Horror returns to Fetch Priory…

To me at the time of broadcast, the 1977 story Image of the Fendahl felt like something of a throwback to the stories of the previous season. Gone was the bright lighting of The Invisible Enemy, and instead there was creeping horror that seemed to frighten even the Doctor. I’ve always been a bit surprised there’s not been more featuring them – the creatures have returned in prose over the years, but not to screen or official audio, until now.

Torchwood has never felt quite so grimy and sleazy as here, and credit to writer Tim Foley, director Scott Handcock and the cast for making you almost feel on the side of the Fendahleen! Credit particularly to Eve Myles for a performance that really does have you questioning exactly what’s going on – the cover gives away that she’s the latest incarnation of the core, but beyond that I don’t want to spoil the twists in the second half of the story. Foley also reminds us without hammering the point home that Gwen Cooper was a police officer before she joined Torchwood, and her thirst for justice is apparent in this.

There are plenty of nods to Chris Boucher’s original in this, and it may well get you reaching for the DVD!

Verdict: Unpleasant but gripping – a dark take on an already dark concept. 9/10

Paul Simpson