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Torchwood - The Story Continues #8
Torchwood Among Us Part 2
Orr's on a mercy mission to a doomed city. Sgt Andy is visiting an old flame in prison. Bilis Manger spends a night in the Torchwood Hub. Mr Colchester has to keep the most hated man in Britain alive for one more day. “I know where you are now. And I know what I will do next.”
7.5 Propaganda by Ash Darby - Orr is desperate to get to Voloshnik. The city’s sealed off in the middle of a war the world’s forgotten. There has to be someone left to save.
7.6 At Her Majesty’s Pleasure by Tim Foley - Yvonne Hartman is in a very special prison. And there’s absolutely no way out of it. So why is she convinced she’s escaped?
7.7 Cuckoo by Tim Foley - A group of urban explorers break into the Torchwood Hub. They disturb Bilis Manger who has his own plans for the evening.
7.8 Pariahs by James Goss - We’ve all spent the last two years sticking our DNA in jars and sending it off in the post. What happened to it? Two people know the secrets of the Phlobos Scandal, and Torchwood have to keep them alive.
7.5 Propaganda by Ash Darby - Orr is desperate to get to Voloshnik. The city’s sealed off in the middle of a war the world’s forgotten. There has to be someone left to save.
7.6 At Her Majesty’s Pleasure by Tim Foley - Yvonne Hartman is in a very special prison. And there’s absolutely no way out of it. So why is she convinced she’s escaped?
7.7 Cuckoo by Tim Foley - A group of urban explorers break into the Torchwood Hub. They disturb Bilis Manger who has his own plans for the evening.
7.8 Pariahs by James Goss - We’ve all spent the last two years sticking our DNA in jars and sending it off in the post. What happened to it? Two people know the secrets of the Phlobos Scandal, and Torchwood have to keep them alive.
- GenresDoctor Who
Audio CD
First published June 29, 2023
18 people want to read
About the author
Tim Foley
177 books17 followersTim Foley is an artist and illustrator born in Flint, Michigan, in 1962. Over the past quarter century, his clients have included national and international magazines, book publishers, and advertising agencies such as the Wall Street Journal, Cricket Magazine, New York Newsday, LA Weekly, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. He currently lives and works in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 29, 2025
The middle section of this imagined ‘seventh season’ consists of four stories, three of which only feature a single member of Torchwood each.
Propaganda – Orr travels to a former Soviet republic to investigate a town with a mysterious disease outbreak. The initial part of the story is a gruelling journey across territory where the government authorities are hostile, with secrets of their own to cover up. Then, in the latter half, we reach the town, and the real scope of what’s happened starts to become clear. It’s an atmospheric story, partly building on current events in that part of the world (most obviously Ukraine, although there’s perhaps a closer parallel with the Caucasus and Moldova). The links to the rest of the season are more thematic than plot-driven, at least so far as one can tell, with certain real-world conspiracy theories forming some of the backdrop along with the disinformation industry that fuels them. Orr is taking on some of the role previously filled by Jack Harkness but remains a sympathetic character despite her alien origins. 4.5 stars.
At Her Majesty’s Pleasure – For the benefit of those outside the UK, “at Her (or His) Majesty’s pleasure” is a phrase used to describe life imprisonment with no minimum term. Here, that refers to Yvonne Hartman, arrested in the previous ‘season’. It sees Andy Davidson trying to foil her plans of escape from a maximum-security prison, without any clear idea of how she plans to go about it. It’s more a psychological cat-and-mouse game than a prison drama, with the added twist that he suspects Hartman of using something Torchwood-related as part of her plan. This sort of scheming one-step-ahead interpretation is arguably at odds with what we saw of the character in Army of Ghosts but, in fairness, it’s a parallel version and the success of the story more relies on how much you want to see Andy put through the ringer yet again. (And, if you do, you'll probably really love this, where I found it a bit of a rehash). 3.5 stars.
Cuckoo – Three amateur investigators break into the ruins of the Torchwood Hub in search of footage for their YouTube series… what they encounter there is obvious from the cover. The result feels like a ghost story, albeit the explanation is more technological than supernatural. It’s surprisingly creepy, given that we’re in a familiar location, and the collection earns its ‘adults only’ tag with a couple of particularly gruesome moments. It’s a dark tale, apparently with only minor links to the main plot arc but filling in some of the gaps of what has happened after the fall of Torchwood. 4 stars.
Pariahs – It’s only in the final episode of this collection (and the eighth of the 12-part ‘season’) that we get to see the current incarnation of the Torchwood team fully assemble. The story sees the team trying to get two people to an important enquiry as sinister forces try to ensure they don’t live to testify. The tone here is that of an action thriller, at least until the closing section, with the tension kept high and a fair degree of violence. Character drama is heightened by the fact that one of the witnesses is unlikable and has a connection to Mr Colchester, his reluctant protector. It’s also this story where the plot arc starts to come centre-stage, linking prior episodes that seemed thematically, but not causally, linked. It ends on a cliffhanger although, in this instance, the final collection came out not long after and is easy to acquire together with this. 4 stars.
Propaganda – Orr travels to a former Soviet republic to investigate a town with a mysterious disease outbreak. The initial part of the story is a gruelling journey across territory where the government authorities are hostile, with secrets of their own to cover up. Then, in the latter half, we reach the town, and the real scope of what’s happened starts to become clear. It’s an atmospheric story, partly building on current events in that part of the world (most obviously Ukraine, although there’s perhaps a closer parallel with the Caucasus and Moldova). The links to the rest of the season are more thematic than plot-driven, at least so far as one can tell, with certain real-world conspiracy theories forming some of the backdrop along with the disinformation industry that fuels them. Orr is taking on some of the role previously filled by Jack Harkness but remains a sympathetic character despite her alien origins. 4.5 stars.
At Her Majesty’s Pleasure – For the benefit of those outside the UK, “at Her (or His) Majesty’s pleasure” is a phrase used to describe life imprisonment with no minimum term. Here, that refers to Yvonne Hartman, arrested in the previous ‘season’. It sees Andy Davidson trying to foil her plans of escape from a maximum-security prison, without any clear idea of how she plans to go about it. It’s more a psychological cat-and-mouse game than a prison drama, with the added twist that he suspects Hartman of using something Torchwood-related as part of her plan. This sort of scheming one-step-ahead interpretation is arguably at odds with what we saw of the character in Army of Ghosts but, in fairness, it’s a parallel version and the success of the story more relies on how much you want to see Andy put through the ringer yet again. (And, if you do, you'll probably really love this, where I found it a bit of a rehash). 3.5 stars.
Cuckoo – Three amateur investigators break into the ruins of the Torchwood Hub in search of footage for their YouTube series… what they encounter there is obvious from the cover. The result feels like a ghost story, albeit the explanation is more technological than supernatural. It’s surprisingly creepy, given that we’re in a familiar location, and the collection earns its ‘adults only’ tag with a couple of particularly gruesome moments. It’s a dark tale, apparently with only minor links to the main plot arc but filling in some of the gaps of what has happened after the fall of Torchwood. 4 stars.
Pariahs – It’s only in the final episode of this collection (and the eighth of the 12-part ‘season’) that we get to see the current incarnation of the Torchwood team fully assemble. The story sees the team trying to get two people to an important enquiry as sinister forces try to ensure they don’t live to testify. The tone here is that of an action thriller, at least until the closing section, with the tension kept high and a fair degree of violence. Character drama is heightened by the fact that one of the witnesses is unlikable and has a connection to Mr Colchester, his reluctant protector. It’s also this story where the plot arc starts to come centre-stage, linking prior episodes that seemed thematically, but not causally, linked. It ends on a cliffhanger although, in this instance, the final collection came out not long after and is easy to acquire together with this. 4 stars.
August 19, 2023
Among Us 2 is weaker than its predecessor, not for the topics it chooses to handle but for some wonky execution on them.
While Propaganda seeks to tell a narrative about lies in wartime conflict, and the nature of us simply forgetting about suffering if it isnt in our faces (ahem ukraine at the time of writing) It gets itself utterly convoluted in Bio or Mechanical weaponry, POWs and a very strange insistence on telling you that what side someone is on is never to be trusted? i guess?
At Her Majesty's Pleasure follows up with a much better executed Sherlock S4 Finale. In which all the seeds of the mystery are planted but there is no logical reason to deduce whats coming before it happens.
The issue becomes it seems mostly concerned with undoing God Among Us 3's ending and not a whole hell of a lot about The Core Duo it is about's ACTUAL relationship...instead it just sorta shoves all that in at the end and says...idunno.
Cuckoo is the Prize Piece. while decidedly standalone apart from a few scant ties it deserves to be this "season's" Torchwood Lite/Lore Episode... you know the ones. s1 and s2 had em... cmon. It is unfortunate then that i cannot actually reccomend it AS a standalone piece as its very tied up as a sort of meta examination of the idea of Torchwood...not the characters...nor the setting...but the cores of the entire ...listen it makes more sense if you listen to it.
I will warn though...this ones also the HORROR episode.
Pariahs is the Mid Season Finale. that sounds weird doesnt it...well it feels just as weird to hear it and experience it. You get all the buildup of a Series Finale Part 1 in this but spoiling this part aint my bag. All i'll say is a certain character is not foreshadowed well at all to be as MUCH of a bastard as they turn out to be, so...i guess thats another con in this series's pocket.
altogether Among us 2 is very much the middle bit. its as important as it is kinda slow... but the ending and imho lore bits are more than worth your time!
While Propaganda seeks to tell a narrative about lies in wartime conflict, and the nature of us simply forgetting about suffering if it isnt in our faces (ahem ukraine at the time of writing) It gets itself utterly convoluted in Bio or Mechanical weaponry, POWs and a very strange insistence on telling you that what side someone is on is never to be trusted? i guess?
At Her Majesty's Pleasure follows up with a much better executed Sherlock S4 Finale. In which all the seeds of the mystery are planted but there is no logical reason to deduce whats coming before it happens.
The issue becomes it seems mostly concerned with undoing God Among Us 3's ending and not a whole hell of a lot about The Core Duo it is about's ACTUAL relationship...instead it just sorta shoves all that in at the end and says...idunno.
Cuckoo is the Prize Piece. while decidedly standalone apart from a few scant ties it deserves to be this "season's" Torchwood Lite/Lore Episode... you know the ones. s1 and s2 had em... cmon. It is unfortunate then that i cannot actually reccomend it AS a standalone piece as its very tied up as a sort of meta examination of the idea of Torchwood...not the characters...nor the setting...but the cores of the entire ...listen it makes more sense if you listen to it.
I will warn though...this ones also the HORROR episode.
Pariahs is the Mid Season Finale. that sounds weird doesnt it...well it feels just as weird to hear it and experience it. You get all the buildup of a Series Finale Part 1 in this but spoiling this part aint my bag. All i'll say is a certain character is not foreshadowed well at all to be as MUCH of a bastard as they turn out to be, so...i guess thats another con in this series's pocket.
altogether Among us 2 is very much the middle bit. its as important as it is kinda slow... but the ending and imho lore bits are more than worth your time!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2023
I mentioned it in my reviews before, I will mention again.
To this day, I have not seen a single TV episode of Torchwood, and only good a few of the monthly audios, mainly the ones featuring Andy and Billis Manger.
This is my Torchwood knowledge.
For this set:
Even without me knowing anything about the series, I could kind of make sense of it and follow the plot- I think these stories are pretty stand-alone.
I am really happy I made this purchase, there are some great performances.
Propaganda-
Interesting take on the outbreak / Fake News/ Antivaxxer- terrorist plot. For a while it kept you guessing, in the end, it pretty much ended where I expected.
I loved the characters in this, the deliciously evil Russian general, the paramedic, and the main character who I had not come across before and I just took as a female Wolverine without claws (worked pretty well in my imagination that way). The main villain was a bit cheesy, but in his line of work, it would have been difficult to present him any other way.
At her majesty's pleasure
Let's face it, I have just gone into this because of Andy. Andy is great. Even if he seems to exist in Torchwood for the sole purpose of being screwed over. So him being screwed over did not come as a surprise. I was just trying to guess how it would be done this time. Clever.
So actually, this was quite fun.
Cockoo
Billis Manger was the sole reason why I actually bought this set of stories.
And he does not disappoint.
This is maybe the scariest old man in the universe, and Murray Melvin owns this. Great performance.
Pariah
And it all ends in a bit of Pandemonium.
I amazed I could still follow the plot even without knowing any backstory.
Anyways, all of the still active Torchwood members come together to protect and bring to justice some despicable people.
Nice enough finale that ties in well with the first story in the set.
To this day, I have not seen a single TV episode of Torchwood, and only good a few of the monthly audios, mainly the ones featuring Andy and Billis Manger.
This is my Torchwood knowledge.
For this set:
Even without me knowing anything about the series, I could kind of make sense of it and follow the plot- I think these stories are pretty stand-alone.
I am really happy I made this purchase, there are some great performances.
Propaganda-
Interesting take on the outbreak / Fake News/ Antivaxxer- terrorist plot. For a while it kept you guessing, in the end, it pretty much ended where I expected.
I loved the characters in this, the deliciously evil Russian general, the paramedic, and the main character who I had not come across before and I just took as a female Wolverine without claws (worked pretty well in my imagination that way). The main villain was a bit cheesy, but in his line of work, it would have been difficult to present him any other way.
At her majesty's pleasure
Let's face it, I have just gone into this because of Andy. Andy is great. Even if he seems to exist in Torchwood for the sole purpose of being screwed over. So him being screwed over did not come as a surprise. I was just trying to guess how it would be done this time. Clever.
So actually, this was quite fun.
Cockoo
Billis Manger was the sole reason why I actually bought this set of stories.
And he does not disappoint.
This is maybe the scariest old man in the universe, and Murray Melvin owns this. Great performance.
Pariah
And it all ends in a bit of Pandemonium.
I amazed I could still follow the plot even without knowing any backstory.
Anyways, all of the still active Torchwood members come together to protect and bring to justice some despicable people.
Nice enough finale that ties in well with the first story in the set.
April 14, 2025
Deuxième boîtier toujours aussi bon que le premier de cette saison. On continue à questionner comment l'environnement influence les personnes et les comportements et comment des personnes en situation de pouvoir sabotent intentionnellement cet environnement pour causer de la détresse, du chaos et avancer leur agenda (bien que c'est un peu plus vague cette fois-ci, il n'y a pas d'épisodes entier consacré à cette question et la montée de la tension comme dans le premier boîtier).
Sinon, ce sont des bons épisodes qui font (très) lentement avancer l'intrigue avec un épisode, Cuckoo de Tim Foley, qui ne m'apparaissait pas du tout en rapport avec le reste de la saison (il aurait pu être un épisode isolée de la série mensuelle sans qu'on y change une ligne). Chaque fois on s'interroge a savoir qui tire ultimement les ficelles.
Sinon, ce sont des bons épisodes qui font (très) lentement avancer l'intrigue avec un épisode, Cuckoo de Tim Foley, qui ne m'apparaissait pas du tout en rapport avec le reste de la saison (il aurait pu être un épisode isolée de la série mensuelle sans qu'on y change une ligne). Chaque fois on s'interroge a savoir qui tire ultimement les ficelles.
July 9, 2024
Among Us Part 2
I was really looking forward to this set because of the Andy & Yvonne and Billis Manger stories. And an appearance by Ianto somehow, Ianto is my favorite. So I had high expectations and I really enjoyed the set! Loved all 4 episodes!
Episode 5: Orr showcase! Interesting premise, well executed.
Episode 6: Andy and Yvonne! Always happy to have more Andy and I find Yvonne fascinating, so was hyped for this episode and it did not disappoint!
Episode 7: Urban explorers find Torchwood and Billis Manger! Was also hyped for this one. Not really!Ianto is there! This was a good one.
Episode 8: The advantage of these box sets vs the monthlies is we get more of the team together, which I wish they took advantage of more. This one does, thankfully! Bit of a cliffhanger.
I was really looking forward to this set because of the Andy & Yvonne and Billis Manger stories. And an appearance by Ianto somehow, Ianto is my favorite. So I had high expectations and I really enjoyed the set! Loved all 4 episodes!
Episode 5: Orr showcase! Interesting premise, well executed.
Episode 6: Andy and Yvonne! Always happy to have more Andy and I find Yvonne fascinating, so was hyped for this episode and it did not disappoint!
Episode 7: Urban explorers find Torchwood and Billis Manger! Was also hyped for this one. Not really!Ianto is there! This was a good one.
Episode 8: The advantage of these box sets vs the monthlies is we get more of the team together, which I wish they took advantage of more. This one does, thankfully! Bit of a cliffhanger.
July 8, 2023
Just for my own note - Cuckoo is an amazing, episode, and Murray Melvin and Gareth David-Lloyd give supurb performances. It's dark, grungy, and takes full advantage of it's post-Miracle Day place in the timeline. 5 stars, listen again some time. The rest of the set was pretty good.
August 7, 2023
Sorry door, we don’t love you anymore.
September 17, 2023
More Torchwood trying to survive when the firm has dissinagrated.
March 2, 2024
7.5 Propaganda by Ash Darby - 5/5 Stars
7.6 At Her Majesty’s Pleasure by Tim Foley - 3/5 Stars
7.7 Cuckoo by Tim Foley - 3/5 Stars
7.8 Pariahs by James Goss - 4/5 Stars
7.6 At Her Majesty’s Pleasure by Tim Foley - 3/5 Stars
7.7 Cuckoo by Tim Foley - 3/5 Stars
7.8 Pariahs by James Goss - 4/5 Stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews