In Review: Big Finish: Torchwood: The Death of Captain Jack

Synopsis: James Marsters returns!

Captain Jack Harkness is finally dying, and it’s time for his oldest friend to visit his deathbed. King John has come to tell him a story. The story of the life he should have had.

It’s the story of Alexander the Great, sinking ships, falling empires, robot dinosaurs, and alien invasions. It’s a story of love, royal weddings, murder, mass murder, genocide, and very tight trousers.

It’s the story of the life of Captain John and it’s the story of Torchwood. Be careful what you wish for.

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

Review: Torchwood: The Death of Captain Jack is a review-proof romp. Prior to listening, I wouldn’t have thought it possible to encapsulate Jack, John, and the entire Torchwood franchise in an hour-long stand-alone yarn. Writer David Llewellyn did just that, however.

Ultimately, though, the tightly structured plot is important only as context for a ballsy (pun very much intended) and bats**t  performance by James Marsters. He gives us Captain John Hart with the brakes not only off, but torn off and thrown into Vesuvius on Volcano Day. Fortunately, John Barrowman, Rowena Cooper, and the rest of the superb cast were up for the challenge of matching Marsters’ intensity.

All that said, I’m glad this is a one-off. Captain John Hart wouldn’t work as a regular lead. That very intensity would become overwhelming in the long term. He needs to remain the perfect recurring foil.

• You can purchase Torchwood: The Death of Captain Jack here. 

Written By: David Llewellyn

Directed By: Scott Handcock

Cast

John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness), James Marsters (Captain John Hart), Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper), Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto Jones), Kai Owen (Rhys Williams), Tom Price (Sgt Andy), Samuel Barnett (Norton Folgate), Rowena Cooper (Queen Victoria), Rick Yale (Christopher Marlowe), Aly Cruickshank (Alexander the Great), Marilyn Le Conte (Catherine the Great), Luke Williams (Hephaeston), Richard Elfyn (Field Marshal), Kerry Joy Stewart (Flat Holm Doctor), Kristy Philipps (Royal Servant)

Producer James Goss

Script Editor David Llewellyn

Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs