Fragments (Torchwood)

The twelfth episode of *Torchwood*’s second series, “Fragments,” first aired on BBC Three on 21 March 2008, with a later BBC Two broadcast on 28 March. After an explosion traps four team members under rubble in an abandoned building, each relives the moment they were recruited by Torchwood. Gwen, arriving late, works with Rhys to free them.

Jack’s flashback begins over a century ago in Cardiff, where he waits for the Doctor. Torchwood blackmails Jack into hunting an alien after he mentions the Doctor, whom the Institute considers a threat. When an agent kills a non-threatening alien on Jack’s next assignment, he refuses to continue. A tarot reader later tells Jack he will meet the Doctor in a hundred years; needing purpose, he returns to Torchwood as an employee. In 1999, Torchwood Cardiff’s leader Alex murders his team and himself, calling it a “mercy killing” after glimpsing a dark future. Jack then takes over.

Five years ago, Toshiko steals plans for a sonic modulator, builds one, and trades it for her kidnapped mother’s release. UNIT arrests the group, and Toshiko is held indefinitely without rights. Jack recruits her, freeing her in recognition of her talent for creating the device from flawed plans.

Twenty-one months ago, Ianto, a former Torchwood London employee, is repeatedly rejected by Jack, who cut ties with the old regime after its destruction. After the two capture a pterodactyl together, Jack finally offers Ianto a job.

Four years ago, Owen and his fiancée Katie plan their wedding. When Katie’s scans reveal memory loss, she undergoes surgery for a brain tumour, which Jack tries to stop. An alien parasite in her brain releases toxic gas, killing Katie and the surgeons. Seeing Owen’s dedication to saving lives, Jack recruits him as the team’s medic.

In the present, Jack receives a message from Captain John Hart, who admits planting the bombs and shows Jack an image of his brother Gray. John vows to tear Jack’s world apart.

The episode features the return of the Little Girl, last seen in “Dead Man Walking.” She tells Jack the Doctor is coming, but “the century will turn twice” first.