Nightmares: Lola

"Working for Torchwood isn't easy."

Writer: Rochana Patel

Format: Audio

Released: April 2022

Series: Torchwood One 4.02

Featuring: Yvonne, Ianto

Synopsis

Ianto Jones thinks something's wrong with Torchwood. So does Yvonne Hartman. The problem is they think it's each other.

Verdict

Lola was another great episode to continue my way through the Nightmares fourth series of Torchwood One! This was a really fun story and I loved the concept in how it was just so very Torchwood. The innocuous nature of how the episode started with Yvonne being suspicious of a cup of coffee being left out showed how paranoid she was as a person as well as being a bit of a control freak when it came to cleanliness. It just wasn't fathomable that the cleaners would leave out a coffee cup so it was up to Ianto to investigate. Amazingly, there was substance quite literally in the request as Kayleigh found traces of retcon within it. I thought that was brilliant because using something like that against Torchwood is tremendous. I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner in having the basis of a story like this centred around retcon because it just makes sense. I really appreciated the realism that came from Tommy revealing how numerous Torchwood employees were semi-regular users of the stuff. In a job like Torchwood it was more than understandable why some might want to forget their day's work. I thought Yvonne being suspicious of Ianto was quite amusing and it still does take a little getting used to hearing Ianto in the position and role he is in at this point in Torchwood One. His lack of experience is often something I forget about but he pulls things off very well here. Tommy is a fascinating character too and the way he was on hand to basically pass the baton around of who the retcon suspect was worked well. I thought the revelation that numerous Torchwood One employees had been retconned was good and I loved the truth that came about when they found the note about things going to shite. That was an apt description and Yvonne's reaction to discovering that it was actually her that had ordered the mass retconning was terrific. She instantly changed tact and was incredibly trusting of her past self. There was something to be admired there. Judging from the story synopsis, I was expecting a little more focus on a conflict between Yvonne and Ianto but I don't think I really got it to be honest. Not after the first ten minutes or so. That was no bad thing as I still really enjoyed the episode. It kept me hooked with some strong pacing and the build towards the titular character of Lola was very intriguing. The way things built from that name having significance to Tommy as his lost dog's name was very interesting but things grew from there, just as Lola did. She was an amalgamation of memories and the whole presentation of swapped memories was excellent. I love the idea and just wish a little more was made of it! Kayleigh having the memory of Ianto's grandparents and being confused because she had lost hers before she could remember them was a little eery but I liked the enigmatic feel it provided. The way Ianto was on hand to help defeat Lola and use memories against her was pretty decent, but it felt a little quick and easy, especially right after Kayleigh presented herself as one of those that made up Lola. The little comedy lines at the end between Yvonne and Ianto with the coffee and a dash of retcon was a nice touch and you could sense an air of seriousness in Yvonne. She wasn't wholly pleased with the matter despite it being her idea and the logic behind mass retcon to stop Lola was sound. It just didn't quite pay off. Overall, a really strong story to continue what is shaping up to be a stellar series! 

Rating: 8/10