Empire of Shadows

"I am praying that Torchwood can help me."

Writer: James Goss

Format: Audio

Released: August 2021

Series: Torchwood Monthly 53

Featuring: Zachary 

Synopsis

In the far future of the Earth Empire, Torchwood is forgotten. So it's a surprise when Zachary Cross Flane of the Torchwood Archive finds himself summoned to the opening of the late Empress's Library. 

Her son believes that the conspiracy which deposed his mother is still active and that the key to it is hidden somewhere in the library. But does Zachary want to find it?

Verdict

Empire of Shadows was another excellent episode to continue my way through the Torchwood monthly range from Big Finish! This series really does go from strength to strength and this is such a fascinating setting. I remember when this was announced over four years ago now and being hugely excited by it. There's so much to potential explore in the far future and visiting the world of the Earth Empire is just fascinating. The mention of the Torchwood Archive in The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit has been expanded upon massively considering it was probably just a throwaway line to keep the Torchwood story arc going through Series 2. And yet we've had an entire story named after it and now we expand upon its significance here rather brilliantly. Given everything we've seen Torchwood go through, it's almost staggering to think that the organisation is still of significance this far into the future. But it's nothing if not resilient! I think it's really nice to know that Torchwood survives in some form and that also opens up the potential for so much more room in between to explore different iterations. I think Zachary Cross Flane made a big impact on screen in the aforementioned two-parter so he's a fine candidate to lead the episode. He really does have a big presence. His relationship and interactions with Chloe were intriguing and the dilemma she was facing as a non-organic were actually quite troubling. She was standing up for her rights which was great as a Synth in much similar fashion to minority races and genders are forced to stand up for themselves in society today. It was a strong parallel and the way she was addressed by the Emperor and even the Courtier was pretty disparaging. She was even told she didn't need to speak any longer once the introductions were completed. She was seen as lesser than, but then I guess I really shouldn't be too surprised with how the Ood were treated alongside Zachary. It almost becomes hypocritical with them being a slave race and it was almost a little insider joke with how many times the Ood were then referenced in the episode. Maybe they'll make an appearance in a future Torchwood story set during this era? I would love for that to be the case. I thought the mystery in the episode was a strong one and I really liked the Emperor being a little shifty. I must admit I didn't see the truth coming about the revelation surrounding his true identity, but it was a superb twist! The opening of the Empress's Library was good and everything was focused on the mysterious events that led to her death. The Emperor believed they were still unknown, but the plan that he was actually concocting was actually much more deliberate and contrived than that. I thought it was actually impressive that Zachary had worked it out himself just in time because of the slips of the Emperor. Suspecting the Emperor despite Torchwood's mission to protect him took guts, but the evidence was clear. The would-be Emperor was not the true son of the Empress he had replaced, but rather he murdered her and claimed to be her son to take the power. That's some impersonation! And he nearly got away with it. His desire to see what truth was held within the Torchwood Archive was good and it was a solid plan for sure, but I liked that Zachary was one step ahead of the game. Chloe resetting her memory despite her strong desire not to was a bit of a surprise, and I wonder if she really has or if she was acting? I hope the latter. Overall though, a brilliant story! A fantastic listen.

Rating: 9/10