Ghost Mission

"Are you ready to join Torchwood?"

Writer: James Goss

Format: Audio

Released: May 2016

Series: Torchwood Monthly 09

Featuring: Andy, Norton

Synopsis

Sergeant Andy Davidson has always wanted to join Torchwood. And now he finally gets his chance.

Under the strict observation of his Torchwood Assessor, Andy sets out to prove he's got what it takes. When a chemical spill turns out to have serious consequences, when monsters roam the Bay, and when an ancient entity awakes, Andy decides he could do with a helping hand. The problem is his Torchwood Assessor doesn't have any hands. Norton Folgate is a ghost.

Verdict

Ghost Mission was an average story to continue the monthly Torchwood adventures from Big Finish. Whilst this one wasn't entirely bad, I didn't think it was overly good either which was a big shame as I was actually really excited to get a full Torchwood tale with Andy Davidson! The premise seemed good with him getting the chance to join Torchwood after all this time, but that isn't really what happened. The pre-titles sequence with Andy falling and us already realising there would be peril alongside Norton Folgate didn't do much for me and I actually felt that Norton hindered the adventure. I have exposure to him after his appearances in the (laughably) 'official' continuation of Torchwood through Aliens Among Us and God Among Us, so it is good to get to get to grips on his first appearance in the spinoff series but I'm just not his biggest fan. I really dislike his demeanour and there's something about him that I just can't get to liking about the character. Sadly, I'm not a fan. The dynamic of him being a ghost here did have its moments and I liked the ridiculousness of him being a Torchwood Assessor as a ghost from 1953, but there seemed to actually be a little too much going on. The chemical spillage was good and Norton not being able to physically help put Andy in peril, and whilst I liked the idea of testing him I'm not sure why he was asking for permission to call Gwen for help when the stakes were very real. I mean, we heard someone die in gruesome circumstances at the hands of the spillage. Andy's ingenuity in using the fire extinguisher to put out the creature was tremendous though and definitely the highlight of the audio for me. His descriptors of it being alien mimic soup and a people photocopier were also great and a stark reminder of how out of his depth he could actually be when it came to aliens. The exploration of the cloning factory was interesting but the technology was already used. The threat of him drowning in acid was pretty gruesome and Andy accepting he was going to die was powerful, only for it to turn out to be biogel in not the greatest of twists. Andy pondering over his decade of wonderment why Gwen was special was really intriguing to think about. Norton being pretty unhelpful to Andy got a little annoying at times because I felt like he was just getting in the way. The shift in setting to the haunted church in Grangetown was very good and the eeriness of the Saving Grace lyrics from the ghost echoes within was excellent. That soon turned into a crowd which got a little overload but Andy's Welsh confidence was an absolute delight. The use of singing for communication was creepy and something more should have been made of in my opinion. It was clear that Norton had an ulterior motive throughout and him showing Andy the ruling Committee of Torchwood was fun because obviously that's not who they answer to. Norton had obtained the bad penny silver locket needed in 1953, also known as the red key which was interesting continuity with Zone 10, and I look forward to seeing how that comes back into play. Andy's message draft to Gwen was fun and I liked how he knew that Gwen wouldn't risk his life, so why wasn't he questioning Norton more? But then, Jane came over and whilst Andy admitted he was stalky he soon forgot about the ghost now he had the attention of the good-looking girl. Overall, a strong showing for Andy but a little flat in parts.

Rating: 6/10