Torchwood (TV Series) Random Shoes (2006) User Reviews

Surprisingly Humanistic...

[cchase · 9/10 · 19 November 2007]

You don't usually expect a series that deals with alien monsters and bugaboos of all kinds to have an even balance of special effects chaos and a focus on the wonders and weaknesses that make us all essentially human, but "Random Shoes" is one of those prime examples - not an alien in sight, but it gives us an enthralling and touching story nevertheless, even though technically it has been done before in other series and films (usually quite poorly.)

Eugene Jones, a longtime TORCHWOOD "groupie" has been pursuing the team for years, trying to get them to look at something he found. When he suddenly becomes one of the group's new "cases," Gwen takes it upon herself to solve not only what appears to have possibly been a murder, but the riddle of Eugene's very existence. All while unknowingly being followed by his "ghost", who provides the narration throughout the story.

Even more reminiscent of THE X-FILES than most of the other episodes, "Random Shoes" ends on a sad yet uplifting note that's bound to be controversial for the lack of logic behind it. Which, if the viewer is paying attention, is not the point of the whole story. Liiving your life to the fullest, whatever that life is like...THAT is the point. And beautifully put, I might add.

Eugene Jones didn't have a rewarding life. Will death provide the answers he seeks?

[kburnard-896-760815 · 9/10 · 17 January 2014]

After a very weak season, Torchwood finally finds footing with a fantastic work of pathos and humanity. The story presents life in a very refreshing way, random and hopeless yet wonderful and inspiring. The plot works well for the most part, but is mostly just a backdrop for the character of Eugene to come to terms with mortality. The non-linear pathway to tell the story greatly assists, however, and presents an otherwise vanilla story with grace. Sidelining many of the main Torchwood characters also greatly helps, bringing out the far more interesting Eugene and the people he interacts with. Some parts make little logical sense (particularly a certain moment at the end), but when presented so effectively, it's difficult to care.

Overall, it's a very rewarding episode to view, and is a lovely subdued moment amidst the chaotic loudness most of Torchwood presents. In my opinion, it is without a doubt the highlight of the first two series, and one of my favorite pieces of television in general.

Very human experience

[brucebkitchin · 8/10 · 11 June 2018]

Over all not the best of Torchwood but it had humor and humanity. Overall one of my favorite episides absd Eugene a very endearing character. I plan on rewatching and recommending it all over. A lot of this series has grim stories, see countycide for eample if you can somach it as it is gruesome in concept if you area dalmer fan. I enjoy much of Torchwood but this had something extra and a bittwrsweet end

Chasing your dream

[sinceverona · 1 September 2009]

When Eugene Swanson awakens he realizes that he is laying in the road with no memory of what happened to him. Soon he realizes when he sees Gwen and the rest of the Torchwood team examine his body laying in the dirt that he must be dead. Then his wish becomes reality. For years he has been trying to meet the members of Torchwood and know as a ghost he is able to follow Gwen who is trying to investigate why he died . Gwen first visit Eugenes mother, than his friends where he worked, but they are all obviously hiding something. Eugene looked very cute and his crush on Gwen was nice. All he wanted was to believe in the impossible. Unfortunately while he was convincing himself that somehow he will get to contact with alien his personal life was a disaster. The episode is really a story from an angle by Eugene and it was fun to see through his eyes Torchwood. Also the scene in Gwens bedroom was very beautiful, and somehow the way he was able to connect with Gwen was interesting to watch. He himself said that he doesn't want it to end, but of course nothing lasts forever. The episode was in very slow narrative pace and I really liked it.

A great episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 13 February 2023]

Eugene Jones died after a road traffic accident, but his spirit lingers on Earth, he tries to communicate with Gwen, he failed to in life, he tries to in death.

In the same way that I adore Dr Who's Love and Monsters, I absolutely adore Random Shoes, it is one of the best episodes of Torchwood, it holds up incredibly well. Totally different to every episode in series one, don't expect action or special effects, it's more an emotional packed watch.

It's a tremendously human story, it's sad, it's moving, it's actually very deep. It's very easy to buy into Eugene's character.

Well acted throughout, great to see Gwen centre stage, but Paul Chequer truly makes it, he is brilliant as Eugene, I think he truly delivers on every level.

Excellent, 9/10.

Not perfect, but at least Torchwood is getting better

[thomasgouldsbrough · 7/10 · 23 March 2022]

Random Shoes is probably the best Torchwood episode so far. It's human focused, and actually kind of depressing. The episode focuses on Eugene, and it's pretty sad. A maths genius, who ends up living a pretty empty life, and not living up to his potential. His dad leaves him, and ends up being quite the loser. He ends up having a 3rd perspective on his life, to see that he won't really be remembered, and that his life struggled to add value to everyone around him. He ends up redeeming himself, and so it's quite a comfortable story to witness. Of course, in typical Torchwood fashion, Ianto still has about one line of dialogue, and we're still left pondering what he actually does at Torchwood........

At least this time with Torchwood, they haven't included any god awful CGI. There's no attempts at CGI, and it makes it all the more better to watch, as we don't have to witness some awful contraception on screen. In fact the sci-fi element is this episode is excellent - there's no larger than life, forgettable aliens, sci-fi is instead used to tell a very human story about redemption.

This episode isn't particularly memorable, and doesn't offer much for a rewatch, but nevertheless, it's still a good episode.

Bland

[fstaward · 4/10 · 3 January 2021]

I don't find this episode as good because I'm into the view of the main characters (torchwood) I didn't like the voice over because it made the whole episode weird

I like the story THEY follow and I didn't like the idea of a new view from a completely new character

The eye keeping him alive idea was not needed and they could have made a way better reason for his 'ghost' form