Torchwood #8: They Keep Killing Suzie

Torchwood Team; 

• Captain Jack

• Gwen

• Owen

• Tosh

• Ianto

Notable Characters; 

• Suzie- Former team member back from the dead 

• Swanson- Detective 

Detailed Plot; 

Yet again another episode of extremely high standard and I really hope the rest of this season and the seasons after continue the trend! They Keep Killing Suzie was fantastically written, a quite brilliant story and just sublime. It was near perfect to be honest with just one production error the only fault but that didn't take anything away from a spectacular episode! 

It began with the usual Torchwood intro but then we heard 'Suzie Costello' and then the flashbacks of the climax of Everything Changes were seen. It was clear the aftermath of that episode was to be a major role in this episode. So it officially begins with Torchwood arriving at a crime scene, there're victims of a murder and blood is smeared. I liked how the police bitched about Torchwood and didn't like how they were of higher command. 

The team enter the room where the murder occurred, and written on the walls in the blood of the dead; Torchwood. Whoever did this had Jack and co's attention. Detective Swanson was angry at the team, blaming them for the price the now dead have to pay. 

Three victims, all seemingly had no connection before the police found out an unrecognised compound was found in the blood of the murdered. It was retcon. Part of the amnesia pill Jack used on Gwen when they first met, but the problem? It only belonged to Torchwood. Nobody outside of the organisation could have access to it, and 2008 people had been drugged it. Jack was wary, and quickly wanted the link between the victims (there simply had to be one) to be found, so then they could find the killer. But Gwen made a shocking suggestion. She wanted to use the resurrection glove. The glove could give them answers, but the other team members dismissed its use after what had happened to Suzie. But after the suggestion it was inevitable, Jack got out the glove. The brief banter between the team over its name was great. Jack talking about its history was menacing, how could a glove sound so fearful? 

The team planned on resurrecting Alex Arwin, one of the recent murder victims, Jack attempted to but failed. He didn't have the connection. It seemed the mission was over before it started as all other members had previously tried and failed. But that was before Gwen arrived. So she tried and it almost instantly worked. She was connected. But the man gave nothing away in his brief resurrection but Gwen was extremely determined. Another victim was to be brought back. This man seemed calmer and described how he was attacked, he mentioned 'pilgrim' and 'max' but who was he? And what was pilgrim? But there was a women also. Suzie. Was it the same Suzie? Given the situation, undoubtedly it was. The team drive to a private garage and due to the rules and regulations of the organisation, all of Suzie's possessions were there, boxed up. Suzie's life was all stored up. Would they find a link? 

Gwen referencing Rhys and leaving her possessions to him was interesting, were Gwen and Owen still (or were they ever) a couple? It didn't seem so. But that was irrelevant in the bigger picture of this episode. A connection was found, pilgrim was a group of people, and Suzie was part of it. Along with poetry, bits and bobs and clothes, all that remained of the women was cardboard boxes. But it was time Suzie came back. Her corpse was unlocked and unzipped and taken to the medical area. Gwen was going to bring her back to life. 

Gwen referenced the bodies being kept in Torchwood, and it would happen to her, just part of rules and regulations. Gwen attempted to resurrect her but all she saw were flashbacks of Everything Changes. The resurrection attempt had failed. She was too far gone. But Tosh reignited hope by mentioning the knife Suzie used to kill her victims, it was connected and could be used to complete the circuit. Suzie needed to be killed again. As Jack stabbed the corpse, Suzie was instantly resurrected and immediately was in shock. She was annoyed that 'Gwen bloody Cooper' was the one who brought her back. Gwen was determined to hold onto Suzie for the information the team desired but had no such luck. Gwen was affected and Suzie was dead once more. Or so we thought... 

Ianto pointed out that Suzie was still very much alive. She was simply unconscious. Somehow the glove had permanently brought her back. This was dangerous! Gwen seemed a little moved, hooked by the glove. It was time for Suzie to be interrogated and she was interviewed by Jack, Gwen accompanying him. It was interesting that Suzie was 'stuck' between being alive and dead. 

Suzie explained Pilgrim and in doing so answered the murder questions. The retcon triggered a psychosis. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang seemed scared of Suzie, so fearful of a women they once worked with. Suzie explained Max, how she met with him and talked to him about Torchwood, before giving him an amnesia pill so he wouldn't remember. This happened once a week, every week, for two years. The man had clearly overdosed. With the photos of group members on the table, Suzie noticed that somebody was missing. Lucy Mackenzie. Could she help? Or was she going to be helped? Max seemed hell bent on killing the group members. With her employment just about discovered thanks to Suzie, Torchwood went to the nightclub she works at in an attempt to catch the murderer. With Tosh remaining at the hub having eyesight images beamed back, a still weak Suzie remained with her. Tosh didn't look at her and was disgusted at her, after she brought disgrace and dishonoured a job she loved by her actions. But now Lucy was found, and Max headed for her. But it was the wrong person, Gwen was almost killed before Suzie screamed out a warning. Jack obtained Max and he was locked up. He was in the cell just like the weevil and Carys had been during the beginnings of the season. 

Max was silent in his cell, completely despondent. But if he heard the word 'Torchwood' he would go mad for exactly ten seconds before immediately coming to a halt. It was intriguing and the retcon had affected him massively. Jack played around a bit and said 'Torchwood' a few too many times to his own amusement. Suzie was back being interrogated and while talking to Gwen she claimed she wanted to see her cancer suffering father. The pair also joked about the job that is Torchwood. It seemed a real thrill ride to them both. Suzie seemed to like Gwen, and claimed that she was better than herself, that the team preferred Gwen. She had replaced Suzie- even sleeping with Owen. 

Gwen went to Jack and placed the blame on him for Suzie's happenings. She demanded that he should've known about her Dad's cancer and that putting her in charge of a resurrection glove was dangerous. No wonder she became so obsessed. But Jack said they were both to blame for the present, with Gwen wanting her back. He disliked how Gwen wanted it so much, but I just admired her determination. It wasn't her fault as we later find out. Jack cold bloodily claimed he could kill Suzie, that he could take her life. Gwen seemed shocked but Jack wasn't lying- it was clear in his eyes. 

Owen had made a terrifying discovery. He showed the energy flow between Gwen, the glove and the victim she resurrected. With Alex, it was relinquished as soon as connection was lost. But with Suzie it was much different. There was a much bigger energy flow and it was continuing, Gwen was being drained of her power with Suzie absorbing it. It was exactly like what Mondas was doing to Earth in The Tenth Planet but only this time it was between two women. Suzie was slowly killing Gwen. It was all a plan, it had to be. Jack was disgusted and quickly went into action. He headed for the interrogation room to kill Suzie just like he said he could. But a problem aroused, Gwen and Suzie were no longer in the room. They'd left. 

Tosh caught sight of the pair on CCTV and they were leaving in Gwen's car. Jack was annoyed and made the suggestion that Gwen would be fired. As the team plan to follow, the hub immediately goes into 100% lockdown. It can't easily be reversed. There was no way out and no technology was working. It was confirmed that Suzie had planned this, and she was continuing to drain Gwen- she had an estimated 2 hours left to live. 

Max was seen chanting or riddling in his cell, and the plan theory was undoubtedly confirmed. Suzie, when alive, had implemented vocal command into the hub- her predictions and plans worked perfectly. She was a genius.

In the car with Gwen, Suzie referenced Everything Changes and asked how he survived a shot through the head. Gwen confirmed to her that thanks to (events unknown to her) the results of The Parting of the Ways Jack couldn't die. It was interesting how the pair both wondered who he was. Back at the hub and Ianto had gained signal using the water fountain as a relay. Jack massively approved and any unrest between the pair from Cyberwomen had all but disappeared. The two seemed to be having a good relationship now. Jack called the police, Swanson, and explained the situation they were in. Much to the police's humour of Torchwood being locked in their own base in need of a poetry book, due to the book being found in the garage of Suzie and the chants. Gwen continued to drive Suzie away to her father- but it was clear she was becoming tireder, the energy drain was taking its toll. 

Back at the police station and Swanson had found the poetry book. Torchwood needed a verbal formula to reverse the lockdown. Gwen was intrigued about death, and asked Suzie about it. Gwen shared her religious views but Suzie just said that it was nothing. Just darkness- and there's something in the dark. Back at the hub, Tosh had a moment of genius. She wanted to know the ISBN of the book, it was read out and she typed it hoping the keyboard membrane would recognise it. Success. Torchwood exited lockdown and now they would hunt Gwen and Suzie, would they get there in time? 

Jack and Owen quickly were in the way, an estimated 40 minutes was left for Gwen so the police helped on Jack's request. The roads were cleared and the SUV was to break the speed limit. In the hospital time was running out, Gwen felt her head and it was bloody. She was in massive pain. Roles were reversing, she was slowly being shot. Suzie now rised, she'd taken control. She got up, and sadistically killed her own father. She was heartless. 

The roles reversed and it was now Suzie helping Gwen around. Suzie was driving away, heading for escape, and she rang Jack. Jack was outraged and if Gwen was dead he promised he would kill her. Suzie was scared of death, that life was all is there and that she wanted to stay. She couldn't die again. It was all a plan. She again claimed how Gwen was better than her. Tosh, still tracking the car, noticed how Suzie was heading for the coast and a ferry. She could escape on it. Owen estimated that Gwen only had minutes. Suzie was to keep on running, would she escape alive? 

In my only issue with the episode, the car chase in the middle of night suddenly became at a coastline in the day. A major production error but didn't affect the story thankfully. Jack and Owen had caught them, they'd arrived but it seemed too late. Gwen was out and had collapsed. Suzie couldn't let her go, she was all that was left of Gwen. 

Jack was annoyed and wanted Gwen returned. He shot her dead, or so he thought. She was still alive and sickeningly smiling. Jack was angry and outraged and then he found the solution. He quickly instructed Tosh to dismantle the glove, it was what was keeping them connected. Tosh has no hesitation and shot the glove into pieces. Before dying, Suzie claimed the something in the dark was coming. It was coming for Jack. No more was knew as Suzie died for the final time and Gwen was back alive and safe. 

Back at the hub, Suzie was back in the Torchwood hub, zipped up and kept frozen. The corpse will remain that forever, or so we think. There was a bit of sexual reference and tension between Jack and Ianto now, referring to stopwatch games. What were they planning? But Ianto pointed out an obvious and scary thought. Gloves come in pairs. 

My analysis; 

Overall, this was phenomenal! An outstanding story that was a wonderful watch. The return of Suzie was excellent and her plan was genius, she made a fantastic villain. The banter between Torchwood and the police was also a great welcome to hear! If it wasn't for the production error it would be perfect, but story wise I have no complaints. Gwen showing her human compassion, although arguably a weakness, was wonderful just further enhanced my love for the character! The mystery left at the end with Ianto's pointing out was excellent. It leaves something for the future possibly. 

Rating; 10/10- story wise outstanding! No issues with that at all and a production error won't take a mark off.