Doctor Who Club of Australia

[Greg]

Torchwood vs terrorism in this episode - or, rather, aliens using all the trappings of terrorist imagery.

The 'sleeper' in the title is a sleeper agent, planted to gather information and, when required, initiate action that commences the attack. It's mostly well thought-out (except I'm not sure why they were focussed on Cardiff in particular - were there sleeper agents elsewhere?) and layers of concealment are slowly peeled back as the episode progresses.

The character of Beth is portrayed in a sympathetic way, which is essential to the story. Had she been an evil alien without redeeming features, we'd have had a different and less effective story. The main problem, though, is that her actions follow a tried and therefore somewhat cliched formula, up to and including the story's conclusion. Some variations on the theme would have meant that it was a less predictable story.

Comments from various posters on the previous episode indicated concerns that the character interrelationships were becoming a bit like the now well established and repetitive Doctor-companion situation in the parent show. Luckily, that was pretty much all left alone this time, leaving the Torchwood team as a group of semi-professionals who mostly respond well to a crisis, but are capable of making mistakes and having to cope with the consequences. This meant more focus on the episode's story with a few quirky charcter bits.

Because the story was pretty predictable, I didn't like it as much as last week's, but the production still seemed competent and considered, so hopefully we are in for a better year than the ups and downs of the first one.

[dave]

Wow. I think this was my favourite Torchwood episode yet. An excellent idea brilliantly realised. Give us more episodes like this, and I'll be overjoyed. Not only did it have some amazing action, but the humour was great too. Nearly every line uttered by Ianto cracked me up, and it seems he's growing more confident, which is good, as I love his sense of humour.

The whole way through I was wondering if these sleeper agents were placed ahead of an oncoming Sontaran invasion. Even though I think that's unlikely, it'd be nice to see.

Anyone watching Captain Jack in both DW and TW would have good reason to wonder if he's got a Multiple Personality Disorder. I realise he just couldn't be so cold-blooded in a children's show, and maybe the opportunities to be so wouldn't come up, but the difference is so obvious it's hard to ignore.

The sleepers must have been genetically human, unless that young woman was pushing someone else's baby along in a pram. The scene where she goes into that building and the subsequent explosion was exceptionally well done, and quite chilling.

Sometimes the blade arm on the sleeper (particularly the one near the army base) looked pretty awkward and silly, but that's a very minor criticism in an otherwise excellent episode.

[meglos]

Excellent. A couple of parts really made me jump. I like Dave's idea about the Sontaran Invasion. I'd like to see that!

[Panecea]

Another solid episode. I won't say it was the best because I have a feeling there is better to come I can't single out any one point that was good but the episode was engaging. I don't believe this was the Sontarans doing (A little too covert for them I think).

[Tegan]

After two episodes, I can safely say that series two of Torchwood has found it's feet.

It is more balanced than series 1, and Sleeper had me feeling genuine tension all the way through. No flat spots, no grating incongruities or swearing just for the sake of it.

The team appear to be more natural in their behaviour towards each other, more "comfortable in their own skins" would not be inappropriate. A sad pun, but not out of place.

The tension breaking gags were just right. "I thought the end of the world couldn't get any worse."

Torchwood series 2 is already better than the best of series 1, and James Marsters is still to return.

[El_Zoof]

Now that's better! Still a bit hackneyed in places, but a good frightening episode with some really effective moments.

[Theta Sigma]

I have seen Nikki Amuka-Bird before in Afterlife & Robin Hood where she played devious characters.

Here in contrast in Torchwood she plays Beth who genuinely did not know about her own self and Nikki delivered on the character's agony. It is such a shame that Beth gets killed by the Torchwood team at the end as a result of her provoking them in killing her.

Good explosions in this episode and I don't find it amusing Owen's joke of having sex just as the world is about to end.

The other sleepers were very creepy especially David.

[montypython]

I thought this was pretty good, but not great. I found Gwen too caring and sympathetic, and Jack was too angry.

The blade arms were so Terminator 2!

Was this all set in Cardiff? And are there many people who aren't actually Welsh living in Cardiff? I'm just a bit confused as to why the other sleepers weren't Welsh.

Did Gwen imply that she'd slept with Jack? If so, then poor Rhys!

So true about Jack being "dashing"