Emlyn Crook (Jason Watkins) knows what he likes and that’s not much. A precise, some would say fussy, librarian, Emlyn is exactly the sort of man to answer a call to a phone box. Which is fortunate because Suzie Costello (Indira Varma) needs him.

Memorably described as ‘Alien in a phone box’, this sparky Aaron Lamont script comes through loud and clear. Watkins, who you can currently hear as the voice of Alfred Pennyworth in the excellent Caped Crusader, knows how to fill out every corner of characters like this and Lamont’s script gives him some gems to work with. Emlyn’s not especially nice but he’s very familiar, an older figure who is acutely aware that the world is passing him by and really isn’t happy about it. That self-righteousness is just the surface though and Lamont, director David O’Mahony and Watkins peel the layers back until we see this man for what he is. An exhausted public servant doing his best and finding, to his relief and surprise, it’s enough.

Varma continues to be one of the best actresses working today. Like so many colleagues she’s revelled in the chance to return to the characters they’ve played and find new levels of them and this is no exception. This is Suzie just cresting the arc of her fall; determined, principled and in rather more control than she wants Elwyn to know. It’s a great script and Varma does great work with it, especially in the closing scenes as everyone involved starts to realize what just happened, especially Suzie.

Special praise too to Steve Foxon’s sound design. In the space of 70 or so minutes we get a credible alien threat, multiple horrible deaths (the supporting cast passersby are all very good by the way) and Suzie and Elwyn trapped on different ends of a phone call. The sense of place is perfect and helps lift an already strong script, cast and direction higher.

Verdict: This is what Torchwood does best. Inventive, nasty, complex and filled with sparkling dialogue and performances. Very funny, very dark and well worth answering the call for. 10/10

Alasdair Stuart

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