Torchwood: Series 2, Episode 5 – “Adam” (2008)

*Episode premise spoilers*

This is an episode where I think the idea is ultimately better than the execution, but I still like it. It’s a cool concept, and I always like it when the alien threats Torchwood faces hit the team on a more personal level.

When Gwen returns to work after a holiday, she’s alarmed to find a stranger in the Hub. But no, wait—that’s just Adam. He’s an invaluable member of the team. He’s always been here, everybody loves Adam. Gwen’s mind was just playing tricks on her. As soon as he touched her, then she remembered everything.

Creatures/entities that can manipulate memories are interesting, because they’re so hard to defeat. How can the heroes even realize they’re in danger, let alone figure out how to fight back? Adam is a bit of a Kilgrave-esque baddie in that he doesn’t seem to have an evil plan. Rather, he’s just a ruthless opportunist, distorting people’s memories to establish himself somewhere and then having his fun, taking whatever he wants in the process. If he decides he has his eye on Tosh, one touch and they’re already in an ongoing relationship. If someone gets suspicious, one touch is all he needs to keep them off his trail. Definitely creepy.

So, great notion, but the way the show handles it is a mixed bag. While it’s interesting to see how the team’s altered memories affect their personalities, the why behind certain changes aren’t always clear. Like, how does it benefit Adam to have Owen acting like a sad dweeb? That’s one that feels like it was done more for the “whaaaat?” factor than for any in-story reason. The stuff with Jack’s past falls flat too. The whole Gray storyline in series 2 isn’t my favorite anyway, but in an episode where you’re dealing with a being who’s all about memories, why would you bring up this new backstory for Jack when his debut appearance on Doctor Who introduced the idea that the Time Agency stole two years’ worth of his memories? Never once does Torchwood address this. I think it would’ve been much more interesting than all the Gray stuff, especially since series 2 also gives us Captain John Hart. In a season with another rogue Time Agent, it would’ve been an ideal time to dig into this mystery—wasted potential.

One thing I do really like, though, is how Adam is found out. He can change the team’s memories and alter their records, so how can someone discover the truth about him? I enjoy how they answer that question, and how, despite Adam’s efforts to cover his tracks, his attempt to silence his accuser backfires on him. I’m talking around the details here to avoid spoilers, but I like how this plays out for the characters involved.