Continuing this brief detour into Torchwood, today’s retrospective focuses on Countrycide, the sixth episode of the series. Written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Andy Goddard, this episode has long been remembered as one of the most unsettling of Torchwood’s first season. At the time of its original broadcast, Countrycide stood out for its chilling concept, its deviation from the show’s usual sci-fi threats, and its relentless sense of dread. However, this is the first time I have revisited it since its initial airing—so the key question is, does it still hold up in 2025?
From the outset, Countrycide feels different. Gone are the neon-lit, high-tech backdrops of Torchwood’s usual urban setting, replaced by the vast, isolated landscapes of the Welsh countryside. The episode thrives on its use of location, establishing an immediate sense of unease as the team finds themselves investigating a series of disappearances in a rural village. The tension builds slowly, with hints that something is lurking in the shadows, but unlike previous episodes, there is no obvious alien threat in sight. Instead, the horror comes from something far more primal—and arguably far more terrifying.
The true strength of Countrycide lies in its atmosphere. The cinematography makes excellent use of the dark, desolate environment, creating a sense of isolation that is crucial to the story’s effectiveness. The woods feel suffocating, the abandoned houses unsettlingly quiet, and as the team moves further away from civilization, the sense of impending doom intensifies. The episode leans heavily into horror tropes, drawing inspiration from classic survival horror films like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes. There is an unrelenting grimness to the way the story unfolds, making it one of the most disturbing episodes in Torchwood’s entire run.
What makes Countrycide truly shocking is its twist—there are no aliens, no supernatural forces at work. The disappearances are the work of human beings. The revelation that the villagers have been abducting and eating people for generations is deeply unsettling, and the casual way in which the lead captor, Evan, justifies their actions ("Because it made me happy") is chilling in its simplicity. It is a stark reminder that sometimes the most horrifying monsters are not alien at all, but entirely human.
Each member of the Torchwood team is pushed to their limits in this episode. Gwen, in particular, undergoes a crucial turning point. Up until now, she has struggled with the moral implications of working for Torchwood, but Countrycide forces her to confront just how dark the world can be. Her terror and anger in the final act, as she interrogates Evan with a gun in her hand, is a powerful moment for her character. She has always been Torchwood’s moral compass, but here, we see the first real cracks in her idealism.
Owen, too, takes on a more complex role. His usually brash, sarcastic nature is still present, but his chemistry with Gwen takes a darker turn. The tension between them, particularly in the aftermath of their trauma, foreshadows future developments in their dynamic. Ianto and Toshiko, meanwhile, are given less focus, but their fear is palpable, particularly in the brutal scene where they are tied up and left helpless as the truth is revealed.
Jack Harkness is at his most ruthless here. The moment he walks into the captors’ lair, shotgun in hand, is one of his most commanding scenes of the season. His anger is barely restrained, and his willingness to kill without hesitation underscores just how different he is from the Doctor. Jack operates in a world without clear rules, and Countrycide makes that painfully clear.
So, does Countrycide hold up in 2025? The answer is a complicated one. In terms of atmosphere, pacing, and sheer horror, it remains one of the most effective episodes of Torchwood. The unsettling realism of its premise makes it stand out in a series dominated by extraterrestrial threats. However, some aspects have not aged as well—certain character interactions feel forced, and the pacing, while effective for horror, leaves little room for deeper thematic exploration beyond shock value.
That said, Countrycide is still a gripping, unnerving experience. It remains a bold experiment in Torchwood’s early run, proving that the show is willing to push boundaries in ways Doctor Who never could. It may not be an episode that is easy to revisit, but it is one that lingers long after the credits roll.
No comments:
Post a Comment