I n recent times, Big Finish’s monthly Torchwood range has emerged as the dependable backbone of the company’s output, so much so that we can forgive them the occasional wobble.
James Goss’ script makes much of the claustrophobic setting of a dowdy hotel, playing on the enforced isolation in our first post-pandemic presentation. Even if this means Torchwood agent St John Colchester does end up giving us a running commentary on all his actions, it’s just as well actor Paul Clayton has such a marvellously fruity voice to do it with; we could listen to him for hours. Trapped with him is Sophie Aldred, giving us a wonderful glimpse at the lesser spotted ‘grown-up’ Ace, but despite some witty repartee the two somehow fail to spark.
Familiar Goss tropes like variations on the same scene and narrative metaphors are amusing but not constructive, and without a solid sci-fi explanation it does sound a little bizarre when every other part in the piece is played by guest turn presence, making it hard to complain about his ubiquity. Thus, ‘not quite as brilliant as all the other brilliant ones’ is hardly a damning verdict.