Army of Ghosts

"A footprint doesn't look like a boot."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: 1 July 2006

Series: 2.12

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Rose

Synopsis

The human race rejoices as the ghosts of loved ones return home. As the Doctor, Rose and Jackie investigate the Torchwood Tower, a trap is being sprung, and the whole of modern-day Earth threatens to fall before an almighty invasion force.

Verdict

Army of Ghosts was an excellent episode to kick off the Series 2 finale! It really is a superb adventure and such a good way to set up the conclusion of the finale. Everything about it is just terrific and right from the off it's brilliant. I like how Jackie revels in knowing a little more about something mysterious than the Doctor and the entire concept of the ghost shift is really intriguing. The Doctor's interest is peaked right from the off which is brilliant to see and I love how Jackie feels a little saddened that he has to reduce it to science and ruin it for her. It couldn't possibly be Grandad Prentice coming for a visit when he had died a decade ago. But the more she wanted him there, the stronger the familiar smell came back. The idea of a psychic link was very good and I loved the suspicions of the Doctor right from the off. He was keen to reiterate that the ghosts were being pressed into existence which I really liked and I thought his ghostbuster routine was wonderful. It's a fine performance from David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor. I thought this introduction to the Torchwood Institute was fantastic and Yvonne shines as its head. Gemma stating 'what a woman' when she appeared on screen was enough for me to realise just how good she is. I've experienced a lot of her since the last time I watched this episode in a number of Torchwood audios so it was great to go back to her origin here. She really is a great character. The story arc coming full circle with the Sycorax ship destruction explanation in The Christmas Invasion along with Queen Victoria having set up the Torchwood Institute in Tooth and Claw was really good. Jackie really shines in the episode and the Doctor's reaction when taking off and realising that she was still on board was wonderful. I also love how he fakes her being Rose after arriving at the Institute after tracking the source of the ghost shift. This episode is the prelude for a sore spot for Gemma with it being Rose's departure. The Torchwood motto is wonderful and I was also delighted to hear the familiar Torchwood theme throughout the episode. I couldn't remember that from the last viewing so that was a nice touch. The way the Cybermen are used in the episode is really strong and the 'new offices' hiding their presence is great stuff. Them serving as the advance guard after following the void ship through to this world was really interesting and the Doctor's reaction to finding that the ship wasn't of Cyber origin was excellent. The entire concept of the void ship was brilliant and trying to comprehend the concept of nothing was quite something! Mickey's return in this episode is so well done and I like how Rose manages to keep herself together after trying to fake her way into some answers. The explanation of how the Cybermen just vanished from the alternate universe was intriguing and everything heading towards some sort of Emperor or Cyber Leader being within the void ship was superb, but the twist being that it actually contained Daleks was magnificent. It really is such a good twist and I'd love to have experienced this on broadcast. All attentions being on the Cybermen whilst the sphere activated was brilliant and it serves as such a good cliffhanger for what's to come. This really is a fine episode from start to finish and does such a good job for the opening episode of a finale. Excellent episode!

Rating: 10/10