Torchwood 3x05 "Children of Earth: Day Five" Reaction

[@gilbertbpuk]

This, of course, is why Jack is looking miserable and drowning his sorrows when we see him in the space bar in The End of Time. And you can't really blame him...

[@craigoconnor6662]

I was just about to post this. You beat me to it. Good man.

[@mel_arky]

@@Newjourney14 Allonsy Alonso x.x

[@garylouk8776]

What the fuck I never knew that!

[@alexrobisnon6288]

thanks gr

[@davidmichaelson1092]

"His name is Alonso"

[@SweenyTodd98]

"Sometimes the Doctor must look at this planet and turn away in shame." Absolutely love this line

[@Muckylittleme]

These days it is the other way around :P

[@dommoore6180]

@@Muckylittleme agreed fully there Regardless of anything else the quality of the show (to me at least) just took a nose dive with series 10 and 11 was no better. Then again prefer classic stuff so maybe it's just me.

[@Muckylittleme]

@@dommoore6180 Yes agreed, the slide started S10 and was compounded in S11 IMO. The idea that it is because we are all closet misogynists and racists is self evidently ridiculous given the show has always been liberal with strong female roles. The writing and stories were too busy pushing progressive agendas rather than telling good stories and defining characters by identity politics rather than developing them as individuals through good story telling. Finally I think Jodie Whitaker was a really bad casting choice for the Doctor, not because she is a woman, but because she lacks the charisma and ability to convey a super knowledgeable benevolent ancient alien. Imagine Alex Kingston as the Doctor, she has all those qualities and would of been great as a female Doctor. That said I think having a female Doctor was again just more PC pandering, there was no narrative behind it and there is no good story telling reason for it, if there had been it would of made it an interesting change rather than something forced and awkward. But whether people agree about the show suffered by being too PC I think most long term who fans would agree the writing has fallen away and even S10 but for some good episodes and being help up by Capaldi was falling away, Doctor Who's zenith was the 50th anniversary for me.

[@dommoore6180]

@The Doctor well if it's 10 we're talking about he's too busy flirting up a girl barely out of her teens, treating her successor really damn badly, selfishly wiping someone's memories because he feels it's for the best despite their disagreement, firing up his god complex normally regardless of the results, pretending he has the worst life out of anyone ever and just generally being a massive douche bag. So yes he really doesn't have the right to look at earth in shame.

[@lucklaracroft]

I actually blame bad writing she’s a very brilliant actress and got to put her spin on the doctor more in season 12 and grow I think it’s cos season 11 turned too pg 7 but season 12 shows a lot of promise which I’m hoping to see more of

[@ryanpollard1166]

The most remarkable thing about Children of Earth is how it starts off like a mysterious yet action-packed thriller in its first three parts before descending into a dark and depressing horror show that hits hard in the last two.

[@ms_scribbles]

The audience after Ianto died: This can't possibly get any worse! Children of Earth, Day Five: Hold my chemicals.

[@georgelinford5576]

Ugh, don't. The 'chemicals' scene is genuinely one of the most disturbing I've ever seen.

[@wingsofosiris3770]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mooseot]

"I like don't even know where we go with season 4." Don't worry, the writers didn't either.

[@suncore598]

LOL

[@mrmaclovin255]

The concept would of been interesting if it was made before Children of earth

[@daleksvscybermen]

I love how even the most satisfying moment of this horrific episode - seeing the Prime Minister get what's coming to him - is tainted by the fact that we realise that the awful woman who suggested giving the poorest children to the 456 will be taking over. RTD at his pessimistic best.

[@elliotttalksf1825]

Never thought about it that way before!

[@gareththomas9806]

This is where Torchwood veered into Science Horror, not science fiction. The look on Jess's face when she realizes what Capaldi's character is about to do .... and it only got worse.

[@TheMoonRover]

Jack's next appearance after this is when the 10th Doctor makes his goodbyes in _The End of Time._ Now you know why Jack seemed gloomy at the start of that scene. Oh, and at the time this was supposed to be the end of the show. It was later brought back for a fourth series in summer 2011, during the gap in the middle of Doctor Who series 6.

[@Cyber_Smoke]

As someone who is yet to finish torchwood then plans on wathcing new who torchwood and sarah jane together, thanks !

[@cameronmonaghan6883]

I wish it would come back.

[@Longshanks1690]

So you remember how I said that Frobisher was a direct descendant of Caecilius? Yeaah, this is why. Because the Doctor let him and his family live in Pompeii, this is Time's way of getting it's own back or balancing the scales out, as it were, by putting John in a position where he would have to mercy kill his family. But the tragic thing is that he DIDN'T have to. If he had just waited a bit longer, his girls would be allowed to live and he could have helped bring the PM down. But I understand _why_ he did it. For a father, there are few things that could be worse than seeing your daughters become the drug supply of an intergalactic junkie; conscious and in pain all the while.

[@ciarantc7881]

@dr103 Steven Moffat and RTD did confirm the time reasserting itself theory in a Radio Times interview. If you google Frobisher and Caecilius its one of the first links that comes up

[@cameronmonaghan6883]

That's depressing and dark I wish Doctor Who actually explored it.

[@kenikeni9912]

This makes me wonder if The Doctor knows about Frobisher being Caecilius's descendant. And if he did, is he regret it because his action lead into this whole thing?

[@blueashke]

I didn't know that it got confirmed by Moffat and RTD, thank you!

[@CrankyGrandma]

King Edward "Longshanks" I, Hammer of the Scots, Lord of Wales and King of England it’s what happens when you lose hope and rush an ending just before the good thing happens

[@tomkvideo]

Contractor: "Make sure when you paint the walls, make it a dark color." Painter: "Sure, how dark are we talking?" Contractor: "Torchwood S3E5."

[@sawdusttostardust]

So accurate!!

[@mrgreeny906]

So 100% black.

[@banditoheat]

@@mrgreeny906 Slightly darker black.

[@davile.5547]

Chad Butler so the equivalent of a black hole, dark matter? Or am I just scratching the surface?

[@wolftales5203]

Blacker than my cousin Femi

[@zdcosner3766]

Jack having to sacrifice his grandson is one of the most harrowing and chilling scenes in this show. Alice’s screams when she saw her son dying always haunted me. Still breaks my heart. Fuck it’s so traumatising. Gwen’s speech about The Doctor looking at the planet and turning away in shame also gets me especially when Rhys cries after filming her. It was great to see Andy and Johnny step up and fight against the forces but it was also disturbing to see them take away the kids and John Frobisher killing himself and his family. God, that’s so heartbreaking. It only he held on for a bit longer. Rihannon grieving over Ianto is also very sad. One tragedy after another to the point where the mystery transitioned into a horror situation and terrifying dilemma. The 456 was such a huge threat and the stakes were serious. Now you know why many fans consider this to the best Torchwood series. It’s excellent but also tragic and heartbreaking. I’m glad Lois came through with the lenses which led to the two women threatening the PM. Now you know why Jack was drowning his sorrows in End of Time. I always tear up with that final scene between Jack, Gwen and Rhys. The fact that Jack blames himself for the death of his Torchwood crew and grandson is a heavy burden. I feel so bad for everyone and the horrible ordeal they went through. You ask where do we go from here? Personally, I think this should have been the absolute end of Torchwood due to the fact that people died in a nearly hopeless situation. This would have felt like a proper conclusion especially since Torchwood disbanded at the end with nowhere else for them to continue going. I’m really glad you’re taking a break after this. It’s definitely needed. It will be interesting to see what you make of Series 4 but I will always consider this as the definitive end of Torchwood. Loved your reactions as always.

[@jamesartron2652]

If only the doctor was their he could have found a way to stop the monster and save the children. How i would do is jack to get back in touch with Martha, have her give him the number for her phone on the tardis and ask him to get his ass to earth immediately

[@rtozier2011]

Torchwood as a series works best as an exploration of how Jack chose to live his life on Earth after having gained a sense of protective responsibility from being the Doctor's companion. Fittingly, for a man the Doctor abandoned out of fear, Jack's attempts to use his immortality to help the world ended in death, destruction and self-hatred. But then the Doctor showed up and forgave him, in between Season 3 and Season 4, and by Seasons 6 & 7 there was a hint that Jack had had his hand cut off and vortex manipulator stolen, followed by an outright statement that he'd bequeathed it to the Black Archive after one of his deaths. With the benefit of that hindsight, it would have been preferable if Torchwood Season 4 had been delayed until after 2011, so that Jack could have appeared in A Good Man Goes to War as originally planned. Then they could have built on that appearance for a Season 4 in which Jack and Gwen could have found that all times were happening at once due to River not shooting 11, and set up a new Torchwood to fight the threats from across time that had all appeared in the same place. That could have become the organisation that Amy and Rory joined to fight the Kovarian Chapter. After that, a Season 5 would feature an exhausted Jack and Gwen taking a back seat to Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, with Season 6 spent fighting the Gomez Master and Season 7 spent helping Ashildr pick up after the Doctor. Season 8 would deal with the Doctor's apparent disappearance and conclude with the reveal that he was lecturing in Bristol, which when combined with the funding cut described in the Whittaker era would inspire those left alive to disband the Earth-based organisation and use vortex manipulators provided by Missy to travel the stars and set up their own version of the Time Lords like in Legends of Tomorrow. Maybe that's why they were called the Time *Masters*.

[@jeckjeck3119]

This story aged so well; Like a fine wine.

[@Adam-nb6im]

Although the Prime Minister would probably be able to keep his job even if everything he said was recorded and exposed......

[@jeckjeck3119]

@@Adam-nb6im Sad but true.

[@rhodriwilliams2599]

Just deny everything. Ah fake news.

[@l33tspaniard]

In part because it’s even more relevant and visually recognizable

[@alicequinn505]

Starts out as grape juice...

[@deebeedaydreamer]

Jack: "I've lost everything and everyone I've ever cared about, and it's all my fault." The Doctor: "It's okay, here's a sailor to get your leg over."

[@Temptation666]

I did not see it that way. I thought of it as the Doctor saying "I forgive you" and that is also how I feel Jack thought of it... And boy did he need to feel forgiven

[@mrknowhere6457]

@@Temptation666 I feel like the doctor needed forgiving. Where the heck was he during all this.

[@cameroncaws8506]

@@mrknowhere6457 It was probably some form of fixed point in time. Jack understands better than most companions why he may not have been able to so as he has a better grasp of the laws of time. I doubt he'd hold it against him.

[@rog2224]

@@mrknowhere6457 "Where the heck was he during all this." Somewhere else. Sometimes, humans need to learn the hard way.

[@davile.5547]

Mr Knowhere what do you mean. Where the heck was he. The brutal fact is, he’s just one man, he saves the universe but he doesn’t have some form of ability to just know when shit is happening. Sometimes it’s just coincidence. But he sure hell hears about it and probably thinks “i should’ve been there”. Hopefully that sort of conversation exists in s13 between the pair.

[@obiwankenobi687]

I always say it but my favourite part is Gwen just sprinting on with that child in her arms after everyone behind her gets captured because she knows that if she can just save one it’ll all be worth it

[@sawdusttostardust]

It is heart-stopping. Kudos to Eve Myles. She was going to save that kid as if it was her own. The determination on her face is everything.

[@davidrandall3978]

Even if you’ve never seen Torchwood or Doctor Who before, this is a series that can be watched as a stand alone piece. And it is a remarkable piece of television

[@KaddelEdits]

When you thought it couldn't get any worse after episode 4...

[@dwnkaomwn3953]

Well, Jack's daughter will never forgive him for sacrificing her child(his grandchild). I wouldn't blame her for it. I don't think anyone would.

[@kaizoisevil]

DWN KAOMWN Jack had to make a Thanos decision there.

[@EternalPayne]

@@kaizoisevil yep his daughter and grandson or 10% of the kids on the planet

[@aikrichter5403]

and than People think they would like to be immortal. Jack can't even eat a bullet to end the Pain in his Head.

[@dwnkaomwn3953]

@@kaizoisevil I know why he had to do it, but I don't have to like it.

[@davile.5547]

DWN KAOMWN sometimes the only choices you have are bad ones but you still have to choose.

[@wembleyford]

"Sometimes the only choices you have are bad ones, but you still have to choose." - Peter

[@adwitiyamishra4325]

Peter, but technical the 12th Doctor.

[@CB-kc4it]

The most disturbing episode of TV I've ever watched. This really stuck with me growing up, it was ahead watch but entirely the kind of moral dilemma Torchwood was designed for. I hated this at the time, I still really dislike to watch it because of how uncomfortable it makes me but gosh I appreciate it as a piece of television.

[@Temptation666]

You watched this when growing up???

[@CB-kc4it]

@@Temptation666 I must have been around 15/16 at the time, I was really into Doctor Who and it was great watching Torchwood as it aired!

[@Temptation666]

@@CB-kc4it pew. Okay I saw in my minds eye a small kid watching this and I freaked out LOL

[@somerandomguy2073]

@@Temptation666 Well I was 10, so plenty of children did watch it when it was broadcast. What can I say? I was a Doctor Who and Torchwood fan, hah. I love my mum for letting me watch mature television when I was a kid.

[@GhostLightPhilosophy]

This story makes the British government scarier than the daleks

[@julieeverett7442]

yes

[@bandersnatch9469]

Considering the fact that they are willing to sacrifice innocent children to a bunch of alien junkies (even their own employee’s children) just to save their skins, their actions are vile at best.

[@danielbloomquist9810]

Humanity's most historically effective deflection tactic. "We can't be the monsters. We called them evil first!"

[@doctorwhumour1105]

Darkest moment in Who history

[@tomkvideo]

By a large margin. Adric's death during the fifth Doctor a distant 2nd place. It's hard to top aliens holding a planet hostage to get high on kids.

[@zakjaggs9761]

After the sky man

[@EditedAF987]

zak jaggs The Sky Man isn’t that dark compared to Children of Earth

[@morningcoffeecat2271]

@@zakjaggs9761 whats sky man?

[@ocdgeek4449]

@@morningcoffeecat2271 Episode 3 of Big Finish's original War Master miniseries. Like with the 8th Doctor miniseries Dark Eyes, it was so successful that they made three sequels...which weren't anywhere near as good. Granted I'm writing this right before War Master 4 comes out, so maybe that one will be a worthy sequel. At the very least it has Mark Gatiss' alt-universe Master from the David Warner alt-universe Doctor audios, so that's something.

[@dorian4534]

Here's a question that kept me up nights when I first watched this: If Jack hadn't just been buried alive, lost his brother, lost Tosh and Owen, had Ianto not just died in his arms, if all of that hadn't just happened, would Jack have been in a head space that would have allowed him to sacrifice his grandson to save the children of the world? Or had he just reached the absolute limit of his ability to hope.

[@charlespettit7149]

So while I feel the losses definitely helped in his choice, I think the main reason is that he feels responsible for a lot of what happened since he reliqueshed to the 456 in the past. I think regardless it would have happened unfortunately Jack took responsibility so he wasn't going to try to find another child

[@aleahaibrahim8362]

This was seriously benefited by Peter.

[@TheTMoney35]

11:21 In terms of the TORCHWOOD story-arc in the Doctor Who universe, I see this as the moment where it came full circle beginning with the destruction of the Sycorax ship in "The Christmas Invasion." The Doctor would never have done that, but TORCHWOOD has no mercy, and we the viewers, as a result are emotionally drained. This was the closest thing we got to a rated R Doctor Who story at that point in time.

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

The really heartbreaking thing is that Jack will remember what he did and who he lost. Forever.

[@Mrazmatmahmood]

We're really, really sorry for putting you through this Jess... The single most depressing episode of TV in the Whoniverse.

[@divergenttardis7378]

"Sometimes the only choices you have are bad ones. But you still have to choose." - 12th Doctor.

[@obiwankenobi687]

It’s ironic because the downfall of Harriet Jones because of the Doctor said is what led to Saxon which in turn led to this PrimeMinister being in charge, also chronologically the next time we see Jack is in the bar drowning his spirits after these events in the end of time

[@DanielRDrew]

And The Doctor forgives him.

[@Hussain-tv6rs]

seems like real life tbh with our shitty pms

[@suncore598]

You more than deserve a break from Torchwood after going through Children of Earth. I commend you for having made it this far.

[@jordansimpson9569]

The darkest story in the who universe concludes with Jack killing his own because it was the quickest and only way to defeat them. The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few. I remember this coming out and I watched the first 2 episodes but I never got around to watch the others because of my scheduling. I love this story arc. I feel bad for anyone who watches it and fully understands the pain and torture of what happened and what could of been

[@rhyscarter3939]

The music used when Jack is getting ready to sacrifice Steven, and Gwen, Rhys and the kids are running from the army, I think is perfect. It's tragic, heart-breaking, and one of my favourite scenes in all of television. It's just the most heart-breaking scene I think I've ever seen. Russell T Davies really is the most extraordinary writer.

[@jacklees9529]

The scene where gwen tells jack that it wasn't his fault at the end, I love the melodies of Ianto's, Owen's and Tosh's themes💛🧡❤

[@Adam-nb6im]

God this is gonna be rough......

[@richardvelez3151]

Season 3 Torchwood reactions may be the most heartwrenching from Jess I have ever seen. That being said, I think this may have been the best season of Torchwood, imo. Thanks for letting me enjoy the crazy, sad, heartbreaking, and wild ride that is Torchwood once again. Take care!!! 👍🤟❤

[@Pilcro]

John Frobisher was a good man

[@prof.evilpictures8696]

Amazing parallel with the 12th Doctor.

[@BlackCover95]

💥💥💥 💥

[@izzyallen2148]

RIP John Frobisher You will be missed 😭😭😭💜

[@butterflygirl5365]

@@BlackCover95 Too soon 😭😭

[@george5954]

Frobisher's story is just sooo depressing. Especially since it wasn't necessary to do

[@cameronmonaghan6883]

He was desperate. None of the fighting back started until after his death.

[@Land967]

I agree, he was a public servant who was doing a job he didn't want to do but still kept doing it because that was what he signed up for, and still yet he gets fucked by the cowards in the rest of the cabinet

[@mooseot]

Reminds me of the ending of the film-adaptation of The Mist from maybe 10 years ago.

[@adwitiyamishra4325]

@tylerx2f01 Including a really awesome punch to PM's face, the way he punched Glenn!!

[@paddystrongjaw9995]

mooseot yes that’s what I was thinking.

[@thequietguy1648]

"Where do we go from here?" ;) I think you've just watched one of the darkest finales of a TV show that I can recall seeing... As a five-day event when it was first broadcast, I remember getting to the end of it and simply thinking "F*** me!". See you in 2020 (I'm guessing for Who over TW). ;)

[@thequietguy1648]

So: I finished watching the full reaction and needn't guess anymore... See you, soon, in 2020 for (New) Who. And then I'll catch up with your Vikings stuff ('cos I haven't started S6 yet), whilst you suss out your schedules. Have a great time with your family at NY. :)

[@johngriffin4964]

I was both thrilled and dreading at the same time when you started reacting to Torchwood. Thrilled because I love this show and thought you would, too. Dreading because, having watched how you invest yourself in other shows, and knowing what was coming myself, what you would be put through by this show.

[@Longshanks1690]

Is there any sound more horrific than the scream of a mother for the sake of her endangered child?

[@ThePonderer]

The word for that moment is *haunting.*

[@michaeldeboer9940]

The most horrible part is the silence in between the third and fourth gunshot.

[@AC-gb7do]

You are one of the best, if not THE best reactor on YT.

[@MANB91UK]

One of the things that gets me about this is that Jack doesn't look away. Throughout the whole ordeal that Steven goes through, he forces himself to look at what he's done. Say what you want about what he did, but not looking away even though his heart was most likely shattering, was really damn brave in a way. Also, how much harder would this have been if they'd established Alice and Steven back in season 1? Had him slowly working to gain her trust and build a relationship with the two of them only to have him do this? That would have been BRUTAL!

[@julieeverett7442]

he made the choice, it was his penance

[@cerys5108]

Torchwood is the most bleak, unsettling, tragic piece of television that I have ever witnessed, and it is beautiful.

[@cameronmonaghan6883]

This is an incredible story. No series can top it. Not even the fourth series. There is nothing that can be said to do it justice. The action, the drama, morality, despair and heartbreak. A line up of incredible characters and a effective villian.

[@danniemadsen1996]

The bar scene with Jack in The End of Time: Part 2 takes place shortly after this episode of Torchwood.

[@jakeszone8941]

This was the most violent and depressing episode of the whoovian universe

[@tedkord1968]

This is one of the only times I've actually cried watching a TV show. So powerfully emotional.

[@niallnochill]

After uploading my reaction I can finally watch this reaction without the fear of spoilers!!!! Omg, I cried again watching you cry, this show is messed up. Great reaction as ever, even though I'm almost a year late to the sesskasays Torchwood party

[@Sidistic_Atheist]

One can understand why Peter got the role of the Doctor after his performance in this. I just went back and watched your S01-02 introduction.. I think you made the right decision..

[@jpwphoenix1701]

I always felt that if Episode 4 ripped your heart out, Episode 5 stamped on it, spat on it and then threw it against the wall. Major tearjerker throughout. A couple of notes about the music in the episode. The scene with Gwen running away from the soldiers has a more-subdued score, which was the same as when it was originally on T.V. Whereas the U.K. DVD/Blu-ray release had a more-dramatic version which really gave it a heightened sense of drama rather than a sense of hopelessness. This version's even on the soundtrack album for the season. I don't know why they changed it! Also, the very end scene when Jack's talking about Stephen, Ianto, Tosh, Owen and Suzie has a clever use of all those characters' musical themes.

[@NicoleM_radiantbaby]

I do a Doctor Who podcast and I remember I almost covered this series on there back when Capaldi was first cast as the Doctor. But, at the end of the day, I found I didn't want to go through the extreme pain of this series again, at that point, though. 😭 With your reactions, this is honestly the first time I've revisited this series in any way since it first aired. Such a rough story to get through! Capaldi was definitely the highlight of the series for me, though. I truly fell in love with him as an actor here. 💔💔

[@craigmccullough7333]

This is where Torchwood was intended to, and should have, ended! This is the sort of programme that you can make when you don't have to worry about shareholders or advertisers. I doubt whether any American network would have the courage to make this.

[@gareththomas9806]

Eh HBO would think they would. The thing here, is Torchwood was going pladces GoT and The Walking Dead wanted to go, almost a decade earlier, and making it have impact.

[@Tsuliwaensis]

I hope you have a lovely break! don't listen to people complaining, you deserve nothing less than a year-long vacation where you are surrounded by delightfully useful people who won't allow you to even lift a pinky.

[@MrJedi20]

This episode always hits me hard. It's just so heartbreaking. Poor Jack. Mo wonder he basically runs away at the end of the episode.

[@ThePonderer]

1:20 Oof we’ve got a psychic.

[@GeorgeAlexander3110]

this still kills me after 10 years!! :'(

[@stephenholmgren405]

I've spent countless hundreds of hours watching your reactions at this point, I feel like that room is a part of my house

[@stephenholmgren405]

❤

[@spacepenguins8939]

This should have been the end of Torchwood

[@Temptation666]

Yes Season 4 don't exist in my world

[@EditedAF987]

Renee Vejbirk what about the Big Finish series 5 and 6 stuff?

[@Temptation666]

@@EditedAF987 Never heard any big finish. Can't afford them, so I do not count those. Like many other Who fans I do not think of them as canon. You're free to do so of cause 🤣 Maybe they are good. I do not know. But season 4 is an abomination and therefor should be wiped from existence

[@EditedAF987]

Renee Vejbirk I mean the Big Finish stuff is pretty good. They pretty much ignore Miracle Day aside from like a few mentions. The most they’ve ever done is reveal that an alien race known as the Committee of Erebus were the true masterminds behind it but that was more to set them up for later appearances. Also RTD himself helped the planning out of the main story arcs for series 5 and 6

[@Temptation666]

@@EditedAF987 Still don't change the fact that far from everyone has access to it.

[@the_nikster1]

thank you for putting yourself through an emotional rollercoaster for us. I appreciate, as always, your genuine reactions to one of my favorite tv series of all time. I definitely think taking a break is good for you to refresh before season 4. don't worry: Jack always comes back :)

[@rog2224]

The two gut punch moments for me "For the hit." and PC Andy finding where the line is drawn, although I'd not have lost the vest and nightstick... just the tie.

[@AmarthwenNarmacil]

I must confess, I always feel a little pissed that the woman from the cabinet (can't remember her name or if we even learned it), the one in the lilac clothes, at the end acts all rightous like it was all the PM and will probably get away with it, when she was just as much part of them and even brought up the idea with using the kids from "failing" schools.

[@ahumanbeingfromtheearth1502]

That's something I love about this finale (well hate, but think is brilliant) the conclusion to the politicians storyline is realisticly disappointing, no one really suffers the consequences for what they did.

[@Elnont]

Man Ianto’s death always stopped me from even wanting to watch this episode.

[@robvanriot]

You watched these back to back? BACK TO BACK? Oh man. That's just torture. I can't even imagine that. You're going to need this time off to recover!

[@chaospoet]

Darkest TV ever. This aired two years before Game of Thrones began. When everyone was freaking out over G.O.T. like "I've never seen anything so dark and crazy on tv before!" I was like "I have. Torchwood Children of Earth." But this episode and (not sure if wording it like this still counts as spoilers) things that happen in season 4 are why I think the character Alan who was in charge of Torchwood killed everyone and himself and wished he could kill Jack after seeing glimpses of the future. I think he saw Jack killing his own grandson or the army kidnapping children to be used as drugs for disgusting Aliens. "The 21st century is when everything changes and you have to be ready!" Yeah. Thanks, Alan. How the fuck do you get ready for that?!

[@sauronbagginsd8032]

RTD had a cute little theory about Capaldi, Frobisher is a descendant of Caecillius from The Fires of Pompeii, and Frobishers fate is history’s way of getting back on track due to Caecillius being rescued

[@julieeverett7442]

I heard that one too

[@josefschiltz2192]

An episode where, maybe, Torchwood crossed into a dark place on British TV previously occupied by Quatermass, but tinged with Sapphire And Steel, where time is an agency and exacts a tragic penalty on those desperate humans, in this case, Caecilius' lineage, who dare trying to cross it.

[@Futures_End]

Nothing hurts about this reaction more than your optimism in Jack saving the day before... he- saves the day..

[@TwoMenandaCanoe]

This was the best season of Torchwood. Tough to watch but amazing. Season four is worth watching for the sake of curiosity, but really this is where it ends.

[@BenSwornProductions]

What I love so much about the 456 is how ambiguous it all was. It isn't far out to claim there may have not any kind of weapon to wipe out humanity. True, the 456 killed everyone in that building (apart from Jack, but what ya gonna do?) but there is a difference between one building full of people and an entire planet. Plus when Jack killed the ambassador nothing happened. You would think if they had the power to kill humanity they would have done just that in retaliation, so it could have being empty threats. It may have just being the one rogue addict sitting in a tank grabbing humanity by the balls with empty threat. It may have had the ability to wipe us all out but couldn't since it killed before before it got the chance. Then again, 10% of Earth's children seems a lot for one individual so there may have been others. Was all that green goo a natural thing they produce or is that because it was sick from all 'chemicals'? We don't even properly know what they look like. I just love there are no definitive facts and the limited facts established give focus to highlight human nature when under pressure and I love that as part of the writing. I love how otherworldly the 456 are in the Whoniverse - from what we can see they don't look much like anything else in Torchwood, Doctor Who, SJA. More like something from Alien and that is also genius. b

[@AcridGoblin]

Tbh there is no proof the 456 dude actually died cause they pulled something out of the tank.

[@BenSwornProductions]

GoblinKing lol that is even more ambiguity then!

[@cameroncaws8506]

What I think happened personally is by doing this Jack uncovered their weakness. Think America going to war against some weak backwards country that suddenly manages to build nuclear weapons. They would instantly back off.

[@Rutabaga64]

Children of Earth was so gut-wrenching but so good, I cried to many times during it too. Between Ianto's death and Jack sacrificing his grandson, I was almost destroyed. The moral quandary behind it all makes it a true classic. Sometimes the best stories are the ones that ask us the toughest questions.

[@SGlitz]

When we said it was the Darkest TV Series ever made, We were not kidding....

[@Cyber_Smoke]

Impatiently waiting for you to start the troughton era can't wait to see you react to power of the daleks !

[@Temptation666]

All the way through this, I thought about the ending/solution and felt so very very sorry for you. Especially when you told Jack to "figure it out" 😭

[@mellchiril]

This broke me for days after watching it the first time... didn't even want to watch the last episode, but once it came out I watched it, just like everyone else. This would've been a perfect series end.

[@risasams3465]

All these many, many yrs later and I still weep.

[@obiwankenobi687]

Can we all appreciate the acting of the child at 10:50 I mean wow

[@mr.fandango6223]

You know it's Torchwood at its best when you react like: 6:12

[@harryboi3000]

When series 4 reactions come out, my only ''condition' is that they're on Tuesdays ! 😂 Truthfully, I don't think we will get anything as dark as 'Children of Earth' in the whoniverse. The whole thing is just heartbreaking, and Torchwood has always done it on smaller scales. I have mixed feelings on the next series. It's one of those things I enjoy when I watch but it gets so much hate online I end up jumping on the bandwagon. I think you'll enjoy it. And then you have series 5 and 6 from big finish if you decide to go down that route for your channel!

[@EditedAF987]

Harry Wykes well she’ll have to get through the Committee arc before getting to series 5 and 6

[@cameroncaws8506]

Forget the whoniverse. I don't think I've ever watched anything that got this dark and brutal. This surpassed anything in Game of Thrones or anything else.

[@khaosbydesignuk946]

Parts 4 and 5 of this season are absolutely heartbreaking, taking a break before the next season is honestly a great idea as you need some time away, we all did at the time.

[@CaturdayNite]

I just rewatched Torchwood (all of it) for the first time since any of the episode's original air dates. Man some of that was rough. Especially Children of Earth.

[@firefly24601]

This is the absolute pinnacle of Torchwood, and is the darkest and most depressing as well. I am glad you didn't watch them all in one go, and I was a bit concerned when you watched the last two in a row.

[@spacepenguins8939]

I have to believe that the PM got his just deserts eventually....... but knowing this show, no he got away with it (the video wouldn’t have leaked or that women would have also been ruined)

[@dylanshadowstar9779]

I like the unintentional parallel with the woman saying "he was a good man" and 12 asking "am I good man"

[@serenity4eva89]

Torchwood Children Of Earth Day Four: kills Clem and Ianto Torchwood Children Of Earth Day Five: kills the Frobishers... AND Steven! It's BRUTAL AF! 😭

[@metalswifty23]

Not even just that they die, but HOW they die. It’s horrifically dark. Quite frankly one of the best series in the modern Whoniverse. I like Miracle Day, but it’s a huge shame that that is what follows this.

[@moon_raker1062]

I remember watching this is 2009 (I was 12?!) And being absolutely traumatised. Still hits so hard. It's incredible

[@han5234]

Between this and His Dark Materials children have been having a real rough time on this channel lmao.

[@acturek]

this is how jack ends up at that space bar when Tennant last saw him before regenerating

[@fibienn250]

If you need to heal your soul, go read some Torchwood stories on FanFiction. There’s some very talented writers who have managed to come up with ways to save different characters. It really helps with the pain

[@chrispalmer7893]

I haven't rewatched this since I had children. And then I saw that the children in this episode wear the same red jumpers as mine do to school... I have no words...

[@Payne2view]

"... and a Haaaapy New Year!"

[@mwaymont]

If I remember correctly Russel T Davies said that peter capaldi’s character in this was a direct descendant of his character in fires of Pompeii and his death in this was history correcting itself ( or something similar to that mark at least)

[@weescotspaul]

I _did_ watch this all in one go, over one night. I was perhaps emotionally traumatised for a while, but I'm fine.

[@rexappleby4731]

I get that he thought he had to kill the children to save them from an eternity of torment but his decision to take away his wife's choice to try and get over it and live a good life despite the tragedy is both stupid and infuriating.

[@amcwvimes]

These episodes aired on the 6th, 7th 8th 9th and 10th of July 2009 so ended on my 11th Birthday. I think we recorded this one and saw it the day later but I remember being devastated by episode 4 the day before. Definitely not my best birthday ever. Also, I know you reacted to this a few years ago so you may have already done this but (if you can bear having your heart ripped out again) you should listen to the BBC Audio the house of the dead that gives some extra form of closure and one final meeting to Jack and Ianto and touches a little on what you said about how hard it is for Jack to have to live forever with everything he has seen and lost. It was very sad but also very good.

[@meg9477]

Andy ditching the police and joining Ianto's family and his neighbours to fight for what's right may in fact be the most iconic scene in television. I don't take criticism. And yes I say this to distract from how much this episode makes me cry, even in snippets. Girl, I'm a mess. It's really interesting how episode 4 used to be the one to break me, but as I got older it's episode 5 that always turns me into a mess, and I always forget until I watch it again.

[@nerdfightercommenter6969]

Yeah this series was truly a work of art but damn is it gutting. I binged it in one day because I couldn't really pull myself away and I don't remember being crushed like this from a piece of media. Yeah it was emotionally exhausting and I never want to watch it again but it was so sincerely well done and so excellent and exploring human character. Just damn

[@toqkaizogou1636]

Holy shit I just realized I've been watching your reactions over 4 years now.

[@SpyroCynderFan]

One of the best eps in the series and definitely one of the darkest. Can't wait to see your reactions to series 4 which is actually my favorite!

[@lurker1316]

Between Torchwood season 3 and Torchwood season 4 comes Jack's brief cameo in the Doctor Who episode "The End of Time Part 2."

[@noobsunrider5843]

I know this random lighthearted reference might be out of place with such a dark episode but... "Get lost, squid-ward! Earth is closed today."

[@jokerz7936]

Something I just realized John "Frobisher" the 6th and 7th Doctors in the Comics use to pal around with a Shape Changing Penguin named Frobisher wonder if it was a nod.