In Review: Big Finish: Torchwood: One Rule

Synopsis: It’s been three weeks since the Mayor of Cardiff was killed by a shop dummy and the fight is on to see who will replace him.

Yvonne Hartman is visiting the city to retrieve an invaluable alien device. She’s in charge of Torchwood One, she’s saving the British Empire and she doesn’t care about local politics. But she is going to find herself caught up in that fight. There’s a bloodthirsty alien stalking the streets and there’s a special offer on at the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet.

It’s the 26th of March 2005 and it’s the day that everything changes.

Review: Apart from the pathos within Rose’s departure, I don’t regard Doctor Who “Army of Ghosts/Doomsday” as series high points. Tracy-Ann Oberman did an extremely good job with the material she was given, but Yvonne Hartman was going to have to be explored elsewhere. Joseph Lidster crafted an excellent script allowing Yvonne layers without sacrificing the character established opposite the Tenth Doctor. I also appreciated how Lidster dealt with the themes of local politics along the way. The story played like a Welsh, sci-fi version of The Casual Vacancy without J.K. Rowling’s unfortunate thesis novel tone. Additionally, Lidster gave fans some excellent nods to Torchwood history along the way, including a certain beat cop’s cameo. Throughout, Oberman ate the scenery with all the condiments…obviously.

You can purchase “One Rule” here: http://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/one-rule-1297

Written By: Joseph Lidster

Directed By: Barnaby Edwards

Cast

Tracy-Ann Oberman (Yvonne Hartman), Gareth Armstrong (Barry Jackson), Rebecca Lacey (Helen Evans), Dan Starkey (Ross Bevan), Catrin Stewart (Meredith Bevan)

Produced by James Goss

Script edited by Steve Tribe

Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs