Ianto has to supervise Sontaran Major Kreg as he blends in to life at the Mumbles Bay Caravan Park…

This audio – which, as director Lisa  Bowerman points out in the extras, is more than a little demanding on Dan Starkey, given that he’s in darn near every scene – was released to mark the 15th anniversary of Torchwood. It’s an interesting choice: using Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto is an obvious decision, but pairing him with a Sontaran, perhaps less so. And this isn’t a Strax comedy figure Sontaran either – this is a Major who has Strax’s inability to comprehend things save through a perception filter of all things military, but follows through on his more belligerent ways.

James Goss’ script is very well judged: at its heart, the story is about a group of loners forced to work together (which, to a large extent, isn’t a bad description overall of Torchwood itself), about tolerance, and where the line should be drawn. Nigel Harrison has a thankless task as the camp site owner Mr Higgins, and we’re very much on Kreg’s side when he wants to torture the man. And obliterate him. Not necessarily in that order. Kaye Brown is wonderful as Mrs Appleby, Kreg’s neighbour with whom he has an interesting relationship while Farshid Rokey’s Jamal grows stronger as the story goes on.

But it’s David-Lloyd and Starkey to whom most of the attention is given, and there’s a great give and take between them as each comes to comprehend the other more – and the fine line between prisoner and captive, pet and friend (yes that does make sense in context) is broached.

Even if you often skip the extras, don’t miss these, for the single best cast interview yet done on a Big Finish release…

Verdict: A glorious – and thought-provoking – release. 9/10

Paul Simpson

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