"This place doesn't want you."
Writer: Rossa McPhillips
Format: Audio
Released: May 2022
Series: Torchwood Monthly 61
Featuring: Tosh
Synopsis
It's the largest depositary of alien artefacts ever assembled, ready to wage war against the heavens. Of course, they called it the Antebellum. Of course, they forgot about it.
But the Dow Cohort have rediscovered it. And tonight, they're breaking in. They have one hour and Toshiko Sato as a reluctant hostage. Can they steal Torchwood's greatest secret?
Verdict
War Chest was a very strong audio adventure to continue my way through the Torchwood monthly range! It's great for stories like this to provide a spotlight on characters like Toshiko where she can really shine by herself as the main character. I wouldn't say she ever felt lost amongst the rest of the Torchwood team, but she did let others talk over her whilst she would sit back and stay quiet. She showed her brilliance here though and it was a delight to hear. I liked the concept behind the Antebellum and it was good to know that it was owned by Torchwood. Except following the events of Army of Ghosts/Doomsday, it appears that to much of the outside world Torchwood is dead. Except of course for a small branch in Cardiff that Toshiko is still very much a part of, and that's where she was kidnapped from. I was impressed with how there was no waiting around in terms of storytelling and as we start things it initially appears like Tosh might have her own little team in the form of Vernon and Nisha. That turns out to be very far from the case and the pair were very unlikeable in a strong way. That was the intention as the villains with him being quite stuck up and trying to be imposing to Tosh simply by being an older man, and she was just a bit ditsy and felt like an influencer which isn't my cup of tea at all. She did seem to come around though towards the end when Vernon was going a bit too far with his desire to leave with anything but empty hands. I thought the concept behind the Antebellum was strong and Ed being there as a guard who supposedly didn't know what he was guarding as a contractor was amusing. Later finding out that he was UNIT Black Ops was a very good twist and I honestly wish it came earlier in the episode. I think that would have shifted the dynamic considerably, but Tosh seemed to have known for most of the story anyway! I liked how she could see that Ed had military training and also knew Vernon's surname despite it not being mentioned out loud over the course of the story's events. She's a keen eye for spotting things and that's a strong talent to have. I loved how she was able to flaunt it here without too much pressure. Despite the fact she was the one who was kidnapped, I was impressed with how Tosh always felt like she was in control. She was always one step ahead and utilised her knowledge of the Antebellum very well. I particularly loved the moment she was able to free some time from the room holding it with the clocks. That was terrific. I think Ed insisting on his name being referred to as Edward was amusing because nearly everyone was ignoring his pleas. I liked that only Tosh could get them in whilst Ed could only get them out as that meant some strong significance was placed on each of them, but I like how it was subtly a battle between Torchwood and UNIT. I really don't think we've seen anywhere near enough of that and it's something that could certainly become its own conflict series. If it's alien, who gets it? That's fun to play around with. I think the way Tosh got the upper hand on Vernon was strong and I was pleasantly surprised by her boldness in leaving him to fend for himself in the Antebellum. The Dow Cohort wouldn't be too much of a problem now, and with Tosh firmly in control in using both that organisation and UNIT for the benefit of Torcwhood, neither would Ed be after the cancellation wave was enacted to stop Edward. Overall, a terrific little listen!
Rating: 8/10
