BBC Radio 4, July 12 / AudioGo

When a voice is heard underwater emanating from the Mariana Trench, Torchwood investigates…

After the enjoyable hokum of The Devil and Miss Carew, things take a step backwards in Ryan Scott’s contribution to The Lost Files, which is plagued with horrible “as you know” dialogue throughout its first third. After all these years, would Jack ever really casually mention his 51st Century origins in conversation with Ianto and Gwen? After the incidents during Cyber-Woman, would the other Torchwood members really need reminding about what happened at Torchwood One? There are other questions thrown up – why doesn’t Jack just approach Martha Jones Smith rather than throwing in mentions of the Doctor “57 times”? Just how much use would torches be penetrating the stygian darkness of the Mariana Trench?

The basic plot isn’t bad, but it’s the second case of alien possession that we’ve had in the space of two stories. It’s all set up for the final punchline, which doesn’t really work if the story is taken in its pre-Children of Earth context rather than as a set-up for Miracle Day, and rather obviously foreshadows what must be one of the themes of the new series.

Verdict: Rather a disappointment.  4/10

Paul Simpson

Click here for our review of The Devil and Miss Carew, or check out all our Doctor Who and Torchwood reviews

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