Torchwood: Series 3, Episode 2 – “Children of Earth: Day Two” (2009)

 

While episode 1 already lets viewers know that series 3 is going to be a different sort of Torchwood – long scenes are spent away from the team, establishing new characters like Frobisher and other government workers – “CoE:  Day Two” begins the truly decisive break from the way it used to be.  Forced to flee from unknown attackers, our heroes are on the run; their usual high-tech resources are nowhere to be found, even everyday helps like bank accounts and mobile phones are off-limits, and Gwen has her civilian husband in tow.  It’s a tall order just to stay alive, let alone discover who keeps taking over the world’s children.

 

As Torchwood scrambles to make contact with one another and avoid detection, the Home Office is hopping with activity.  There are old secrets to keep, bodies to monitor, and alien instructions to follow to unknown ends.  And at the heart of it all is John Frobisher. 

 

The inconspicuous pencil-pusher has his hands full juggling all the plates these aliens, known only as the 4-5-6, have thrown into the air.  As usual, he keeps his head down and follows instructions, but that may not be enough this time; the prime minister acknowledges that Frobisher’s comprehensive involvement places him squarely on the front lines. 

 

But, though work is obviously an enormous part of Frobisher’s life, it’s not the only part.  He’s also a husband, as well as the father of two girls who’ve been repeatedly commandeered by aliens over the past few days, and the struggle between government man and family man is far from decided.  His wife demands to know what’s happening to their daughters, and he hides behind the Confidential Secrets Act, offering vague reassurances that do little to allay her fears.  However, when the children are taken over yet again, his most urgent phone call isn’t to the prime minister or the Home Office’s scientific advisor, but to his girls.  I like that push and pull.

 

I also want to say, I like the idea of a government department that knows about aliens.  Unit and Torchwood are the front-line folks, the ones with the fancy guns and heart-pumping chases, but here’s this dull-looking office of regular non-thrill-seeking people approaching these threats from a bureaucratic perspective.  It would’ve been fun to see glimpses of it earlier in the series.  Granted, we might not have had PC in the part if Frobisher had been a longer recurring role, but I like the references he makes to Torchwood, Jack, and the like.  Too bad we couldn’t have seen them interact at all before the events of “CoE” – I’m trying to imagine Frobisher in a meeting with Jack right now, and it cracks me up.  Definite missed potential there.

 

Warnings

 

Add occasional swearing to the Torchwood warnings.  Lots more violence than in episode 1, including a few very grisly images.  A couple naked bottoms as well.