Day One (Torchwood)
Gwen's first case with Torchwood unleashes a deadly sex gas.
"Day One" serves as the second episode of Torchwood's debut series. Brian Kelly directed it, and it premiered on BBC Three on 22 October 2006, paired with the pilot "Everything Changes," before a repeat on BBC Two three days later. Notably, it marked the first Doctor Who universe story penned by Chris Chibnall, who would later become the showrunner for Doctor Who.
The plot follows Gwen Cooper on her first case with the Cardiff-based alien-hunting team. While investigating a meteor, Gwen accidentally cracks it open with a chisel, releasing a purple gaseous entity that feeds on orgasmic energy. The gas takes over a young woman named Carys Fletcher, who then seduces and kills men during sex, absorbing their life force. Torchwood tracks Carys, capturing her briefly, but she escapes after seducing Owen. They eventually corner her at a fertility clinic, where she has killed several clients. With Carys near death, Jack kisses her to transfer some of his excess life, and Gwen offers her own body as a host. When the gas leaves Carys, Jack traps it in a portable prison cell, and it dies in Earth's atmosphere. Jack later advises Gwen to maintain her perspective and spend time with Rhys.
The episode was conceived to depict Gwen's "first day in hell." Creator Russell T Davies noted that launching an adult sci-fi drama inevitably leads to a "sex monster." Filming took place over three to four weeks in May 2006, largely before the first episode in the same production block. The broadcast drew 2.3 million viewers, making it one of BBC Three's highest-rated shows, but critical reception was mixed.
Quick Facts
- Number
- 02
- Serial Name
- Day One
- Show
- TW
- Cast
- John Barrowman – Captain Jack Harkness / Eve Myles – Gwen Cooper / Burn Gorman – Owen Harper / Naoko Mori – Toshiko Sato / Gareth David-Lloyd – Ianto Jones
- Director
- Brian Kelly
- Writer
- Chris Chibnall
- Script Editor
- Brian Minchin
- Producer
- Richard Stokes / Chris Chibnall (co-producer)
- Executive Producer
- Russell T Davies / Julie Gardner
- Composer
- Murray Gold / Ben Foster
- Production Code
- 1.2
- Series
- Series 1
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode centres on Gwen Cooper working her first case with the alien hunters Torchwood in Cardiff, when she accidentally lets loose a purple alien gas that survives on the energy of orgasms. Over the course of the episode, the team hunt for Carys before the gas kills her. The episode was written to interpret Gwen's "first day in hell". Series creator Russell T Davies stated "when we're launching a new adult science fiction drama, it's kind of inevitable you're going to do the sex monster". The episode was filmed during a three- to four-week period in May 2006, with much of it filmed before the first episode in the same production block.
Reader's Guide
The episode was met with generally mixed reviews. It was originally seen by 2.3 million viewers, making it one of the highest-rated BBC Three broadcasts of all time. The working title was "New Girl", which changed to "Day One" by the beginning of October 2006. Head writer Chris Chibnall found writing the second episode hard, as there was a challenge to demonstrate how Torchwood works and set the formula for the rest of the series. The scene where Gwen accidentally opens the meteor was meant to "extend the metaphor of breaking the photocopier on your first day at work". The episode's visual effects were produced by The Mill, with 3D artist Paul Burton basing his design of the alien from the water creature in The Abyss.
Did You Know?
- The episode was originally much lighter in tone, but most comedic moments were cut from the final script.
- To film the exploding rat sequence, director Brian Kelly filmed a rat in a cage, then replaced it with a fur-covered condom filled with chicken bits and red dye.
- Actresses Eve Myles and Sara Gregory agreed to imagine each other as Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt, respectively, to film the kissing scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of Day One (Torchwood)?
Gwen Cooper tackles her first investigation with Torchwood, examining a meteor that has come down in Cardiff. She accidentally pries it open with a chisel, freeing a purple gaseous creature that sustains itself by absorbing the energy released during human sexual climax.
Who wrote Day One (Torchwood)?
Chris Chibnall penned the script, marking his first story inside the Doctor Who franchise. He would later go on to serve as showrunner of Doctor Who itself.
What alien appears in Day One (Torchwood)?
A purple, gaseous entity emerges from a cracked meteor and hunts through the streets of Cardiff. It feeds on the biological energy produced during orgasm, making it a silent and deadly threat to the local population.
When did Day One (Torchwood) first air?
It premiered on BBC Three on 22 October 2006, broadcast back-to-back with the pilot episode 'Everything Changes.' A repeat screening followed on BBC Two just three days later.
Who directed Day One (Torchwood)?
Brian Kelly was behind the camera for this second episode of Torchwood's debut series. It served as the follow-up to the pilot, thrusting Gwen into the full scope of the team's alien-hunting work.
More in Torchwood episodes 1-24
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