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Big Finish Torchwood #16
Torchwood: Torchwood_cascade_CDRIP.tor
WARNING: The unauthorised reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Your downloads are monitored. Internet piracy is a crime and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of GBP250,000 or death. Come on, we've all done it. We've all downloaded a cheeky little something we shouldn't have. After all, what's the harm, eh? You never get caught. No-one knows. No-one knocks at your door and tells you you're about to die. Turns out, there's something hiding in the internet. It knows what you've done. And it's going to stop you. Across the range, John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Kai Owen and Gareth David-Lloyd have reprised the characters who starred in four years of hit Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, screened around the world - Naoko Mori played Toshiko Sato in the BBC series. Writer and director Scott Handcock was the showrunner on Big Finish's hugely popular The Confessions of Dorian Gray series starring Alexander Vlahos (BBC's Versailles). CAST: Naoko Mori (Toshiko Sato), Robbie Jarvis (Stephen), Ashley Kumar (Max), Rachel Handshaw (Nikki) NOTE: Torchwood contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners.
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First published June 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 20, 2017
Все пять баллов за атмосферу вирусного треша. Не советую книгу волнушкам с повышенным уровнем тревожности.
Мне выпало прослушать всю книгу залпом в ночь, и впечатления получились более чем яркими. Звуковые эффекты выносят на орбиту - все эти шипения, прерывания, заскоки, волынки и прочее создают ощущение небывалого трипа (наушники! только наушники). Если меня и до начала прослушивания не особо укатывало в страну снов, то после первых пяти минут аудиокниги пошли натуральные мурашки - как ни крути, а я животное простое, и если мне в уши будут раздаваться стремные звуки, то я буду лежать с вытаращенными глазами и смотреть в потолок. К середине меня отпустило, и сам сюжет показался на удивление безыскусным на фоне старательного запугивания. Но одно слово: драма. Fucking drama. Я люблю и ненавижу всю докторофраншизу за умение (редко, но метко) провернуть финт с неопределенным временным промежутком. В итоге мозаика, складывающаяся на последней минуте книги, вызывает ну пррросто душевный вопль, оттого как красиво и жестоко и несправедливо все сложилось, а ты поры до времени не понимал, что все к тому идет.
История получилась без заворотов, но с потрясающим звуковым сопровождением, затягивающим в свою паутину с первых же минут. Ну и пиратство, пиратство :D Очень важная тема, старательно освещаемая в этом выпуске. Интервью в финале попало в точку.
lukk.svbtle
Мне выпало прослушать всю книгу залпом в ночь, и впечатления получились более чем яркими. Звуковые эффекты выносят на орбиту - все эти шипения, прерывания, заскоки, волынки и прочее создают ощущение небывалого трипа (наушники! только наушники). Если меня и до начала прослушивания не особо укатывало в страну снов, то после первых пяти минут аудиокниги пошли натуральные мурашки - как ни крути, а я животное простое, и если мне в уши будут раздаваться стремные звуки, то я буду лежать с вытаращенными глазами и смотреть в потолок. К середине меня отпустило, и сам сюжет показался на удивление безыскусным на фоне старательного запугивания. Но одно слово: драма. Fucking drama. Я люблю и ненавижу всю докторофраншизу за умение (редко, но метко) провернуть финт с неопределенным временным промежутком. В итоге мозаика, складывающаяся на последней минуте книги, вызывает ну пррросто душевный вопль, оттого как красиво и жестоко и несправедливо все сложилось, а ты поры до времени не понимал, что все к тому идет.
История получилась без заворотов, но с потрясающим звуковым сопровождением, затягивающим в свою паутину с первых же минут. Ну и пиратство, пиратство :D Очень важная тема, старательно освещаемая в этом выпуске. Интервью в финале попало в точку.
lukk.svbtle
June 21, 2017
Nemico tecnologico per Toshiko, in una storia che trasferisce su audio gli incubi di Ringu (per stare sull'esotico) e di Sleep no more.
Toshiko viene contattata da un ex membro di Torchwood One. Scomparse misteriose, strane registrazioni, una cotta per la bella informatica di Torchwood Three... tanti motivi per contattare proprio Toshiko.
Come ascoltatori viviamo una rottura della quarta parete, ci viene detto fin da subito che quello che stiamo ascoltando è pericoloso e di smettere di farlo... ovviamente continueremo tutti e, tra audio distorto, sovrapposizioni di piste audio, loop che si ripetono, viviamo una storia non facile da seguire.
In realtà, una volta arrivati alla fine, tutto risulterà chiaro e, come con la famigerata cassetta o il video creato da Rassmussen, restiamo invischiati nel problema.
Toshiko è brillante. La regia e gli effetti rendono disturbante al punto giusto l'esperienza. Un esperimento riuscito, per quanto mi riguarda. Ma, se non vi è piaciuto Sleep no more o se non amate i prodotti stile found footage, per quanto sia originale averne uno in audio, potreste restarne delusi.
Toshiko viene contattata da un ex membro di Torchwood One. Scomparse misteriose, strane registrazioni, una cotta per la bella informatica di Torchwood Three... tanti motivi per contattare proprio Toshiko.
Come ascoltatori viviamo una rottura della quarta parete, ci viene detto fin da subito che quello che stiamo ascoltando è pericoloso e di smettere di farlo... ovviamente continueremo tutti e, tra audio distorto, sovrapposizioni di piste audio, loop che si ripetono, viviamo una storia non facile da seguire.
In realtà, una volta arrivati alla fine, tutto risulterà chiaro e, come con la famigerata cassetta o il video creato da Rassmussen, restiamo invischiati nel problema.
Toshiko è brillante. La regia e gli effetti rendono disturbante al punto giusto l'esperienza. Un esperimento riuscito, per quanto mi riguarda. Ma, se non vi è piaciuto Sleep no more o se non amate i prodotti stile found footage, per quanto sia originale averne uno in audio, potreste restarne delusi.
June 21, 2020
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This is a story about DRM and IP piracy; something one can imagine Big Finish have quite an issue with, working on the margins of profitability as they do. It's most notable for being produced in the form of an apparently corrupted audio file, with skips, jumps, distortions, repeateateateateats, static, and, at times, random clips of content from other stories in the series. It's obviously a matter of taste whether you'll find that clever, or just annoying, but it worked for me.
The plot? Well, it's very Torchwood, with Toshi investigating a series of disappearances linked to a torrent download service that, naturally enough, turn out to have an alien component to them. It's a high-tech story that fully uses Toshi's computer skills as well as filling in some of her personal background and obviously has a strong link to a particular modern issue. At least to my mind, it avoids becoming preachy (although this may depend on how strongly you feel about DRM) instead using its themes to present a sort of modern horror, turning everyday acts into a source of menace.
It's a unique production - although it's probably just as well that it isn't any longer - and one that uses the "corrupted" data theme well, often taking advantage of it to apply context to particular lines by flipping to something else that's nonetheless relevant. It's been a while since BF have done anything quite this experimental and this pulls it off.
In summary, I ʬ֍ؾ₴ █ ▐▐▐▐▐▐▐☺
This is a story about DRM and IP piracy; something one can imagine Big Finish have quite an issue with, working on the margins of profitability as they do. It's most notable for being produced in the form of an apparently corrupted audio file, with skips, jumps, distortions, repeateateateateats, static, and, at times, random clips of content from other stories in the series. It's obviously a matter of taste whether you'll find that clever, or just annoying, but it worked for me.
The plot? Well, it's very Torchwood, with Toshi investigating a series of disappearances linked to a torrent download service that, naturally enough, turn out to have an alien component to them. It's a high-tech story that fully uses Toshi's computer skills as well as filling in some of her personal background and obviously has a strong link to a particular modern issue. At least to my mind, it avoids becoming preachy (although this may depend on how strongly you feel about DRM) instead using its themes to present a sort of modern horror, turning everyday acts into a source of menace.
It's a unique production - although it's probably just as well that it isn't any longer - and one that uses the "corrupted" data theme well, often taking advantage of it to apply context to particular lines by flipping to something else that's nonetheless relevant. It's been a while since BF have done anything quite this experimental and this pulls it off.
In summary, I ʬ֍ؾ₴ █ ▐▐▐▐▐▐▐☺
April 10, 2020
I would just like to say that I happily bought this audiobook and have committed no crimes. I loved listening to a Tosh centered episode and who doesn't love a bit of Technobabble. I enjoyed how the dialogue was paired with clips from other events in Torchwood; most particularly Tosh's last scene which just broke my heart. There is always something haunting about unheard voicemails and I wonder if Stephen ever finds out what happened. That being said, I wonder if we will run into the torrent in the future?
January 16, 2020
Another brilliant story in The Torchwood Monthly Range! I have to say I really liked the experimental concept of this one where the story is told like a corrupted audio file, whilst a woman warns you to stop listening before it's too late... The story itself was very interesting with an internet virus killing people...
Naoko Mori as Toshiko is really good in this, alongside the other great cast members, provided with a brilliant script by Scott Handcock! 10/10
Naoko Mori as Toshiko is really good in this, alongside the other great cast members, provided with a brilliant script by Scott Handcock! 10/10
July 10, 2017
I loved this. It was so unique. I had to keep the volume at level 2 on my headphones the whole time, but it was worth it. Tosh is my fave tw character and this story was better than any centric episode she had on the show. It made me feel like she never left. More stories like this, Big Finish!
December 13, 2020
Les drames audio Torchwood de Big Finish sont vraiment à leur meilleur lorsqu'il y a une tentative d'expérimentation sur la forme et le fond (avec un métadiscours, c'est la cerise sur le gâteau), Torchwood: Fall to Earth vient en tête avec l'utilisation de l'appel téléphone pour créer un huit-clos entre deux personnes, à distance, qui se communiquent de l'information.
Avec torchwood_cascade_CDRIP.tor on utilise le médium d'un fichier corrompu pour véhiculer une histoire ; histoire elle-même fragmentée (légèrement, on n'a pas affaire à une histoire complètement dé-chronologisée) et corrompue. Le travail d'ingénérie du son exploite toutes les ressources à sa portée: ralentissement, saccade, répétition, augmentation/diminution du volume, bruits perçants, prolepse/analepse, jeu sur les nuances, etc. Il y a a souvent des jeux sur la musique d'introduction et de conclusion dans cette série (TRÈS apprécié), les effets sonores n'y échappent pas ici, mais je trouve qui il y a une reconfiguration musicale très réussie et intéressante à entendre. Les effets ont aussi été très bien incorporé au point où bien que je savais que l'épisode jouais sur ces éléments, je ne pouvais m'empêcher d'angoisser à l'idée que c'était mon lecteur DC qui me jouait des tours (et il le fait parfois et étonnamment, il ne semble pas avoir planté avec cette lecture!).
L'histoire arrive à passer d'un impression de méta-discours (stop listening) à l'intégration de celui-ci dans la trame narrative (les bouts sur le piratage sont particulièrement amusant quand on a les deux discours en tête!) L'épisode est vraiment aussi très talentueux puisque les avertissements qui veulent nous empêcher de l'écouter ne fait que renforcer notre volonté de l'entendre.
Sinon, au niveau de l'histoire en temps que telle, elle était définitivement bien racontée, superbement inscrite à au moins deux niveaux de chronologie de Torchwood (et de manière intelligente et qui font du sens pour l'intrigue et le canon en général). Le changement de la relation d'affection qu'a habituellement Toshiko entre elle et Stephen (souligné dans les commentaires de fin) était quand même très crédible et c'était super d'enfin entre Toshiko être dans cette autre position (autrement que dans l'épisode Adam qui ne faisait qu'une inversion de rôle au final).
Bref, un épisode très agréable à entendre (et je ne suis pas trop d'accord avec les commentaires qui disent que les effets sonores sont gênants, je suis au contraire ravi· qu'ils le soient, qu'ils nous gênent et nous donnent de l'inconforts, un demi-effet ou une impression de... n'aurait pas donné un résultat aussi vivant), très riche au niveau de l'histoire et de son inscription et dont le potentiel de ré-écoute est quand même aussi assez grand.
Avec torchwood_cascade_CDRIP.tor on utilise le médium d'un fichier corrompu pour véhiculer une histoire ; histoire elle-même fragmentée (légèrement, on n'a pas affaire à une histoire complètement dé-chronologisée) et corrompue. Le travail d'ingénérie du son exploite toutes les ressources à sa portée: ralentissement, saccade, répétition, augmentation/diminution du volume, bruits perçants, prolepse/analepse, jeu sur les nuances, etc. Il y a a souvent des jeux sur la musique d'introduction et de conclusion dans cette série (TRÈS apprécié), les effets sonores n'y échappent pas ici, mais je trouve qui il y a une reconfiguration musicale très réussie et intéressante à entendre. Les effets ont aussi été très bien incorporé au point où bien que je savais que l'épisode jouais sur ces éléments, je ne pouvais m'empêcher d'angoisser à l'idée que c'était mon lecteur DC qui me jouait des tours (et il le fait parfois et étonnamment, il ne semble pas avoir planté avec cette lecture!).
L'histoire arrive à passer d'un impression de méta-discours (stop listening) à l'intégration de celui-ci dans la trame narrative (les bouts sur le piratage sont particulièrement amusant quand on a les deux discours en tête!) L'épisode est vraiment aussi très talentueux puisque les avertissements qui veulent nous empêcher de l'écouter ne fait que renforcer notre volonté de l'entendre.
Sinon, au niveau de l'histoire en temps que telle, elle était définitivement bien racontée, superbement inscrite à au moins deux niveaux de chronologie de Torchwood (et de manière intelligente et qui font du sens pour l'intrigue et le canon en général). Le changement de la relation d'affection qu'a habituellement Toshiko entre elle et Stephen (souligné dans les commentaires de fin) était quand même très crédible et c'était super d'enfin entre Toshiko être dans cette autre position (autrement que dans l'épisode Adam qui ne faisait qu'une inversion de rôle au final).
Bref, un épisode très agréable à entendre (et je ne suis pas trop d'accord avec les commentaires qui disent que les effets sonores sont gênants, je suis au contraire ravi· qu'ils le soient, qu'ils nous gênent et nous donnent de l'inconforts, un demi-effet ou une impression de... n'aurait pas donné un résultat aussi vivant), très riche au niveau de l'histoire et de son inscription et dont le potentiel de ré-écoute est quand même aussi assez grand.
February 23, 2025
torchwood_cascade_CDRIP.tor, is one of the greatest triumphs in creativity in formatting Big Finish have produced. The effect is best listened to track by track, not on the Big Finish app because it’s a brilliant experience. Admittedly the narrative itself is rather simplistic, so there’s nothing that’ll blow you away there but it really is such a fun and inventive concept. Right from the start you get these glitchy moments and innocently you can’t be blamed for believing something is wrong with the download file, but after a few minutes you start to appreciate what is happening. Dissonant uses of music, scenes from the next Torchwood story, scenes from previous, and dialogue set up to imply the skittish change of time in each ‘glitch’; you just really are left amazed.
The main side character is a bit generic, just a guy who Tosh worked with once who still has feelings for her. Nothing really to get you that attached to, and even though Tosh gets to demonstrate her intelligence in dealing with the monster, she doesn’t actually get to do much. I feel there is no way Scott Handcock could’ve committed to the concept to the level he did without having to leave a very narrow space for the narrative. For each undeserved emotional moment, you get a brilliant glitch with a warning to the listener, or randomly Ianto being tortured so it definitely evens things out. Effectively this story is imperfectly perfect, and can only be appreciated as a feat of sound design and originality rather than a strong story with a compelling plot. I do think that the virus antagonist is great but it’s the moment where the story grinds to a half to thoroughly explain what it is, is what does remove its ominous mysterious feeling.
It’s those random spikes, where moments that try scare you away from listening that give you shivers; but having to eventually defeat the antagonist which makes it feel less threatening. Admittedly there is that clever moment at the end implying the virus is alive and is coming after YOU, but I just do have to separate the plot when appreciating this Torchwood monthly. The sound design really does make this story work and the authentic feel of glitching audio files allow you to immerse yourself in what feels like more of an experience than a story. Thankfully it has lots of things to play with, as it can use music from other audios and TV stories to create moments that do stir emotions, creating some variance from the horror. If anything it’s genius the Scott Handcock was able to create a story that felt so disjoined and all over the place, allowing for the true experience of listening to something that feels like a broken torrent. I cannot imagine how much more terrifying the story would feel if you actually did torrent it, but I imagine somehow Big Finish wouldn’t appreciate that…
The main side character is a bit generic, just a guy who Tosh worked with once who still has feelings for her. Nothing really to get you that attached to, and even though Tosh gets to demonstrate her intelligence in dealing with the monster, she doesn’t actually get to do much. I feel there is no way Scott Handcock could’ve committed to the concept to the level he did without having to leave a very narrow space for the narrative. For each undeserved emotional moment, you get a brilliant glitch with a warning to the listener, or randomly Ianto being tortured so it definitely evens things out. Effectively this story is imperfectly perfect, and can only be appreciated as a feat of sound design and originality rather than a strong story with a compelling plot. I do think that the virus antagonist is great but it’s the moment where the story grinds to a half to thoroughly explain what it is, is what does remove its ominous mysterious feeling.
It’s those random spikes, where moments that try scare you away from listening that give you shivers; but having to eventually defeat the antagonist which makes it feel less threatening. Admittedly there is that clever moment at the end implying the virus is alive and is coming after YOU, but I just do have to separate the plot when appreciating this Torchwood monthly. The sound design really does make this story work and the authentic feel of glitching audio files allow you to immerse yourself in what feels like more of an experience than a story. Thankfully it has lots of things to play with, as it can use music from other audios and TV stories to create moments that do stir emotions, creating some variance from the horror. If anything it’s genius the Scott Handcock was able to create a story that felt so disjoined and all over the place, allowing for the true experience of listening to something that feels like a broken torrent. I cannot imagine how much more terrifying the story would feel if you actually did torrent it, but I imagine somehow Big Finish wouldn’t appreciate that…
June 17, 2017
First off, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS WITH HEADPHONES ON!!! The different sounds and screeching etc will hurt your ear drums. It about did in the vehicle while I was driving and I didn't even have it that loud!
Secondly, the story line was interesting, but I felt it was poorly executed. Yes the "file is corrupted" therefore the audio jumps, skips, makes weird noises on purpose, but it's too much. I just felt like someone threw the story in the blender and said, "What comes up shall be our "corrupted file"!" and it didn't work.
I felt like we didn't learn enough, especially the end. I'm really not loving year 3 of Torchwood. I want a full story, I want full details, or at least the story to play off of another one. Not one that's like the year before where the creature was telling them don't look, don't look, look 3 times and you're dead and then it doesn't tell you what happens. I HATE that. And I felt this one did just that. It dangles the carrot and then pulls it away and you're left with nothing that satisfies you.
Secondly, the story line was interesting, but I felt it was poorly executed. Yes the "file is corrupted" therefore the audio jumps, skips, makes weird noises on purpose, but it's too much. I just felt like someone threw the story in the blender and said, "What comes up shall be our "corrupted file"!" and it didn't work.
I felt like we didn't learn enough, especially the end. I'm really not loving year 3 of Torchwood. I want a full story, I want full details, or at least the story to play off of another one. Not one that's like the year before where the creature was telling them don't look, don't look, look 3 times and you're dead and then it doesn't tell you what happens. I HATE that. And I felt this one did just that. It dangles the carrot and then pulls it away and you're left with nothing that satisfies you.
October 22, 2021
This is a wild story featuring a bunch of clips from previous television and audio stories.
Toshiko is amazing in this and the ending is emotional and heartbreaking when events from the show bleed in and destroy any idea that Stephen and Tosh could be together.
This audio adventure does what Big Finish does best, it takes an audio-based thing, in this case, phone calls and pirated audio, and bases the story/format around that. These experimental stories work so well and I just wish they had more.
Toshiko is amazing in this and the ending is emotional and heartbreaking when events from the show bleed in and destroy any idea that Stephen and Tosh could be together.
This audio adventure does what Big Finish does best, it takes an audio-based thing, in this case, phone calls and pirated audio, and bases the story/format around that. These experimental stories work so well and I just wish they had more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2022
This story is organized in a chaotic fashion with repetition of scenes, items out of sequence, and static. Sometimes that worked (as in the final reveal), sometimes it was just annoying. However, the mystery/case for classic Torchwood. spoiler:
June 11, 2025
This was an editing masterpiece ! Seriously, so well put together and kudos to all involved in the production of this. It was creepy, intriguing and I love Tosh so it was an easy win.
The acting is always top par in the bigfinishes and I’ve loved making my way through the Torchwoods. Even though I’m still fairly early on in the series, I’ll definitely continue to collect as there’s some real gems in the collection (including this one).
Intriguing story, with great acting and really well produced all in all.
The acting is always top par in the bigfinishes and I’ve loved making my way through the Torchwoods. Even though I’m still fairly early on in the series, I’ll definitely continue to collect as there’s some real gems in the collection (including this one).
Intriguing story, with great acting and really well produced all in all.
November 14, 2017
The story was pretty good and very interesting. The whole "this file is corrupted" thing with the jumps and squeals is cool at first, but honestly, it got very tiring and even confusing when it would break up scenes and jump forward and back. This would have gotten a fourth star if it wasn't for the constant file skipping parts.
June 1, 2025
AWESOME format screw. The file "corrupts", so the story has constant little flash-forwards of fragments of drama or intrigue, even mixing in a little bit of behind the scenes recordings to keep you on your toes.
The actual story falters a little bit, and the preachiness regarding piracy definitely steps over the "tongue-in-cheek" threshold, but it's absolutely worth a listen.
The actual story falters a little bit, and the preachiness regarding piracy definitely steps over the "tongue-in-cheek" threshold, but it's absolutely worth a listen.
August 19, 2018
If you publish something as an audio book, surely you factor in how much your sound effects are going to hurt the listener's ears?! Interesting story and structure, but looses a star for how badly my ears ache.
November 11, 2024
Fun story, concept becomes less interesting as it goes on. The infected data sound effects just become annoying after the first 15 minutes or so. Naoko Mori is really good. It's probably a 2½ star story for me.
December 24, 2025
in the whoniverse you get Ring-ed for pirating media. luckily i dont live in there, and will continue to pirate every piece of content. 👍
the concept is fun though, and the gimmick was executed nicely!
the concept is fun though, and the gimmick was executed nicely!
February 21, 2018
Another Tosh story. Even better than her first! Please release more Tosh dramas!
April 5, 2018
I enjoyed how this was performed, as a corrupted file but the story just wasn't particularlly exciting to me.
May 1, 2018
The corrupt files got a bit annoying in the end, but mostly it’s good.
October 21, 2018
Tosh finds a virus that is killing people through the internet.
November 27, 2018
Naoko knocks it out of the park again!
February 13, 2022
Fun episode but warning when you hear the episode glitching at the beginning, nothing is wrong with your device. Just keep listening!
May 4, 2022
Love the mixing in other parts, a bit hard to follow on the first listen but worth it.
Made me so glad I bought it!
Made me so glad I bought it!
July 9, 2022
Got it for the gimmick, but the gimmick got annoying. There was a nice song I wish I could’ve heard more of, and the “coming soon” transitioned nicely to the Big Finish ads.
February 25, 2023
第二次听，音效让人头昏，这个传染病毒录音带的模式各类恐怖系podcast都玩过，执行效果都一般，BF也不能免俗了
September 15, 2023
Deadly torrents, Toshiko Sato, a fantastic script and a terrific execution. I love the more experimental audio drama’s Big Finish make and this is one of the best.
April 9, 2025
2.5 stars
Read
July 7, 2025I love when Big Finish make something that can only be done on audio. An experimental anti-piracy PSA with incredibly well produced audial horror. Plus more Toshiko is never a bad thing
May 22, 2020
Although I consider myself a fan of Scott Handcock’s and have mostly enjoyed his work in the past, I struggled with this one. The concept was interesting, but the corrupt file theme went from irritating to tiresome - if anything it took me out of a pretty good story, which is a shame. The message was understandable, but a bit too on the nose in the literal sense.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews