Analysing Torchwood - Part Six
Not that long since my last analysis, but really there isn't that much in "Small Worlds" in comparison to "Cyberwoman". Anyway, let's get straight into it.
Analysing Torchwood Part Six
Previously: Ianto's secret is revealed in "Cyberwoman"
"Small Worlds"
"Small Worlds" is our first major Jack episode for the season, and also our answer to the question in the previous episode, "Cyberwoman", about whether or not Jack is capable of love. We know from the Captains Blog this episode is at least roughly four weeks after the last and Ianto's first week back, which means that most of the repercussions of Ianto's betrayal will have died away although Ianto is still grieving. There is an indication that there is still some resentment, however, although it is not really seen in this episode.
Our first shot of Jack has him lost in the nightmare memories of his past, although we aren't sure exactly what we are seeing only that we know Jack has trouble with sleep. We also learn in this episode that, as hinted in "Ghost Machine", Jack does indeed live in the Hub. Given the lack of main lighting and that no one else is in the Hub, it is evidently very early in the morning and everyone else is home asleep.
Jack is brought out of his thoughts by Ianto, who is just aside his office going over some paperwork. Jack watches him for a moment before speaking, in the process startling Ianto, Jack giving him a small, fond smile. Ianto recovers quickly from his scare, replying to Jack's "you shouldn't be here" with his own "neither should you". It is a little moment where they both seem to realise that neither one of them has anywhere else to go, as there is nothing for them away from Torchwood and this is all they have.
Ianto walks away, going to work at a computer as Jack follows him, eyes on Ianto rather than on the screen. Jack brings his hand up, resting in on Ianto's back in a gesture that could be seen as comfort, but also a welcome or recognition of him, as well as a symbolic way of saying these two have bonded a little since the events involving Lisa and there are no hard feelings.
Ianto glances back at him, first at the hand before meetings Jack's eye, evidently still not accustomed to being touched and yet also not seeming to mind as he doesn't pull away. Jack keeps watching him, making sure he is fine before asking what Ianto has found, Ianto bringing it up on screen as Jack pats him once on the back before letting his hand slide off, Ianto turning toward him to answer Jack's question, Jack finally looking at the screen.
When we next see Jack, he and Gwen are walking along the street and Jack is telling Gwen they are going to see an "old friend" who has invited him, and he lead Gwen into a building which, you'll notice, is the exact same building used for The Electro in the Season Two episode "From Out of the Rain". Gwen is not impressed as she reads the noticeboard and realises it's about fairies, Jack giving her an amused look. Oh, and someone really needs to talk to Gwen about her outfit, because the short white singlet top over a longer green one really looks like she's got her underwear on the outside - not a good look, especially with faded jeans. Someone please tell me that wasn't the fashion in '07.
When he sees Estelle, Jack gives her a huge, fond grin and gestures in greeting, Estelle's eyes lighting up as she smiles back, giving him a mock look to tell him off for being late. Gwen is not happy to be there, a fake smile on her face as she sits down, Jack noticing but trying to ignore it, instead hanging off every word from Estelle and it is clear that he absolutely adores her from their first interaction.
Gwen is far from impressed by Estelle's slideshow, hardly believing Jack has brought her here and muttering her displeasure which Jack silences her from with a look on annoyance. Gwen looks up at Jack and can see the fondness on his face, so she holds her tongue from further complaint. As Gwen continues to rudely laugh at and mock Estelle's presentation, Jack seems to have shut her out, listening intently to Estelle although you can see the disagreement to what she is saying on his face.
After Estelle finishes Jack tells Gwen that Estelle is wrong, which finally catches Gwen's interest as she looks at Jack in slight confusion. Again, Gwen seems to think she knows best and what is true and what isn't, but Jack has just hinted that he knows differently.
As he and Estelle talk, Estelle looks up at him adoringly while Gwen sits back in her seat, the mocking look still on her face. Jack has his back to her, and instead has his body turned toward Estelle, and when Estelle says "so good to see you again, Jack" he offers her a fond smile, one which Gwen picks up on as she realises there is a history there. Interestingly, Gwen's reaction hints at her not liking what seems to be a history between Jack and Estelle, a faint flare of jealousy as Gwen seems to have thought Jack didn't know anyone un-work related outside of Torchwood.
She watches as Jack and Estelle go over the pictures, picking up on the fact Jack isn't happy about something and questions it. It is Estelle who answers, telling Gwen about how she and Jack disagree about fairies, leading to some slight banter between Jack and Estelle. When Gwen makes the comment "well, I guess what is one person good is someone else’s evil" and Estelle's comment "that's what his father use to say", Gwen looks up sharply, not quite believing what she heard.
Jack doesn't react to the comment, his attention still fully on Estelle, the look of adoration and fondness never leaving his face. It is clear that he is completely smitten by her, and as they talk Estelle and Jack are leaning into one another, Jack telling her he needs to see all the photos and Estelle doesn't seem surprised by this. Again, we see Jack resting his hand on Estelle's back much like he had Ianto previously, then moves to help her pick up her things.
Gwen is far from impressed by all this, hardly believing she is seeing this and wondering why the hell Jack dragged her along. It is clear that Gwen does not believe in fairies, and at the same time Gwen is not pleased by the realisation that Jack and Estelle are close. Gwen does not want to be there at all.
Jack and Gwen help bring Estelle's things into the house, and Estelle introduces Gwen to her cat Moses. Estelle gets straight to business, handing Jack the pictures that he wanted which indicates that it most likely hasn't been that long since Jack and Estelle saw each other since they don't seem to need to catch up. As Jack goes through them and Estelle puts Moses out after sharing one last fond smile with Jack, Gwen begins her own little investigation into Estelle by looking for the photos around the house.
Almost instantly she spots one of interest, and picks it up to bring to Jack, a picture from long ago of a man in uniform. Gwen looks from it to Jack, saying "this is you". Jack takes a look at it then at Gwen, then proceeds to directly lie to her, telling her that the picture is of his father. Jack fills Gwen in of the relationship between Estelle and his "father", Gwen seeming to believe it as Jack hands her another photo, although you can see in Jack's eyes that it is in fact him and regrets having been separated from Estelle, but is rather fond of the memories and accepts what happened, going back to work.
Knowing she's not going to get anything out of Jack, Gwen then proceeds to go outside to interrogate Estelle, throwing a slight frown back over her shoulder at Jack as she goes. It is obvious she's not sure if she should believe him or not, but wants more information.
Estelle happily answers Gwen's questions, telling her that she lost touch with Jack's "father" and no, the three of them have never met together at one time. Jack was the one to contact her again "a few years ago", which Estelle obviously was not expecting but still happy about, and tells Gwen how much like his father Jack is, which causes Gwen to frown slightly. Estelle tells her how Jack's father would be in his early 90s if still alive, and we see in the background Jack slowly coming outside where he would be able to hear the tail end of the conversation, even as he is looking at the pictures.
Gwen tells Estelle to ask Jack about his father, and Estelle looks at her and confirms that she has tried and got nothing out of him. You can see Gwen pondering on that just as Jack comes closer, breaking up the conversation with to come to Estelle's side, telling her to contact him if she sees the fairies again. Once more his hand is on her shoulder as he leans into her, the two once more sharing a fond look, Jack's hand moving from her shoulder to smooth over her back.
Gwen watches with interest although she is still slightly confused, and we once again get a faint eye roll and look of annoyance before she walks off, even as Estelle reassures Jack she is fine, Gwen turning back just in time to see Jack kiss Estelle and hug her, Estelle returning the embrace, Jack resting his head on top of hers and it is clear just how fond he is of her.
As they leave Estelle's place, Gwen is walking ahead happy to be getting out of there and it is Jack trying to keep up. As they walk Jack shares his displeasure in Estelle living in town, no doubt worried about her wellbeing. Gwen questions how often Jack sees her, and he isn't specific, simply saying "now and again", to which Gwen replies in a mocking tone "whenever she sees her fairies". Clearly she still doesn't see them as a threat, or real, thinking Estelle a nut case for believing in them.
Jack quickly jumps on that, telling her that he doesn't call them fairies. Gwen has a smirk on her face as she asks "what do you call them" and Jack tells her they never had a name, the smirk fading as it dawns on Gwen that they do actually exist. Gwen continues to question him, and for once Jack is happy to answer as it is work related and not about him, although Gwen seems confused by his answers. It is clear Jack himself doesn’t know exactly what the 'fairies' are, yet does his best to explain them to her. Gwen still cannot comprehend the threat, but is now weary by what Jack has told her.
Back at the Hub, Jack is finally bringing the rest of the team up to speed about what's going on. Ianto is again serving tea, Jack receiving his first and watching Ianto's hand as it is served, but looking up at the screen when Ianto talks. The two exchange a slight bit of light banter about magic mushrooms, Ianto hovering by Jack's side throughout the conversation.
When Gwen joins in, it is to dispute the pictures as fakes, and when Owen tries to counter her arguments with other people of authority who believed she shut him down each time as Ianto goes about handing out the rest of the drinks and it is interesting to note only Gwen doesn't give any recognition to him where the others thank and at least look at him.
Jack finally questions Gwen's knowledge, and she happily tells him in a matter of fact "don't question me" voice that she did an essay on it at school which earns a sniggering laugh from Owen and a mock 'I give up' look from Jack, and it is clear the team aren't going to bother questioning Gwen's sources from her time prior to Torchwood when she didn't have any evidence that such things could be real. Gwen is very smug about her knowledge, and won't be told otherwise when she should know better by now.
The team ignore Gwen's "knowledge", Jack explaining Estelle's photos and Owen even adding his knowledge of the wood. Tosh reports "no sightings" but Jack quickly lets them know that they cannot be detecting, but they are able to control the weather and cause odd weather patterns, which links us back to Jack and Ianto's first exchange in the episode. Gwen can't believe what she is hearing, surprised that they can escape Torchwood technology, and Jack tells the team that nothing can detect the fairies.
As they go out to investigate the fairies in the wood and Jack is trying to track them on his wrist device, Gwen is once again fixated on her own little mystery - Jack's relationship with Estelle. Gwen is fishing for more information, but what Jack gives her is almost exactly the same as what Estelle told Gwen, cluing us in on the fact Jack did overhear what was said. He has an annoyed look on his face, quickening his step to get ahead of Gwen and trying to focus on the mission.
As Gwen questions the stone circle, you can hear Jack's annoyance as he asks her "why do you keep doubting me", obviously growing tired of Gwen's dismissal of fairies even as Jack is slightly concerned by the readouts he is getting. Gwen gives him an "I know better than you" look ever as Jack glares at her, reminding her that he'd warned her about the dangers and Gwen reminds him of her job. Jack dismisses the investigation as neither police work nor science, Gwen almost mocking him as she says "I know, you told me, it's that corner of the eye stuff", and even as she says it a fairy flitters past and Gwen seems to spot it out the corner of her eye, a slightly worried look replacing the mocking one. Both Jack and Owen also spotted it, and share the worried look.
Jack takes Tosh and Gwen with him to the police station to investigate the death of a Mark Goodson. Jack is once more in the role of leader, but allows Gwen and Tosh to examine the body, which does lead to the question - why the heck didn't Jack bring Owen with him? Tosh serves as the medic, a throwback to the Doctor Who episode "Aliens of London", while Gwen is the investigator. As Gwen pulls the rose petals out of his throat, you see the dark look on Jack's face darken - Gwen and Tosh are confused, but with Jack there is a growing dread.
Back at the Hub Jack once again briefs the team with what they're dealing with especially now that he knows for sure. Jack answers Tosh and Gwen's questions as best he can, although it is clear that they are still confused. We have another reference to Doctor Who with the mentioning of the Mara. It is clear Jack's seriousness is freaking Tosh and Gwen out a little, causing them to jump when the phone rings.
When Jack knows Estelle is on the phone, you can see that he already knows something isn't right. Upon learning that she is under attack, Jack and Gwen share a look, and Gwen looks slightly concerned while faint fear flickers over Jack's face even as he reassures Estelle that they are coming and to stay inside. Jack is already running for the door as he hangs up.
Jack barely turns off the SUV as he opens the door, first out of the car, calling out for her as he runs up the path with the others following. Not receiving an answer to his calls and finding the door locked, Jack leads the way around the back, stopping dead at the sight of Estelle lying on the ground. You can already see the dread on his face, the quiet knowing look and the faint look of denial - even as Owen checks her Jack already knows she is dead.
When Owen confirms her death, Jack is barely holding it together. Despite his age losing someone he loves is still not easy for Jack, especially as he has loved Estelle for so long. Jack drops beside her to close her eyes, still together enough to do so which is a direct contrast to the episode previous where Ianto was so consumed in his grief for Lisa that he wasn't able to do the same.
Jack then picks Estelle up, cradling her against him, not quite believing what has happened. Tosh and Owen instantly seems to recognise the connection between them and give Jack his privacy, allowing him a moment to be with Estelle. Gwen does not do the same having finally figured out the puzzle and taking that moment to seek confirmation from Jack.
Jack is lost in the memories, grieving Estelle and speaking out loud as Gwen's words trigger more memories from him. It is only now, with her answers that Gwen backs off. Jack then allows himself a moment to grieve, kissing Estelle months on the forehead in goodbye before gently lying her back down. We are given a brief glimpse of Gwen and we can see that it is starting to get to her as again, like the episode previous, she is remembering Rhys and how she would react if she were in Jack's position.
As he lies her down you can see Jack almost succumbing completely to his grief, but when he stands and Gwen can see his face again, he forces it back and lets out a steadying breath to try and calm himself. He then utters the words "I need a drink", and you know he is barely handling the situation. {note - while watching this scene, I spotted a boon/microphone move closer to Eve and John just after he stands and before he says "I need a drink" down in the bushes on the lower right hand side of a the screen.}
As well known, at this point in time Jack doesn't drink anything other than water so that he'll be properly hydrated and ready to go when the Doctor does arrive, and this is one of the rare occasions he needs something strong in order to numb his pain. It is interesting that, in the course of two episodes, two characters lose their loves from prior to the start of S1 - Ianto with Lisa, and now, a month later, Jack with Estelle. And in both cases Gwen has been present, witnessing the pain they have gone through upon discovering their loves dead, and in her mind trying to comprehend what it would feel like to lose Rhys.
Back at the Hub we again see Gwen with Jack, asking the standard questions you would often hear a PC ask a witness. Jack, at the moment in time, is vulnerable and still lost in the memories, still mourning and therefore open to answering her as the grief has put his guard down.
We again see that Jack is barely coping, going from one emotion to another, flickering between the happiness of the memories, then grief, then anger, trying to keep it all in check by drinking and fighting to keep himself composed in front of a member of his team. If he were alone no doubt Jack would allow himself to grieve more openly, but at the moment he isn't.
Gwen continues her questioning, seeming to know that at this point in time she will be able to get the answers out of Jack because he is still in shock. Gwen is doing her job, knowing she needs to work out what killed Estelle and Mark Goodson and Jack is a viable lead. We are finally given an answer to the dream that Jack had at the start of the episode, and more information about the fairies. The memories of what happened to his men add to Jack's pain and grief, and a clue as to why Jack is so protective of his team., and it slowly starts to dawn on Gwen just how dangerous the fairies are.
Gwen is still completely unconvinced though, and the fairies have been watching her and decide to let her know in their own way just how dangerous they are. We see Gwen and Rhys coming home from a night out, Rhys chatting to Gwen about his day as they enter their flat. Gwen is clearly a little shell shocked herself from the events of the day and Rhys picks up on her mood from the way she is speaking and acting and expresses his concern, but Gwen brushes it off telling him that it's been weird day.
The fairies have trashes Gwen and Rhys' home, and to let Gwen know it's them they have created a stone circle for her to find. Meanwhile, from Rhys' tone of voice you can hear his anger as he tries to work out what happened, and he seems to have come to the conclusion that someone has broken in to trash their house as he does not know different.
Gwen has called Jack, who seems to have never been in Gwen's house before as he enters with the look of someone in unfamiliar surroundings, eyes going to the pictures so that he can get a glimpse into Gwen's life outside Torchwood. It is clear Jack is still in the process of overcoming his own shell shock from losing Estelle simply by his small movements and the way he remains quiet, a defeated slump to his shoulders as he forces himself to pay attention to Gwen and what is happening. Jack is visibly not himself, and is struggling to remain focussed on the mission and the pictures of Gwen and Rhys happy in the photos, as it reminds him of what he himself has just lost.
Meanwhile, Gwen is in a state of pure rage. Rhys, it would seem, she has sent elsewhere to calm down as Gwen cleans up the flat, Gwen seeming to finally realise just how dangerous the fairies are. The home is the one place where people should feel safe, and that has just been breached and Gwen feels like she and Rhys are now under constant threat.
Gwen can see that Jack is in shock, and Gwen realises herself that no one is safe. She brings up Estelle, trying to get a reaction out of Jack who retreats back further into himself, losing himself in thought. Gwen finally snaps, unable to take the indirect calm approach any more and yells at Jack, demanding answers although she instantly knows she has done wrong and does seem to regret it, she does not apologise.
Jack is again lost in his own thoughts when he replies to Gwen, almost as if he is talking to himself given the faraway sound to his voice and how quiet he is speaking. To Gwen, he is speaking in riddles and leaving her even more confused that she was. Jack seems to only half remember that she is there, keeping his back to Gwen who is still standing with hands on hips, clearly still worked up by the violation of her home and the fact Jack isn't being clear with her.
Gwen tries to compose herself, forcing back her anger and knowing that this isn't Jack's fault and she can't force her anger upon him, and finally she moves closer, asking what the fairies want. It is then that Jack turns toward her, his own mind seeming to clear at the question and knowing that the next chosen one must be nearby. His voice is stronger, and his eyes are now clear and focused as he looks at her, once again himself as he has a purpose - to find the chosen one.
Arriving back at the Hub, Jack is once more in his role as leader having put his grief on hold. Gwen, however, is still visibly upset by her own attack and is now the one slightly withdrawn. Meanwhile, Ianto is in the boardroom with Tosh, able to answer her question about the forecast weather without hesitation even as Tosh brings up contradictory information about the weather, which captures Jack's interest.
Jack knows instantly what is happening and urges Tosh to move, Ianto not even flinching as the rest of the team move off, still at his post observing the readings although he does glance quickly from Tosh to Jack before returning his attention to the screen.
At the school, we are again given an instance of Gwen becoming sidetracked as the team head inside, not seeming to know that she is not following them. However, we are shown Gwen's fear of the fairies when she runs back inside having thought she saw them - Gwen no longer doubts Jack, that much is clear.
Jack is trailing Tosh and Owen in the school, listening to them interview the teacher and we learn that Jack is aware that Gwen has left them. He notices that she has returned and that something is wrong by her rushed manner, Gwen telling him what she saw. They halt their conversation though as the teacher tells them about Jasmine, and Jack and Gwen instantly realise they have found the chosen one.
As the team arrive at the Pierce home, we see Gwen sticking close by Jack's side, trying to hold onto him so not to be caught up in the stampede of people fleeing, Jack reaching back and grabbing hold of her. At the first sign of the fairies, neither Jack nor Gwen can believe what they're seeing even as Roy Pierce is being attacked.
Even as Jack and Gwen are fighting to keep from being swept off their feet y the wind (Gwen holding onto Jack to keep herself upright), the fairies attack Jack to keep Torchwood distracted while they finish off Roy. There is a moment hesitation for Gwen for her to realise what is happening before she shoves Jack aside. Just like in "Cyberwoman" Gwen is reacting as if Jack is mortal and could die permanently, and it is not a reaction for the sake of Tosh and Owen but genuine fear of Jack dying.
For his part, there is some question as to why Jack didn't react to the fairy moving on him. The most logical conclusion is that he was protecting Gwen and his team, knowing that if he turned and fled the fairies would move in on them, so he is placing himself in the direct line of attack to keep them safe.
The fairies leave once Roy is dead, Jack and Gwen watching them go from where they are still lying on the ground. Jack is the first of the two to turn his attention to Roy, Gwen reluctantly letting go of her hold of him and still not sure that the threat has past. When Jack goes after the fairies, Gwen is caught in a moment of indecision - part of her wants to stay help Lynn Pierce, Roy's wife, whereas another part wants her to follow Jack - evidently she hasn't grown tired of following him yet.
Jack knows Gwen is following him and waits for her briefly for her to catch up. Jack is very weary of the fairies, eyes looking around constantly trying to spot them even as he looks at Jasmine, Gwen checking for the fairies when Jack isn't. Gwen is on guard here, providing backup to Jack and keeping an eye out for the enemy as Jack talks to Jasmine, trying to change her mind.
Gwen steps forward, in front of Jack, bringing herself down to Jasmine's level to try a different tactic, again using questioning as a means of obtaining information and to try and sway Jasmine. Gwen tries to appeal to Jasmine's childlike side by mentioning her mother as Jack slips into the role of backup, both Gwen and Jack stepping back as the fairies finally appear, Jack once more placing himself between the threat and his colleague.
As Jack takes Jasmine hostage from the fairies in a move to protect her, Gwen has stepped in closer to Jack's side, hiding herself behind him as she crosses her arms to reduce her body/target size. There is fear in her eyes as she scans the trees, never taking her eyes off the fairies. Jack himself seems to already be aware that he is fighting a losing battle, this reflected by the pain in his eyes. Jack has lost so much at the hands of the fairies and would love nothing more than to stop them from their plans, but he can already sense failure.
You can see the fight going on in Jack's eyes as he runs through all the possibilities, remaining quiet as he listens to Jasmine. Gwen can't comprehend what she is learning about the fairies, not believing what they are saying they are capable of. Jack comes to his conclusion, one he is not happy with, but still he makes sure that Jasmine will be safe. Gwen begins to question Jack but he cuts her off by demanding an answer from the fairies, prevent himself from hearing Gwen as he knows it may change his mind.
Both Gwen and Jack detect the change in Jasmine, Jack already knowing he has lost while Gwen can't believe what she just heard, and not wanting to believe what Jack is going to do. Jack was ready for Gwen to go after Jasmine, grabbing her on her way past to prevent her from interfering. Jack can see the bigger picture, and knows that he has to make this sacrifice in order to save the world while Gwen can't see past the single life - Jasmine - and Jack has to prevent her from getting in the way.
As he holds her, Jack tells Gwen point blank that this is the only thing they can do. Gwen is unable to meet his eye, visibly upset and fighting her own inner conflict, her immediate instinct being to save Jasmine. She shoves Jack off, moving away from him and seeing him as a monster at that point in time, the monster Ianto had accused him of being in the episode previous.
The decision has hurt Jack, who is trying not to cry himself as he realises that despite everything, the fairies have won and just how high the price has been. When Lynn arrives when clearly wants to comfort her, but holds back allowing Lynn her grief even as Lynn rounds on Jack, picking him as the target of her blame. In watching and holding Lynn Jack is seeing his own grief of Estelle being reflected in someone else and again it almost breaks him, his own grief moving to the surface as Gwen tries not to look at him, and it is clear by the looks on the teams face that they also, wrongly, blame Jack.
As they leave the Pierce house you can see Jack is not happy with the outcome, but at the same time fully aware of the team's resentment toward him. He turns toward them, and not one of them will look him in the eye as they step around him, Jack feeling anger shift to the surface in place of his grief. Jack is alone.
In the final scene we see Gwen cleaning up all the team research and discovering Jasmine's face on the picture she has dismissed as fake earlier during the episode, and it clearly scares her. The 'Archives' gives us Gwen's summary of the episode, and her fear of shifting into Jack's way of think and that, in hindsight, she thinks she can see why he did make his decision and seeing that image of Jasmine no doubt helped her into that way of thinking.
The Captain's Blog entry in the Archives also confirms for us that the teams resentment of Jack continued for a while although he knows that eventually they will realise why he made his decision. Ianto is the only person who is still talking to him, and while some fans theorise that this is because Ianto was not present, it is also strongly possible that Ianto is fully aware that, at that point in time, Jack needs someone there to offer support where it is needed. After all, Jack made sure to be there for Ianto after Lisa's death, and it is the least Ianto can do to be there to support Jack after Estelle's.
The worst possible thing for Jack would be for him to be alone during his grief, and the team not speaking to him is another painful blow to Jack emotionally and mentally at a time he would need as much support as he could get.
Also, you can't not mention PJ Hammond's inability to write Gwen. In both this and "From Out of the Rain" he has written her as very rude and sniggering, which makes it very hard for Eve Miles to try and make Gwen likable. This is a shame, because it gives the audience a poor view of the character.
This episode was clearly a strong wake up call for Gwen in regards to her belief in Torchwood, and also reflected the fact that she still does not believe in Jack completely. Jack has detected this during the episode, and we also see a slight shift in his character as we see him succumb to the raw emotions of loss and grief in almost a mirror of Ianto in the episode previous. For his part, we see Ianto is in the process of putting his life back together, accepting Jack's support (as, apparently, the team still don't trust him) and throwing himself back into his work. We don't see much of Rhys this episode, but again he is the symbol of normality in his reasoning that the break in was conducted by human hooligans.
Next Up: The team go camping in "Countrycide"
Analysing Torchwood Part Six
Previously: Ianto's secret is revealed in "Cyberwoman"
"Small Worlds"
"Small Worlds" is our first major Jack episode for the season, and also our answer to the question in the previous episode, "Cyberwoman", about whether or not Jack is capable of love. We know from the Captains Blog this episode is at least roughly four weeks after the last and Ianto's first week back, which means that most of the repercussions of Ianto's betrayal will have died away although Ianto is still grieving. There is an indication that there is still some resentment, however, although it is not really seen in this episode.
Our first shot of Jack has him lost in the nightmare memories of his past, although we aren't sure exactly what we are seeing only that we know Jack has trouble with sleep. We also learn in this episode that, as hinted in "Ghost Machine", Jack does indeed live in the Hub. Given the lack of main lighting and that no one else is in the Hub, it is evidently very early in the morning and everyone else is home asleep.
Jack is brought out of his thoughts by Ianto, who is just aside his office going over some paperwork. Jack watches him for a moment before speaking, in the process startling Ianto, Jack giving him a small, fond smile. Ianto recovers quickly from his scare, replying to Jack's "you shouldn't be here" with his own "neither should you". It is a little moment where they both seem to realise that neither one of them has anywhere else to go, as there is nothing for them away from Torchwood and this is all they have.
Ianto walks away, going to work at a computer as Jack follows him, eyes on Ianto rather than on the screen. Jack brings his hand up, resting in on Ianto's back in a gesture that could be seen as comfort, but also a welcome or recognition of him, as well as a symbolic way of saying these two have bonded a little since the events involving Lisa and there are no hard feelings.
Ianto glances back at him, first at the hand before meetings Jack's eye, evidently still not accustomed to being touched and yet also not seeming to mind as he doesn't pull away. Jack keeps watching him, making sure he is fine before asking what Ianto has found, Ianto bringing it up on screen as Jack pats him once on the back before letting his hand slide off, Ianto turning toward him to answer Jack's question, Jack finally looking at the screen.
When we next see Jack, he and Gwen are walking along the street and Jack is telling Gwen they are going to see an "old friend" who has invited him, and he lead Gwen into a building which, you'll notice, is the exact same building used for The Electro in the Season Two episode "From Out of the Rain". Gwen is not impressed as she reads the noticeboard and realises it's about fairies, Jack giving her an amused look. Oh, and someone really needs to talk to Gwen about her outfit, because the short white singlet top over a longer green one really looks like she's got her underwear on the outside - not a good look, especially with faded jeans. Someone please tell me that wasn't the fashion in '07.
When he sees Estelle, Jack gives her a huge, fond grin and gestures in greeting, Estelle's eyes lighting up as she smiles back, giving him a mock look to tell him off for being late. Gwen is not happy to be there, a fake smile on her face as she sits down, Jack noticing but trying to ignore it, instead hanging off every word from Estelle and it is clear that he absolutely adores her from their first interaction.
Gwen is far from impressed by Estelle's slideshow, hardly believing Jack has brought her here and muttering her displeasure which Jack silences her from with a look on annoyance. Gwen looks up at Jack and can see the fondness on his face, so she holds her tongue from further complaint. As Gwen continues to rudely laugh at and mock Estelle's presentation, Jack seems to have shut her out, listening intently to Estelle although you can see the disagreement to what she is saying on his face.
After Estelle finishes Jack tells Gwen that Estelle is wrong, which finally catches Gwen's interest as she looks at Jack in slight confusion. Again, Gwen seems to think she knows best and what is true and what isn't, but Jack has just hinted that he knows differently.
As he and Estelle talk, Estelle looks up at him adoringly while Gwen sits back in her seat, the mocking look still on her face. Jack has his back to her, and instead has his body turned toward Estelle, and when Estelle says "so good to see you again, Jack" he offers her a fond smile, one which Gwen picks up on as she realises there is a history there. Interestingly, Gwen's reaction hints at her not liking what seems to be a history between Jack and Estelle, a faint flare of jealousy as Gwen seems to have thought Jack didn't know anyone un-work related outside of Torchwood.
She watches as Jack and Estelle go over the pictures, picking up on the fact Jack isn't happy about something and questions it. It is Estelle who answers, telling Gwen about how she and Jack disagree about fairies, leading to some slight banter between Jack and Estelle. When Gwen makes the comment "well, I guess what is one person good is someone else’s evil" and Estelle's comment "that's what his father use to say", Gwen looks up sharply, not quite believing what she heard.
Jack doesn't react to the comment, his attention still fully on Estelle, the look of adoration and fondness never leaving his face. It is clear that he is completely smitten by her, and as they talk Estelle and Jack are leaning into one another, Jack telling her he needs to see all the photos and Estelle doesn't seem surprised by this. Again, we see Jack resting his hand on Estelle's back much like he had Ianto previously, then moves to help her pick up her things.
Gwen is far from impressed by all this, hardly believing she is seeing this and wondering why the hell Jack dragged her along. It is clear that Gwen does not believe in fairies, and at the same time Gwen is not pleased by the realisation that Jack and Estelle are close. Gwen does not want to be there at all.
Jack and Gwen help bring Estelle's things into the house, and Estelle introduces Gwen to her cat Moses. Estelle gets straight to business, handing Jack the pictures that he wanted which indicates that it most likely hasn't been that long since Jack and Estelle saw each other since they don't seem to need to catch up. As Jack goes through them and Estelle puts Moses out after sharing one last fond smile with Jack, Gwen begins her own little investigation into Estelle by looking for the photos around the house.
Almost instantly she spots one of interest, and picks it up to bring to Jack, a picture from long ago of a man in uniform. Gwen looks from it to Jack, saying "this is you". Jack takes a look at it then at Gwen, then proceeds to directly lie to her, telling her that the picture is of his father. Jack fills Gwen in of the relationship between Estelle and his "father", Gwen seeming to believe it as Jack hands her another photo, although you can see in Jack's eyes that it is in fact him and regrets having been separated from Estelle, but is rather fond of the memories and accepts what happened, going back to work.
Knowing she's not going to get anything out of Jack, Gwen then proceeds to go outside to interrogate Estelle, throwing a slight frown back over her shoulder at Jack as she goes. It is obvious she's not sure if she should believe him or not, but wants more information.
Estelle happily answers Gwen's questions, telling her that she lost touch with Jack's "father" and no, the three of them have never met together at one time. Jack was the one to contact her again "a few years ago", which Estelle obviously was not expecting but still happy about, and tells Gwen how much like his father Jack is, which causes Gwen to frown slightly. Estelle tells her how Jack's father would be in his early 90s if still alive, and we see in the background Jack slowly coming outside where he would be able to hear the tail end of the conversation, even as he is looking at the pictures.
Gwen tells Estelle to ask Jack about his father, and Estelle looks at her and confirms that she has tried and got nothing out of him. You can see Gwen pondering on that just as Jack comes closer, breaking up the conversation with to come to Estelle's side, telling her to contact him if she sees the fairies again. Once more his hand is on her shoulder as he leans into her, the two once more sharing a fond look, Jack's hand moving from her shoulder to smooth over her back.
Gwen watches with interest although she is still slightly confused, and we once again get a faint eye roll and look of annoyance before she walks off, even as Estelle reassures Jack she is fine, Gwen turning back just in time to see Jack kiss Estelle and hug her, Estelle returning the embrace, Jack resting his head on top of hers and it is clear just how fond he is of her.
As they leave Estelle's place, Gwen is walking ahead happy to be getting out of there and it is Jack trying to keep up. As they walk Jack shares his displeasure in Estelle living in town, no doubt worried about her wellbeing. Gwen questions how often Jack sees her, and he isn't specific, simply saying "now and again", to which Gwen replies in a mocking tone "whenever she sees her fairies". Clearly she still doesn't see them as a threat, or real, thinking Estelle a nut case for believing in them.
Jack quickly jumps on that, telling her that he doesn't call them fairies. Gwen has a smirk on her face as she asks "what do you call them" and Jack tells her they never had a name, the smirk fading as it dawns on Gwen that they do actually exist. Gwen continues to question him, and for once Jack is happy to answer as it is work related and not about him, although Gwen seems confused by his answers. It is clear Jack himself doesn’t know exactly what the 'fairies' are, yet does his best to explain them to her. Gwen still cannot comprehend the threat, but is now weary by what Jack has told her.
Back at the Hub, Jack is finally bringing the rest of the team up to speed about what's going on. Ianto is again serving tea, Jack receiving his first and watching Ianto's hand as it is served, but looking up at the screen when Ianto talks. The two exchange a slight bit of light banter about magic mushrooms, Ianto hovering by Jack's side throughout the conversation.
When Gwen joins in, it is to dispute the pictures as fakes, and when Owen tries to counter her arguments with other people of authority who believed she shut him down each time as Ianto goes about handing out the rest of the drinks and it is interesting to note only Gwen doesn't give any recognition to him where the others thank and at least look at him.
Jack finally questions Gwen's knowledge, and she happily tells him in a matter of fact "don't question me" voice that she did an essay on it at school which earns a sniggering laugh from Owen and a mock 'I give up' look from Jack, and it is clear the team aren't going to bother questioning Gwen's sources from her time prior to Torchwood when she didn't have any evidence that such things could be real. Gwen is very smug about her knowledge, and won't be told otherwise when she should know better by now.
The team ignore Gwen's "knowledge", Jack explaining Estelle's photos and Owen even adding his knowledge of the wood. Tosh reports "no sightings" but Jack quickly lets them know that they cannot be detecting, but they are able to control the weather and cause odd weather patterns, which links us back to Jack and Ianto's first exchange in the episode. Gwen can't believe what she is hearing, surprised that they can escape Torchwood technology, and Jack tells the team that nothing can detect the fairies.
As they go out to investigate the fairies in the wood and Jack is trying to track them on his wrist device, Gwen is once again fixated on her own little mystery - Jack's relationship with Estelle. Gwen is fishing for more information, but what Jack gives her is almost exactly the same as what Estelle told Gwen, cluing us in on the fact Jack did overhear what was said. He has an annoyed look on his face, quickening his step to get ahead of Gwen and trying to focus on the mission.
As Gwen questions the stone circle, you can hear Jack's annoyance as he asks her "why do you keep doubting me", obviously growing tired of Gwen's dismissal of fairies even as Jack is slightly concerned by the readouts he is getting. Gwen gives him an "I know better than you" look ever as Jack glares at her, reminding her that he'd warned her about the dangers and Gwen reminds him of her job. Jack dismisses the investigation as neither police work nor science, Gwen almost mocking him as she says "I know, you told me, it's that corner of the eye stuff", and even as she says it a fairy flitters past and Gwen seems to spot it out the corner of her eye, a slightly worried look replacing the mocking one. Both Jack and Owen also spotted it, and share the worried look.
Jack takes Tosh and Gwen with him to the police station to investigate the death of a Mark Goodson. Jack is once more in the role of leader, but allows Gwen and Tosh to examine the body, which does lead to the question - why the heck didn't Jack bring Owen with him? Tosh serves as the medic, a throwback to the Doctor Who episode "Aliens of London", while Gwen is the investigator. As Gwen pulls the rose petals out of his throat, you see the dark look on Jack's face darken - Gwen and Tosh are confused, but with Jack there is a growing dread.
Back at the Hub Jack once again briefs the team with what they're dealing with especially now that he knows for sure. Jack answers Tosh and Gwen's questions as best he can, although it is clear that they are still confused. We have another reference to Doctor Who with the mentioning of the Mara. It is clear Jack's seriousness is freaking Tosh and Gwen out a little, causing them to jump when the phone rings.
When Jack knows Estelle is on the phone, you can see that he already knows something isn't right. Upon learning that she is under attack, Jack and Gwen share a look, and Gwen looks slightly concerned while faint fear flickers over Jack's face even as he reassures Estelle that they are coming and to stay inside. Jack is already running for the door as he hangs up.
Jack barely turns off the SUV as he opens the door, first out of the car, calling out for her as he runs up the path with the others following. Not receiving an answer to his calls and finding the door locked, Jack leads the way around the back, stopping dead at the sight of Estelle lying on the ground. You can already see the dread on his face, the quiet knowing look and the faint look of denial - even as Owen checks her Jack already knows she is dead.
When Owen confirms her death, Jack is barely holding it together. Despite his age losing someone he loves is still not easy for Jack, especially as he has loved Estelle for so long. Jack drops beside her to close her eyes, still together enough to do so which is a direct contrast to the episode previous where Ianto was so consumed in his grief for Lisa that he wasn't able to do the same.
Jack then picks Estelle up, cradling her against him, not quite believing what has happened. Tosh and Owen instantly seems to recognise the connection between them and give Jack his privacy, allowing him a moment to be with Estelle. Gwen does not do the same having finally figured out the puzzle and taking that moment to seek confirmation from Jack.
Jack is lost in the memories, grieving Estelle and speaking out loud as Gwen's words trigger more memories from him. It is only now, with her answers that Gwen backs off. Jack then allows himself a moment to grieve, kissing Estelle months on the forehead in goodbye before gently lying her back down. We are given a brief glimpse of Gwen and we can see that it is starting to get to her as again, like the episode previous, she is remembering Rhys and how she would react if she were in Jack's position.
As he lies her down you can see Jack almost succumbing completely to his grief, but when he stands and Gwen can see his face again, he forces it back and lets out a steadying breath to try and calm himself. He then utters the words "I need a drink", and you know he is barely handling the situation. {note - while watching this scene, I spotted a boon/microphone move closer to Eve and John just after he stands and before he says "I need a drink" down in the bushes on the lower right hand side of a the screen.}
As well known, at this point in time Jack doesn't drink anything other than water so that he'll be properly hydrated and ready to go when the Doctor does arrive, and this is one of the rare occasions he needs something strong in order to numb his pain. It is interesting that, in the course of two episodes, two characters lose their loves from prior to the start of S1 - Ianto with Lisa, and now, a month later, Jack with Estelle. And in both cases Gwen has been present, witnessing the pain they have gone through upon discovering their loves dead, and in her mind trying to comprehend what it would feel like to lose Rhys.
Back at the Hub we again see Gwen with Jack, asking the standard questions you would often hear a PC ask a witness. Jack, at the moment in time, is vulnerable and still lost in the memories, still mourning and therefore open to answering her as the grief has put his guard down.
We again see that Jack is barely coping, going from one emotion to another, flickering between the happiness of the memories, then grief, then anger, trying to keep it all in check by drinking and fighting to keep himself composed in front of a member of his team. If he were alone no doubt Jack would allow himself to grieve more openly, but at the moment he isn't.
Gwen continues her questioning, seeming to know that at this point in time she will be able to get the answers out of Jack because he is still in shock. Gwen is doing her job, knowing she needs to work out what killed Estelle and Mark Goodson and Jack is a viable lead. We are finally given an answer to the dream that Jack had at the start of the episode, and more information about the fairies. The memories of what happened to his men add to Jack's pain and grief, and a clue as to why Jack is so protective of his team., and it slowly starts to dawn on Gwen just how dangerous the fairies are.
Gwen is still completely unconvinced though, and the fairies have been watching her and decide to let her know in their own way just how dangerous they are. We see Gwen and Rhys coming home from a night out, Rhys chatting to Gwen about his day as they enter their flat. Gwen is clearly a little shell shocked herself from the events of the day and Rhys picks up on her mood from the way she is speaking and acting and expresses his concern, but Gwen brushes it off telling him that it's been weird day.
The fairies have trashes Gwen and Rhys' home, and to let Gwen know it's them they have created a stone circle for her to find. Meanwhile, from Rhys' tone of voice you can hear his anger as he tries to work out what happened, and he seems to have come to the conclusion that someone has broken in to trash their house as he does not know different.
Gwen has called Jack, who seems to have never been in Gwen's house before as he enters with the look of someone in unfamiliar surroundings, eyes going to the pictures so that he can get a glimpse into Gwen's life outside Torchwood. It is clear Jack is still in the process of overcoming his own shell shock from losing Estelle simply by his small movements and the way he remains quiet, a defeated slump to his shoulders as he forces himself to pay attention to Gwen and what is happening. Jack is visibly not himself, and is struggling to remain focussed on the mission and the pictures of Gwen and Rhys happy in the photos, as it reminds him of what he himself has just lost.
Meanwhile, Gwen is in a state of pure rage. Rhys, it would seem, she has sent elsewhere to calm down as Gwen cleans up the flat, Gwen seeming to finally realise just how dangerous the fairies are. The home is the one place where people should feel safe, and that has just been breached and Gwen feels like she and Rhys are now under constant threat.
Gwen can see that Jack is in shock, and Gwen realises herself that no one is safe. She brings up Estelle, trying to get a reaction out of Jack who retreats back further into himself, losing himself in thought. Gwen finally snaps, unable to take the indirect calm approach any more and yells at Jack, demanding answers although she instantly knows she has done wrong and does seem to regret it, she does not apologise.
Jack is again lost in his own thoughts when he replies to Gwen, almost as if he is talking to himself given the faraway sound to his voice and how quiet he is speaking. To Gwen, he is speaking in riddles and leaving her even more confused that she was. Jack seems to only half remember that she is there, keeping his back to Gwen who is still standing with hands on hips, clearly still worked up by the violation of her home and the fact Jack isn't being clear with her.
Gwen tries to compose herself, forcing back her anger and knowing that this isn't Jack's fault and she can't force her anger upon him, and finally she moves closer, asking what the fairies want. It is then that Jack turns toward her, his own mind seeming to clear at the question and knowing that the next chosen one must be nearby. His voice is stronger, and his eyes are now clear and focused as he looks at her, once again himself as he has a purpose - to find the chosen one.
Arriving back at the Hub, Jack is once more in his role as leader having put his grief on hold. Gwen, however, is still visibly upset by her own attack and is now the one slightly withdrawn. Meanwhile, Ianto is in the boardroom with Tosh, able to answer her question about the forecast weather without hesitation even as Tosh brings up contradictory information about the weather, which captures Jack's interest.
Jack knows instantly what is happening and urges Tosh to move, Ianto not even flinching as the rest of the team move off, still at his post observing the readings although he does glance quickly from Tosh to Jack before returning his attention to the screen.
At the school, we are again given an instance of Gwen becoming sidetracked as the team head inside, not seeming to know that she is not following them. However, we are shown Gwen's fear of the fairies when she runs back inside having thought she saw them - Gwen no longer doubts Jack, that much is clear.
Jack is trailing Tosh and Owen in the school, listening to them interview the teacher and we learn that Jack is aware that Gwen has left them. He notices that she has returned and that something is wrong by her rushed manner, Gwen telling him what she saw. They halt their conversation though as the teacher tells them about Jasmine, and Jack and Gwen instantly realise they have found the chosen one.
As the team arrive at the Pierce home, we see Gwen sticking close by Jack's side, trying to hold onto him so not to be caught up in the stampede of people fleeing, Jack reaching back and grabbing hold of her. At the first sign of the fairies, neither Jack nor Gwen can believe what they're seeing even as Roy Pierce is being attacked.
Even as Jack and Gwen are fighting to keep from being swept off their feet y the wind (Gwen holding onto Jack to keep herself upright), the fairies attack Jack to keep Torchwood distracted while they finish off Roy. There is a moment hesitation for Gwen for her to realise what is happening before she shoves Jack aside. Just like in "Cyberwoman" Gwen is reacting as if Jack is mortal and could die permanently, and it is not a reaction for the sake of Tosh and Owen but genuine fear of Jack dying.
For his part, there is some question as to why Jack didn't react to the fairy moving on him. The most logical conclusion is that he was protecting Gwen and his team, knowing that if he turned and fled the fairies would move in on them, so he is placing himself in the direct line of attack to keep them safe.
The fairies leave once Roy is dead, Jack and Gwen watching them go from where they are still lying on the ground. Jack is the first of the two to turn his attention to Roy, Gwen reluctantly letting go of her hold of him and still not sure that the threat has past. When Jack goes after the fairies, Gwen is caught in a moment of indecision - part of her wants to stay help Lynn Pierce, Roy's wife, whereas another part wants her to follow Jack - evidently she hasn't grown tired of following him yet.
Jack knows Gwen is following him and waits for her briefly for her to catch up. Jack is very weary of the fairies, eyes looking around constantly trying to spot them even as he looks at Jasmine, Gwen checking for the fairies when Jack isn't. Gwen is on guard here, providing backup to Jack and keeping an eye out for the enemy as Jack talks to Jasmine, trying to change her mind.
Gwen steps forward, in front of Jack, bringing herself down to Jasmine's level to try a different tactic, again using questioning as a means of obtaining information and to try and sway Jasmine. Gwen tries to appeal to Jasmine's childlike side by mentioning her mother as Jack slips into the role of backup, both Gwen and Jack stepping back as the fairies finally appear, Jack once more placing himself between the threat and his colleague.
As Jack takes Jasmine hostage from the fairies in a move to protect her, Gwen has stepped in closer to Jack's side, hiding herself behind him as she crosses her arms to reduce her body/target size. There is fear in her eyes as she scans the trees, never taking her eyes off the fairies. Jack himself seems to already be aware that he is fighting a losing battle, this reflected by the pain in his eyes. Jack has lost so much at the hands of the fairies and would love nothing more than to stop them from their plans, but he can already sense failure.
You can see the fight going on in Jack's eyes as he runs through all the possibilities, remaining quiet as he listens to Jasmine. Gwen can't comprehend what she is learning about the fairies, not believing what they are saying they are capable of. Jack comes to his conclusion, one he is not happy with, but still he makes sure that Jasmine will be safe. Gwen begins to question Jack but he cuts her off by demanding an answer from the fairies, prevent himself from hearing Gwen as he knows it may change his mind.
Both Gwen and Jack detect the change in Jasmine, Jack already knowing he has lost while Gwen can't believe what she just heard, and not wanting to believe what Jack is going to do. Jack was ready for Gwen to go after Jasmine, grabbing her on her way past to prevent her from interfering. Jack can see the bigger picture, and knows that he has to make this sacrifice in order to save the world while Gwen can't see past the single life - Jasmine - and Jack has to prevent her from getting in the way.
As he holds her, Jack tells Gwen point blank that this is the only thing they can do. Gwen is unable to meet his eye, visibly upset and fighting her own inner conflict, her immediate instinct being to save Jasmine. She shoves Jack off, moving away from him and seeing him as a monster at that point in time, the monster Ianto had accused him of being in the episode previous.
The decision has hurt Jack, who is trying not to cry himself as he realises that despite everything, the fairies have won and just how high the price has been. When Lynn arrives when clearly wants to comfort her, but holds back allowing Lynn her grief even as Lynn rounds on Jack, picking him as the target of her blame. In watching and holding Lynn Jack is seeing his own grief of Estelle being reflected in someone else and again it almost breaks him, his own grief moving to the surface as Gwen tries not to look at him, and it is clear by the looks on the teams face that they also, wrongly, blame Jack.
As they leave the Pierce house you can see Jack is not happy with the outcome, but at the same time fully aware of the team's resentment toward him. He turns toward them, and not one of them will look him in the eye as they step around him, Jack feeling anger shift to the surface in place of his grief. Jack is alone.
In the final scene we see Gwen cleaning up all the team research and discovering Jasmine's face on the picture she has dismissed as fake earlier during the episode, and it clearly scares her. The 'Archives' gives us Gwen's summary of the episode, and her fear of shifting into Jack's way of think and that, in hindsight, she thinks she can see why he did make his decision and seeing that image of Jasmine no doubt helped her into that way of thinking.
The Captain's Blog entry in the Archives also confirms for us that the teams resentment of Jack continued for a while although he knows that eventually they will realise why he made his decision. Ianto is the only person who is still talking to him, and while some fans theorise that this is because Ianto was not present, it is also strongly possible that Ianto is fully aware that, at that point in time, Jack needs someone there to offer support where it is needed. After all, Jack made sure to be there for Ianto after Lisa's death, and it is the least Ianto can do to be there to support Jack after Estelle's.
The worst possible thing for Jack would be for him to be alone during his grief, and the team not speaking to him is another painful blow to Jack emotionally and mentally at a time he would need as much support as he could get.
Also, you can't not mention PJ Hammond's inability to write Gwen. In both this and "From Out of the Rain" he has written her as very rude and sniggering, which makes it very hard for Eve Miles to try and make Gwen likable. This is a shame, because it gives the audience a poor view of the character.
This episode was clearly a strong wake up call for Gwen in regards to her belief in Torchwood, and also reflected the fact that she still does not believe in Jack completely. Jack has detected this during the episode, and we also see a slight shift in his character as we see him succumb to the raw emotions of loss and grief in almost a mirror of Ianto in the episode previous. For his part, we see Ianto is in the process of putting his life back together, accepting Jack's support (as, apparently, the team still don't trust him) and throwing himself back into his work. We don't see much of Rhys this episode, but again he is the symbol of normality in his reasoning that the break in was conducted by human hooligans.
Next Up: The team go camping in "Countrycide"