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I like how this episode ended on a bad note. It shows not every story has a sweet ending... and then we have Children of Earth.. which is the most depressing, blackened, heartbreaking ending to a series ever in my opinion

Weird winged creatures made from terrible CGI? *serious School Reunion flashbacks*

I’m high and am just enjoying him being call “the nonce” instead of his of his actual name, word I use a lot, underrated as a word 👍

Personally, the worst thing about this episode is that we never find out what happened to Estelle's cat after her death. Moses deserved more love!

Take a drink everytime Harbo says "Nonce"

I think one of the things that sticks with me about this episode is that torchwood doesn't win? Or at least it's not like dr who, torchwood lets the faeries take Jasmine and if they hadn't got involved possibly Estelle wouldn't have died. (also letting a child be given to aliens and probably died hits different now that I've finally seen CoE, as you mentioned)

“Why don’t you take a seat” - Torchwood Fairies

I remember being left rather uncomfortable by this story, but I think that’s the idea of but that CGI has aged very very badly.

The first episode I ever saw of Torchwood. I actually think the bad CGI actually adds to the "otherness" of the Fairies. They're supposed to feel unnatural and wrong.

'creepy nonce' a phrase I never thought Harbo would say

I think them only scaring the bully girls is maybe the Faeries natural instinct to protect all children not just the chosen one. Like yes those girls were a threat to Jasmine but they are still children. I don't think the faeries wanted to harm an child in anyway because in the future they could be a chosen one or their future child could be a chosen one.

You can tell they achally did research into the fae . Like it's pretty inline with what people actually believe about them. Like the old lady even uses a chant and a crystal that would work to find them like dammm.

*Favorite Whoniverse Villians* Cybermen, Daleks, Silence, Angels, Master and *Nonce*

I really like Jacks dilemma with handing Jasmine over as it’s seeds the the idea for when he kills his grandson in one of the most harrowing scenes I’ve ever seen on TV.

the one thing I can't stand about this episode is how it completely overlooks Ianto's trauma. We go from Ianto sobbing and condemning Jack, saying he's worse than any monster they've ever fought, overcoming the tragic loss of his girlfriend, and then in the very next episode he's just having a cheery chat with Jack about magic mushrooms???????? what?!!!!!

Honestly, the petal deaths are so gruesome but also kind of appropriate - I always saw it as a kind of whimsical way for the fairies to kill someone showing the fairies vindictive and sinister side. Definitely some of the scariest enemies in Series 1 of Torchwood!

Also something interesting: In a recent DW novel, there was one for series 10 with Twelve and Bill called "The Shining Man". Well in the book, the villains end up being the same fae from this Torchwood episode. There are even mentions about flower petals being shoved down peoples' throats, the Lost/Chosen ones, etc. Also in the book, they end up expanding on the faeries as well. They end up: - Going to their world (which is very eldritch and humans apparently can't handle experiencing the world without assistance) - Learning about different species of faeries. And about different experiences that humans have had throughout history. - The Doctor calls them "Ultra-Terrestrials" and explains how the fae world is incredibly vast throughout the universe. That it's pretty much everywhere. All around, it expands on mystical forces in Who which are usually much more in the background. Because in a franchise like Who which focuses more around science fiction and coming up with some technobabble explanations, it's really interesting to see things that are truly magical.

This was a good episode very underrated

This was the story, for me, that cemented the fact that Torchwood was very different from Dr Who...and then to follow with "Countrycide" was even more of a shock. I love this episode and you've been spot on with your analysis. Seeing your reviews makes me wanna watch series 1 and 2 again. Thanks for making these.

The effects usually don't bother me, but damn this CG is really rough. Also it's not helped by moments like 11:01 where it's clear that the actors had no idea where the fairies actually were and how they were moving. Having physical placeholders for actors to interact with would've made the effects much more tangible once they added the CGI.

A reference to the Doctor Who episode where Queen Victoria established Torchwood would have been appropriate here with the reminder that Torchwood was not just set up to fight extraterrestrials. Opportunity missed.

My big takeaway from this episode was this. "What do we do when we have a Doctor level threat, but he isn't here?"

Are we not going to talk about how Jack says he never sleeps but this episode starts with him waking up from a nightmare? Small plot hole, but still.

This episode is very "tell don't show" imo. They just establish a bunch of lore about these fairies when all we see is them occasionally killing people or flying around.

At least Estelle's cat survived. That's my main take away from this.

This was the turning point for me. Where the formula of a Doctor Who threat meets a more adult tone whilst i like some mythical concepts turning out to be aliens. I do prefer it if sometimes if mythical beings and magic being just that, as it is a complete polar opposite and allows for more creative storytelling without having to follow set rules. One point that's left out is the reference to The Mara, from the Davison era. I like to think The Mara is the Alpha predator in their dimension. Hunting and feeding on The Fairies in their world just as they play and kill people in ours.

I just realized no one adressed Jasmine's absent father. Maybe that's significant for her being a chosen one?

Ok, yeah, this was the last episode I watched as a kid (while far too young to be watching it). That visual of the fairy shoving it's arm down the stepdad's throat MESSES ME UP. I genuinely remembered it being a lot more gory than it was (I might have mistaken the petals for it actually pulling his guts out or something) because I was surprised at how much it isn't explicitly graphic? Had to nope out of the show originally 'cos this was TOO DARK so I'm really curious to see the rest of these recaps and find out why Torchwood is well-regarded

It's interesting when you realise that in Jack's timeline, he has already sacrificed 11 children to the 456 in exchange for the cure to a disease that would have killed millions. He already knows that sometimes children cannot be saved and that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Of course in this case, Jasmine also knew what would happen to her and wanted to go.

Is it bad that I was sad Estelle died but mostly really relived the fairies didn't hurt the cat?

I ended up looking up celtic fey for a personal project and It allowed me to appreciate this ep that much more especially since Celtic fey Really are terrifying and this portrays that well.

Just watched this last night, it was a good episode and I like how they didn't win. The fact they had to still give the girl away just shows how powerful the fairies are

I agree the visuals on this one were great, aging CGI aside, and I loved how this advanced Jack's story. The only place this episode really falls down for me is the end; I do not understand why the team is so mad at Jack, especially Gwen. Everything he has told them and everything they have seen show that the fairies are unbeatable. I just want Jack to yell "Did you have a better idea?!?" It just doesn't make sense to me. Be mad atthe situation, sure, but their anger at Jack is unwarranted considering their knowledge (not ours, I'm basing this just on what they see, especially Gwen). Ah well, it's still a better episode than most give it credit for.

Only reason I don’t watch this episode more is because Estelle is so sweet and dies a bad death. I hate watching that happen to her.

I watched this when I was 11 yet I never really felt attached to this or scared, though I was scared by the petals coming out of their mouth.

Whenever Torchwood faces such creatures like the fairies, I always wonder how the Doctor would react to them and fight them if possible.

15:24 - I understand what you mean but I always assumed that the fairies don’t want to harm children on principle. - Like they actually care about their innocence.

They’re very reminiscent of the elves from terry pratchetts discworld as those also take joy in causing other peoples suffering. I do still imagine there would be a way of killing them as they are tangible creatures it’d just involve some time fuckery and I would put in the effort as I see what the faeries do as grooming they come across as all friendly to lure the child in and corrupt them

No, the faeries aren’t out of Torchwood’s league; Torchwood is out of the faeries’ league.

I can't wait for countricide!

You’re wrong about Jack being the main character. Gwen is the protagonist in every aspect possible

Great episode tbf Kick a kiddy fiddler every time he says nonce, can't help laughing a little

I think this episode actually added a lot to the Whoniverse as a whole - I love the idea that there are these cosmic horrors that just can't be beaten or outwitted, whose motives and methods are entirely alien. I'd like to see villains like that in the main series tbh.

I watched this episode yesterday in preparation for your review and honestly i thought this was a episode in series two and forgot about this one the most. Its not a bad episode its kinda in the middle out of the episodes so far id say its the 2nd worst but there are still more episodes and i know it wont be after the series has finished. Anyways i do agree with Captain Jacks decision at the end it was the better of the two evils and everyone giving him a hard time is understandable but its like what would you have done in that situation where neither option is very good. Also the fairies putting there arms into someones mouth and doing something is quite horrible and choking on petals is a unique way to kill somebody

THE CHRIS HANSEN FAERIES IM WHEEZING

I'm a big fan of this episode the ending is perfect Jack has no option and this shows he isn't the Doctor and has no other solution to let her go very well acted by John and Eve

Tobe honest when jasmine showed up at the end in the photo I thought it was an insight into the finale as that would of ended the world something the fairies say at the end where when world ends they go back in time to find more chosen ones And Jasmine being shown at the end shows that it has happened

as a kid this scared me more than anything, more than the empty child, more than countrycide. for weeks and weeks i went around being nice to everyone because i didn't know whether they were a chosen one or not haha

I feel like the only person who felt no sympathy for the mother in this episode. She clearly didn’t care about her daughter at all until it was too late. She allowed her husband to abuse her, made her walk home from school on her own at the age of like 6 (which almost got her kidnapped by a nonce), didn’t pay enough attention to notice bullying, and spent so much time crying over her abusive husband that she didn’t even notice her daughter being taken by the fairies. Her borderline neglectful parenting throughout the episode just made it so hard to sympathise when she was crying for her daughter at the end for me

Great Review Harbo! This was one of the few Torchwood episodes I watched when I was quite young, and the imagery stuck with me, I've always found its horror aspects extremely effective. Its really underrated, and its easily one of my favourites from Series 1.

I was 5 in 2006 and I watched Doctor Who growing up. I was told not to watch Torchwood so I did lol 😆 Didn’t understand Day One (obviously too young) and was bored by Ghost Machine (because no monster) but my God did the Fairies scare the shit out of me when i was young. Just the fact they couldn’t be stopped and basically won in the end and can kill you anyway any when. Only the Empty Child The Angles and the Vashta Narada got the same spooks out of me. Very underrated episode very happy the review agrees great analysis. 👏

I really liked this episode. I’m so excited for your next 2 reviews though as they’re some of my favourite episodes.

I always liked the episode a lot. The show often has low budget special effects, but wins with the good stories. And I just love every little bit of info we can get of Jack's past.

This might be one of the safest episodes. Literally everyone loses whilst the villain wins

I must admit Harbo, these videos like your Orphan 55 one give me some material for some potential Doctor Who stories that I'm currently planning (And working on the storyboard for one). And thanks for bringing this story to light for me, as I came up with a story idea called "Faerie Tales" which kinda plays out like Small Worlds with some changes, Especially the ending to make it more bittersweet.

Not convinced the word nonce was used enough in this video.

I forgot about this episode. Great breakdown as always man!

Looking forward to seeing you cover Countrycide hopefully in the future

Fight the fairies - Dean Winchester

This was actually my fave episode from Series 1. I'm a sucker for anything involving old myths/legends, and exploring anything from Jack's eventful past. Plus, it did feature a really cute kitty.

honestly your videos on torchwood made me look back recently and realize... it's just a Hunter: the Vigil game, this episode being a crossover with Changeling: the Lost

Loving these Torchwood reviews

I can't believe I forgot about this episode!

Doctor Who villains: Spooky aliens who scream and usually wanna take over or destroy the world with their laser weapons Torchwood villains: STRAIGHT UP CONVICTED PEDOPHILES AND CANNIBALS-

You kept calling the fairies “evil”, but imo what is great about this episode is that they aren’t exactly evil. The fairies here operate almost like a virus: they are forced to take our children because they can’t reproduce on their own. Both sides of the human/fairy conflict make decisions that result in the violence. The fairies manipulate Jasmine, and choose to hide from the humans. Thus humans are ignorant about them, about how they live and what motivates them. Only when it is far too late does Jack understand, all they wanted was to reproduce. Had someone known enough to negotiate with them earlier, a more fair arrangement could have been worked out. Of course, the humans made decisions too: they were too angry and fearful to ask the right questions. Too judgemental to look past the first appearance. And of course, whether on accident or on purpose: the humans have built a society that is antithetical to the fairies. To me, what this episode was about was why wars happen, why negotiations fail. Why different groups of people (stories are never about monsters) can’t always get along. Why it’s easy to say “we all share a home, the Earth” but much harder to act that way.

This was one of the first times I wondered what would have happened if the doctor was there, would he have had access to something to stop them

"Episodes like Day One and Cyberwoman, which most people hate with every bone in their bodies." I guarantee you, at least one of my bones enjoyed Day One ;D

I have no memory of this episode... Looks like I need to do a rewatch of season 1. Thanks for reminding me of this episode!

Just call him who he is - Barry Backstory.

I've always loved this ep. Thanks!

I spent the whole weekend writing, recording and editing a review of this very episode which I couldn’t stand. So seeing you do a review talking about the same points but in a positive way is quite the strange feeling. I still find this episode to be one of the worst Torchwood episodes but you made a really great review here. Well done mate 👍

HECK my 'priorities', there's a new Harbo video!

The best episode involving fighting fairies was Kiss Kiss Bang Bang though 👀

This one creeped me out way more than the cannibal one

The Fairies were definately out of Jack's and Torchwood's league. It's episodes like this that make me wonder how the Doctor would handle them.

I watch Torchwood when it came out when I was ten and I absolutely adored this episode, I think about it A LOT

9:57 primeval also did this with creatures like dragons and the Hopkinsville goblin

i wonder how the doctor would handle the fair folk

I actually quite like the off CGI, since ut seems to somehow are the fairies even creepier, at least it does for me

Loves the vids man

I’m excited to finish this

I watched this episode when I was way too young and without my parents permission/knowledge. It disturbed me so much but i viewed the fairies as basically good at the time due to my age and the way they protect the child.

I've always enjoyed this little underappreciated gem to be honest.

this was a fantastic episod and i love Jacks building mythology of his life on earth during the 100 hes been stuck here since 1899

This was always my favourite episode when I was a teen. I'm glad others like it too and it is getting its due diligence

I hate the fact that that woman never really found out how much of a bastard her boyfriend really was

The show Supernatural had the greatest episode about fairies ever. So damn funny! Don't spread your wack-a-doo dust around here! (Drawing a blank on the exact line from Sam, but god damn was it funny!)

As a kid whenever anyone mentioned Torchwood for years I'd think of this episode, especially the 1909 flashback and the guy throwing up flowers. Rewatching it like the rest of older-ish who, the cgi is the only complaint i can even think of. Personally I enjoy it, makes me a little less scared years later 😅

This was LITREALLY my favourite episode growing up, even if it scare me. So happy its FIANLLY getting the recognition it deserves

I weirdly like this story but the CGI looks like poop. Its a shame really because we start to learn more about Jacks past which is further emphasised in "Captain Jack Harkness"

Just a request, could you do a video on the animated story Dreamland? That would be great thx.

after torchwood reviews are you going to carry on with doctor who s4

I hope we see the Ninth Doctor encounter the Fairies with Madame Vastra in the Ninth Doctor audiobooks

the ultimate trolley problem

I'm getting the word: nonce

Do you think Jack will ever forgive Rose for making him Immortal?

To offer a bit of defense with regards to the ordering of the episode, young kids (even mean ones) are easier to empathize with than pedophiles.

Cant wait for the fight club episode

I started watching Torchwood on HBOmax this is an episode I've seen and I loved it