Torchwood: The Conspiracy

Writer: David Llewellyn
Director: Scott Handcock
Script Editor: Steve Tribe
Cover Illustration: Lee Binding
Music: Blair Mowat
Sound Design: Neil Gardner
Producer: James Goss

Starring John Barrowman
Released September 2015

Torchwood has now been under the guardianship of Big Finish Productions, specialists in audio dramas based on expired television properties, for as long as it was on the small screen. And it has now been longer since The Conspiracy was released than it had then been since The Blood Line, still the most recent TV episode.

Tasked with resurrecting one of the Doctor Who universe's most divisive franchises, David Llewellyn deftly tempers the series' excesses while taking full advantage of this opportunity to reset his audience's expectations. Narrated in character by John Barrowman, this premier episode explores the nature of conspiracy theories through the eyes of those at both the top and the bottom after Captain Jack Harkness (Barrowman) becomes intrigued by former newsreader George Wilson (John Sessions), who shot to fame after apparently having a breakdown live on air and now travels the world spreading what he claims to be the truth.

Only problem is, he's right.

The inclusion of small-time blogger Sam Hallett (Dan Bottomley) neatly confronts prejudice and expectations head on, covering many of the same themes as Guy Adams' later episode The Man Who Destroyed Torchwood. Here though, what could have become a predictable arc for Sam, as he and Jack unwillingly cooperate to close in to the truth, is hijacked to startling effect, Sam just a pawn in a much bigger game. 

Llewellyn's economic script ably covers a variety of topics, offering comedy and horror in equal measure along the way. The small guest cast are uniformly excellent, with particular credit to Sarah Ovens as Wilson's daughter. The same is true of the well-judged music and sound design, and the episode's consistency of tone is a credit to director Scott Handcock. 

As the first in an ongoing series, The Conspiracy is pitched at just the right level, fitting snugly between television episodes but quietly establishing a new house style and setting in motion storylines that will feature to varying degrees for years to come. A great start.

Plus: don't miss the interviews with a typically understated Barrowman after the episode ends.