Project: Torchwood: Happy Birthday

Got my first Covid jag and feel a little comforted that I can go out of doors and not wind-up dead by disease – although Number 38’s hurtling around the corner suddenly, can still cause heart failure. Ahem! Especially when the Weevil is the reason you shot out into the road in the first place.

Ahh! So how has your month been?

As first posted – I’ve had my first jag, and look forward to the day I’m fully able to hug my parents and be in their company properly rather than out in the front garden in the pissing wet rain!

This month we’re celebrating another Birthday – this time David Tennant’s who reaches the big 5-0 this year. I am absolutely shocked to be fair. But as people who reach that age say that 50 is the new 40, I feel a little better.

We look back on the career of Ronald Pickup who began his acting career with a small role in Doctor Who back in 1964, and delve into the murky waters of Victorian London for a look at Netflix’s latest crime drama series The Irregulars.

We caught up with one of the cast of the above series for a Lockdown Special, and look behind the eyes of a thriller that has had us woahing at the screen during that final episode.

Tony and Sarah enthral us with awesome reviews of old and new Who and Torchwood audios and episodes, and do check out our Profile of the 10^th Doctor. We also welcome new writer Florence Diggle who brings us a Profile of the 10^th Doctor. Worth a check.

As always, a special thanks to my brilliant team for their awesome articles, and for Tiziana’s wonderful front cover and Birthday poster.

Welcome to Issue 90 – Happy Birthday David Tennant

Djak

The Mothership Happy 50th Birthday David Tennant

It was at the end of Eccleston’s tenure as the Doctor that we were given Tennant as our Tenth incarnation of the Time Lord, and it was no longer fantastic, it was brilliant. Rose Tyler had tamed the rage inside the 9^th Doctor, so much so that we had the puppy eyed Doctor for the 10^th, all bounding and exciting, and if he’d have had a tail, he’d have surely thumped it hard against the ground. He’d run everywhere and only stop to take in the view, before hurtling off again in any direction, with a companion struggling to keep up. He had boundless enthusiasm for every new destination, and he was fiercely committed to fighting battles without the use of weapons. Except…towards the end, it was a gun in his hand as he pointed it at Lord Rassilon, as he stood before him, in a bid to claim Earth for a new Gallifrey.

We grew with the Doctor. We laughed. We enjoyed, and we cried real tears when Rose was trapped in the parallel universe. We broke our hearts on Bad Wolf Bay. We never quite got over that feeling of grief for that episode, because even after 16 years and replaying that final episode with Rose, our hearts broke all over again, and we’d sob into a cushion. All of us. Even those, who never cry at such programmes. Even the Weevil.

David Tennant, along with Chris Eccleston, reignited my passion for Doctor Who, and I would collect everything I could with David’s face on. I mean, I did. Including Frubes. I had those empty tubes of yogurt in a drawer for years. Cleaned of course. I had action figures. I still have some of them. And I’ve a ton of trading cards. (Swaps anyone?)

There were so many quotes from the 10^th Doctor era, that there was never a moment where I was stuck for something to say, wherever I went, with or without the family. And libraries? Don’t even get me started on books!!!

I think I’m what’s known as an embarrassment when it comes to geeking out over certain things Doctor Who, including graveyards and statues, but that’s what comes of being a fan of Doctor Who and all that goes with it – but it’s Tennant’s era where this passion blossomed. Sure, I grew up watching Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, but I vaguely only remember certain episodes. I couldn’t quote anything from that – but Tennant…oh there are so many!

When Tennant announced he was leaving the TARDIS and stepping away from Who, a whole nation of fans cried, or became extremely upset and vowed not to give the new guy a chance, but it’s Who, and you do, and you compare, but each Doctor brings something different to the table. Tennant wasn’t anything like Eccleston. Smith wasn’t anything like Tennant, apart from being skinny and tall.

Before Tennant joined Who though, we saw him in Harry Potter as the mad, bad Barty Crouch junior, a very formidable character indeed. What Tennant gave us, was an insight to the character roles he could play, and we all love a bad boy, don’t we?

Since that bad boy role, Tennant has gone on to play a host of others and they’ve been the lowest of the low, and deeper and darker and more threatening. His portrayal of Denis Nilsen was perhaps the most chilling of them all. Uncannily alike in portrait only, but his portrayal of that beast, who decapitated his victims and boiled them in pans in his kitchen, and buried the rest of the bodies under floorboards or in his back garden, and had no fear when the police came calling and arrested him. Tennant’s portrayal sent shivers down my spine. There was no emotion in his character, unlike that of Cale Erendrich in Bad Samaritan. A sick individual who had money and power and could manipulate to achieve his end goals, and became unpredictable towards the end when he saw his world turning against him by the one person he was setting up for a fall. An ingenious story and one I thoroughly enjoyed watching.

Tennant plays bad extremely well, perhaps too well.

It’s almost to the point that his good boy image of the Doctor, or his dangerous image of the Time Lord Victorious (towards the end) has disappeared. Now all I want to see of Tennant is the dangerous character roles that he’s so brilliant at portraying.

Kilgrave in Jessica Jones was one such character. The Purple Man. I loved that series and you were often on the edge of your seat wondering whether he would appear, or if Jessica herself was going crazy by how much he was in her head. How much she couldn’t remember and how much she was trying to forget.

I’ve not as yet watched Good Omens but as far as I’m aware, he plays a demon who although is cast as someone bad, is working alongside a good angel in trying to locate the anti-Christ before the end of the world.

In the 2011 remake of Fright Night, Tennant played Peter Vincent, a vampire hunter, but not a very good one. His parents had been killed by the very vampire that was stalking the lead character in the story – Charley. It had plenty of jump scares but really didn’t do much on the ‘who to root for’ in the story, and I found it a disappointing film. Yes, there was gore and vampires and some bits were a touch eww, but it wasn’t Tennant’s best role – in my honest opinion.

Bad Samaritan, now that was worth watching, and one I could watch over and over, after a few months apart. Most of his evil characters ooze the charm and draw you in when you least suspect them of being evil, but Cale isn’t a character you could warm to. You were always going to root for those who were trying to rescue the girl, and hoped the Police would put two and two together before the end of the film. Cale was very technically minded. He was good with the gadgets which no other characters Tennant has played appeared to be. They got through their scenes mostly on dialogue and charm alone.

One of the other things about Tennant that I love however are the eyebrow quirks, and his facial expressions. How many of us have tried to mimic them for any of our Who moments? The drop in the voice and the clearing of the throat, and oh that bobbing Adam’s Apple. Alas, I don’t possess one so prominent as that.

David Tennant celebrates his 50^th birthday this April 18^th. We wanted to take this opportunity of expressing our love of the man who brought us a Doctor who we have loved and missed and would really love to see take up the sonic screwdriver again, even if it was just for another special.

I had the wonderful opportunity, many years ago, of meeting David behind the scenes of Decoy Bride when they filmed at Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfriesshire, and I only wish I’d found my voice after he replied to my ‘HI David’ because I would have loved to have talked to him a bit about Who and had a photo opportunity with him. He’s a lot skinnier in real life!

I’d love to meet him again, if he ever films up this way again, once this pandemic is over and we can all breathe freely and walk without fear of catching something deadly.

Happy Birthday David. Have a super wonderful day.

Love from everyone at Project: Torchwood

Sunday, 7 March 2021

Articles Happy Birthday John Barrowman (11th March)

Putting aside all the autobiographical things we know about John Scot Barrowman and focusing on what we know post Torchwood (telly version), what do we not know? Well, that’s the tough question, because, John is a social butterfly, so shares all of his stories, his life and his loves on social media, so finding something that nobody else knows, is nigh on impossible. So, we decided that, with everything that John has achieved in his life thus far, that it was probably better to see what he’s been up to since Torchwood ended on the telly rather than find something that probably wasn’t true, and upsetting the guy by posting it.

Torchwood has to be one of the best spin-offs from Doctor Who but since Torchwood ended on our screens in the fourth season – Miracle Day, and with the head of Drama announcing that the BBC were axing Torchwood, millions of fans were heartbroken and desperate for more of their heroes in some form or another.

John was also saddened by the news, so he and his sister Carole, continued with Captain Jack and wrote a few Torchwood comic book stories which followed on from Exodus Code, their novel written in 2011.

In 2015, the very first Torchwood audio arrived from Big Finish and Torchwood was well and truly back, with The Conspiracy taking Torchwood back to its almost beginnings with the full team including Ianto Jones for its second outing. Although Conspiracy only starred John Barrowman, it also featured the late John Sessions who played George Wilson. More cast joined for the continuing stories, and Big Finish brought back Owen, Tosh and Ianto Jones and not forgetting Sgt. Andy Davidson and Rhys. Suddenly the full team were there, to hear, and to remember, and to get excited about all over again.

John wasn’t just acting though, since Torchwood, he’s returned as presenter for panel shows such as Pressure Pad, as well as being a judge on Dancing on Ice, and performing as singer for other dance off shows, once hosted by Bruce Forsyth. He’s appeared as a performer for the Commonwealth Games, and who can forget that kiss back in 2014. Loved the suit. And guest appeared on Loose Women, making us laugh once more by falling off his seat.

And if we talk about his love of all animals, let’s not forget his time at the Glasgow University Small Animal Hospital, where he got to work with students looking after Scotland’s small and indeed a few larger animals, all needing some TLC.

John does love his animals, especially his dogs, and quite recently took in another wee dog to add to his family. Wee Dixie. What a cutie. On the subject of dogs, John hosted the game show Superstar Dogs, in and around the same time as Animal Hospital was broadcast.

One of the biggest characters that John has been involved with since Torchwood, is Malcolm Merlyn, from the Dark Archer series with Arrow from 2012 – 2019, The Flash between 2015 – 2017, and Legends of Tomorrow from 2016 – 2017. Merlyn, as much as we all wanted to hate him, you couldn’t help but admire the character – and its Barrowman – you can’t hate him for long. Even when he played that dastardly bad guy in Desperate Housewives – as much as you knew he would get his comeuppance, you still kind of rooted for him – right? Oh, just me then!!!

In 2016, John played Munro in two episodes of Reign, where his Scottish accent was less convincing, but his character was quite something – even if he didn’t survive the episode. She was a bit evil, was she not?

Of course, it has to be said, that seeing Jack back in Doctor Who has been well overdue – but being somewhat cynical, I often wonder if it’s not just been because of the flagging ratings. But, and that aside, it’s been wonderful seeing him return, and as Doctor Who time lines are never linear, I’m wondering just how old Gwen’s son is and when Big Finish will bring that into a story!!!

In 2014 John released his fan funded album. You Raise Me Up, which you can hear on Spotify and Apple Music. Plenty of well known tunes to sing along to.

It’s hard to believe that it was 2018 when John was in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. It was also one of the best seasons of the show, because everyone looked after each other. Nobody was bitching and back stabbing, and nobody was a flake. I haven’t seen a single series since or before that one when everyone worked together as a team. And when Scott met up with John in the Jungle, I think I had a lump in my throat. It was such a sweet moment.

Covid-19 may have knocked John’s spirit during the initial start of the pandemic, because after you’ve achieved all your goals in the house, all the catch ups you’ve not been able to do because of work, all completed, he was struggling to get through the day, in much the same way as many other people struggle. But with his fans pulling together and bringing back that sparkle, he was once again taking over the Internet platforms being FAB-U-LOUS once more.

Everyone needs a little sparkle in their lives and John adds it by the bucket load.

Happy Birthday Mr Barrowman from all us fans, from far and wide, and even teenage Weevils.

Articles Fans of John Barrowman

Of course, don’t just take our word for it, regarding John Barrowman, or indeed, Gareth David-Lloyd in this month’s celebration of these two cool stars of Torchwood. Here are what some of the fans have to say about them.

Kirsty

“The first time I met John was about fifteen years ago. It was when he was doing a book tour with Carole, the first time round.

I begged my boss at the time for the day off so I could go, and surprisingly she said yes. Thankfully! John wasn’t due to arrive till 2pm, but something told me to go and wait early. Boy I am glad I did. I got there about 10am, and the queue was already at the end of the store. I met a few new people and have actually kept in touch since then.

The second time I met him was at his second book signing. I was kinda ill, which put a dampener on the day.

But the best time I ever met JB though? I woke up to a text from my friend telling me JB was in town, filming Antique Roadshow with Myleen Klass. I got up, and raced into town. Luckily town is only 5 minutes down the road from my house. We talked for a while, and he told me he was learning BSL for his deaf fans.

Then proceeded to shout after me as I was leaving... um dude?”

Credit

Photos courtesy Kirsty Price

Katherine

“I've met Barrowman a couple of times. John is an awesome man. He's always so nice and patient and such a big kid. It's like meeting a fellow fan. He gives great hugs too.”

Credits

Photo courtesy Katherine Pozarek

Ruthy of Torchwood Australia

I have been a fan of Torchwood since Captain Jack Harkness first appeared in Doctor Who. And let's face it, who wouldn't love a character like Captain Jack???

I got heavily involved with the fandom when I took over the Torchwood Australia Website and Forum in 2008.

I have met the entire Torchwood team at various conventions and I first met John Barrowman personally at one of the Hub Conventions in Northampton. I had seen him in concert prior to this, both in Cardiff and in London. I have to add, and I think most Torchwood Convention goers would agree, those Hub Conventions were the best to attend.... they were just so up close and personal and far surpassed any event that has been held since. I've been very lucky to attend fan events worldwide, in the UK, Canada and Australia.

John is always in fine form and very generous with his time. I remember going to Supanova Sydney with my friend Caroline, and how John donated some signed photos for a couple of her students who were massive fans (Caroline is a school teacher) - John wanted to know all about them, and he had a great chat with Caro. And at that particular event, we went to the VIP night and I think we spoke to Scott most of the time. It was wonderful to finally have a chance to have a good chat with him, especially as John was surrounded by a lot of people so you couldn't really get near him anyway. I think it might've been this Supanova event when the Tim Tam towers took off - I think John should've bought shares in Arnott's Biscuits!!!

One of the most amazing nights 'with John' was when he performed a one-off concert in my home state of Queensland in Australia. He performed this concert in 2019 at the Concert Hall, Queensland Performing Arts Complex, Brisbane - this is a beautiful venue, quite intimate, with gorgeous acoustics. I had seen him in concert a number of times in various places in the UK and I wondered how this concert would go, being that he would have musicians backing him who weren't his usual crew. He did though have Matthew his Musical Director with him on keyboard, and who oversaw the entire show. I must say, our local musicians were brilliant, and I REALLY enjoyed the entire concert. It was a great night - we weren't permitted to take any photos during the concert, but in a way, this was lovely not to have the distraction of photo taking. My friend and I had VIP tix, so we attended the meet and greet after the concert, and had drinks and nibbles, and a photo taken with John.

It was probably the most memorable night with John in concert, particularly having him perform here in Australia. It will be a night I shall never forget.

We of course all look forward to some normalcy returning, when COVID19 is under control, and we can travel again and attend these events to see our favourite actors/performers.

Photos courtesy of Ruthy

Teejay Peacelover

I’ve always been a fan of John...but he’s my hero because he saved my life. Knife in hand, headed for the bathroom to escape the planet once and for all...and John posted a social media post that arrived just as I walked past my phone, two steps from where I was going to end it all. Yeah, I was a mess...but all I needed was a distraction to regain some perspective and pull back from the edge. He gave me that moment...and literally saved my life. I can’t remember what the post was now...just that his smile, his laugh, and genuine love of his fans (that’d be ME folks!) got through to me when nothing else could. So, John Barrowman is my hero...and connected to my soul in the deepest way possible.

I’ve allowed my love of the man to become an obsession...in a good way. I’ve used his singing to help calm me when I’m driving, his panels on YouTube to cheer me up when I needed a laugh, his TV Shows and audio books (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, Big Finish Torchwood audios etc) as escapes when I needed head space, and getting to his events as dreams for me to chase. His smile makes my heart sing, his laugh is contagious, his relationship with his husband Scott is utterly beautiful, and love of his dogs is gorgeous, his sense of humour is wicked, and his innuendo is ‘on point’ 😉

I’ve never had goals before. Ever.

Goal 1, to meet him in person. Check! 2am at Auckland airport (New Zealand) - yeah, I know, stalker MUCH?! But while he could have said hi and walked away...he chose to spend time with me and chat for 15 mins or so while he waited for Scott and Kelsey to get their bags...he asked me to wait with him. I love him even more for that. He also grabbed my phone and took photos of me with him, and with Scott when he caught up...unasked for, blissfully happy moments! Photos taken by John...him just off a plane ‘looking unshaven and dishevelled’ to use his words, and with me a puffy eyed mess in the middle of him and Scott! lol Yeah, I cried...he saved my life after all! I told him. He hugged me. Told me to talk to his fan family if I ever felt that way again - they’d be there for me, and yeah, they truly have been there for me because I can share my joy and love of the man with other people who understand.

He’s a genuinely beautiful man/soul.

Goal 2, to see him do a panel at a convention. Check - Auckland Armageddon - twice. Auckland Armageddon 2017 - BEST 4 days of my life - I got hugs and photos and autographs! And I made a great friend, an Aussie no less 😉

Goal 3, to see him in concert. CHECK! Melbourne. Omg omg omg. Truly fanbloodytastic concert. AND I listened to him rehearse for a couple of hours first. Bliss.

Goal 4, to see him at another convention for new stories - Melbourne check!

Then booked for Brisbane Australia - Supanova 2018! Check. I’ve since travelled to conventions in Australia multiple times to see him – and have many photos and hugs and autographs on my walls now that make me smile every day.

Goal 5, to see John in concert in Glasgow in his Scottish accent, his home town - Check, 2019. Thanks to the truly excellent planning and booking skills of an aunty in the UK who knew how the UK systems and trains etc worked, I then followed John to Edinburgh and nine other UK destinations for the concert tour - that cost an arm and a leg - but absolutely worth it! VIP tickets, sound checks, concerts, heaven. Took me a year to pay off the debt for the trip – totally worth it.

Goal 6, to get his autograph tattooed on my arm, tried at multiple conventions - finally got the autograph at the sound check prior to a concert in the UK thanks to another fabulous fan who also wanted one. We both got them done at the same tattooist between the meet and greet and the actual show, so I got to show it to John after the show at the VIP photo session! Lol Got the autograph tattoo from John and Captain Jack’s too!

Goal 7 - to stay alive to see more of John, to see more concerts, to hear more of him singing...I finally lost my life long death wish mid 2019 while following his tour around the UK. It shocked me to the core. I’ve never wanted to be alive before, and I’m really quite stunned I finally kicked the ‘kill myself’ urge. My obsession with John keeps me alive, happy, and attached to the planet. He is my anchor, my hero, always there on CD or YouTube etc when I need him to calm me down or cheer me up or distract me. It’s VERY handy being able to self-medicate with a fabulous sparkle-tastic person who has SO many social media posts and shows and CDs to enjoy.

November 2019 - I headed back to the UK, to see John in concert with his Fabulous Christmas tour. The aim was to get my happy Xmas vibe back. I lost it years ago. This concert run was HUGELY emotional for him, and it’s something he’s genuinely excited about (long story) – it was huge for me too. This last UK trip was extra huge for me as I planned and booked the whole thing myself (I’m strangely terrified of forms and numbers, and booking online is all about forms and numbers!), it’s challenged many of my fears and self-doubts - and I’ve beaten them all thanks to Barrowman.

I was relatively recently identified with autism. I’m now 52, and was only told I was autistic a couple of years back. It explains SO much. I’ve always struggled with crowds, travel, forms, bright lights, noises, textures, overwhelming fears etc etc - since allowing my Barrowman obsession to flourish I’ve ticked SO many things off my bucket list! From 4-wheel driving to jumping off the Auckland Sky Tower, to bungee jumping, to traveling to Australia and the UK alone. He sings to me in the car and at work on night shift, he’s always there. He is my soul, my joy, my inspiration, my life. The wonderful relationship he has with his hubby Scott, seeing the love and life they have together, gives me hope.

John Barrowman is the reason I’m on the planet, and my reason for staying.

Articles Happy Birthday Gareth David-Lloyd (28th March)

It’s fair to say that Gareth David-Lloyd will always be remembered for playing Ianto Jones, no matter which other role he plays in the future. It’s where many of us first got to know him. Others may of course have seen him as lead singer of Blue Gillespie and followed the band’s successes until their final home turf gig on 3^rd August, 2013, and their last US gig in Atlanta, Georgia on 30^th August.

He’s married to Gemma James and they have two beautiful children, daughter Lily Christina born 4^th June, 2012 and son Eli Andrew born 10^th August, 2014, and still live in Newport, Wales.

Quite recently I’ve been catching up with Classic Casualty and watched an episode from way back in 2003 where Gareth played a young soldier, who was dabbling in illegal substances and died because of it. Gareth returned to Casualty many years later, in 2018 -2019 to be exact, to play another character, Joshua Bowers for four episodes, I’ve not got to that part yet. Previous to that, and I’m quite amazed how time has flown, he was in the spin off series Holby City playing Rhys Hopkins for 4 episodes. I think he worked for the hospital but am unsure to be fair, what role it was. I remember watching one or two of the episodes as well, but yet, mind is completely blank and Google is not my friend today. No help, whatsoever!!!

Also, going with classic television shows, I caught up with Waterloo Road, on BBC iPlayer, last year and saw him as a character in that, and for once, not a nice one either, and as with nearly all bad characters, they get their comeuppance in the end.

But it’s not just acting roles in front of the camera that Gareth has worked on. Let’s not forget the video games he’s voiced characters for, and not just Dragon Age: Inquisition either, but Red Faction: Origins and Red Faction: Armageddon, as lead character Adam Hale. And the latest video game for Windows in 2019 Dance of Death: Du Lac & Fey in which he’s the voice of Sir Lancelot Du Lac an immortal knight of the round table who works alongside sorceress Morgana Le Fey in an adventure that takes them to the smog filled streets of London in search of the infamous Jack, the Ripper in 1888. Gareth also narrated the book Enoch the Traveller. Tempestas Viator by Lady Soliloque which premiered on 22^nd February 2014.

When you play characters in sci fi, horror and psychological thrillers, I suppose it’s only natural that you’d want to broaden your horizon by playing Jacob Fitts, a man who becomes infected after he’s attacked by a zombie. His lone struggle with life and the end of life, is played through his video camera in the horror film I Am Alone.

Coming back to Earth slightly less zombified, Gareth has played several roles for the UK independent web series Twisted Showcase, created by Rhys Jones and the much missed Robin Bell. Short films by new and upcoming writers, directors and producers of horror, sci fi and psychological thrillers and comedy, Twisted Showcase is the perfect platform to start from. Gareth played a role in three episodes, one of which he played two characters. Peter & Paul in 2012, Chris in Payback and Lucifer Jones in Be My Head which was possibly my absolute favourite of them all in 2017. Gareth also wrote and directed this episode.

From Twisted Showcase to Black River Meadow. A crowd funded project that produced one episode in 2018 called The Hiding, that was possibly the most gruesome episode I’ve seen in a long time, that provoked a lot of shouting from me, at the screen, of ‘Don’t be an idiot.’ ‘Don’t put your hand in there, you silly man.’ ‘OMFG’

In 2019, Gareth played the role of Owen in the Prime Original drama mystery The Widow starring Kate Beckinsale and Charles Dance. He’s only in for one episode though. Could be my next muse I think for something to watch of an evening.

Again, for one episode, Gareth played Matt in Warren, a comedy series about a pedantic driving instructor played by Martin Clunes. Always worth a punt, I think.

On stage, in 2015, Gareth played the role of Juror 12, for the play 12 Angry Men by Reginald Rose for the UK Tour. Playing Brick in the Stage Play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2016 at Theatr Clwyd, Wales, and played Walt in the 2018 stage play of Blueberry Toast by Mary Laws in Soho Theatre, London.

Here, in 2021, we can at least take comfort in those audio dramas of Torchwood by Big Finish, where Ianto lives to fight another day, and it’s all before that fateful 456 episode, where to be fair, if the Doctor hadn’t cancelled out Jack’s VM, he might have managed to get Ianto and indeed himself out of that room, safely.

However…

One thing is for sure, it’ll be some time before we do hear the last of Ianto Jones. Because for as long as the actors are happy and willing to play the characters, the writers will continue to create outstanding stories of Torchwood for us all to listen to.

Happy Birthday Gareth

Saturday, 1 October 2016

The Coffee Shop Happy 10th Birthday Torchwood

Penblwydd Hapus Torchwood 22^nd October

Of course, we’re a little early with our celebrations, but as ever, we wanted to take the opportunity before, as always, life got in the way.

Torchwood appeared on our television screens on the 22^nd October 2006. It came with a whole host of actors, of which some we’d never met before and others, we were sure we’d seen in Doctor Who, Jack Harkness being the obvious. Toshiko Sato, appearing in the episode with the Pig Pilot, and of course Gwyneth Cooper, Gwen’s family relation who was possessed by the Gelth, desperate in their bid to enter our world through the Rift.

We all have our favourite episodes, some more than others. Memories of those episodes’ spark moments in our life, when we can relate them to where we were when they came on, what we were doing, and who we were doing them with. Torchwood opened our eyes to the creatures that lurked just beyond the shadows. That corner of the eye stuff. It introduced us to a world of magical creatures, mystical, plain bloody bonkers and Captain John Hart. It brought us closer than Doctor Who to the creatures that walk amongst us. Creatures living in sewers, and creatures living in Cardiff. Yes, Cardiff my friends. And quite right too!

We asked the fans a good many questions on what they felt about Torchwood since it’s humble beginnings. What were their favourite episodes and so on? So please, if you feel you want to add your twopenneth, please post below.

Ianto Tarrant Best episodes, Captain Jack Harkness, Out of Time, Adrift, to The Last Man. Losing both Tosh and Owen cut the heart out of the show, losing Ianto, the Cardiff back stories, hub etc. took away its soul. Hated season four, it wasn't Torchwood. Thank God for Big Finish.

Claudia Lindner Though I was sad about the deaths of Owen, Tosh and Ianto, it was good, all four series, and I still hope for more. Exodus Code would make a good miniseries, or the new comic, picking up from it, wherever the story leads us. :) I hope the Big Finish audios are going to be set in the presence more, atm, too much stuck in the past for me, although I enjoyed them.

Becky Zertuche I love Torchwood, but it needed to remain in Cardiff. What they did in Miracle Day, was pepper Jack and Gwen here and there. It was not Torchwood. I loved the 1st and 2nd seasons best and my favorite episode is Captain Jack Harkness.

Diane Phillipa The death of Ianto Jones was the end for me. The Radio plays are awesome but unless they bring back real TW ie in Cardiff that’s it for me. I don't think I can ever forgive RTD for making one of most abhorrent characters’ immortal it was an insult to all true TW fans.

Sunday, 29 May 2016

News Happy Birthday AK Benedict 29th May 2016

AK Benedict

AK Benedict, writer of Big Finish Torchwood: The Victorian Age, celebrates her birthday today along with Frederick Jaeger (1928) who played Professor Marius/Sorenson and Jano in various episodes of Doctor Who from 1966 – 1977. Neville Jason (1934) who played Prince Reynart in Doctor Who: The Androids of Tara in 1978. Mike Lucas (1941) who played Tom in Doctor Who: The Smugglers in 1966. Oliver Smith (1952) who played Drak in The Twin Dilemma in 1984. David Kinder (1964), who played Billy in Delta and the Bannermen in 1987. Dursley McLinden (1965), who played Mike in Remembrance of the Daleks in 1988. Sam Callis (1973), who played a Security guard in Bad Wolf in 2005. Brian Treitler (1977) who played Dr. Murphy in Torchwood: Miracle Day: Dead of Night in 2011 and

Anita Briem (1982), played Sally in The Christmas Invasion in 2005.

Episodes:

In 1965, episode 2 of The Death of Time saw Ian and Vicki threatened by a Mire beast, while the First Doctor and Barbara meet up with the Aridians who then have no choice but to hand them over to the Daleks.

In 1971, episode 2 of The Daemons saw the Third Doctor frozen by the energy release from the barrow, leaving Jo calling for UNIT’s Yates and Benton for help. When the Brig tries to help them, he discovers the village is surrounded by a heat barrier.

In 2010, Cold Blood saw the Eleventh Doctor and Nasreen Chaudry go deep underground to find an ancient society disturbed by the drilling above. When one of the creatures is captured and subsequently killed, the Restac, a Silurian seeks revenge and is ready to go to war on the humans above.

Have a great birthday from everyone at Project: Torchwood!

Saturday, 7 May 2016

News Happy Birthday Project: Torchwood 3 Today! 7th May 2016

Project: Torchwood

3 Today!

To celebrate our 3^rd birthday we’ve got a treat for all our Torchwood fans. We’re giving away a signed copy of Torchwood Big Finish audio ‘The Victorian Age’ by A.K. Benedict, who we interviewed in April.

This giveaway is open to all our fans across the globe. All you have to do is tweet this to be in with a chance of winning:

@ProTorchwood #3rdBirthday #TorchwoodBigFinishGiveaway #TheVictorianAge RT

This Giveaway is only open to those with a Twitter account (sorry). The Giveaway starts now and ends midnight Sunday 8^th May 2016.

One lucky winner will be chosen at random.

Good luck.

Sunday, 10 April 2016

News Happy Birthday Jan Swanton 10th April 2016

Jan Swanton

You celebrate your day with Oswald Hafenrichter, John Alderson, James Bate, Stephen Churchett, Glen McCoy, Clare Buckfield and Julie Buckfield, Adam Shaw, and Matt Ryan.

Episodes on your birthday:

In 1965, episode 3 of The Crusades: The Wheel of Fortune, saw Barbara saved from El Akir’s men and hidden away in the Lower Quarter, while the First Doctor and Vicki are unsure of their place in the King’s court, after plans for Richard’s sister to marry Saladin’s brother are revealed to Joanna.

In 1971, episode 1 of Colony in Space sees the Third Doctor without his TARDIS after the Time Lords take control of it. They are sent to an Earth Colony in the 25^th century and discover that a dinosaur like creature is forcing the colonists to abandon the planet. Jo and the Doctor soon discover that the Master is also on the planet in search of a doomsday weapon.

In 2010, Episode 2 of Season 5 The Beast Below saw the Eleventh Doctor take Amy to the future, inside the Starship UK, which aside from the explorers also contained an intimidating race of creatures known as The Smilers.

Hope you have an enjoyable day, full of presents and cake. Has to be cake!

From everyone at Project: Torchwood

Friday, 11 March 2016

News Happy Birthday Captain 'Barrowman' Jack & Alex 'River Song' Kingston

Captain ‘Barrowman’ Jack & Alex ‘River Song’ Kingston

You celebrate your birthday with Terence Alexander, Derek Benfield, Graeme Harper, Douglas Adams, and Robert Glenister.

Episodes:

In 1967, episode 1 of The Macra Terror saw the TARDIS crew arrive at a holiday camp living in fear of large creatures that are predicted to roam the colony after dark, if Medok’s stories are anything to go by.

In 1972, episode 3 of The Sea Devils saw the Third Doctor help prisoner by Trenchard while the Master tries to contact the Sea Devils.

In 1978, episode 6 of The Invasion of Time saw the Fourth Doctor and his companions seek shelter in the TARDIS as Stor and Kelner track them down.

Have a great birthday guys, from everyone at Project: Torchwood

Saturday, 20 February 2016

News Happy Birthday Douglas Mackinnon 20th February 2016

Douglas Mackinnon

You celebrate your birthday with Anthony Head, Gerald Cross, Rex Tucker, George Waring, Elroy Josephs, Ian Scoones, Judy Cornwell, James Wilby, Lauren Ambrose and Aniji Mohindra.

Episodes

In 2008, Episode 7 of Series 2, Torchwood: Dead Man Walking sees Dr Owen Harper brought back from the dead, along with Death, who came along for the ride.

In 1965, episode 2 of The Zarbi saw the First Doctor and his companions, Ian and Vicki captured by the Zarbi while Barbara meets with the butterfly like Menoptera that are desperate to reclaim the planet.

In 1971, episode 4 of The Mind of Evil saw the Third Doctor and Jo help captive while the Master manages to convince Mailer to help him steal the Thunderbolt.

Have a great birthday Douglas, albeit almost at an end, from everyone at Project: Torchwood.

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Sunday, 4 April 2021

Articles Welcome to Issue 90 - Happy 50th David Tennant