MIRACLE DAY - FICTION - COMEDY - NEWS + MORE!

Issue Four This issue is the Easter Issue obviously...

EXCLUSIVE Interview INSIDE! Editorial It’s Christmas Time! There’s no need to be afraid! At Christmas CONTENTS Time! We lie in bed with a DVD! (If that’s not true then why are you here? I’m joking of course- you spend Boxing 3: Editorial Day doing that...)

4-5: Inside the Hub Welcome to the Fourth Issue of the only Torchwood Magazine 6-7: The Woodie available: The Hub! We’ve been away for a while- probably be- cause I’m lazy and my laptop crashed mid October. But none the World less, we’ve gone all Christmassy! As, if you haven’t noticed, it’s Christmas (or the holidays...) I love Christmas: good TV, good 8-11: food, good presents and most importantly the chance to be anti- Torchwood’s social as I lie in bed watching DVD’s of , Torchwood The Hub Issue and Family Guy. And of course there’s family and friends and Four Heroic Husband (Kai getting knocked over on ice skates. But still- it’s Christmas! Editor: Matt Powell Owen Article Writers: Matt Powell, Dori This issue sees a first for “The Hub”: AN INTERVIEW! Original- Martinek, Debbie Forrest, Lousie Interview) ly it was going to be Eve, (who readers of WWTW #2 will note Mills, Jooles Sand that she saw the fanzine, loved it, signed it for free, said yes to an 12-29: Miracle Day interview and sadly when we went Eve had sadly left,) but the Interviewees: Kai Owen, “Snow” bracketed information explains it all. We’ve written a fan letter to 30-34: Be her, and we’ll keep you informed on a reply... However- we were Fiction: Debbie Forrest, Louise Mills Careful What You given a Press Pass to Memorabilia Birmingham with the amazing Kai Owen and Arthur Darvill, (Rory in Doctor Who,) and we Artwork: Matt Powell, Louise Mills Wish For (Fiction) got to interview Kai! Kai was lovely to speak to and you’ll hear 35: The our Five Minute interview with the man later this issue! Copy Editor Lisa Moran Torchwood Times Miracle Day is now over which is both sad and good. Good in The Hub would like to thank... the sense that we can run a huge feature about it! In “Miracle 36-44: Christmas at Day”: we review the series, debate whether the format should DWImage2005, Blogtor Who, Mas- stay, review the DVD, look at the lives of the deceased characters sive Events, MCM Expo Group, David Torchwood (Fiction) and look at Ten awesome pieces of tech! What more could you Axbey, Kai Owen, Snow, the followers want? We also report from The Hub 7 from an attendee giving us of us on twitter, Lisa Moran, The Writ- 45-48: Crazy little a look at what the event was like... ers of the Hub, Mr Google, Russell T thing called Hub Davies for making the amazing show Torchwood has only briefly touched upon Christmas before: and YOU! 48: Matt Rambles Episode Ten of series one had a little bit of Christmas however we’ve never had a Christmas Special. I wonder what it’d be like? COPYRIGHT DETAILS 49-51: The Jack and Ianto kissing under the mistletoe whilst Gwen and Rhys “The Hub” is a non profit, Torchwood Musical Tale Part Two burn the turkey due to a mad alien race spawning from the un- Fanzine. No Copyright Infringement derground of Cardiff? I should get writing... However- we bring intended. Torchwood (C) Russell T 52: Next Time you the best equivalent this issue in two amazing fictions! Davies, BBC and Starz. Images used without permission. No money is 53: Merry Christmas! Plus we’ve got articles, comedy and more! And a few mini, “bo- made from the release of this fanzine. nus” features you’ll learn more about later this issue... Top: My signed copy of The Hub Issue Three From all of us here in this issue, we wish you a very Merry Bottom: Me.. At Christmas... At a Christmas and a Happy New Year! Chinese... With Mates... Matt (The Captain of Team Hub)

PS: Keep Buggering On! name that you never know what you’ll get.” She also commented that there is still life in the show in an interview with the NZ Herald. Barrowman also com- RUSSELL TALKS mented that a movie is the next progression: “What All the latest TORCHWOOD news in one I would like is on the big screen,” he MIRACLE DAY! explained. “After four seasons I think that is our Show runner and Creator of Torchwood Russell T next progression. I’d get my production company place! Davies recently performed two audio involved in it, I’d get Russell and Julie involved in commentaries on the new Miracle Day Boxset set it, and I think it would look phenomenal on the big for release this month. Through conversation with screen.” WHAT NEXT FOR , executive producer, they addressed a strong variety of subjects. Aliens were addressed Executive Producer Julie Gardner commented that commenting on how they did not fit in the Miracle TORCHWOOD? “all options are possible” for Torchwood’s continu- Day world... ation in an interview with Assignment X: “I don’t RTD: I kind of thought do you miss aliens? I do know if there will be more,” she said. “Time will tell. slightly. It’s always had a labyrinthine history. I think it’s so JG: I do. I do miss aliens. elastic in some ways, and it’s had a strange life. It’s RTD: Oh, now we realise! If there’s another series I’d been across so many different channels and had definitely do bigger aliens in it. More alien international audiences, so there’s no single way presence. forward for the show. All options are possible.” Ending the commentary, Russell debates over Jack’s Personally I would like to see a TV series more than mortality... a movie. However a movie would be amazing to ? RTD: Was Jack ever mortal, that’s what we’ll never see, especially seeing the team kicking arse on the know. ‘Cos I think, by the way, that he was a fixed big screen. However long we have to wait for Torch- point in time and space that I’m not sure he was wood’s return- the Hub will still be here. (Just bring ever mortal during the whole story [Miracle Day]. Miracle Day has come and gone. With the gives a f**k about writing scripts if I can out whatever they are doing soon! We’ll run out of We never got to prove it because we never killed season over ending on one huge cliff-hanger, stay at home with him and make his day a ideas soon!) we’re left clueless as to any knowledge on bit happier?” Despite no real reference in him. future episodes. However- this hasn’t caused the Pink News interview, the interviewer JG: [STUNNED ] speculation and the numerous responses commented in the write up that this may OUTSIDE THE RTD: That’s thrown you. cast give to the “What would you like to see explain Torchwood’s current hiatus: they JG: Oh my god! in the future of Torchwood.” also confirm that Starz will only bring HUB... RTD: If says someone is a fixed point in back Torchwood if Russell is a part of it. • , Kai Owen and a wealth of time and space, then they’re a fixed point in time The official response so far is that they are Currently- it seems that we may not get other Torchwood stars were in attendance at the and space. waiting on Russell and the showrunners another season of Torchwood for possibly November “The Hub 7” convention which we report JG: I am horrified! response. A recent interview with Russell re- two years as Russell has plans for a sitcom from later. vealed that his partner, Andrew, is suffering a “Cucumber.” We wish Andrew and Russell • Continuing the convention trend- Kai Owen The DVD is out now containing a wealth of new cancer of the brain and has stopped working. all the best in these difficult times. attended Memorabilia Birmingham and also in at- material... He comments: “I’ve stopped work,” he says. tended alongside Eve Myles, Arlene Tur and Alexa • Torchwood Declassified - 2 episodes: One looks at “I haven’t worked since August. We’re lucky With the ratings Starz and the BBC ob- Havins at the London MCM Expo. If you attended- how the show was made Special Effects we’ve got enough money in the bank that, tained it would seem stupid not to keep we’d love to hear about your Torchwood experi- wise and the other acts as a behind the scenes if need be, I can take the whole of next year the show running. Many cast and crew ence! guide. off. I’ve always been a good saver. I’ve always members have discussed the idea of a • Eve Myles will make a return to “Baker • Character Profiles had that mentality that you’ve got to be movie. Eve Myles commented in an inter- Boys.” • 10 episode intros ready for a rainy day. People keep asking me view at the MCM Expo, London: “I think • John Barrowman has recently completed a • Deleted scenes if I’ve really stopped working. I used to work the next step would be a movie,” she said. UK tour, (involving an appearance on This Morning • Motion Comic, Web of Lies so hard you see, they think I must be secretly “We change every year. We have to change which he discussed how he stopped a burglar,) and • Audio commentary on Episodes 1 and 10 from working on something, but I’m not. It was a every year to keep it fresh and different. is now in Pantomime in Scotland and has hosted the and Julie Gardner simple decision: he’s more important. Who With Torchwood, we can live up to the Never Mind the Buzzcocks Christmas Special. The Boxset is out now. INTERESTED IN FEATURING? CONTACT US VIA THE WOODIEEMAIL OR TWITTER WORLD TODAY!

I’m still Survey: Who is your Building the amazed I man- aged to favourite Minor Torchwood Character? Hub pull this Earlier this month, we ran a small Twitter survey to off. Also find out what your favourite minor Torchwood Mira- An interview with a Hub lovely to cle Day character was. Whilst confusion arose over see how the term “Minor” we eventually got some results! Builder... it evolved from the For me it’s Danny- the “not gay” flight attendant from Way back in the days of S2- Sci-Fi Collector basic one of my favourite episodes of Miracle Day: Rendi- released two waves of Torchwood action figures, plans I tion. The actor is amusing in the role and at times totalling up at 9 figures: Jack (x2), Gwen, Ianto, made 3 you do feel sorry for him and how he gets a bit of Toshiko, a , , Captain John years ago. piss taken out of. Twitter user @Snowebunny agrees Hart and the Blowfish. However- there was never describing him as the “non gay flight attendant.” Deep a hub. Until now. Sort off... Gallifrey Base Mod- - How down- we all know that “just once” was more... erator “Snow” is an uber Torchwood fan and in far is it off this interview- Snow discusses how the project completion? Our Copy Editor Lisa Moran said her favourite was came about... The build is to the scale of the fig- Hopefully I can complete it in the next 4 months. I have obviously Anwen. Angelo was also mentioned and ures giving them all a home... completed about 90% of the main structure now. I’m then surprisingly Noah! Whilst he appeared more now building the furniture, props and such like. It just than the others Noah was a popular choice as @ba- - What inspired the build? depends on how much spare time I have. bystar380 commented: “I love Paul James who played I like the show, the design of the Hub and I also Noah!! I know him from a different show!! I loved the like to build models. I used to make Warhammer - Would you like to see more Torchwood Figures? character Noah though 2 :) so Noah 4 me!!” buildings/scenery. As my fiancée and I started Yes, would be great. I’m sounding out playing that less, it seemed pointless to make making a custom Owen figure as an official figure is not So it’s a tie between the amazing Danny and Noah! If more Warhammer stuff so I thought I’d tackle likely to be forthcoming. Also wouldn’t mind a Suzie you want to see your favourite win or you have anoth- something bigger as I wanted a challenge. Costello. er suggestion then tweet us @RTPProductions!

- How did you research the Hub? - Any future builds? Mostly I did a great many screen captures from Once I’ve finished the Hub I’m intending to build the the TV show which I used for reference. tomb where the Cybermen hibernated in Tomb of the Cybermen. I also intend to build at some point a classic - What is the build mainly made of? console room, not sure which era yet though. I’ll prob- Foamcore, card, glue, funky foam, plasticard ably also attempt a micro TW Hub to go with the Char- (sheet styrene) and patience. acter Building TW team I’m making, depends what i got room for! - Is it interesting to see how it’s all evolved? Yes, having recently been sorting out the myriad of pics of it i took of the build over the years Underneath the gun wielding was also joined by his wife and his dramatically, emotionally. Yeah- Welsh woman, the mysterious child who to my distant memo- really great. Captain and the other major ries had a balloon animal shape alien busters there’s Rhys. Rhys is thing... Kai gave us a good Five Q: What’s it like to act the rela- the man pulled into it all by his Minutes talking Torchwood- and tionship between Gwen and Rhys? beautiful wife Gwen. He discov- this was the results... We learnt that it was originally ered Torchwood all by mistake meant to end in S1 with Rhys dy- and the accidental discovery after Q: How did the role of Rhys come ing. Are you glad it’s carried on? a Season and a bit of not know- about? A: Oh yeah! Totally! I love the ing. Rhys was meant to die in the A: It was 4/5 years ago now! My relationship. I think Gwen loves Sixth Episode of Series One. But agent rang up saying there’s an him more than ever and her past thankfully- he’s still around today. audition coming up for a new sea- is in the past now and they’re solid And the man who plays this house son in , a spin off of Doctor together through Anwen. Gwen husband? Kai Owen. Who and my agent put the feelers will still be Torchwood everyday. out and I went for a meeting with She’ll still run off with Captain Kai Owen is all over Welsh- from the casting director and I got in Jack to save the world but I think twitter you can tell he’s a beer lov- through an audition, read for the she would always come back to ing, Rugby watching, wonderful part and they offered me the part him. Rhys is a rock: he pillow, her man who is hilarious. And on the of Rhys and we began filming two shoulder to cry on. He’ll always be 20th November- we met him. If weeks later. So as normal: acting there for her you know, and I love we take the Vortex Manipulator jobs come along, you have to audi- acting with her. I love the fantasy all the way back to that slightly tion for them and some you don’t element of it but I also love just cold day in the huge NEC, (which get, some you do! nice intimate scenes with Eve and me and got lost in,) at the myself in the house. Memorabilia event hosted by Q: Are you happy the way Rhys the MCM Expo Group. Kai was has developed over the years? Q: What’s your favourite storyline positioned next to some guy from How he’s gone from A (being the that involves Rhys in this season? Tron and that Russian woman husband at home,) to B (being A: I would have to say when he from Spooks (former BBC spy part of the team in some re- found out was a great episode for drama.) With a short queue and spects)? me especially when he finds out offering two autographs for the A: I am actually. I’ve got to be what Gwen does. It was a really price of one- Kai was amazing. He honest I really am. I love the de- great episode for me. Fantastic to velopment. I love the way he didn’t know anything about it in the first season to TORCHWOOD’s finding out about it in the second season. He’s really gone from strength to strength really. Heroric Husband And his journey has been really great and I’m proud to still be alive and I’m re- ally pleased he’s still there. I also love the In Conversation with Kai Owen fact he’s there now developed with the wife and the baby. It’s great! It’s great to play, works well know! (Note- he ers and ers a lot here...) Doing the stuff with Bill Pullman was great- opening a can of larger over Bill Pull- man. Enjoyed the one to one stuff with him. All the stuff with Eve- the tender moments with Eve. The big argument in . There’s been a lot of lucky stuff to do. I liked the episode “Adam” where Gwen didn’t remember who Rhys was as he switched her memories over. All that stuff was, you know, was brilliant. And I also like the stuff where Rhys and Jack have “locked horns” that is very fun to do with John.

Q: What would you like to see in the future of Torchwood? A: I don’t really know. I’d like it film, great fun and some really A: Not at all. There was a bit to continue in this vein. They meaty scenes to get my teeth into more man power with the crew can do whatever they like with with Eve. Excellent- that was my and stuff. But not at all it was old Torchwood- they can bring it favourite. Torchwood, still the same. The back as a special, whatever they American team, the American want. The thing they need to do Q: Lets talk about Miracle Day- crew used the same techniques. is make sure it continues: Rhys obviously it was a giant leap to the Just a little bit more money over still around, still trying to save USA: what was it like going out there- bigger budget and the main the world. And Gwen is still there there and living in the states? difference was the weather. with him getting caught up with it A: Oh my god it was unbeliev- and the big stories. able! It was the best job ever, it Q: Have you got any on set stories was what dreams are made of you could share with us? Q: Do you have a final message for you know: going over to film in A: None I can repeat here I’m the Torchwood fans? Hollywood. We were filming in afraid. They involve John Barrow- A: Oh the Torchwood fans are the Warner Brothers on these amaz- man and they take a lot of time. best in the world! Thank you very ing stages that had filmed so many much for watching- we always movies and has been home to so Q: What is Barrowman like on set? want to do another series. We’ll many famous film sets. And the A: He’s great! He’s fun! He’s a live always try to make it the best and weather was amazing, the lifestyle wire. He’s a ball of energy who the biggest thing we’ve ever done! was amazing. I took my family out leads the team and the cast like no So thanks for watching, you’re all with me. Oh that transition was other and he’s a top guy. So gener- great and I love you all to bits. easy to do, you know what I mean. ous and nothing but praise to say It was amazing. Constantly, con- about John- he’s amazing in every Kai was brilliant. After I’d finished stantly grateful, cherished every way. typing up the interview reveal- second and had the best time ever. ing the title from the amazing @ The time of my life. Q: Do you have a specific scene socalifrose Kai tweeted he “LOVE out of all the years of Torchwood THAT TITLE!!!!” What a bril- Q: Did life on set differ from the which you really enjoyed? liant man, (and socalifrose for the UK and the USA? A: Oh there’s been so many you amazing title...) Thanks Kai for being so brilliant! WE LOOK BACK AT THE AMAZING MIRACLE DAY WITH REVIEWS, FEATURES AND MORE! It’s been a while since Torchwood his surroundings. (1) Buy an immortal in the 1920s Miracle Day aired and I miss the (Jack, but he escaped) Friday night episodes here in the Everything humans understood (2) Dig up an anomaly which ran US. Will there be another series? about the cycle of life and dying through the center of the world Possibly, but no firm commit- was thrown out of whack and (3) Bribe corrupt officials for ments from the parties in involved civilization started breaking down decades yet. on a worldwide scale. (4) Set up shell companies, includ- ing PhiCorp to do some of their No aliens were involved in series How does Oswald Danes fit into dirty work four, if you don’t count Jack (he this story? I’m not sure I truly ever (5) Position themselves in three was born off planet, in the future) understood the character’s areas of power (politics, finance or any of the alien artifacts like the purpose. He was über creepy and and media) ready to strike when null field device Angelo used. So it people seemed both fascinated the time was right. was just down to us humans. I and repulsed by Oswald at the think I liked it better when we same time. Oswald survived his Cue people’s reaction to their new have aliens to fight. original execution but was har- immortality: assed until PhiCorp offered him Miracle Day was an opportunity protectionand a job. Eventually Let’s party! Even Jack had to par- to bring out the best, the bizarre Oswald figured out he was just ticipate in the party and love fest and the worst in humans. Sud- a diversion for the world while attitude of many people (loved denly no one could die and it was PhiCorp and the Families worked the “mortal man, mortal needs” beautifully demonstrated by Rex’s behind the scenes. Category Zero line before he walked into the injury (impaled through the chest was deployed and Oswald fled for Golden Gopher club), but other by a pipe). In his case most of the his life and forced his way into people reacted differently. The damage could be repaired, but Torchwood’s operation. Soulless marched in silent pro- the scene where Dr. Juarez and test because they believed their Jack witness the examination of We know now it was the Fami- immortality caused them to the man torn apart by the bomb lies who manipulated the world lose their souls. The 45 Club strapped to his chest brought and they had been planning it for advocates claimed you could home the horror of this new im- decades. A group of people who achieve permanent unconscious- mortal world especially when they wanted immortality and world ness (closest one can get to severed the man’s head from his domination (they don’t do things dead) by jumping off a building body and the man opened his eyes by halves) and were willing to: from the 45th floor or higher. still very much alive and aware of Still others led by Ellis Hartman, want to put the new dead away Random thoughts behind barbed wire. Dead is dead after all. about The medical community struggled to adapt to immortality by chang- ing their triage process and trying to cope with the surge of long- term patients by coming up with new categories of life. Categories of Life – a simple phrase with horrendous results. Category 3 – Writer: Dori Martinek you’re alive and healthy, Category 2 – you’re ill or injured and you might get better if no one puts you in Category 1. Category 1 – the new dead; in theory you only go in this category if you have no the related Web of Lives web app there was Is Fan Fiction Worthy? another incident back in 2007 Writer: Dori Martinek there were 335 hits. Granted most story I’ve been reading, The Vera when Jack was of the hits weren’t Torchwood sto- Juarez Network (by Harkpad) abducted and We all know Torchwood Mira- ries, but after I removed the non- which covers the time it took bled dry sev- cle Day had pretty good viewing Torchwood stories I was left with Esther and Jack to travel from eral times by the numbers in the UK and the US, 62 Torchwood stories which were Nevada back to the UK. If you’ve Families before but have fans truly taken this se- somehow related to the Miracle never read multi-chapter fan fic- Gwen rescued ries to heart? I wondered and de- Day series. tion before, please be aware the him and both cided to checkout some fan fiction authors may only update sporadi- were retconned. websites to see how many Torch- Now 45 of the 62 were one-shots cally and occasionally they may Jack was a victim wood Miracle Day-related stories (stories one chapter long and abandon the story altogether. Read in all of this and have been written since the series marked Complete by the writer) at your own risk. although they first aired. I limited my search to many of them simply an elabo- created Miracle FanFiction.net http://www.fanfic- ration of a Torchwood Miracle Oh, and let’s not forget crossovers, Day using his tion.net/tv/Torchwood/ and day scene (e.g., Jack dying in where writers bring characters blood to trigger A Teaspoon and an Open Mind Shanghai). It is interesting to see over from another TV show or the Blessing’s re- http://www.whofic.com/. Both the topics people choose to write movie. Most of the crossovers brain function. You’re considered were trying to figure out what sponse to change websites allow you to search using about. Day of the Moustache (by were Doctor Who characters, a burden on society using up vital caused Miracle Day and how to fix the morphic fields and make the filters for Torchwood characters; Random Ruth) caught my eye; although I spotted at least one resources or maybe even spread- it; well at least Torchwood was world immortal and Jack mortal, although the Teaspoon website the story was simply based on Harry Potter crossover – don’t ing disease. Some medical people trying to while dodging bullets, it was never his fault. In the end didn’t have a filter for Angelo Co- the question: How on earth did laugh! Torchwood and Harry Pot- like Dr. were horrified bombs and the CIA. Torchwood the world was saved and death was lasanto while FanFiction did have Angelo get a photo of Jack with ter characters seem to work quite to learn those new categories were was lured out as result of the mys- restored by the sacrifices made by Angelo listed in the character filter a moustache? Another one in a well together. Imagine Ianto as a used by governments and PhiCorp terious one word email. Jack came Jack, Rex, Esther, and Gwen. list. The results are just a snapshot similar vein was Jack’s Confession wizard . . . come on, you know you to shove Category 2 and 1 patients back to specifically to protect in time because new stories are (by grissomrocks), based on the want to; alright, maybe just Ianto into overflow camps and the world Gwen but they both were dragged I believe Torchwood Miracle Day being added almost daily. scenario what if Jack was a prac- with a wand anyway. discovered exactly what was into the investigation when Rex was a worthwhile series; not per- ticing Catholic? Other stories sim- happening to the Category 1 pa- dragged them back to the US and fect, but still worth viewing. I ply finding a way to bring Ianto A Teaspoon and an Open Mind tients when Torchwood posted the there was no choice but to pursue personally plan on buying the FanFiction.net turned out to have or Ianto, Tosh and Owen back to doesn’t have as many stories about video of Dr. Juarez and Category 1 the case. We got to explore the DVD when it is released in the US the lion’s share of Torchwood life. Whatever scenario you might TW MD, but it does have some. patients being burned alive in mystery with Jack, Gwen, Esther, and I hope there’s a new series but Miracle Day (TW MD) stories. fancy, someone’s probably written I liked the one-shot simply titled, ovens. and Rex with no shortage of argu- only time will tell. A search on TW MD resulted in at least a one-shot about it. Esther (by darkestboy) and it oc- ments, male chest thumping, close twelve hits, but when I broadened curs after she died. Ianto is there Torchwood Miracle Day more calls, and plenty of angst. Meanwhile, it’s time to go back to the search to just Miracle Day Some TW MD characters were waiting for her so she won’t be than achieved its goal showing us the Torchwood fanfiction and see more popular than others; there alone. Some stories are posted on what humans are capable of doing Gwen accused Jack of causing the what’s new there. were 19 sto- both web sites. to each other. The Doctor had miracle and later the Families rep- ries involving rather eloquently said long ago resentative simply listed as Mother Esther, six Rex I think it’s safe to say some fan fic- during the Christmas invasion called him the creator of miracle stories, four tion writers are embracing Torch- with the Sycorax regarding his but neither is true. Jack was never Angelo stories, wood Miracle Day in their own warning to the Sycorax: “I gave a willing participant in creating two Vera sto- fashion following the what-if sce- them the wrong warning; I should the miracle. He was treated cruelly ries, two Jillian narios, side trips, crossovers, and have told them to run as fast they in 1928 by a mob which didn’t stories and one alternate universes their unlimited can, run and hide because the understand his immortality and Oswald story. imaginations can create. monsters are coming; the human their fear and mob mental- Again most race.” ity spurred them to repeatedly stories are More reading for me – hooray! slaughter him and all the blood one-shots, but In spite of this, quite a few people was collected by the Families. In there is one multi-chapter all its glory. It’s nice to have the This is a good feature to have, what was filmed on a fake Welsh Torchwood Miracle Day extra footage because to be hon- since you watch some bits of the back drop and what wasn’t. est this is an adult themed show series and just marvel at how they DVD Boxset Review and as much as the BBC censors created the effects, they take you things, I think they made a mis- through how things were filmed DISC 4: Writer: Louise Charlotte Mills take to remove it from episode and how they use the FX to create Episodes: The Gathering and The three when they left a lot more in the effects and how it’s all seamed Blood Line. Title: Torchwood Miracle Day from other episodes. You do have together to create the end result. Deleted scenes and Torchwood Mo- Brand or make: BBC to use all four discs to view the I am such a suck for this kinda of tion Picture Comic. Year: 2011 whole series, but then you kind feature; I love to know how things Price of DVD: varies from of expect that since they features are done, and how it’s all put to- I do love deleted scenes, I like to £17.99 up to £22.99 are all in with each disc with the gether. They show Rex’s crash and see how things could have looked episodes split between each disc. lots of other small bits including if they had used certain ones or I have read many reviews of Mira- is card aside from the plastic bits the blessing. just to see what we didn’t see. It’s cle day on the internet and I have that hold the DVD’s, that’s not SPEACIAL FEATURES AND interesting to see what made the decided to do things a little differ- too much of an issues since a lot EXTRAS: DISC 3: main episodes and what was left ent, normally if someone reviews of DVD’s come like that now. it’s something called ‘audio story’ Episodes: Immortal Sins and End on the editing room floor. I find a DVD what they are doing in The image on the front in general and I couldn’t even get half way There is a good audio commentary of the Road you do learn things from these; reviewing the series well I don’t opinion could have been a bit through the first episode without for those that have sight issues or Disc Features: Torchwood they can sometimes give you a need to do that, I liked the series, better, it does however show the finding myself shouting at the TV are blind; there is a long list of lan- Declassified glimpse you may have missed yes I didn’t see eye to eye with all darkness of this series. The edit to shut up! So when that pops up guages you can choose. However I in another scene so things click the things that happened but over isn’t all that, they don’t really pair and says “for audio menu press feel the subtitles are lacking, since I always like behind the scenes fea- into the place nicely. The motion all I was quite happy to watch and up very well at all, however the enter now” wait and not press, you you can only choose ‘English- tures; I find it helps you feel more picture carton is on here to, which indeed buy the DVD. So instead of features make up for that, and will be taken to the normal menu American’ normally they would involved with the production. was nice to see, I feel a lot of telling you all what I think of the really who looks at the cover for without the over view of what is have a better choice but it’s better This has clips of show being made iPhone users will be annoyed they series, I feel it would be better and longer than to turn over to read happening! I quite like the menu for than nothing and is helpful to and cast and crew talking about brought the app only to find they more informative if I spoke about the back! So when you think of the style with the triangle spinning those that are hard of hearing or various features. I find you learn have put it on the DVD as an extra the features it has as I find a lot things that these four discs could around it’s crisp and neat and easy deaf. a lot about the episodes when you feature. of reviews lack that kind of thing, hold other than the obvious being to navigate your way around. watch these, they are very inform- I like to be able to see what these Series four, they do hold a lot of DISC 1: ative. Of course the declassified I am more than happy the DVD features will be and if it’s worth my extra material although however, The one thing that does bug me a Episodes: The New World, helps to explain about pretty much over all I think if you’re a fan of money, we all know money is short for the price you pay for the four little is that each episode has a in- and Dead of Night. anything you can think of, when the show then it’s worth adding for everyone right now, so deciding disc I wonder if all the DVD’s have terlude with John Barrowman and Disc Features: Character they explain why certain things Miracle day to your DVD col- to spend any money is a big thing the same features, because if that is Russell T Davies, where they both profiles where used, or why characters lection. I do like that John Bar- so having all the relative info and the case then it’s not worth spend- talk about each episode and who behave the way they do, it helps rowman hints that if any more not one sided reviews is helpful I ing out on the four disc version. to look out for and so on now this I quite like the character profile to understand the whole thing a Torchwood is made than they hope you find it helpful. is a great feature if you have seen feature, it’s not just each actor bit better if you were confused by could feature where Jack went at MAIN FEATURES: the series in its entirety but how- talking about their own character anything, I find this feature will the end of Children of Earth I for “I’m not English – I’m Welsh” ever if you haven’t then it could but all the actors and producers help you out lots. I was shocked one would like to see that, it’s all a When you play the disc you get an be a bit spoilery but I shouldn’t and so on, they all have their own to learn that not all scenes were bit in the balance if they do make Has to be the best tag line ever option of an ‘audio menu’ avoid complain really, any extra glimpse say and have their bit to say, they filmed in Wales, when they led any more or not but I believe that and just shows that Gwen is still this at all costs unless you really of John as Jack is worth a few min- flash but behind the scenes bits in you to believe that they where, either way it’s a awesome show the same Gwen even under all the like watching it with an really utes of my time. I have looked into this feature too which is cool to they were often backdrops, photos and should be given a chance. new mother things she has to cope very annoying female voice telling this and there is no option to turn see. They cover Jack, Gwen, Rex, taken on set and then reproduced, with. you what has just happened, like them off either so you just have Oswald and Rhys in this section. it did spoil it a bit for me, but I un- a really annoying person sat in to fast forward if you don’t want derstand that it’s impossible to use The first thing you will see is the front of you relaying info back to to hear what they are saying. The DISC 2: locations all the time since they of course the cover, the four disc you even though you can see it good thing is they have added the Episodes: Escape to LA, The Cat- are real streets and real places and version comes in a sleeve with perfectly! I thought this was the deleted footage from episode three egories of Life and can only used some of the time. I the photo as above. The sleeve audio description to start with for back on! I don’t see why they took Disc Features: FX feature do think that in some ways it’s a is a nice touch and does help to the blind or those with eye sight it off to start with but its there in bit of a cop out in some ways but keep it protected, the whole thing issues but no its not, it’s really odd from what I saw you’d never know visit to see Rex, ‘miracles just got easier’ she then joined the medi- A Tribute to the Fallen cal panel in Washington to discuss how to cope with the masses of undying patients who were carry- Writer: D. J. Forrest ing every known airborne disease known to man. And why when where until he was discovered by a doctor called for more anti- what could only be described as a biotics, that this would not solve Gestapo officer working with the the problem, as the diseases would police, in the basement of their become immune to the vaccine, home was taken back to the over- causing super bugs to take over. flow camp. As time was put back, Something had to be done about so that those who should have the dying. The medical panels died, could die, his wife said her were disbanded after the overflow Angelo Colasanto Jack again. It shocked Angelo final farewell to her husband by camps were built. whose Catholic upbringing in a phone as Rhys held his mobile to small Italian coastal village, with a Geraint’s ear. It was a sad ending Vera joined forces with Rex, Jack, During prohibition in 1927 population of two hundred, forced and perhaps not a fitting ending Gwen and Esther. She went under- Angelo Colasanto, an Italian im- his beliefs to see Jack, a man that for a good character. cover to one of the overflow camps migrant, had stolen Captain Jack cannot die, as a devil out to pun- in order to see for herself how Harkness’ visa in a bid to head to ish him for being gay. When Jack Geraint Wyn Cooper of Mary Cooper who came from Vera Juarez things were run. Camp manager New York via Ellis Island where he brought Angelo back to the room Swansea first featured in Torch- Colin Maloney who was full of his would have a better life. At the im- over the butchers shop, in a bid own self importance disliked the migration station he was collared : ‘When I was about wood on the day of Gwen and Vera Juarez was a surgeon work- to rekindle their relationship, he intrusion and the questions, hated and caught and put into jail ready five or six, my Dad came home Rhys wedding when a Nostrovite ing for the general hospital in was stabbed in the side by Angelo, being told what to do about those to be shipped back. Jack after us- from work early and I knew there threatened to ruin the big day. He Washington when the Miracle and again in the heart. When Jack patients who were now cramming ing his VM to alter his paperwork, was something wrong. I could featured again during the first epi- first happened. On the day that came back to life, the butcher and all the spare space in the facility. had Angelo released, and after hear voices from the kitchen. So sode of Miracle Day when he was Oswald Danes was sentenced to his wife were also in the room. When Vera threatened to expose they rented a room above a butch- I looked through the door and I taken to hospital after suffering a death by lethal injection nobody Several deaths later and Jack was him, he shot her in the leg and the ers shop began a sexual relation- could see him crying. It turns out massive heart attack. Since then he died. When the triage system hanging in the butchers shop shoulder to such a severity that it ship. Jack found them work selling money had gone missing from progressively featured throughout couldn’t cope she suggested that by his wrists, a group of people would technically have killed her. sacramental wine and they made work and he’d got the blame. So I the series, his prognosis steadily they changed their system, treat- watched and joined in as once Knowing he would need to get a bit of money until they were went to get all my pocket money worsening as he was put on the ing the non urgent cases first, again he was shot and stabbed to rid of the evidence he put her in kidnapped by mobsters. Instead of and I put it in his hand. It must’ve Category 1 list. Category 1 (liv- there was no ‘golden time’ any- death over and over again. Angelo one of the ovens with Category 1’s being killed which was the norm been £2.50. And he looked at me ing dead). Gwen and her family more, the dying were no longer finally cut him down before the (an area of the compound facility for such a crime, Jack talked them and he said, “It’s not about the fought tirelessly to remove him dying. She treated Rex Matheson three men who were part of the known as ‘the module’ and fired into taking them on, and they had money.” He said “I can’t stand from the overflow camp situ- after his ‘fatal’ accident. His non Family came back to claim Jack. it up. As Rex was also undercover the job of moving two crates from anyone thinking I’m not an honest ated in Cowbridge, South Wales death posed a lot of questions, but at the same overflow camp, he one warehouse to another. Jack man.” I will always remember that. and bring him home to his wife as she’d stated to Esther during her Jack knew then he had to leave, was there to bear witness to her was still working for Torchwood Always. ‘Cause that was the first he could no longer trust Angelo demise and caught it on camera, and finding the alien parasite sent time in my life that anyone had to not try a stunt like that again. publicising it across the world by the Trickster Brigade to kill spoken to me like an adult. And On the top of the building he using Youtube. Rex and Vera had the then president of the United then we went in the back garden retrieved his RAF jacket, slipping an on off sexual relationship. The States of America Franklin Delano and we played until dark. So that’s it on he looked at Angelo and ut- overflow camps were unfortu- Roosevelt, Jack killed the parasite my Dad, Geraint Wyn Cooper, tered “You kill me.” before he free nately not closed down, but were and the two men fled the ware- the nicest man in the world. And fell backwards onto the ground better regulated. house. However, the police gave today’s the day that I kill him.’ below. When Angelo raced down chase and shot Jack in the shoul- the stairs after him Jack had gone. Season 4 / Episode 10: - The Blood der and the head which killed Line Over the years Angelo followed him. Angelo ran but was caught Jack’s career, spying on him, taking and sent to Sing Sing prison for Geraint Wyn Cooper, husband snapshots which were visible on a year. Upon his release he saw the mantelpiece of Angelo‘s fire- more about the Blessing. He place. During the upheaval of the followed Gwen and Jack to Hub, Angelo had an alien nullfield Shanghai while Rex and Esther generator uplifted and installed in took the opposite end of the line his mansion in Nevada and kept in Argentina. In the stores of the it beneath his bed. Having been Shanghai site situated behind a told of the financial crisis in 1928 restaurant by scaffolding of the Wall Street Crash, Angelo and tarpaulin, Oswald became a became a very rich man and also walking bomb strapping several joined forces with the Families, detonators to his chest like a during the time that Jack was suicide bomber. After Jack and being murdered in the butchers Rex had served their purpose shop. But as word of his relation- and altered the Blessing, Oswald ship carried pace, that friendship detonated the bomb strapped to with the families was soured. An- his vest and took with him, The gelo later married and had a fam- Upon visiting her sister, while on her shell. When Jack was shot by released from prison when he cit- really doing, that they had known Mother, a strange looking woman ily of his own. As he grew older the run, Esther found the home one of the CIA as he attempted to ed the Fifth Amendment (double about the Miracle a lot longer than who belonged with the family. and weaker, his grand-daughter boarded up and could only speak escape, she drove him across state, jeopardy) and Eighth Amendment they claimed. But despite hav- Oswald had his final execution Olivia took control of his finances to Sarah through the locked door, and out of America, where for 2 (cruel and unusual punishment). ing several drafts given to him by only this time it was controlled by and his pursuit of Jack. When Jack hearing the children in the back- months they hid away in Scotland. On his release he attended a news Kitzinger, Oswald adlibbed the en- Danes himself. arrived after Gwen kidnapped ground, she took the incentive in She spent that time looking after programme and appeared to show tire speech, using his own words. him, he found out from Olivia that calling social services Jack, syphoning off enough of his remorse for his actions by publicly But always managing to use the Angelo was the only other mor- feeling that while she was unable blood to have several packs of crying in front of the chat show one word Phicorp required of him tal on the planet and still alive. A to help her, that they would take plasma. The reason for this was host. This put him on the pedestal at the end, for full theatrical effect. question surrounded why he was care of the children. While using later explained when she reached of being the most popular man on Oswald loved the crowd, loved still alive, but as Jack had theorised her phone, during an undercover Buenos Aires and met up with the face of the planet and every being the centre of attention. Jilly about the morphic field creating operation which potentially put Rex. chat show wanted to interview Kitzinger has attracted the inter- the miracle of every man woman Gwen and Jack in danger, she con- him, and Phicorp wanted him for est of the Families who offer her and child becoming immortal, the tacted the social care department Esther was fatally wounded by The their campaign. He would become far more favourable work, Danes nullfield had protected Angelo al- who informed her that her sister Cousin. A member of the Families their spokesperson encouraging has reached the pinnacle point lowing him to die naturally. was now a resident of the local who ran the operations down in people to vote for the prescription of his ‘career’. During one night psychiatric hospital and awaiting Buenos Aires and who explained free drugs they were pedalling. in his hotel room he calls upon a assessment. Esther at this point, about Jack’s drop of blood not be- Jilly Kitzinger a keen PR woman prostitute, she lets slip after Danes Esther Drummond was distraught and the signs were ing enough to change the course for Phicorp, offered wants to go on a date with her, evident during her initial conver- of The Blessing. But when Rex was to represent Oswald but although that he may be re-listed as Catego- Before joining Torchwood, Esther sations to Gwen and then to Rex. prepared to risk his own life to she was turned down initially, ry zero. This was an amendment worked for the CIA as a watch Rex obviously read her the riot the world, The Cousin shot was taken on by him after he was that would put Danes, a convicted analyst. She was not a field op- act before leaping from the van to Esther in the chest potentially kill- beaten up by two police officers criminal into modules similar erative, most of her work came run up the several flights of stairs ing her. who drove him back to his mo- to Category 1’s and incinerated. from reading blogs and hacking in order to rescue Jack and Gwen tel after he’d snuck out for some Hearing of this, he has it out with into computer sites. She became and kill the bad guy before he’d Oswald Danes proper food in a proper café as Kitzinger and slaps her before a valuable asset to the ’on the run’ given out who he was and why oppose to his room. Jack Hark- stealing her laptop and disappear- he was after Torchwood. Esther ness found the man fascinating, ing into the night. He later turns Torchwood team led by Captain Oswald Danes was a school teach- was not really a strong character, that a known killer and paedo- up in South Wales, at the home of Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper. er, who in 2006 in Kentucky, raped in Rex’s eyes she cared too much phile would be getting this much Gwen Cooper, landing up in her She was the youngest sister of Sa- and murdered a 12 year old school for people, such as her sister and coverage by a drugs company and living room after carrying in a box rah Drummond, who had a long girl called Susie Cabina. His only family and despite being on the had to know his secret. He faced of supplies. history with mental illness. Their defence during the entire court run could not cut herself off from him in his motel room. During a mother had died in 2003 leaving case was “she should have run them. Rex felt she put the team in rally in Los Angeles Jack tried to With the information on the Esther to pretty much take care faster.“ He was sentenced to death danger too often but it was dur- convince Oswald again to lift the laptop belonging to Kitzinger, he of her older sister, who was in her by lethal injection but on that day, ing her time at Colosanto’s man- lid on Phicorp and expose them discovers through Esther what eyes ill equipped to take care of at the time of his supposed death, sion that she really came out of to the public about what they were Phicorp are really up to and learns her children Melanie and Alice. the world stopped dying. He was gelo was going to take it when he they need without having to have the had been attacked. The only other a lot of technology or using lots of TORCHWOOD people known to have one where other items, when they can simply Captain John Hart and Grey Jack’s just use one device. Writer: Louise Mills brother. Not all time straps are the Gadget Show same colour or size. 5. THE THREE FAMILIES 6. THE VINE TRACER SOFT- COMMUNICATION WEAR. TRIANGLE DEVICE Every episode of TORCHWOOD to get inside the building when 3. TIME AGENTS WRIST The Vine trace software reminds is rich in detail you can only the 456 arrive. In Miracle day we STRAP: me of the sort of thing that catch glimpse on screen. So here learn more about what they can Toshiko would have made or is a closer look at some of the use for and what they can do. We Known also as an Vortex manipu- would have used in a situation like key gadgets used in this series of learn the name of these lenses in lator, this a 51st Century multi- what they found themselves in. All Torchwood. this series; ‘Eye-5’ Gwen tells the purpose wrist-mounted device through we knew that the CIA had team that they were the only thing worn and operated by Jack, we a mole but wasn’t sure who it was 1. RETCON: that she has left of the Torchwood learnt in series two of Torchwood This is one of the things we know until Charlotte revealed her true This is often used in Torchwood technology after the hub was de- that it can send and receive holo- least about but intrigues me so colours; she tried to stop Noah we all know Jack used it on Gwen stroyed in children of earth. They graphic images that carry a mes- much, it seems that it’s the fam- from running the vine tracker he when she discovered the hub and work only when the user has them sage to or from another person. ily’s way of communicating with had been working on. It was after what they did. It is used to make in, they are activated by body heat, The range and limits of the device the people that work for them or they thought that Rex and Esther people forget recent memories the images can be sent back to are unknown, though it is known 4. I-PHONE AND SMART for those that cross the family. We had been caught up in the explo- thus making them forget that they computers and viewed by those it can function as a remote con- PHONES: later find out that they use a ‘vine’ sion that they ran the vine tracer. have seen or been involved in any- back at base. The user can receive trol, a short-distance communica- to contact the phones, these vines The vines are very complex in thing that is linked to Torchwood, instant messages from those back tion device. It also has a personal The I-phone and smart phones are numbers that when traced lead themselves, they are numbers that Jack gives Ester the mixture when at base, it also has special lip-read- teleporter, although we know used by Jack, Gwen and the team to numbers that lead nowhere. lead back to more numbers but he meets her, she is looking up de- ing technology to simulate hearing that the 10th Doctor disables the are all using various smart phones Rex answers the phone call at the they lead to nowhere, Noah runs tails of Torchwood after the name for the viewer, but only when lips teleporter device so that no longer and I-phones throughout the hide out and they soon realize the software that instead of trying was emailed out to all CIA agents, are sufficiently visible. They were works. We know from this series entire series, Gwen goes to get that they will be tracked down, so to trace the number like before, Jack tells Ester about Torchwood used in reverse also by projecting that it can do lots of other handy them all new phones. They use they have to move and fast. I find this technology works backwards then gives her the mixture and an image of a PhiCorp executive’s things; in Miracle Day Jack uses them for various things to help the triangle thing quite interest- and finds the one handset that returns her home. This may not eye over Gwen’s to spoof the iris it to change the details on the visa them get information. Rex uses ing, from what they show us we has been leaking information to seem like a gadget as such but it recognition. Gwen also uses them for Angelo, also while working his to get drugs for his injury, they see that they can communicate via the family. As the numbers count- really is the most effective tool to record her blowing up a con- with Angelo Jack uses it to unlock then use Gwen’s phone to record it, they seem to able to hack into down it locks each number into they have left to use. We know centration camp in Wales, later; the warehouse doors to get access and gather in tell on the PhiCorp whatever they like, they get access place, this then becomes the num- that it that it can be dissolved into they are hacked into by Olivia to the alien in the crate. It’s also executive, they use then phone to to the car of lady politician that ber of the hand set. As they found pretty much anything, so it can Colasanto to tell Gwen that her shown to show up any health is- gather recordings of his voice, and starts the ‘dead is dead’ campaign, who it was Charlotte had left a given to people in water, or in family has been kidnapped and sues the user may have, when Rex an photo of his eye to bypass the they use the sat nav in her car to small bomb device on the desk, food, it has little to no taste and is that she must deliver Jack. Rex has it on, it bleeps at him con- security at the PhiCorp head office tell her that although it was a good making her way out she acted as untraceable. subsequently uses them to record stantly until Jack tells him his so- where they used the Intel gath- idea that she was too fast with it if she had no idea, it’s not until Brian Fredkin’s confession. We dium levels are low, he knew that ered to get in and swap the main and that she has to be silenced, Esther’s funeral that Rex discovers never find out if they where alien from the beeping. He also tells servers over to get the information the triangle spins around and then out it’s her, and she is then shot or not but they are used a lot of Gwen in an attempt to have her let on what PhiCorp are doing and she passes out before being put as is Rex. This is a clever way of help the team get information and him go; that he can use her DNA planning. These are important in with her car into a car crusher. finding who the phone belonged help in what they are doing. on it to find Anwen and the rest of technology for the team to be able The interesting thing is that when too, when they tried to trace it the her family, whether or not this was to communicate with one and agent Charlotte rings the number, first time they came to nothing but true is unknown, since Jack and another. They are full of apps and the triangle appears as she talks with Noah’s technology they man- Gwen had a heated debate. Also software that aid the team. They into it. Showing that maybe they 2. CONTACT LENSES: it’s pretty much indestructible seem to have been upgraded to are not normal after Gwen returned it to Jack at be able to do things those normal Phone calls and maybe a video call These special contact lenses a have the end of Children of Earth. This smart phones and I-phones would or something similar. been used in Torchwood before, is one of Jack’s most important bits not do, this means that they can in Children of Earth they are used of technology. He worries that An- use them even more to gain Intel age to lock down who it was. top 10 because I see it as one of esting gadgets they have. The mix they’d not be able to do half of the the most important bits of tech- of laptops and computers all link things they did. All in all I think that unlike other 7. STUN GUN. nology they have. This gives them up to projectors that project on to series of Torchwood where most the ability to create I.D documents the wall what they are looking up 10. THE NULL FIELD AND THE of the gadgets have been alien this Gwen uses the stun gun to knock to gain access to either other or watching. Esther seems to the ALPHA KEY. series they relied more on things Jack out and tie him up to take countries, as you see when she re- brains behind most of the comput- that where every day and available him to the people that hacked turns to the UK. Also this is used ers they have set up, she uses the to them, that could be modified into the contact lenses. This wasn’t when she has to gain access to the contacts to assist Gwen in remov- for their use. necessarily the stun gun they have PhiCorp building to get access to ing the servers from PhiCorp, it’s had in the past but it would have the servers. Jack uses it to as he with Esthers help they manage to Ed- These are all available to been similar to that. The stun gun poses as a delivery driver. After take the server and replace it with purchase to be delivered in time keeps Jack out of it until Gwen Torchwood where hunted down a burnt out one, which then means for Christmas at www.torch- has had time to tie him up. What I from the start of the Children of they can trace what PhiCorp are woodgadgets.co.uk/buy/shop/ find interesting is that Jack doesn’t earth, they are then hunted still in doing. This allows them to trace Discovered after Angelo dies, the thisdoesntexsist/really/youtyped- really question her need to speak Miracle Day, so using their own the over flow camps and what they first real death since the miracle thislink/okyoucanbuythem/ to him alone, this shows the trust names would be risky, so to able plan to do, it also gives them first began it became clear that this butyoucan’t they both have in each other, but it to make and print I.D cards and access to the catergories of life, al- Null Field cancelled out the also shows that Gwen doesn’t trust so on would be a real key help to lowing them to see what they were Miracle Day Effect from forcing Jack enough to try and somehow the whole team. It always surprises up against. They use the comput- Angelo to stay alive. Thus mean- tell him what is going on, it high- me that Esther uses her own name ers to gain access to the internet to ing while he was on it, he could lights their relationship in the fact when she goes under cover into research information on the mira- die for real. This is also the first that while in the car on the way to the over flow camp, since she is cle; I’d imagine they have some real bit of alien technology we see the pickup point, she admits that on the run from the CIA and the kind of firewall set up, however this series, Jack says that the only her family and her child are so families it struck me as odd that when Gwen’s contacts are hacked one he knew of was in the hub but much more important than any- she would use her own name. This into, Rex and Esther are slow to we also found out that Angelo had thing else and in a way Jack has leads her and Rex into no end of realize there has been a breach in been watching Jack from afar for to admit that no matter what he issues however Jack and Gwen use the security. They use the laptop many years so had likely has the will keep his new found mortality fake I.D’s frequently throughout and computers to get access into destroyed hub searched for any- no matter what. So although this the series, Jack flashes a fake I.D the secure area of the PhiCorp thing that might be important or gadget is little used and only seen in the hospital and tells them his building, using the items they of any help. Jack is forced to work once, it’s a key part in the plot to name is Owen Harper. He then gained from the smart phone/I- out what it does, for the most part understand Gwen and Jack’s rela- accessed the room where they phone they use the contact lenses he plays it down and gets to work tionship better. have the badly burnt body and to show the scan of the iris to on making it work, he tells them discovers for himself just what the get into the building, they also that it cancelled out the effect of miracle is doing to people. With use the hand print they got via a the miracle but also admits that that level ability it means they can glove, all the time Ester is able to you’d need a null field the size of 8. FAKE I.D CREATOR AND I.D make any number of passports bypass the phone calls and take the earth to cancel out the mor- SOFTWARE and I.D cards to use to their ad- them herself, but she is unable to phic field created by the miracle. vantage. get the lift back in action after the He allows Esther and Rex into fire department have it turned off. the secret of what else it can do, 9. THE LAPTOPS AND However they manage to track when they all touch it, they can COMPUTERS: what PhiCorp are doing until they talk to each other but it creates a realize they are being watched field where outside of the null field and they lose the access servers. technology no one else can hear, However by this time Gwen uses or seem to notice. Jack removes the contact lenses to record herself the ‘alpha’ key that is the main key There is one scene we see Gwen blowing up the over flow camp to the whole thing and puts it in using her laptop in her house in in Wales, meanwhile back in the his pocket saying that they must Swansea to create fake I.Ds for USA Jack records and watches never be able to report the null self, you then see her use one of her progress later on leaking it field. Without the alpha key it’s them to gain access back into the These are the most important bits out onto the internet. Without the nothing more than metal, with no UK at a later stage. This is in the of technology and the most inter- technology held in the computers working parts. Script Doctor: A look at the original Episode One Script By Matt Powell

12th October 2011 saw something unique released. The BBC Writers room released the original shoot- ing script for the opening episode of Miracle Day: “The New World.” As I sat reading through the script on my laptop- I noticed it was different- both structurally and how the episode would pan out differently. So that got “The Hub” part of my brain thinking and con- structing this idea. So here it is: a look at the original script and the key differences inside...

The opening starts with Esther, completely removing the Oswald we are introduced to Oswald in Cave style scene pre the Hospi- introduction however the dia- “a thin hospital bed. One hand tal moment. Again everything is logue is the same. The line: “Did chained to the metal hand rail.” back to normal. The next differ- you ever hear of Torchwood?” We then see a flashback explain- ence is on the plane as Rex goes to opens the episode which sends ing “Oswald’s Pain” which is the Wales. Instead of Jack stealing the shorter, it felt like a real movie chills down the reader’s spines same as the TV broadcast. We phone on the plane, it dies. What which is the next step Torchwood at the words which, at the time, then move on from Oswald back is interesting is that it appears that A Final Miracle could take. hadn’t been on air for nearly two to a similar layout: TV screens, the Jack does steal the phone. As I re- years. The scene then pans as hospital and a CIA scene as well read this checking I haven’t made Day Comment Each episode had something usual: Rex getting a promotion, as Gwen discovering that her dad a mistake I’m right! Odd but still unique about it: the setting of Epi- Torchwood vanishing, and Rex’s is in hospital. We then return to this is a shooting script... Every- Miracle Day saw Torchwood sode Two, the truth being shown “death.” Cue to Gwen and Rhys. Oswald: getting out of his sen- thing ends just like the episode return gaining more strength. in the final episodes. This really Gwen’s line about what the dream tence. This is very accurate and does in reality: Rex taking them to Whilst some didn’t like the Ameri- helped make the season big, pow- was is different: “Yeah, just... I well written, as is all of the script. America. can switch I loved it. It was the erful and brilliant. I bloody hope dunno. (Shrugs it off) Naah. Bad perfect step forward Torchwood that we do get another season or dream.” This follows the same cue Similarities kick in to shape with It’s nice to see the script as it was needed to make it even bigger something else as Torchwood to Gwen’s final words pre titles: the only real difference being the quite a surprise at first. You can than before. Starz, BBC World- still remains one of my favour- “Torchwood” which plunge us all conclusion of the Jack/Esther download it from the BBC Writ- wide, Russell and Company all did ite TV Shows... into a beautiful new title sequence. scene near the water fountain. The ers Room for your own viewing a smashing job putting this season line “Nice to meet you Esther” is purposes. together. What amazed me the Matt Powell The rest up to a certain stage is said to her as she fades away. Rhys most was that a simple idea was fairly similar. I love how Russell later jokes when reunited with Sgt. turned into something big, power- wrote the bit with the hikers and Andy that he’s “put on wait.” We ful and amazing! Despite the num- the guns! Then it gets different: also see the absence of the Jack’s ber of episodes could have been had knocked back his third hyper wiggled his fingers at Jack. and your precious Cardiff will vodka when he saw a man slide Jack thought for a moment. What excitedly open their presents on into the booth and lowered his did he have to lose? He inhaled Christmas morn, only to be blown Be careful what you drink. The man was overly famil- deeply and sighed, and straight- away by it all.” His smile faded as iar and Jack couldn’t prevent the ening out his arms he took hold he focused on a light in an up- wry smile that lifted at the corner of the old man’s hands and felt a stairs window of an apartment of his mouth.The grey haired old sudden hot surge of energy ride three storeys up, Christmas fairy man who wore a long bushy beard, through his body and a blinding lights flickering on and off in a wish for... rotund body wrapped in a red light open up around them. He triple array of colours around the overcoat tied securely with a thick yelled out but nothing and nobody tree. Several windows over and black belt and red trousers tucked noticed they’d disappeared. a reindeer was advancing along into welly boots settled himself the side of the wall in a wave of and his overloaded Hessian sack Jack opened his eyes as the bright coloured bulbs. An artificial Santa By D.J. Forrest on the seat and studied the Cap- light melted away and he felt the was climbing up towards another Artwork by Matt Powell tain with interest. cold breeze of a waterfront and window with a sack over its shoul- the sounds of the tugs out to sea. der and lit up….like a Christmas “Is something funny there Captain He gasped as the sudden rush left tree!! Harkness?” The old man lifted his him and he was now standing in beer to his lips and drained a good the middle of Cardiff harbour at Jack followed the old man’s gaze. quart, the frothy head tangled night time on the barrage looking “Who are you?” with his beard. Jack dropped the out across the twinkling lights of smile and frowned. The old man the city. He snatched his hands The old man snorted at Jack. “I smiled and lowered his drink. “I away from the old man and glared thought that was plainly obvious.” know everybody, it is my job after at him. Jack sighed. all to know every boy and girl of the worlds.” “Why did you bring me back “To the children of the world you here?” He growled rubbing his portray Santa, but as I recall Santa “There’s nothing you can do to finger tips feeling the nerve end- was never a ghost and you look help me.” Jack replied as he toyed ings tingle. pretty corporeal from where I’m with the empty glass, turning it standing. So presumably you’re around in his fingers, he shifted “I am the ghost of Christmas pre- going to show me my past. Trust his gaze from the old man to the sent.” He heard Jack scoff behind me, I don’t want to relive that. So Skargs tormenting a lone drinker. him as he walked towards the rail- let’s cut to the chase, what is it that ing glancing over at the buildings you want with me?” “I have never found anyone I lining the shore. Santa considered a moment “Take couldn’t help in some small way.” my hands.” The old man smiled, his soft blue “Aliens come from across the eyes twinkling, almost mesmeris- galaxy and the human race run Jack shook his head. “No. I’m not The cantina was busy with hoards water and growled their animosity marking sectors on a holographic ing in the light of the tilly lamps screaming, searching for hope doing that again.” of Skargs; a split division of and contempt at anyone reach- map that sat centre table, small decorating the bar. “Take hold of and someone to protect them. But Bonaparte’s old Russilion pirate ing over for their own drinks and dots moved as if it were a chess- my hands Captain.” He held out now that their only hope has left “You wanted to know why I’m crew that were part droid and part tempting fights with others. board where many pawns were his fat stubby hand with fingers the planet, who will save them on here, then in order for you to see humanoids that stood with shoul- moving towards the final on- like thick sausages, dirty from the Christmas Day?” why, first you need to take my der length dark black hair tied in In a corner of the cantina sat a slaught. grime of the reins he pulled. hands Jack.” rough pony tails, scars on both group of star troopers fresh in Jack narrowed his eyes “What are cheeks, some with an eye patches from a skirmish on the North Captain Jack Harkness sat alone “Please leave me alone.” Jack im- you talking about?” He joined When Jack opened his eyes again others without, most with battle East rim of the vector quadrant all in a booth and quietly sipped at plored as he looked up at him and the old man and leant his elbow after the rush of energy and when damage, missing limbs or embla- looked no older than middle teens his drink, he’d been travelling for his outstretched arms across the against the railing hearing the the bright white light had disap- zoned with medals stolen from but all with first hand knowledge nearly a year but always returned table. steady rush of the sluice gate not peared it was daylight hours, dead soldiers in their wake. They of attack formations and enemy to the same cantina as if some- far from them. somewhere between dawn and ordered their usual brand of fire lines. They discussed battle plans thing was pulling him back. He “Humour an old man, I promise I 8am and they were somewhere in will make it worth your while.” He “Children from all over the world the vicinity of Cardiff. Car alarms were making one hell of a racket “What do you care, you already checking the ports, who reads the I’m a guardian of the old Laws. just above earth wallowing in self in a nearby street, and as he fo- gave up. Torchwood is no more. signals that no other earthling can One of 12 infact. We do what we pity.” Santa nodded. “Agreed. Now take cused properly he saw why. Sev- There have been no ripples on the read. Who knows when the next can and by bringing back the old my hands and I’ll take you back to eral houses were missing a gable water of late, no Gwen Cooper, invasion is likely to occur Jack traditions, the original icons of “That’s not fair. I lost people I the present.” Jack shook his head end, or an upstairs window, or a alas no , it must be Harkness?” Christmas past we were linking cared about. How could I go back pulling up his sleeve to reveal his downstairs window. Bricks and difficult keeping hold of staff, no ourselves with this planet, Earth. and start where I left off knowing vortex manipulator. glass were strewn across the road wonder you left.” Jack strode after Santa his coat Sol 3 has suffered many years of I had murdered my only grandson and pavement. Screams of people tails flipping behind him, and punishment but with it seeking and Ianto…” he lowered his head, Santa scoffed. “Oh please, my way distraught, shocked, bloodstained, Jack glared “Stop it. How do you grabbed his arm. “So tell me how out life on other planets his voice a mere whisper as he ut- is so much quicker.” staggering about in the aftermath know about all of this?” do I stop this?” he growled. before the sun dies out in their tered the young Welshman’s name. of mini explosions. He glanced own solar system…. it is attracting “But bumpier, I prefer my stomach back at the old man in the red suit. Santa walked past Jack towards the “You gave up on these people a lot of interest from those races “Your grandson stopped the take to travel with me.” first house he knew he wouldn’t be Jack, why would you want to who would utilise Earths resourc- over of the 456. Ianto died because “What happened here?” delivering parcels to again, at least help now?” Santa looked from es for its own need. The Skargs he followed you into negotiations Santa shook his head and as Jack not to this family. He stared across his grabbed arm to Jack’s face. are no different from the , with the creature.” prepared to set the co-ordinates he “Christmas came with a boom. It at the all to familiar faces inexpli- “Your honour was to serve the they just don’t look as repulsive or grabbed his hands and catapulted was decreed that Earth would face cably lost without a way home and people of this planet, arm them suffer from flatulence. They send Jack frowned. “How did you….?” him back to the present. the 21st Century with a bang.” felt the tears trickle down his face. against the future, you made out out their ’gifts’ using a corpora- He sniffed and swallowed back his to your friends and comrades that tion, who has no interest in the “Know? I have my sources, how Jack frowned as he returned 24 Jack blanched. feelings of pain. the 21st Century was important, child, only in the potential profit else do I keep abreast with the hours before Christmas Day. It when everything changed, and yet it makes from the purchase of the good boys and girls of planet was daylight, it was Cardiff and Santa continued. “Earth has “For years I came here, I delivered you never told them why. Why is Cozmic goods it sells.” Earth?” He laughed but it fell on in every shopping bag leaving become complacent, long ago the the presents to all of this street, that?” deaf ears. Santa moistened his dry the Queen’s arcade was a Cozmic thought of anything coming to even before the new buildings Jack’s mind was already racing lips with his tongue and consid- Corporation toy. He located the earth from another galaxy was un- were erected, before the high rises. “They wouldn’t understand how through every Cozmic toy out ered a moment. “Would it have store selling the Cozmic toys. heard of, and if it did fall to earth There were cobbled stones once can I tell them about the future, there in the stores, even before helped if the child was someone It was a large three aisled store humans would run in terror. under our feet, Christmas cheer they would give up fighting and he left, there had been adverts you didn’t know? Would it have and had been floor to ceiling of Nowadays the media promotes and festive season was something resign themselves to accepting cramming time slots on television helped if Ianto wasn’t there when Cozmic battle sets, with collect- aliens, children have toys of odd to look forward to, it wasn’t all their fate. I couldn‘t let that hap- breaks of a full battalion of collect- you negotiated with the 456? I able figurines which had lured the shaped creatures and take toy about whether or not you had pen” He saw Santa smile. “What is able space aliens with their battle have heard you questioning your- child in at the start of October, monsters to bed with them? What the latest copy of Fifa or the new so funny?” he growled. bods and vehicles, laser weapons self in the night. You will never hidden codes to drag the child to happened to traditional toys, tra- Barbie’s summerhouse in Florida and full armour power up suits. find the answers you need by star- the computer to log in his new ditional merriment?” playset.” He stepped over a chunk “Yet you still ran. You bailed on It was predicted that by Christ- ing into the bottom of the liquor battle toy that had also activated of brickwork, milled around the everyone. One child to stop an mas Day that every child in every glass. Only by continuing your the timer for the detonator that “You did this? You bombed people as if he were invisible to invasion. You saved these people street would own something from efforts of protecting this planet was counting down to Christmas Christmas because of a market them. He turned to see Jack still and still you ran. Even now while the Cozmic Corporation. will you ever find the courage to Day. Jack idly wandered along slump in traditional toys? Oh staring at the destruction of a you speak that love of this planet carry on.” towards the back of the store, come on I don’t buy that, what’s row of houses. “It’s the way of the is still as strong as when you lost Jack ran his fingers through his selected a few buttons on his VM the real reason?” Jack growled, his world, our fore fathers and their your grandson and your lover. We hair and stared up at the twinkling “Spoken like a true counsel- and scanned the shelves of all the eyes blazing. fathers before them, humankind all have dirt we can’t shake from stars in the night sky. He breathed lor, what next, lead me unto my Cozmic toys. He wasn’t certain has lived with war since the mil- our shoes. I often wonder if this out heavily. “Why have you left it padded cell and deliver me from what he’d find but he was horrified “The future of this planet hangs lennia. The Skargs know that, and life I carved out for myself is re- till now to tell me?” sexual urges to block out the to discover the intricate network in the balance, and that its only a they’ve been building an army to ally worth it. Children believed in nightmares?” Jack quipped sarcas- of devices primed and ready with matter of time before its devoured take out the planet for as long as Saint Nick nowadays they believe “Torchwood doesn’t exist any- tically “No thanks.” He toyed with a bomb powerful enough to wipe by the armies that march towards I can recall, and each time they in buy now and worry later, cata- more, since your disappearance a tooth. “I do this for you, then out all the it in their thousands.The resources advance, the first line of defence logues and credit cards. The thrill and that of Gwen Cooper, only you can leave me alone agreed?” children on Christmas morning. alone on this planet would keep stops this from occurring. But of opening a present hand made is those running UNIT are in charge He growled although he knew many Skargs in profit for a millen- with the invasion of the 456, pi- not as important as a toy moulded of detecting life forms and I don’t Santa was right he’d spent far too He strode towards the front of the nia.” rates are slipping through the net. from a piece of plastic that has trust them, they’d have me locked long feeling sorry for himself, bed- store and collared the young spot- As much as you were protecting been thrown together not crafted up and dissected. I came to find ding anything with a pulse, ty kid in the Cozmic battle droids “Earth is not for sale.” the planet, now that you’re gone, with love and attention to detail.” Torchwood only to find their including Midshipman Alonzo sweatshirt. “Whose distributing who is checking the radars, who is He paused “I’m not just Santa, leader was at the docking station Frame, but he wasn’t Ianto. these items. I need an inventory. NOW.” He thumped his fist upon building on the Plass a little before “What I want for Christmas you the check out counter. A boy ready 2am on Christmas Day he felt a could never deliver so I know I’m THE TIMES with his box of toys jumped out of whoosh of cold air blow past him, safe.” Jack called to the old man his skin. the smell of sweaty animal fur and steering them over the rooftops the jingle of bells. He shook his to the next venue. Santa glanced FREE “Sir if you’ve a complaint we have head dismissing it for a moment, back. “To be mortal?” IT SAVES a procedure, just a form to fill out, a childish excitement riding up SAMPLE OF I’d be happy to help you fill it in.” through his body, as he walked out “It’ll never happen. I’m a fixed onto the now quiet Plass he saw point in time. That can never LIVES! Jack grabbed the boy by the front the sleigh crammed full of toys in change.” JACK’S BLOOD!! of his sweatshirt and snarling Hessian sacks and Santa stepping FOX TAKES ON grabbed the toy belonging to the down as if to stretch his legs. The Santa became serious for a mo- next customer and held it up close. two men faced each other. ment. TORCHWOOD IN A NEW 99 “These toys each carry enough “Be careful what you wish for?” explosive to detonate the entire “You saved Christmas. I thank PART, ONE STORY SEASON! city of Cardiff. Now do you want you for that.” The old man smiled. a demonstration or can I trust you “What will you do now, head back International, “right wing” to get me the details I require?” to the cantina? I could take you TV Company “FOX” have Phi-Corp back if you want.” He held out his announced they will be releas- Phi-Corp open first Cozmic Corporation was a depot hands and Jack shook his head, ing a new, ninety-nine part in but as Jack walked laughing. season of Torchwood named hospital- Overflow, NYC around the empty warehouse the Torchwood: Election Day head only indication that anything had “No I think I’ll stick around written by Terrence Dicks been there was a shipping docket awhile. Thanks.” who replaces Russell T Davies that was now in his hand. Gone who is now working on a new were the days when he could press Santa glanced back at the sacks Doctor Who Adult Spin-Off: his Bluetooth and call Tosh to run in the sleigh. “A few more stops “What Luke Smith did Next.” be back in the role as I regen- up all known locations of every and I’m finished for the year. Why erate back in episode ninety toy in the western hemisphere and don’t you help me finish them off. Terrence comments: “To move nine! Or is that a spoiler?” recall them, now it seemed he’d If you’re not too busy.” to America is amazing and I BARROWMAN! have to do it by hand, on his own like torchwood. The storyline The season starts filming, unless…. He waved his hand towards the opens after Rex becomes like like a soap opera, in January John caught kissing sleigh and watched Jack, who Jack and over the multiple, one beginning to air twice weekly Santa Claus (underneath Trinity Wells stared directly at after a few moments of thought, hour episodes- the team will from March. A Christmas the monitor and shuffled her lat- shrugged and strode over, pulling fight a gruesome alien race episode is also planned. the misseltoe last night...) est headline reports and relayed himself into the large sleigh. He known as the Left Wing: the the latest bulletin regarding the felt like a child again and grinned. three families reincarnated.” The Major Fox Executive several thousand Cozmic Cor- Returning to the season will comments: “I love Torch- poration space bot battle sets “I’ll wake up soon and this will be be John Barrowman for 45 of wood. I do. And I think it will and their separate figures to be a dream.” He told himself. the episodes in which he will be amazing in a ninety-nine recalled after it was discovered regenerate into a new, younger episode format. Bring it on!” that all of the 90,000 of them “Maybe.” Santa pulled himself model: Robert Pattison. Eve were faulty and would seriously back into the sleigh and gathered Myles will be back in every ep- More news will be released as affect the lives of all who played up the reins. He called all the isode alongside Mekhi Phifer we get it. ESTHER with them. With the news quickly reindeer by name and cracked who will also regenerate into spreading throughout the western the whip pulling them with a jerk Taylor Lautner in episode 26. Poses on Page Three... hemisphere Cozmic Corporation back up into the sky. Jack was NICE! vanished without leaving thrown back but laughed, child- Barrowman comments on a forwarding address. Christmas ishly and sat back up, peering leaving the role: “You expect Day was saved. over the edge of the carriage at the me to do 99 episodes! I refused houses below. to do more than 45 but I will As Jack rounded the red bricked Ianto walked along the road shut for the Christmas holidays. the roll door, the alarms alerting back into Cardiff bay, his shoes the others to his return. Jack stood crunched under the fresh snow. He looked confused as he pulled with his arms folded across his His hands were deep in his pock- his hands from his pockets. “what chest. “Oh Ianto, dear sweet Ianto ets, the shopping bag swung from the hell was, that” he felt his hat please tell Gwen to stop trying to his arm. It was freezing cold, it again but instead of finding kill me with her singing” Jack’s had stopped snowing as he’d made compacted snow, he felt nothing, face cracked into a smile as Gwen his way out of the Christmas store, he blinked in confusion, his head tried to aim a balled up bit of pa- the city was buzzing with last- stung from where something per at him. “Oh shut up bah hum minute shoppers as he’d stopped had hit him, he turned around bug” retorted Gwen with a toothy out side one of the toy stores. He again to see a trail of snow that grin. Ianto smiled as he handed smiled seeing the Etch A Sketch, had been ploughed up by a small the bag to Gwen, she took the bag he recalled asking for one for square shaped parcel now sat in with a smile. “oh you life saver Christmas one year, but his father the snow. He made his way over to thank you” she studied the gift in had said they were for girls and it, he cautiously toed the shiny his hand and grinned. “Oh buying not boys. He’d tried his hardest to wrapped parcel with the toe of his gifts for me, oh you shouldn’t tell his father that boys could play shoe, he bent down to pick it up have” she grinned and before Ianto with them too, but he’d got a his curiosity had been piqued. had chance to react she took the clip of the ear, and it was never “So that’s what hit me on the head gift from his hands. “No it’s not spoken of again. He smiled to but how” he looked up again, for you, I don’t know who it’s for it himself. The design of the toy had scanning around the plass, no one kinda just fell out of the sky” never changed much; it still was outside, the half built snow Gwen looked at him with an odd looked the same as it did when men had been abandoned, all that expression on her face. “Did you he’d wanted one as a child. As he stood outside now was the large go to the pub Ianto while you stood looking at the window, he Christmas tree now lit up for the where out?” she looked at the felt something cold and hard hit night, he felt the smooth foil wrap- parcel as Jack pulled a face. “You’re his head, he swung around to see ping paper in his hands, the red telling us that it fell from the two teenagers running off laugh- bow perfectly tied on the top he sky Ianto?” Jack made his way ing, he felt the back of his head, he had no idea where it had come down the metal walk way. “Pass it By Louise sighed as he removed his hat and from, he shrugged it was starting here please Gwen” Gwen tutted shock the snow off it from the to snow again as he continued to as she looked at it and chucked it snow ball attack. make his way back to his tourist over to Jack who caught it deftly Charlotte Mills office, he let himself in the door, with one hand. Ianto felt a bit As he walked along the road, he pushing it open he rolled his silly as they both teased him. saw the water tower loom into eyes at the snow that feel in as he view, he smiled, he knew deep walked into the small office, he “It really did just fall from no under the ground Jack was wait- dumped his bag down onto the where, there was no one else out ing for him to return, he missed desk, he still held the gift in his on the plass at the time, I’m not Toshiko and of course Owen but hands, he carefully put it down drunk and I’m not making it up” as the team had thinned out onto counter top as he shrugged Jack held the parcel up to the light; the remaining team had grown off his coat, hanging it neatly over he pulled at the perfectly wrapped stronger. He made his way along the back of his chair, pulled his hat parcel. “Oh it has an tag, so lets see the path that led into the oval off letting it sit on the desk, he felt who has designs on our Ianto dome of the Roald Dahl Plass, he the warmth of the room warm his huh Gwen” he tossed it back to was deep in thought when he felt a cold face. Gwen who caught it and made off hard whack to the head, “ouch for with it to try and see what it said, god sake” he swung around ready He picked up the bag and the gift Ianto gave chase around the hub. to give who ever throw the again making his way down into “oh come on guys, this isn’t funny snow ball a piece of his mind. He the main hub. He smiled at the I want to see what’s in it” he blinked into the semi darkness as sound of Gwen singing badly out sighed as Gwen giggled and read he saw no one, it was deserted of tune to the Christmas CD she the tag out. “Ianto Jones for a the millennium centre was all but had brought in, he walked into via missed Christmas” she pulled a face and chucked it at Ianto. “it’s harm, it’s just a toy, see” she coat and trousers was now walk- as he looked at the image closer, husband of yours have all the fun this is a Torchwood thing do you all yours Ianto, lets see what it is held it up to the room at large. ing around the reindeer checking maybe he wasn’t drunk and play- now can we” he smiled brightly at really want them asking the then, open it” she waited stood Ianto sighed he really wished he’d them over and generally looking ing a prank on her after all, he her as he strolled off to his office. poor old sod a load of questions, next to Jack. Ianto felt under pres- not picked it up now, he just a little embarrassed by the sudden really had been in a car accident. Gwen pocketed her phone as I mean who arrests Father Christ- sure to open it in front of them wanted a peaceful day without any landing. Gwen blinked at the She felt instantly bad for doubting she walked over to the rift monitor mas” he grinned, he doubted both, he saw Jack’s face, he didn’t drama. Jack was busy typing with news. “Sorry Rhys did you just say him, she looked up at Jack to track the data, times and loca- they’d get the chance to arrest him like it but he pulled at the ribbon vigour at the keyboard of the Father Christmas has landed on and Ianto. “Um well this is gonna tion, she’d done it all before, she he looked nimble on his feet un- and felt it undo in his hands. The first work station he came too, the motorway, are you winding sound mad, and I thought he was printed out the data, time of the like most of Cardiff police force. foil wrapping paper fell away to re- they didn’t use Tosh’s desk or me up, are you out with Banana?” pulling my leg but he’s not, rift spikes and their locations, she Gwen sighed. “Yes, I think we are veal a small box with a photo of an Owen’s they just didn’t, they’d left Rhys rolled his eyes. “No love I am see look” she held her phone out couldn’t quite believe her eyes coming out to see it for ourselves. Etcha A Sketch on the front, Ianto them how they had been when not drunk, just get on the to Jack who took it and pulled the as he stood and looked at it. “Ianto We’ll have to use the slip road and pulled a face as he opened up the they where still alive, Gwen kept CCTV network and then when same face as Gwen had, Ianto the big rift spike was just before drive down the wrong way but the cardboard box and pulled out the them tidy and neat but would you find us ring me back” he cut stood to the side of Jack and you got hit on the head, that’s way Jack drives you’d not know toy he’d wanted as a child. Jack saw never use them. As Jack and Ianto the phone call off, he stood in the pulled a face too. “What the hell is the one the system picked up, it’s a the difference” Rhys smirked “Ok the look of confusion on his viewed the CCTV footage Gwen’s slush snow that now covered parts that? Is that what I think it is” sizeable spike too” She was deep in love well see you soon then, and young lovers face. He didn’t like mobile rang out from her desk, of the road, the old man was wan- thought as Ianto called her in the meantime if the police do that something had just fell from she walked over to pick it up. “sor- dering around clearly trying to Ianto inquired as Jack looked over. “Oh my god he wasn’t kid- turn up I’ll keep you informed, its the sky; he knew only too well ry gotta take this it’s Rhys” she slid work out what had happened. as worried as Gwen felt. “Gwen ding, there really is a sleigh and freezing here though, swear my nothing came for free. Gwen up the top of her smartphone and Rhys frowned as he turned the where is this, and how did you get reindeer and some bloke that is toes are turning blue” he hung up walked over to stand next to Ianto, held it to her ear. “Hello love you camera function of his mo- it?!” dressed as Father Christmas the phone and pulled his gloves she took the toy from his ok, you back home yet?!” the smile bile phone on, holding it up he Gwen didn’t understand why Jack except, we all know it’s just some back on. hands. “Oh my god I got this for a faded as she heard what Rhys snapped a photo just like all the was worried. “Rhys rang me just made-up story for the kids” he birthday one year, I played with it said. others that where close enough then, he said he was ok but that shock his head. Jack stood behind Gwen and so much that I broke it” she to see, Rhys wasn’t sure if it was a there had been a pile up on the in- Ianto. “right lets go and see what turned the small dial on the bot- Rhys stood just next to his car pre-Christmas stunt gone wrong bound motorway into Cardiff! He Gwen walked over still holding the he we have here, if the rift activity tom of the toy and saw the lines looking ahead of him, the motor- or a Torchwood thing and he said it was something we should print out in her hand. She stood is right and its never been wrong spread across the screen on the way on the out skirts of Cardiff really could be stood looking at see, Torchwood, but why it’s just a next to Ianto so she could see, before then I think we have an toy. had ground to a halt, his car was Father Christmas, nothing was prank right? Jack?!” She looked at “zoom into the front of the queue problem and as much as I don’t second from the front of the row counted out where Gwen’s work him oddly as he turned to of traffic Rhys is down there some- want to believe that we have real She remembered how much fun of cars that now stood still, he was concerned. He sent the image Ianto. “Ianto get me the CCTV where, I’m ringing back like he Santa sat on the motorway I think she’d had as a child. Ianto looked stood with his phone to his ear. on to Gwen that would be enough footage from the inbound lane of asked” Ianto did as he was asked, we may have and we need to go up at Jack. “I asked for this one “Oh Gwen you have to see this, for her not to just discount what traffic into Cardiff please!” he he zoomed it in, the Torchwood and investigate, Ianto coat” Jack year for Christmas and I wasn’t this is so worth getting Captain he said. He waited. held both his hands together in a technology enabling them to get threw his RAF greatcoat to Ianto allowed it, no one knows about, is America to look at” he laughed, pray like action, Ianto rolled his a crisp image the row of cars and who caught it with precision, that what the tag meant ‘for a he wasn’t sure that Gwen would Back at the hub Ianto was jabbing eyes as he turned to bring up the the people milling around. walked behind Jack and helped Christmas missed’?” he looked believe him if he just told her what his finger at the screen “see that’s live footage. “What’s so impor- him on with it. Gwen shock her at Gwen playing with the toy he’d he had been witness to so he knew me and then parcel falls and tant about a stunt Jack, it’s hardly Rhys’s phone rang out, he an- head. “Tell him to put his own some how been gifted. Jack he had to show her. “get on the hits me on the head, do you see Torchwood is it?” Ianto didn’t get swered it, he’d seen the CCTV coat on” she tutted as she pulled frowned, he didn’t like it, some- CCTV network and view the anybody chucking it and running why he was wasting time looking camera move, “took your time on her black leather jacket. Jack how someone knew and he had motorway on the inbound lane off Jack?! No I thought not” he up something that was likely a didn’t you?” he smirked; he knew laughed. “Oh come on Gwen he the suspicion it wasn’t going to be going into Cardiff, trust me love raised a brow at Jack, who had prank. Jack smiled, “oh come on it was likely they all thought he likes it” Ianto felt his cheeks burn good. The rift had been showing you will want to see this, drawing opened his mouth to argue the dif- Ianto, the rift activity, the gift out was mad, but he’d been studying with a blush. “I quite like it Gwen, activity all day on and off. “right quite the crowed” he looked at the ference, Jack sighed, looked over of no where and now we have the older man. He looked as old I like to make sure he looks nice, Ianto, so let’s look at the CCTV red and gold sleigh now across as Gwen’s phone rang out again Santa sat on the motorway, are you as time its self, but he didn’t move to know footage and see if we can see the both lanes of the inbound traffic, “Gwen is everything OK?!” Jack’s not just a tiny bit curious?!” Jack like an old person, he moved mysterious benefactor huh!” he Rhys looked at the 6 reindeer that face contorted with worry he patted Ianto on the shoulder as he better than what Rhys did, he I’ve sent him out looking smart” smiled and clapped both his hands stood braying at the sudden crash really did care about them all even walked away to give Gwen her seemed to check over something Jack grinned. “see Ianto likes it, together, Gwen rolled her eyes she landing, Rhys couldn’t quite if he didn’t care to show it all the phone back. “Gwen this is a long in the seating area of the sleigh, and Ianto don’t think you get to didn’t see the harm, she was busy believe he’d seen it fly over the time, Gwen more than most. shot but can you check the rift a radio perhaps Rhys had thought. stay here in the warm, oh no your trying to draw a car with the traffic and then suddenly drop and Gwen’s mouth fell open as she saw data, and then I think we’re going “So, you lot coming out or what? riding shot gun while Gwen works dials. “oh come on Jack what’s the land, an old man with white hair, the photo from Rhys’s mobile, she for a ride in the SUV to check out I am sure the police will be here the computer in the back so harm, it’s not like it’s doing any black boots, wearing a thick red laughed then her face fell Santa for ourselves can’t let that soon if you don’t shake a leg, if get your coat, don’t want you catching cold, I have plans for you “If there is one thing I hate its rub- of him, the likeness was uncanny. they don’t believe in me, or they deer, I mean it has to be, somehow air pulling the sleigh behind it. later” he raised a brow. Gwen ber necker’s, they thrive on The old man smiled don’t want to, but the girl, she did, he’s come in and I think he’s Gwen and Ianto stood with their rolled her eyes at the pair of them others mystery or in this case they at Jack, he shook his hand as if she saw what she saw as a child, I stuck here” Rhys shock his head. mouths open, Jack smirked as he and walked over to the garage are just to nosey for their own they had met before, he looked as know who was a believer as “well ok love but I am telling you placed a hand on each of their door, that led direct to the SUV, good” Jack did a 3 point turn that if he was thinking for a second a child but so many these days just when I was little I waited up for shoulders. “So now do you believe she typed in the codes into the turned Gwen’s stomach over, she before he spoke. “Ah so I did travel don’t believe in me any more, the him each year but I never saw me” Gwen laughed nervously. “I touch pad near the door, it un- puffed out her cheeks as Jack ap- through a space rift then, ah now I belief in me has been going him, not once, but this I have to can’t believe I just saw that happen locked with a click as Gwen plied the breaks a bit to liberally see why I am causing so up and down all year, that’s why I see, so when the traffic flows again my 7 year old self has just seen her pushed open the door, she felt the for her liking. “Ok team plan of much attention, so this is earth thought I’d take the sleigh up for a I’ll follow you into the bay” Gwen dream come true, wow.” cooler air on her face. “Come on action, normal formation, scan for yes? And I believe it’s the day be- test flight, just once around kissed Rhys on the cheek as she Ianto looked at the line of traffic you two, someone’s bound to call rift activity and so on, and leave fore Christmas Eve? Please tell the main dome but as I was on the made her way over to Ianto now the entertainment had gone the police” Ianto pulled on his coat the talking to me” he opened up me I have that much right?!” the home stretch there was a dip in who was stood looking at the rein- the people had all got back inside and walked along side Jack to the his door. “Let’s get to work” old man spoke with a velvet tone belief again and we dropped deer. “So do you think it really is their cars. “Guys we need to move SUV. Gwen climbed into the to his voice, deep but clear. Jack about three foot, well at least I him, I mean when I was kid I or we’ll be run over” he moved off back, Ianto got into the passenger Jack was first out of the SUV sighed. “Yes, yes and yes again, thought it felt like a drop in belief believed but you know how it is to get back into the SUV. side as Jack got into the driver’s flanked by Ianto and Gwen they you have travelled though the rift but shortly afterwards I was Gwen you grow up and you stop, Jack ran after him. “right back to side. “Right Gwen, so if the road made their way to the red and in time and space, your currently aware I was no longer in the North you know that really your Mam the hub, Gwen I am going to need is jammed, what’s the best way golden sleigh, Gwen mouthed the in Cardiff, Wales and yes its the Pole and I was in fact on earth, I and Dad just buy the gifts” he you to work on something for to get to where Rhys is?!” Gwen word ‘WOW’ as they got nearer it day before Christmas eve, where admit to early and my head elf shrugged into the darkness he me, I’ll explain it all when we get typed into the smaller laptop that was beautiful just as she had were you before you ended up will be having a nervous break- wanted to believe that stood talk- back but I know your better at popped out of the back of Ianto’s imagined Father Christmas’s here?!” Jack let go of the older down if I don’t make it back by ing to Jack about flight plans and maths than Ianto and I need this seat, she typed in the route for sleigh to look when she was a man’s hand and indicated for Ianto dawn, but your rift, I can’t get back naughty and nice lists was really to be perfect one degree out and Jack. “right well at some point child. The chestnut coloured rein- to go and scan around the area, though it, I do believe I am in a bit the jolly old man they knew as we’re all in a lot of trouble” He we’ll have to drive down the deer where huge but elegant. Ianto Gwen pulled a face “I don’t mean of trouble Captain Harkness” He Father Christmas but he knew it climbed back into the SUV and wrong way but since the road is saw it too but he remained impas- to interrupt but are you telling me sighed and looked around at was all just an old made up story drove off, Gwen sighed. “No pres- jammed it won’t matter, stick the sive towards it. Jack was just this is, well that this is Father the many people that where now but then he’d once thought aliens sure then” blue lights on and they’ll just think ahead of Ianto and Gwen they car- Christmas, Jack are you having me stopped and taking pictures. Jack where made up to and he’d seen we’re police and the police, well ried the kit, he strode towards the on?! Have you and Rhys cooked smiled kindly at the old man, he plenty of them since Torchwood The drive back to the hub didn’t they hate us anyway” Jack nodded man in the red suite who had this up between you?!” Jack was satisfied it was indeed Father one and since he’d joined Torch- seem to take as long as the journey his head and started up the SUV. now become aware of the new shook his head. “No Gwen its not Christmas, he knew they’d have to wood three. there had done. As Jack pulled comers, he looked at Jack as Jack a joke, en-fact its bad very, very help him get back to his own up the SUV along side the road The SUV thundered out of Cardiff came to a stop still his hand out bad, if we don’t get him back to kingdom as well as try to convince Gwen sighed. “Ianto I don’t know that ran along side the Millenni- at speed, the advanced technology stretched in greeting “Captain Jack his kingdom in time for him to fly Gwen and Ianto he was serious, but I’m not gonna discount any- um centre he smiled at the sleigh of the SUV guided the driver Harkness, I believe you have come out on Christmas eve, the whole that’s why he’d asked Gwen to thing, but right now the now parked in the middle of the every step of the way, Jack knew though the rift” he smiled. world as we know it is at risk, get Rhys to meet them at the plass, police are on their way, I can hear plass. “for now we leave the SUV these roads like the back of his and you know I can’t have that so he needed all their help. “Well I the sirens, they won’t believe it and here, I know you both think I hand, he’d drove down them so His dazzling smile at the old man, go find Rhys tell him get ready to think you can safely say after will likely be less happy to have lost the plot but all will be many times in the past, the snow “and this is Ianto Jones and Gwen drive to the bay, he’s seen this this the belief won’t be an issue, help than we are so trust Jack and explained soon, lets just get us all had stopped falling again leaving Cooper and together we are much he may as well help us out” now Gwen she’s more perceptive, do what he asks for now” She back inside, oh and Gwen bring the sky clear. The SUV turned off Torchwood so tell me what hap- Gwen looked at him like he was Ianto well I think he’s had a smiled at him. “come on lets go Rhys down with you when he’s down the wrong way on the slip pened?!” He saw Gwen standing mad, she didn’t believe it, she tough life, he doesn’t tell me any- and see what Jack’s decided” She arrived, I’ll be taking Santa down road, the blue lights of the SUV with her mouth slightly open, didn’t want to really admit that the thing but I see it in his eyes, but and Ianto walked back around to with Ianto and myself on the lift” now flashing to alert any oncom- he raised a brow “you’ll have to real Father Christmas was stood he’ll come around, he always does, the side where Jack was giving he grinned, it wasn’t the ideal situ- ing traffic but Gwen had been excuse Miss Cooper she doesn’t in front of her. Jack grinned at the dependable is Ianto” Father Christmas instructions to ation but he knew what he’d have right there was no traffic it was all normally stand and stare” Gwen old man. “so what happened, I am fly to the plass and to wait there to do and he knew he had to jammed up further down the mo- snapped back to reality she’d been right in thinking that if we don’t Gwen stood next to Rhys. “I know for them. The old man nodded hurry they only had five hours at torway. It didn’t take Jack long to studying the man stood in front of get you back for Christmas love but I really think its Father to Ianto and Gwen and climbed most until it was Christmas eve find the cause of the commotion, Jack, he looked just like the tradi- eve that all hell will brake loose Christmas I mean Jack thinks up into the seated bit of the sleigh, day, he needed to return Father the cars on the other side of the tional Christmas cards her Gran right Santa?!” he came in via the rift, I mean with a few commands spoken Christmas back to his kingdom motorway where now also moving had on the mantle each year, he look at him Rhys the black boots, out loud the sleigh lifted off the before the day was out. Jack and slower than it needed to be, Jack didn’t just look like him though it The old man smiled at Jack. “I see the red outfit, the white hair and ground, the reindeer kicked off the Ianto walked off to the plass and tutted his distaste at the other cars. was as if the cards had been made you know more than the others, beard, the huge sleigh and rein- ground and rose up into the disappeared with Father Christ- mas down into the hub, Gwen like a whole reality suspended Jack smiled at Ianto. “Always gotta grass and green skies because Rhys was first to brake the silence. mas, right away I knew who pinched her self to make sure she on belief so no Santa to take the worry don’t you, well I have a that’s how the children see it, that’s “So Father Christmas you really you where and just what I could wasn’t dreaming as Rhys pulled gifts then no one will believe and good feeling about this, this time how they have seen it for so many do exist, so all that time as do make you believe again, admit- up his car. Rhys’s face broke into a that has a knock on effect you we’re not opening the rift to an- years! I live in a place called a child, I actually helped to keep tedly I didn’t aim it for your head huge smile as he saw Gwen see, for as long as time its self other time in time but to another the North Pole because that is you in existence?” he smiled nerv- that was an accident!” Ianto waiting for him. “Did you see that there has always been something place, and with the data Gwen where the children believe I live, ously unsure what to say, he grinned, he just didn’t know what when he took off, bugger me I tell to believe in, something to put gets we can be safe that it will only with snow all year round, work looked at the man sat in front of to say or do. Father Christmas got you what I wouldn’t have your faith into, so after a while open a small amount just enough shops full of toys and elves and him, his red rosy cheeks and his up from his chair a little stiffly he believed if I hadn’t of seen it with these personalities that people to allow Santa here to get back in me the jolly fat man in the red suit white hair, his face so friendly and turned to look at Gwen. “Gwen my own eyes, I tell you what the made up to amuse and scare peo- time to continue his duties.” He with the sleigh and reindeer, so soft. Ianto just sat looking into Elizabeth Cooper, the little girl radio has gone nuts for this love, ple they became reality just like beamed a smile at the room, so you see we all reside in our king- his coffee trying to work out if he that was always in bed early on they are saying Christmas came me or you, so you see if the belief Santa do you wanna explain about doms watching over and checking believed any of it or not. Christmas eve, never tried to early for Wales” He was bursting in any one of them drops to low anthropomorphic personifications on things until we are on active Father Christmas smiled at Rhys. sneak a peak but believed up until with excitement as Gwen walked or indeed stops altogether their or should I?” Jack remained duty.” He took a big breath in and “Ah now let me think, Rhys Allun you him into the hub, she had a feeling kingdoms start to fall apart and standing up, he glanced over at continued. “The shape and size of Williams, always tried to stay where 13, and even then I think she knew what Jack was going to they cease to exists, if that hap- Gwen collecting all the data. Ianto the Kingdom is affected by up to catch me delivering gifts, but you still believed even after that, ask her to do, she wasn’t sure pens, the world is at risk, you see sat down next to Rhys, he felt belief, so you see there are cases you always fell asleep before I ar- because you see things differently, why or how but she knew he’d only things like Christmas are woven a bit odd he’d stopped believing in where we cannot enter another’s rived, always woke up the next you see what others can’t” he ask them if it was an emergency. into the fabric of the universe, lose Father Christmas after his older realm because of conflicting day in bed, with your stocking full smiled. Gwen stopped what she They walked trough the rolled that well I think you can under- sister told him he didn’t really beliefs. But you see at certain of gifts didn’t you” Rhys sat with was doing and blushed, she’d never back cog door, Rhys never failed stand now Gwen” Gwen puffed exist, he looked up at Father times of the year, when magic is at his mouth open. Ianto looked told anybody she believed until to be amazed when ever he came out her cheeks. “I’m gonna need Christmas sat there in the same its most vulnerable, the amount of curious now, Father Christmas she was 13, her Mum and Dad had into the hub it was so vast and so a coffee” Jack patted her on the room, he sometimes wondered if belief can be affected thus mean- smiled wearily at Ianto, “now you, let her continue to believe it they big, and held so many secrets. He shoulder as he walked off, Rhys sat any ing if enough people stopped your more tricky, Ianto David didn’t see the harm, it was some- stood next to Gwen. down on the old tatty sofa unsure of what happened at Torchwood believing we would cease to exist, Jones, the little boy who wrote one at school that asked and she’d what he was meant to be doing he was actually real or just one long but only asking for one thing that year, said no even though she did. “I’ve Jack looked up from what he was looked at the man all in red with and bizarre dream. with anyone, it doesn’t just mean the year you stopped believing, got the data to input that will I doing. “Ah thanks for coming the white hair he’d seen out on the one personality ceases to exist, it after your parents wouldn’t allow pray send you back to the North along Rhys I thought since you put road, in the lights of the hub he Father Christmas cleared his means that if they question one you to have the toy you wanted, Pole” she handed the written sum us onto this, you could help us didn’t look as old as he thought throat to speak, the room feel they start to question them all, you you see I can only bring what is out to Jack, its not half as good as with it” he pulled out Gwen’s desk he’d seemed but he’d taken on silent even Gwen’s typing became see its not just me, or the Easter brought by the parents. However, Tosh’s would have been but with chair. “right Gwen I need you board what Jack had told Gwen. quieter than it had been, as he bunny or indeed the tooth fairy I do believe not long ago you re- her pop ups and helpful tips left to look up what time the sun rose He licked at his lips nervously. “So spoke it was as if they were com- but things that effect your world, ceived the gift you had always today, what time it set, and the what your saying is that all these pelled to listen to him, his voice things such as time, the seasons of missed out on, did you not behind I think I did her proud.” time and coordinates of the rift things we’re told as a child, Father full the year, nature, love, death Ianto?!” Ianto looked up his eyes Jack took the paper. “Ianto I trust activity for when Santa here came Christmas, The Easter Bunny, the of knowledge and years that even and god, they are just a few of the wide, it all made sense to Ianto you above all others to input this from his world to ours, once we Tooth fairy they all exist because Jack didn’t surpass. He smiled at things that are also anthropomor- now, into the rift manipulator you know all of the numbers we can people believe in them?!” the faces now turned towards phic personifications so you see the gift that had fell from the air, know it almost as well as I do.” run them and get the formula to him. “Well I think I can explain if I don’t get back in time to fill up the perfectly wrapped Etch A He turned his attention to Father open the rift at the right time and Ianto walked in with a tray full of that Captain, you see, anthropo- the sleigh with all the gifts, if I fail Sketch toy he’d always wanted and Christmas, “right Santa time to get moment to send Santa back to hot drinks and snacks. “I wasn’t morphic personifications bring to to do the job I am meant to had believed Father Christmas this show on the road, once the the North Pole” Gwen’s face sure what anyone would want life a phenomenon or a concept. do then the whole thing falls down would bring him, but he never rift is open, you only have a short dropped. “Are you mad? You want so I just made coffee and chucked You see we have the power to grow like a house of cards, I am just had, until now. “So that was you, time to get back into your realm to open to the rift just to send him some bits and bobs on a tray” he and evolve as individuals, over glad that your Captain knows and but before it shuts, I really don’t wan- back to the North Pole, can’t he put it down on the table, and time each of us becomes not just understands as well as I do how how if you can only deliver what is na see you spliced so I hope that just fly?!” Jack grinned. “nope no looked at Jack. “so I really have to what the people believe in, but we important that is” he looked paid for, oh and that hit me on the sleigh of yours have more than can do Gwen, you see its called input the data Gwen gets and open become our jobs, we live and around the room, Jack was over head too” Father Christmas one gear” he winked at the older the North Pole because that’s what the rift, but what if doesn’t breathe the very existence. We all with smiled at Ianto. “See that is what I man. “So are we all ready every- people have said and told others work, we’ve only used it once have our own realm or Kingdom Gwen talking in hushed tones as was telling you about, as we evolve one, ok lets do this thing it’s now for generations, the kingdom is before and well that was to rescue that reflects what we do, the they ran and re-ran the numbers we become what we are or never” called the North Pole but its not you and Tosh and look what tooth fairy, for example, lives in a to make sure they where right. believed to be, as I was flying over, in the North Pole here on earth its happened after that” he sighed. huge tooth shaped castle with blue I heard your thoughts of Christ- The atmosphere in the room was almost electric as Ianto carefully wake, the Torchwood team stood this Rhys?” He looked around the put in the code that Gwen had out on the plass as they room, “no I didn’t, I mean you had worked out, his fingers worked watched the sleigh disappear into done it already” he walked over to Crazy Little thing called Hub! the keyboard deftly as he looked the rift, the rift snapped shut and the tree and picked up one A Report from “The Hub 7” convention around the assembled crowed as the sky became normal again. of the gifts, “there all either for us he pressed send, the data now be- Jack grinned as he looked around both or one each, but we’d only got Writer: Jooles Sand Pictures: JoviBlue04 ing processed by the rift manipu- him, the clock on the Pier head a few under their when I lator. Gwen and Rhys took the building chimed went out, I got all yours in the stairs at a run to feed info back midnight. “Happy Christmas Eve boot of the car, do you think it down to the hub below. Gwen’s everybody” was.. nah.” he shock his head. heart pounded in her chest as she Gwen ran as fast as she could, she knew Ianto and Jack made their way grinned widely and clapped her Ianto would have sent it and the back down into the hub after hands together and did a jig on the rift manipulator would be Gwen and Rhys said their good- spot. “Oh Rhys I feel like I’m opening the rift, Rhys ran as fast byes seven again..” Rhys laughed freely as he could to keep up with Gwen, for the night and left for home, and pulled her into a hug as they he came to halt next to the Ianto grinned. “This has been one danced about the living room tower as Gwen stood looking up crazy day Jack” Jack was together. into the sky, he followed her gaze about to make a joke out of it and saw a crimson pink window when they stopped in their tracks, open in the sky. “Oh my god that as the stone paving slab clicked For those that are not familiar silly doing that in a posh place a long time! is amazing Gwen” Gwen pressed back into place, the main part of with Hub, it is a twice-yearly, filled with international travellers. her comms. “Guys we have lift the hub was no longer bare and three-day Torchwood conven- Amusingly Kai pretty much said But Saturday and its accompany- off, it’s open so hurry up.” Jack void of Christmas, it now had tion held in the UK, organised by the same thing in his talk! ing hangover were soon upon smiled at Ianto as the rift monitor decorations and a huge decorated Showmasters. It starts on Friday us. I was mostly with my friends picked up the rift opening at the tree. “How the hell did that hap- night and finishes with a final One of the nicest things to see Sarah and Laura as we all had same time Gwen had told them pen, and can I smell food” Ianto’s party on Sunday night. was a lot of new faces; there were standard passes. The first of the all. Jack stepped onto the lift stone, eyes reflected the lights and deco- definitely a lot of people at this signing desks we went up to was Ianto and Father Christmas rations that adorned the hub. Jack I have to admit that due to work Hub that I haven’t seen before and Kai Owen (Rhys Williams) as his stood either side of him, the stone smirked as they walked over issues and traffic, I completely this was my fourth Hub. And it was quiet at that time. We were clicked into the place as Jack the tree “oh look it’s full of gifts missed the opening ceremony was fantastic to see people getting discussing on the way the fact that stepped off to find Gwen and Rhys too” he looked up at the mistletoe on Friday so can’t report on that, into the - quite mad – Hub spirit Kai gives the most amazing, life- stood over by the sleigh, Jack hanging from the biggest but the theme of the Friday night straight away. affirming hugs in the entire world looked up at the rift, “you did branch. “Well its tradition don’t party was ‘poles apart’, referenc- - as anyone that has ever had the good Gwen, you opened up just you know Yan” he grinned lopsid- ing Shanghai and Buenos Aires One of those rising to the spirit of pleasure will know. He was friend- the ed at Ianto as he planted a kiss on from Miracle Day. There were the occasion was Daniele Favilli ly as always and I mentioned the portal into the North Pole, well Ianto’s lips. some great costumes and a lot of (Angelo), who seemed to be en- hug conversation. Kai immediately done” Gwen smiled widely. Ianto cosplaying, which is always great joying his time on the dance floor leapt up and hugged all three of and Jack joined Gwen and Rhys Gwen and Rhys opened the door to see. as much as the rest of us. He even us. He is an utterly lovely man. at the side of the sleigh, Father to their apartment, they walked joined in with Christmas smiled and shook each into the small living and dinning The last few Hubs I have been to some of the and every one of their hands, area, Rhys hit the light switch and have always been in the Park Inn con dances. meeting Jack’s gaze last. “I won’t Gwen stood with her mouth open in Northampton. This one was in a Being body forget this Jack, I won’t forget any all the decorations she’d put pretty posh hotel in Heathrow. The slammed into of you for helping me” Jack up and the beginning on Decem- problem was this was, one, the bar him during a smiled. “Good luck Santa and I ber had now been replaced with was bloody expensive, and two, it particularly hope all go’s well for you” he just the most beautiful ones she’d ever was just too posh for Torchwood enthusiastic hoped the rift was going to seen, the tree was bigger and was geeks. At the Park Inn we pretty chorus of “Star behave and stay open long enough real for once and now boasted a much take over the whole place so Trekking” is to allow him through. The sleigh pile of gifts under it. She turned wandering around the public areas something I rose into the air once more, the to look at Rhys who looked as in costume and silly outfits is quite am going to reindeer pulling the sleigh in their shocked as she did. “Did you do acceptable. You feel a little more remember for form. He Polly had a Dolly. Sadly he later the point of view of the writers. effect the spent most stuck to this! perfor- of it berating The screening was followed by a mances the audience I usually refrain from asking ques- quiz, which was quite barmy. The before, for one thing tions at these things, but time I audience was divided into two, but he or another, plucked up the courage to do so. It with team captains from each side made re- having “con- was a bit of a shame as my ques- at the front. The team captains ally good versations” tion was quite serious and by the were joined by Kai and Joe (on points with people time they got to me it was after the other team) and Daniele and about the off stage, quite a few really funny ones. But Mark on the team I was on. Oddly words demand- nevertheless, I asked him that he enough all the questions were and ing more thought about Rhys’ reactions to Torchwood related, but there was language beer and and threats towards Oswald in a brilliant round where the actors/ that threatening Miracle Day. I have spoken to a writer had to act out scenes from Shake- to leave. But few people since it aired and a few episodes. Kai does a remarkably speare at the end thought Rhys would never make good, in fact slightly scarily good, selected We went to see Joe Lidster next he settled down and told us how threats like that, it is too aggres- impression of Gareth David-Lloyd being and Sharon Morgan (Mary Coop- and briefly compared hango- much he loves coming to Hub and sive for him; but I thought, as a being Ianto. carefully considered down to the er). We got their autographs first vers. He had apparently received meeting everyone. He is genuinely Dad, that is exactly what Rhys letter, so translating can detract as their queues were short. Having a briefing from previous Hub gracious and loves that people love would do. Our team lost, but only because from this. And he did all this with standard tickets we weren’t due guest James Moran about what to the show so much. Kai and Joe had snogged and examples, ending with confirming to go for our signings with John expect, and happily wasn’t disap- I was quite pleased because when I earned extra points. I hope they that he prefers to perform Shake- until later in the day. William and pointed. He also told us a little of what he asked the question he sat back and do it again at future Hubs. The speare in English. Sharon were similar to how Mark has been up to since Miracle Day; “oooo”’d and said “good question.” quiz I mean, not just the snogging. had been the day before, friendly, Daniele’s line was much longer, including auditions (“they asked His answer was that as a father he Daniele also talked about the eye but slightly startled. but we bit the bullet and started me to pretend to be a Welsh hus- thinks Rhys would react strongly Afterwards Daniele and Mark had problem he developed the day queuing. It soon became apparent band. I think I can manage that”) and potentially violently to any their talk. They both got the Hub before filming. None of the thing We then went for our photo shoot why. He was writing mini essays and looking after his baby. He told threat to his daughter, and that if ethos pretty quickly and it was with Angelo’s eye was in the origi- with John. This was brilliant for a on everyone’s photos/DVDs/etc some fab stories about how he Oswald had dared touch Anwen good fun again. The two of them nal script, but he had a blood ves- couple of reasons; this is the main and making sure he talked to eve- takes his son to the local mother again then he definitely would also talked about their stage work sel burst in his eye so they wrote it one. Unbeknownst to Sarah, Laura ryone. He commented on my hair and baby group and started the have hurt him physically in an for a while which led to quite a all in. had been planning to propose at colour and on my photo wrote “I day after the first ep of MD aired. effort to protect her if that’s what it long conversation about Shake- Hub and had decided to do so in love your hair” in English and Ital- He became quite popular! He is came to. But he said that he thinks speare with them both reciting ex- That was it for the day, but the front of John. I was in on the plan, ian. He probably told a couple of also the only father that goes regu- that Rhys would always stop be- cerpts. Daniele talking about how night brought another party but no one else knew. They went hundred people that he loved their larly. He mentioned that he has fore anything went too far as Rhys different Shakespeare is in Italian (theme being Red, White and Blue in together for their joint photo hair, but I’m not going to let a tiny learnt a lot of nursery rhymes and doesn’t have it in him to actually compared to English was really in- party - Brits vs USA or CIA meets and stood either side of John. Just little fact like that stop me from will no longer be singing Hymns kill someone. teresting. I’ve not given too much Torchwood UK), and another before the photo was about to be being very over excited! and Arias at cons, but instead consideration to how translations night of Daniele giving it some on taken, Laura pulled out the ring There was a the dance floor. box, opened it and proposed. I’m Mark Lewis Jones (John Ellis) screening of “A And another not sure if John or Sarah were was also signing on Saturday and, Day in the Death” hangover for more stunned, but there was a lot although he appeared a little taken next, with live everyone on the of squeaking, a lot of hand flailing aback by the whole thing, was commentary Sunday… and mouth goldfishing. I’m not very friendly. He seemed decid- from Joe. Despite saying who was doing what. Sarah edly less hung over than Daniele, the innate sadness Sunday was did a lot of nodding and smiling, Kai and Joe… of the episode he Barrowman day. but finally John just shouted, “are managed to make Mark left, but Joe, you going to say yes or not?” So After lunch came what I think it pretty funny Kai and Daniele Sarah did and John hugged them is my favourite part of Hub; the and entertaining, remained and both. He then said that he felt like talks. and it is always so were joined by he was in the way and dashed out interesting to see William Thomas of the photo, leaving them to get First was Kai’s and he was on top the episode from (Geraint Cooper) some together. He even posed very good of his credit he discussed it a bit and their talk, but I hurt from laughing him to do. gave a balanced, reasoned answer, at it. I don’t think there was a lot namely as much as loved the char- of substance, but there was a lot of Matt Rambles: The afternoon acter of Ianto, the show had always mucking around. was full of been about Jack and Gwen and it talks. I can’t was Ianto who needed to die to The final talk was the one with BRING BACK remember the spur Jack on to the take the later all the guests. Again, I’m sorry, I exact order, actions he did. He did say that he remember little of the substance, but John did missed Gareth though as they had but I remember laughing a stupid one alone, Kai, got on so well. Then there was a amount. One of the questions they TORCHWOOD William and little pause and he giggled and said were asked was if they had any su- Sharon did “fuck the girl, keep the boy!” perstitions. It turns out that John one together, is really superstitious and already FIGURES! Daniele and He talked a bit more about work- has loads of things he has to do, John did one ing with Gareth and recounted like saluting magpies, not look- them and the ring better for the together and then all the remain- filming the hot house scene from ing at hearses in case he sees his camera, before stepping back in ing guests did a final one. “”. With actions. He com- reflection and more. As everyone and getting a shot with them. John mended Gareth on being so else talked about theirs, John start- had been Scottish throughout the Kai, William and Sharon were comfortable with himself that he ed slowly dying as with each new whole thing which I think was interesting; talking a lot about didn’t have any problems with any one he heard, he decided he was part of him being so surprised. Welsh theatre. John on his own of the scenes that the two of them going to have to adopt it just in was fabulous; so, so funny. He told did together. case. It all got increasingly silly as I was next in the queue for a photo us the whole story about his real it went on and peaked somewhat but the emotion of the thing had life Captain Jack impression when It was obvious from the whole when Daniele claimed that in Italy all been a bit much for me. When he caught a thief as he was escap- thing how much John loves Torch- if you see a hearse you have to I approached John I was doing ing from the hotel room opposite wood and being a part of it. But he grab your balls, or someone else’s that weird hand flapping thing Before I wrote this fair maiden of a fanzine and even became an uber his after stealing from it. It all also made it clear that he doesn’t balls. This just about killed John. that you think for some reason Torchwood fan like I am today I collected figures. SciFi Collector, sounded very dramatic and shows know anything about the future, is going to stop you crying. I just (now making Merlin figures,) released two waves of amazing Torch- that he is clearly still in very good but hopes it has one. All too soon it was over and the said, “sorry, they are two of my wood figures alongside a variant Jack. Each came with a small Torch- shape as he chased the guy along only thing left was the last party. best friends, I’ve gone a bit teary,” wood stand which they would proudly stand on. Despite the promise the corridor and brought him to John and Daniele were a joy to see The theme for this one was “It’s and he pulled me into a big, tight, of them being “the same scale as the Doctor Who Figures” I also the ground. He has also said that together. They were also clearly a Miracle! - All across the world, bear hug. I don’t do a lot of photo collected, Jack was much taller than the real Jack and they were quite he has offered to try and get the really relaxed and comfortable nobody dies. Doctors and nurses shoots as it is and haven’t had one tall. But now- you’re only source of Merchandise is Books, Audios and kid work in a theatre to help in get around each other and have a mingle with the walking dead.” with John before, but my resulting me, (Sorry, the Fanzine :P) So my question is- is it time to Bring Back straightened out and give him a genuine chemistry. I have to say I This meant that I was one of a pic is lovely and, hell, I got a huge Torchwood Figures? second chance at life. He is clearly remember little of the content of number of Owen cosplayers, but hug from him, so all is brilliant. good through it was good fun. Kudos has to go The figures were great minus a few errors. Jack’s eyes were wonky a and through. especially to the Death who threw When we went for the signing few times. Ignoring that they looked amazing- highly detailed and himself to the dance floor on his with John he mentioned the pro- covered most of the S1/2 team, (minus Owen whom people are still He answered a back and played air guitar with his posal to Kai who was sitting next demanding to this day.) I had a Torchwood backdrop made for them lot of questions scythe during Bohemian Rhap- to him. Kai as lovely as ever con- to stand behind and I’d occasionally stand them kicking Weevil arse and refused to sody. It was brilliantly executed gratulated them and hugged them or Ianto getting intimate with the Cyberwoman. But now the team get into some. and so funny. both. It was a brilliant and happy feels lost. We only have Jack and Gwen to represent the new era. I’d For example, day. Also, Malcolm – the Hub love figures of Rex, Esther, Oswald and Jilly. They’d all look so brilliant he was asked if And so another Hub was over. photographer, who is marvellous – together! he thought the They have given the dates for the later gave Sarah and Laura a range writers made the next one – 13-15 April 2012, back of photos of the proposal. He had The reality is licensing and the level of people who buy them. As correct decision at Northampton – and so far an- been snapping away throughout much as the figures are great is this the right market? Personally- if killing Ianto, or nounced Kai and Gareth as guests. and rather than them just getting you bring out new Torchwood figures BBC, I’ll buy them... Also- if he thought I will be definitely be in attend- the usual one or two he gave them please make a Hub Playset with exploding features... Gwen should ance again. Maybe I’ll see you a selection which I thought was have died. To there? The following article contains scenes of Ben Cook and Hangovers. Rated R. CHAPTER TWO DANCING QUEEN In which Abba sign, Barrowman gets Naked and Ben Cook does drag... Previously in “The Musical Tale”... Andrew Lloyd Webber and Russell start work and cast the musical with a manic party causing cast changes, drunks and lockable dresses... Ben Becomes Benny

Later that day Andrew sug- FROM: RUSSELL T DAVIES TO: ANDREW gested Ben- LLOYD WEBBER Russell wrote DATE: 20th January 2010 to Ben about SUBJECT: Script and news the potential of being the Hey Webbs! drag in the So I’ve attached the first draft of the script. Really you episode. need to get down here and start adding music. When are you free? Also- I’ve added something “unique.” I’ve changed the story a bit. There’s going to be a new FROM: RUSSELL T DAVIES TO BENJAMIN character who gets to know Jack by “getting close.” COOK This will be a drag character. Who would you put in DATE: 22nd January 2010 the role? SUBJECT- Torchwood Musical R Hey Ben, So you know I’m working on this Torchwood Musi- cal- I was wondering whether you would want to be part of it? Andrew said he’d put you in the role after “The Meet Up” so I think it would be good to obey. FROM: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER It’s a drag role. TO RUSSELL T DAVIES DATE: 21st January 2010 R SUBJECT: R.E. Script and News Xxx Hey Russell- Ok. Anyone in particular for the role?? I’d put that FROM: BENJAMIN COOK FROM RUSSELL T Ben Cook fellow in the role... DAVIES TORCHWOOD: DATE: 22nd January 2010 Meanwhile are we going to meet the cast again soon? We could do with starting to rehearse ASAP as I’m SUBJECT- R.E. Torchwood Musical going to try and get it into theatres very soon... WHAT!?!?!?!?! The script is also brilliant! I like the way you’ve added Hell yeah! Wait- it’s drag? THE MUSICAL TALE the drag element. Ok- just because the Lord asked... B R.E. meeting up- lets have lunch! x The Meetup Part II Next Issue... By Ben Cook

I guess this meet up was from a different angle. ABBA was there, I was a cast member and it was worse. MUCH WORSE!

It began as normal with ABBA feeling fine, the Bar- rowman and Company laughing, that Jonas Brother BEFORE THE STORM singing and us reading the script. But then the Vodka came out: Michael had been on a trip to Russia and FROM: RUSSELL T DAVIES TO ANDREW LLOYD imported 200 crates of the beverage for this event. THE HUB looks back at the gap between WEBBER And boy did it have an effect. Firstly- Barrowman DATE: 23rd January 2010 S2 and COE with articles, reviews, fiction striped. Literally striped to his bare skin and ran out- SUBJECT: He’s doing it! side. It wasn’t long until the police came who ended Hey! and more! up joining in the fun. He’s doing it! That’s him signed on. Anyway- back to reshaping the script... We then put on ABBA Singstar which couldn’t off R been more fun! Russell and Andrew sang “The Win- X ner Takes it All!” in a pissed manner whilst me and John sang some other shit. We then thought it’d be There was a slight pause at this moment. Russell and good to get stoned so someone brought some form of Andrew met up one day in a small cafe however crack which sent us insane. speculation stated that the two were spotted vandal- ising the Les Mis theatre. They regained contact in One night later and we woke up in the middle of Feburary- with some big news... Cardiff, (don’t ask.) We’d lost Barrowman who had somehow got underneath Cardiff Bay and was crying FROM: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER TO: as “The Hub had gone.” Ball had been arrested for RUSSELL T DAVIES madness so we bailed him out only to discover we DATE: 4th February 2010 both A) Caused a riot and B) Lost Ball. He’d swapped SUBJECT: Chiquintita tell me what’s wrong? his ID with someone and his clothes. Shit. RUSS! BIG NEWS! I decided that I needed help with my music writing To make things worse- Russell, Jonas and Andrew so the AMAZING Abba have joined us! We’ve ar- all had a matching tattoo and Lesley had shaved her ranged a meeting with the cast tomorrow- coming? hair. But then me? I had tits/ I mean it- TITS! Proper A bouncy tits! Someone had given me tits! BARROW- X MAN! Luckily we found Ball, the tits were removed and we all got away fine.

I recall saying never again. Well fuck it- I’m in this FROM: RUSSELL T DAVIES TO: ANDREW musical. As long as there are no more tits... LLOYD WEBBER DATE: 4th February 2010 SUBJECT: OMFG! Seriously? That’s awesome! It’s decided: we need to all meet! I’ve phoned all the peeps and they’ve said yes.

R X Out Feb 2012! PS- I think I just jizzed myself. From all of us here at RTPProductions and all of this years contributours, we wish you a very Happy Holidays and an Amazing New Year- it’s going to be a good one!