In Review: Big Finish: Torchwood: God Among Us, Part 1

Synopsis: When a god comes to Cardiff, the world goes to Hell.

Review: With Torchwood: God Among Us, Part 1, writers James Goss, Guy Adams, John Dorney, and Tim Foley tie up loose ends from Series 5. In the process, they very organically set up Series 6.

The Story

In “Future Pain” by James Goss, Orr is front and center in a marvelous character piece that forces Torchwood to examine life, love, and death. I also loved Colin Colchester-Price’s development. He and Mr. Colchester are truly worthy of each other, and I’m very interested to hear how his relationships with the rest of the team evolve.

With “The Man Who Destroyed Torchwood,” Guy Adams treats listeners to a really solid exercise in deconstruction that the regular actors really sink their teeth into. Tom Forrister puts in a great performance as the hilarious and pathetic central figure in a morality play for our times.

“See No Evil” by John Dorney is my favorite story in the set. Yvonne Hartman and Sergeant Andy Davidson make a surprisingly well-matched duo. Plus, the collateral damage of the god’s presence begins to be felt in evocative ways that lend themselves well to audio.

The final tale, “Night Watch” by Tim Foley, ends on cliff-hangers that are infuriating, but perfectly necessary character realizations. Everyone evolves, transitioning to the next chapter in the story.

Overview

Fans who appreciate the themes but not the flaws inherent in the central villains of The Silver Surfer comics and Star Trek V will enjoy the variant god presented in this new Torchwood arc. Big Finish has done what they do best, putting forward better versions of the narratives we thought we knew.

• You can purchase Torchwood: God Among Us, Part 1 here. 

Written By: James Goss, Guy Adams, John Dorney, Tim Foley

Directed By: Scott Handcock

Cast

John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Yvonne Hartman), Paul Clayton (Mr Colchester), Alexandria Riley (Ng), Samantha Béart (Orr), Jonny Green (Tyler Steele), Tom Price (Sergeant Andy Davidson), Rachel Atkins (Ro-Jedda), Ramon Tikaram (Colin Colchester-Price), Jacqueline King (Mourner), Tom Forrister (Brent), Dominic Thorburn (Chip), Adam Turns (Old Man), Connor Calland (David), Jonnie Smith (Tim), Justin Davies (Scott), Karen Elli (Brent’s Mum), Laura Singleton (Celebrant), Melanie Stevens (Julia), Ri Richards (Shopper). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Torchwood contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners.

Producer James Goss

Script Editor Scott Handcock

Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs