Torchwood: Episode 5, 6, 7 Reviews

So, the story of Torchwood barrels on, and has done so at quite a pace since Episode 4. Now, we know the true meaning and ramifications of the various Categories, the name of the series' alien villains and the man behind the miracle, as well as Jack's history with him. Episodes 8-10 should prove a killer round off to an exceptional, if not exceptionally paced, season, but before that here's what I thought of the most recent instalments...
EPISODE 5- THE CATEGORIES OF LIFE (5/5): Filled with suspense, The Categories of Life took us on a very dark ride into the concentration camps being disguised as medical facilities (the parallels with the Third Reich are inevitably unmistakable). It was nice to see Gwen's dad make a return to the scene, and the acting as a whole from all involved (Arlene Tur was brilliant throughout as Dr Juarez). The real reason for the score is the shocking twist of Vera's death and the camps' true purpose, which really seemed to have taken the series in a completely unexpected direction, something I hope the final episodes can deliver on. Brilliant viewing.
EPISODE 6- THE MIDDLE MEN (4/5): Not quite as memorable, this one had the job of tying off the loose ends of the concentration camp two-parter, with Vera's killer on the loose and Esther and Rex having the longwinded job of getting revenge. These scenes were as memorable as they were gritty, with Alexa Havins giving her performance of the series when Esther 'kills' her attacker, but aside from those and Jack's great scene convincing Janet to take him to her lover, there wasn't much that matched Episode 5 here. It didn't help that the ending involving Gwen's lenses felt a little rushed, although at least that once again set us off on an intriguing new journey...
EPISODE 7- IMMORTAL SINS (2.5/5): Sadly, this one is easily my least favourite episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day so far. The trailer promised us a fast-paced, action-packed look at the origins of the Miracle, and critics seem to be dubbing this the best the show has given us, but for me too much time was spent developing Jack and Angelo's relationship rather than focusing on the mission at hand. Nice it was to get references to the old Torchwood, the Doctor and his companion and even the Trickster's Brigade, and additionally harrowing as it was to see Jack brutally slaughtered every time he awoke (nearly as gruesome a thought as his imprisonment in a block of concrete last series) those couldn't make up for CGI that would have looked naff in Star Wars, a lack of any real pace and ultimately lacklustre chemistry between John Barrowman and Daniele Favelli. I'm excited to see just what Angelo has been up to and who the Families are, but it's a shame that with a little bit less time spent in flashback, and a little more in modern day focusing on the Miracle, we really could have been on to a winner. This has been the only Jane Epenson-penned episode so far I haven't greatly enjoyed, not so much because of the script, more the overused past setting. Here's hoping we stick firmly in the present day for the remainder of Miracle Day...