Written by James Goss

Starring Tom Price and Samuel Barnett

Originally released : May 2016

Listened to: May 2025

Context: Not much to add here, other than the Torchwood monthly range is a regular listen for me now, great to break up classic Who material with these monthly range Torchwood adventures. It provides a contrast to the core Doctor Who range, they stand alone (but with a building, subtle arc (RTD take note)), strong and entertaining (certainly so far; long may they continue).

THE REVIEW

What I thought:

Solid listen, this is one of those that highlights to me how little I remember of the TV Torchwood series. I am familiar with Andy from the Stranded boxset (and some other Who listens he has turned up in) so I know the charecter in that context but not his Torcwood history, nontheless this was good fun. Andy is huge fun here as well as alongside Samuel Barnett as Norton (a character I know nothing about, lots of Torchwood history that I clearly have missed here). An audition for Andy to join TW, and highjinks ensue. Very good fun, lots of humour in here, Andy is a great character, some good drama/pathos in here as well. Very much looking forward to more Andy, and also trying to understand who Norton is, how the hell he can travel in time and also what is 60’s Torchwood all about?

Rating: 4 out 5 PC Plods – a cut above the average listen, I would say, intriguing set up, and the interplay between the two charcters (the only two in fact) works incredably well, amazing how good the actors are at holding attention of the listen for over an hour, testament to the quality of the writing as well. Great stuff.

What I felt: a general sense of happiness! Great listen for the Torchwood range and great to have Andy coming up, Norton too whoever the hell he is. Hopefully my understanding will increase about some of the backstory, hopefully I am not making a mistake in forging ahead with listening to these without doing any reserach into cannon, order, Torhwood back story etc etc.

What am I left thinking?

• When we will see these two again?
• What’s all this ’60s Towrcwood stuff? Coupled with Victorian Torchwood feels a bit like the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (which I love by the way)

Memorable bits

• The goop monster in the van!
• Norton and Andy’s interplay all the way through this one is brilliant