SUCCUMB TO THE GLORIOUS VIRUS THAT IS TORCHWOOD!

The Oxford English dictionary defines anticipation as the following: "The action of anticipating something; expectation or prediction." Rocky Horror Show fans would define the word anticipation as one of the most glorious words in the English language. The true definition of anticipation, however, is this: it's that little minute feeling you get in your gut when you hear of something good that you have to wait for, and as you wait, that feeling grows and grows until a small part of you is consumed by it and cannot wait any longer. And then, when the moment finally arrives, it leaves in either an ecstasy of joy, or an apathy of disappointment. What's being looked at today, filled many with anticipation. So much so, it became infectious...

TORCHWOOD: OUTBREAK
THE BIG FINISH MINI-SERIES REVIEW

By Jack Ryan

BEWARE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

Ever since the Torchwood range was announced back in June of 2015, many have been longing for the day when a true and proper full cast Torchwood team would return. Well, in July of 2016, many were given their first glimpse of a possible Torchwood team with Broken, featuring both John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd. In October, Big Finish went a step further with their Tenth Anniversary special, The Torchwood Archive, featuring practically every cast member they could lay their hands on. Now, they've decided that a proper Torchwood team should make their comeback. And what could be better than Jack, Gwen and Ianto?

One day, everyone in Cardiff wakes up... and they're fine. Save for one. One poor soul, who has something that makes him want to kill. An hour later, Cardiff is closed off as an epidemic is declared. Something new and deadly has infected the city, and it's a race against time for Torchwood to stop it spreading. Because the virus will know you; know who you are and who you love. And they are who it will make you kill...

In terms of plot and story, this presents something akin to Nicholas Briggs' Only The Monstrous; ie. three contained stories but connected together to feel like one big three hour epic movie. And Big Finish certainly succeed on creating the grand scale needed for a story such as this. Writers Guy Adams, Emma Reeves and A.K. Benedict, all fresh from their own individual stories in the main Torchwood range, all deliver brilliance to their individual episodes as well as making the overall plot a very engaging narrative, directed to a tee by the legendary Scott Handcock.

As for casting, this release showcases a star-studded collection of new and familiar names. Alongside John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd, Kai Owen and Tom Price. the cast includes Dirk Gently himself, Samuel Barnett, Broadchurch's Simon Ludders and Matthew Gravelle and others such as  Marilyn Le Conte, Steffan Rhodri and Sara Lloyd. all of whom deliver a very well done and well honed performance. In particular, the confrontations between Barrowman, David-Lloyd and Barnett in the second episode are a highlight of the mini-series and a masterclass in acting.

The sound design and music in this set are done as well as the aforementioned acting, showcasing some brilliant work form Martin Montague on the sound design front, and composer Blair Mowat's best work on the range yet. With the assistance of Steve Wright, the music presented truly evokes a sense of panic and a race against time. It's a shame there wasn't an accompanying music suite, as the soundtrack of this release deserves one.

After months of waiting in anticipation, this boxset arrived and it delivered on what it promised. A brilliant story, perfect acting, a majestic score and the return of the true Torchwood experience. It can be safely said that this is required listening for any Torchwood fan.

VERDICT: 5/5 A fantastic, true to form return for epic Torchwood. ;D