ferry was exciting, but the glaring production error is such a shame. How it can pass that it goes from the middle of the night to clear daylight is beyond me and it really is a big shame. It's so off-putting. I also don't quite understand why Suzie waits when Gwen collapses, although her asking if she had gone was a hilarious moment. Gemma and I enjoyed that one together very much. Jack killing her many times and her refusal to die was good and I would love to have known what he was thinking about the possibility of someone else sharing immortality. Tosh shooting the glove to bits to break the connection was good, and Ianto's comment at the end about gloves coming in pairs was sublime and up there with his stopwatch humour throughout the episode. Overall, a very good adventure! 

Rating: 8/10