One Sentence Review

Another solid but unspectacular episode, that sets the scene nicely for the finale

Episode Synopsis

Find it here

Thoughts and Analysis

Like the previous episode, Part 3 suffers slightly from being an early middle episode, having to set the scene but not give too much away. Unlike last nights episode though, answers are starting to appear though how the “456″ incident can be resolved is still unclear.

The “456″ Arc

We finally start to get answers to the past dealings of the 456 and in a “shock” development in turns out that GB was complicit in giving them children in 1965. I would never have seen that coming except that I did.

We now know they want Earth’s children, but we dont know why. It also appears that the encounter in 1965 was supposed to be a one off, but they broke their word. At the moment the “456″ are still quite mysterious and while it is almost certain they will leave childless, how this will come about is uncertain given the power they apparently possess.

One question that does spring to mind is given that they can control children for short periods, why do they not make them all go to place for collection bypassing the need for negotiation entirely?

The “Clement” Arc

A bit more progress on this arc, and one part of his larger role is being fulfilled in relaying what happened in 1965, hopefully tomorrow we will find out why he has this weird sniffing ability

The “Torchwood” Arc

After some pointless criminal activity from the team, they are back in business, and mainly sitting about watching the computer screens and not doing much else. The main development on this front is that Jack was involved in the original 456 incident and that is why the Government wanted him silenced. Why they could not just have kidnapped him in the hospital rather than blowing him up is beyond me.

In terms of actual plot progression aside from the prodding and manipulating of people, there was actually very little from the Torchwood team, though I expect this will change in short order, once the exposition part of the episode is over.

The “Family” Arcs

Ianto’s families role now appears to be to display what happens to the children on the ground, now that the “456″ have demanded 10% of the worlds children. I would not be surprised if this is their sole role for the remainder of the series.

Jacks daughter Alice and grandson Steven, on the other hand has now taken the role of hostage. This now opens up numerous potential roles for her and her chances of death in the last episode have vastly increased.

The “Home Office” Arc

Frobisher is definitely heading for a bad end, if he ends up without some type of fallout from this I will be very surprised. One thing I am not clear on however is where does Johnson (female assassin) fit into the government structure and why does he have the authority to order her about. It also seems likely that he was involved personally in the 1965 incident in some way.

Lois on the other hand looks like she will get caught by Bridget in the next episode, or in the finale if it is more inconvenient for the Torchwood  team. She has already raised Bridgets suspicions by her flimsy reasoning for attending the meeting and then moving forward to get Frobisher in profile view.

This latter aspect was to me very poorly reasoned out given that Lois had a pad and pen and knows shorthand, in her position if Gwen asked for a better look, I would have responded on the notebook that I will write what they say down, which given the actual conversation would have been just as effective. Especially given that, that was what she did for the “456s” answers.

Other Thoughts

Another episode that suffers from middle episode syndrome, though answers are now starting to appear. I expect we will get 75% of the answers tomorrow and a shock revelation and Final battle on Friday. In terms of being a 5 day event I do think Torchwood is holding up fairly well though, and while the past 2 episodes do suffer from middle episode syndrome, they were still entertaining.

I was also glad they made a Doctor Who reference and reminded everyone of why Jack is immortal and that it is not due to the hub, as there will be some that had not seen the explanation or forgotten about it. I do wish that they had some comment about wishing the Doctor was here though.

In terms of where this is heading, and how the “456″ will be defeated I don’t really know, from the trailer it appears that the World will at least temporarily prepare to accede to the demands of the 456, but I doubt they will win in the end. The strongest candidate for a key role has to be Clement, and I think there will be some twist regarding his abilities that will provide the key.

We also still dont know WHY, the 456 want children, or the circumstances surrounding the initial encounter, these I expect will be wrapped up tomorrow just in time for Torchwood to save the day in the final 10 minutes of the last episode when all seems lost.

Episode Rating

7/10