Children of Earth: Day One

"This whole city talks about you."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: 06 July 2009

Series: Torchwood 3.01

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto

Synopsis

Torchwood is defenceless and Gwen Cooper stands alone. As the world descends into anarchy, a council estate is the battleground for the future of the human race.

Verdict

Day One was an outstanding start to the Children of Earth third series of Torchwood! My modern era rewatch alongside my partner Gemma takes a slight detour as after over two years since concluding the second series, we return to what I would say is Doctor Who's most successful spinoff. And it's not even close is it? There has been a little bit of trepidation on my girlfriend's behalf about getting back into the spinoff because she doesn't have the fondest memories of the spinoff, but I seem to remember her quite enjoying and I have pestered and told her how critically acclaimed this particular series is. I could tell from her reactions as we watched this opening hour that she was invested. She's not a huge fan of Gwen at all which is a shame as I think she's a fantastic character, but she did have a chuckle when she was on the phone to Rhys when driving over the Severn Bridge and into England. Now, my partner is English and I'm Welsh so we have a little bit of banter there and that's a bridge we have driven over countless times, but we now live in South Wales so to hear Gwen as a proud Welshwoman make fun of going across the border with her injections and Rhys mentioning the currency was magnificent. I appreciated that so much and was a fond reminder of just how Welsh this show is. I love it. It was magnificent to see Gwen and company entering the Torchwood Hub at the Cardiff Bay as I was actually there just last week on my lunch break at work visiting Ianto's Shrine for the very first time. It completely went over my head that it was located at the Torchwood entrance so to be watching this so soon after visiting was fantastic. I thought the episode was clearly of its time and it's quite bonkers to be saying that of something from 2009. But Gwen saying Rhys should adopt a Philipino child to sweep the chimneys wouldn't fly today and neither would Ianto being asked if he had gone bender or takes it up the arse! It was extraordinary stuff but thoroughly entertaining I must say. On a personal note, getting confirmation that Martha was on her honeymoon sparked wild celebrations on my sofa with Gemma hoping she was on a seven day all incisive break as I told her how this series takes place over five consecutive days. That was pretty funny! It's also fun to see Peter Capaldi in another role within the Doctor Who universe prior to taking on the biggest of all as John Frobisher here, and the use of politics in the episode is superb. From the Home Office to UNIT, we really do have it all. I loved how things touched upon 1965's events and the bargain that was had with the 456 who have made a huge presence without actually featuring. The concept of every child in the world stopping at the same time is sensational and as a father to a boy who has just started school, I feel like the imagery and what happens here on a rewatch will have a profoundly different impact than my previous viewings. I'm not entirely sure I am ready! I think the cliffhanger here is nothing short of incredible as not only do we get the bombshell that Gwen is pregnant after her fascinating encounter with Timothy White as the only man also speaking in unison, but Jack is implanted with a bomb. The entire Hub goes ablaze and it works so well to those out to get Torchwood after the Blank Page order that they think Jack's ability to resurrect is linked to the Rift and the Hub. It's a solid theory! Ianto's moment of dropping in the fact he'd lost the car was a sublime moment of comedy before everything went to shit. I loved it. Overall, just a sensational opening episode to the series! I can't wait to watch the rest.

Rating: 10/10