2.02: Sleeper

[Dave]

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When a burglary turns into a slaughter, Torchwood suspect alien involvement. However, when the investigation escalates into a city-wide assault, Captain Jack realises that the whole planet is in danger. [BBC Press Office]

When burglary turns into slaughter, a seemingly innocent woman soon falls under suspicion. [What's On TV]

Gwen and Jack have doubts about a woman they rescue from a violent burglary. [What's On TV]

[Briareus Delta]

I've got a prior engagement and will miss this tonight, forgot it was on. Anyone know when it's repeated? (and i don't want to watch the 'kiddie' version!!)

[Dave]

The 'kiddie' version is on a 7pm tomorrow, and I expect the same version is shown at 7pm the following week. I'm not sure how much is edited though. It is also on BBC3 sometime this week. Wait a few months and it will be on BBC3 all day long.

[PTeppic]

I was entertained up until about the last ten minutes. The "knives and stabbing weapons" thing was a bit Terminator 2 and in a way clumsily done. Maybe the actor who got sent to the former mine was the wrong choice, he was way too wooden. The rest played along quite nicely for me though.

[Mary Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Briareus Delta

I've got a prior engagement and will miss this tonight, forgot it was on. Anyone know when it's repeated? (and i don't want to watch the 'kiddie' version!!)

Just Google BBC Torchwood and you can watch it again any time.

Mary

[Lenny]

The fella at the mine was extremely wooden... but he did scare me a little, which I think might have been the idea. His expression was just freakish.

All in all, I thought it was quite a good episode. The humour is still there - particularly from Ianto, which is nice to see.

I can already see the series building up around a central theme of "agents" and maybe "time".

[Mary Hoffman]

SPOILER










I have another questions - how did the embedded aliens decide whom to kill? OK, random military defending the ex-mine are fair enough targets, as is the guy in charge of emergency procedures. But mine guy's wife/partner had her neck snapped. Why? She wasn't trying to stop him.

And why did Beth's alien kill the burglars? That would be a human reaction, to defend her man, no? And then why kill him? Makes no sense.

Their pattern was neither random nor targetted. And the baby buggy rolling away into traffic was just cheap.

Still enjoyed it though!

Mary

[Essie]

It was definitely more enjoyable but still had loads of holes. I didn't understand why she killed the burgalars either and that appeared to have happened before they'd been 'activated'. Why? Didn't make much sense and the more you think about it the more holes appear.

[Adasunshine]

Originally Posted by Mary Hoffman

And why did Beth's alien kill the burglars? That would be a human reaction, to defend her man, no? And then why kill him? Makes no sense.

It was explained away as "self-preservation", the alien took over to preserve it's body.

xx

[Ursa major]

At least the holes did not leap off the screen quite so vigorously as they did in so many of the Series 1 episodes. (This has to be a good trend.)

[Mary Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Adasunshine

It was explained away as "self-preservation", the alien took over to preserve it's body.

xx

Then why kill Mike? Still makes no sense. It's a plot hole.

Mary

[Dave]

Very entertaining and a vast improvement on the first series. Yes there are plot holes and things ripped-off other shows, but it is hard to be completely original. I think they are trying hard and may have even taken onboard the criticisms made.

I think the 'Cell 114 - Sleepers' are a great introduction to the series. I can see a long running storyline develop with them that just would not be possible with the Weevils last season.

[Mad Tam McC]

I thought it was one of the better episodes they've done especially regarding Beth's dilemma and the emotional side.

To me it looked like the opening for a story arc.

[Essie]

Yeah that possibility had crossed my mind.

All in all it was an improvement - let's hope it continues.

[Adasunshine]

Originally Posted by Mary Hoffman

Then why kill Mike? Still makes no sense. It's a plot hole.

Mary

Mike was what was keeping Beth Human, making her not want to fulfill the mission, her learned human nature was taking over and Mike/her love for Mike was holding her back from fully activating. Ultimately, it was her human-ness that saved the day as it were.

At least, that's how I saw it.

xx