Outbreak: Invasion: Kill

"I don't trust miracles."

Writer: Guy Adams

Format: Audio

Released: November 2016

Series: Torchwood Specials 2.03

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto

Synopsis

"First they know you, then you love, then you kill..."

Incubation - Prodromal - Invasion

A medical trial's gone terribly wrong, and one of the test subjects is loose on the streets of Cardiff. Within hours a virus is raging out of control and the bodies start piling up.

The Government scrambles to control the outbreak but isn't too keen on anyone finding out the dark history of the virus. Captain Jack Harkness has encountered the infection before and knows that something alien is hiding inside it. 

With the city sealed off and murderous mobs rampaging through the streets, Torchwood has to save something even more important than the human race.

Verdict

Invasion: Kill was a very good instalment to conclude the Outbreak story from Torchwood! As special releases go I think that has been a brilliant success and it was a little close to home with the pandemic and the last two years with what happened in this final part. I thought it was good to have Gwen and Jack infected at different stages but as we reached the end here, I couldn't help but feel there was a lack of urgency at the situation. That felt odd considering everything that Cardiff had endured since the outbreak, but I did like that there were continued instances of scratching and hallucination. It was intriguing to hear Gwen's hallucination at the fairground with Rhys and it was nice to conclude the adventure with them actually going there and arguing over who would drive the dodgems cart. Their relationship is aways nice to explore and it's brilliant that Rhys broke the cordon around Cardiff to get to Gwen because of how much he loved, even knowing she was infected. He even knew the situation with the second stage and wanting to kill loved ones, but he needed to get to Gwen which was admirable. I loved his confidence and belief that despite being infected he didn't think she would kill him, but she did shoot him which was a big surprise! Thankfully, that was only in the shoulder and that resulted in an eventful walk to Cardiff Castle which was the centre of medical operations now. Knowing the locale of the landmark, that seemed like fun and I enjoy the Welsh capital setting of Torchwood so much. Jack being picked up by Heights Pharmaceuticals and them not being too surprised by his being alive after being dead when picked up. His role in potentially finding a cure to the alien virus was fantastic and his pairing up with Larsen was a highlight for me. I thought she was a tremendous character and would be a welcomed addition to the Torchwood team! I mean, at this point in the chronology there were vacancies at the Hub! Godalming was great again as the voice of Heights and finding out who her master was in the form of the Minister was very good. He was a decent villain from the shadows but I can't help but feel slightly more was needed from him to realise his full potential. Godalming issuing out the Provictus strain as a cure was fantastic and I loved the idea of a nano virus gaining intelligence and data from those it was within. The analogy of software on an old phone being how it was effective was a nice way to explain to the listeners how it worked, but the threat of the viruses teaming up was also good. Larsen developing the true vaccine thanks to Jack and his incredible blood was decent, although surely a bit too quick! I also have to admit that I found the Government too generic given the Welsh setting as with health I'm sure it would be a Senedd issue not Westminster! That's my patriotism talking though. Anyway, back on track after such an eventful and action packed start and second stage I think it's unexpected with how simple the resolution was in the end, but a lot of that had to do with containing things to Cardiff. Overall though, a great listen and a conclusion to the adventure! 

Rating: 8/10