Ranking Catherine Tregenna’s Whoniverse Stories
Connor Johnston counts down his list, then cast your own vote.
Last weekend’s “The Woman Who Died” saw Catherine Tregenna make her Doctor Who debut having previously only contributed 4 episodes to Torchwood. As some may have noticed, Tregenna’s presence in Series 9 makes her only the second female writer to have worked on the revived series of Doctor Who, with Helen Raynor having contributed 4 episodes throughout the Tennant era and Sarah Dollard joining the tally later this year. An increase in female writers to the series line-up is an improvement I’m sure many would agree is well overdue, and with “The Woman Who Lived” scoring overwhelmingly positive reviews from fans and critics alike there’s seems little to no doubt that Tregenna’s talent will become more familiar to Who in the coming years. To mark Tregenna’s return to the Whoniverse today I’ll be judging just how well “The Woman Who Lived” compares to her other contributions, before offering the opportunity for a public vote at the conclusion of the countdown.
5. Meat (Torchwood Series 2)
“Have you never seen something so mad, so extraordinary, that just for one second you think that there might be more out there?”
“Meat” is an episode that remains in my mind one of the most criminally underrated in Torchwood’s history. It really is telling of the incredibly high esteem that I hold Tregenna’s episodes in that even though it’s ranked in 5th place today – it still remains such a valued and poetic episode. Similar to “The Woman Who Lived”, “Meat” is an episode that succeeds beyond its initial premise – focusing on the relationship between its characters, particularly Gwen and Rhys, to translate its true message. The initial setup of the episode follows a group of thugs that torture and abuse an abandoned alien, constantly harvesting its seemingly endless supply of meat to gain profit. It’s just the kind of messy, odd and somewhat unsettling twist on alien encounters that Torchwood does so maturely and successfully. While the episode explores mankind’s greatest shame in the way it sacrifices decency and humanity for its own personal gain – it also channels quite heavily a perspective of compassion in the actions of the team during the conclusion of the episode. As stated earlier, the episode really is a crucial turning point for Gwen and Rhys’ relationship, with Rhys’ awakening and integration into the world of Torchwood and the truth of his partner’s career truly carrying the narrative. It’s an episode that does tremendous justice to Rhys’ character, by giving him an actual purpose and role in the show that seemed somewhat non-existent in the first series. It’s the first time in just over a series with both characters that there exists a level of trust and equality in the relationship, and only leads to bigger and better things for the couple in the remainder of the show.
4. Captain Jack Harkness (Torchwood Series 1)
Next we have the penultimate episode to Torchwood’s first series, “Captain Jack Harkness”, which, as the name suggests, focuses on the origins of Jack’s assumed identity as he and Toshiko are stolen from modern times and thrown into the middle of war-torn 1940’s England. The premise of the episode opens up for quite an eventful narrative – with conflict arising between the team left 60 years in the future due to Owen’s personal motivations in opening the rift. The intensity of the episode remains incredibly high as well with the introduction of the enigmatic henchman Bilis who exists in both time streams causing mass panic and speculation, and leads the plot seamlessly into quite an explosive series finale. While “Captain Jack Harkness” isn’t Tregenna’s strongest contribution to the show, it still carries tremendous merit in asserting itself as a popular episode among fans with a simple yet solid narrative working to the series’ success. The pivotal moment in its penultimate episode, “Captain Jack Harkness,” comes as two military men share a passionate kiss on a dance floor in 1940s England. It’s the relationship and deep emotional connection that these two men construct and share that is the most moving aspect to the episode, and remains one of the most touching moments of the first series.
3. Adam (Torchwood Series 2)
Continuing on in our countdown today is the chilling standalone Torchwood episode, “Adam”, which focuses on an alien that exists by living in other people’s memories, and manipulating their vulnerabilities. Where the episode succeeds the most is the way it travels down some incredibly dark paths to reach such an intense and weighted final product. Ianto is tortured into believing he murders women, Toshiko is cruelly teased with the opportunity of love, Gwen is deprived of her memory of Rhys and the audience is taken back into Jack’s childhood building up the arc for the remainder of the series. The intensity of the episode and menace of Adam himself is what makes the episode, from the specially made title sequences to the sombre final scenes, one of the most enthralling of the series. The narrative ends with all of the Torchwood team wiping the last 48 hours of their memories. There are things that they feel that they’re no longer aware of. There’s Owen’s love for Tosh, Gwen’s love for Jack, Jack’s fears and loneliness – and the generally tragic state of the entire team. These vulnerabilities were exposed to us and manipulated by Adam, and despite being the only Tregenna story to have a real villain – proves that she has the ability to write incredibly chilling and intimidating threats.
2. The Woman Who Lived (Doctor Who Series 9)
Rounding out our top 2 today is Tregenna’s most recent addition to the Whoniverse, “The Woman Who Died” – and her first episode for Doctor Who officially. For a debut episode, perhaps the greatest compliment I can give is that Tregenna’s script really reads as someone who deeply understands the ethos of the show and appears as though she’s been writing for it for years. A lyrical masterpiece, the episode tackles the consequences of the Doctor’s actions and how immortality has the ability to completely change and corrupt a person. It also commentates on the vulnerability loneliness instils in a person, and despite being Clara-light is really at its core a story about companionship maintaining that life – especially an immortal one – is nothing without someone to share it with. The script is one that achieves the perfect balance between humour, emotion and adventure one has come to expect from such a successful series. You can read more of my opinion on Tregenna’s Series 9 contribution in this week’s 2nd Opinion Review.
1. Out of Time (Torchwood Series 1)
And so we reach our winner for today’s countdown – and for me at least, there could never have been another choice. The first series of Torchwood is one that initially seemed quite confused and often took risks that failed to reap any rewards. With “Out of Time” however, we are presented with an episode that omits any threat or villain, and remains instead a powerful expository piece into the human condition, and how different people might have different reactions to being taken quite literally out of time. The episode focuses on 3 main streams of plot: Gwen teaching Emma how to integrate herself into modern society, Jack and John reflecting on the consequences of mortality and being unable to find solace in a life that’s been stolen from him, and finally Owen and Diane’s love affair that seems from the offset doomed given both character’s spontaneity and carefree attitude. The episode is extraordinary poetic and succeeds mainly on how believable and realistic each reaction to such an impossible scenario is. It remains not only one of my most adored Torchwood episodes, but also quite easily one of my favourite Whoniverse stories – and very deservingly claims my highest acclaim today.
“The thing about love, is that you’re always at its mercy.”
Have Your Say…
You’ve heard Connor’s thoughts but what do you think? Vote in the poll below
Note: This poll requires you to rank the episodes, from your favourite at the top, to least favourite at the bottom. Drag each of them to create your desired order of preference. Mobile and tablet users can directly number them (or try this direct link).
