"Torchwood" To the Last Man (2008)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Andy Goddard

Writers:

Russell T. Davies (creator)
Helen Raynor (written by)

TV Series:

"Torchwood" (2006)

Original Air Date:

30 January 2008 (Season 2, Episode 3)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Every year since 1918, the team wakes Tommy from cryogenic sleep, because one day they will need his help...

Plot Keywords:

Investigation | Renegade | Immortality | Monster | Anti Hero

Cast

John Barrowman	...	Captain Jack Harkness
Eve Myles	...	Gwen Cooper
Burn Gorman	...	Owen Harper
Naoko Mori	...	Toshiko Sato
Gareth David-Lloyd	...	Ianto Jones
Anthony Lewis	...	Tommy Brockless
Roderic Culver	...	Gerald Carter
Siobhan Hewlett	...	Harriet Derbyshire (as Siobhân Hewlett)
Lizzie Rogan	...	Nurse
Ricky Fearon	...	Foreman

Runtime:

50 min (approx.)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:12

Company:

BBC Wales

Trivia:

While Jack rounds off the number to an even 300 and makes the implication that all were shell-shocked and shot for cowardice, during WWI 306 British & Empire servicemen were executed, shot at dawn by firing squad, following courts martial for military offenses under the British Army Act: alleged acts of cowardice, desertion, sleeping at post, casting away arms and disobedience, between 1914 and 1918.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Tosh and Tommy are on the boardwalk, Tosh drops her bag twice while Tommy is holding her.

Quotes:

Captain Jack Harkness: This time tomorrow he'll be back in 1918.
Ianto Jones: In his own time. Would you go back to yours if you could?
Captain Jack Harkness: Why? Would you miss me?
Ianto Jones: Yep.
Captain Jack Harkness: I left home a long time ago. Don't really know where I really belong. Maybe that doesn't matter anymore.
Ianto Jones: I... know you get lonely.
Captain Jack Harkness: Going home wouldn't fix that. Being here, I've seen things I never dreamt I'd see. Loved people I never would have known if I'd just stayed where I was. And I wouldn't change that for the world.
[they kiss]

A solid third episode of the second season

"To the Last Man" is an above average episode of "Torchwood". With shades of "Sapphire and Steel", this time-warping, "historical" tale is strong on emotion and atmosphere.

This is a Tosh-driven episode and it allows Naoko Mori to reveal more about her character. When a first World War soldier is thawed out from Torchwood's cryogenic freezer, emotions run high and the team fight to save the world yet again.

8 out of 10. I've heard "Torchwood" described as the "18-30 of Sc-Fi". This is somewhat unfair. Although the show has its weaknesses, it delivers an alternative slice of British science fiction that is curiously retro despite its modern touches.