Small Worlds (Torchwood)

"Small Worlds" is the fifth episode of Torchwood's first series, airing on BBC Three on 12 November 2006. In it, the Torchwood team investigates lethal fairies that plan to transform a young girl from Cardiff, Jasmine Pierce, into one of their own.

Filming took place in the Cardiff North villages of Radyr and Pentyrch.

Jack takes Gwen to a fairy presentation hosted by his old friend and former colleague, Estelle. Estelle shows the audience the Cottingley Fairies photographs and compares them to her own recent images. Later, at her home, Jack and Estelle discuss the photos and the true nature of fairies. On the return journey, Jack tells Gwen that fairies are ancient creatures not bound by linear time and can be extremely dangerous. He orders Toshiko to monitor unusual weather patterns to find them.

Meanwhile, a paedophile named Mark Goodson attempts to abduct Jasmine as she walks home. He is driven off by a strong wind and ethereal voices. Stumbling through the market, still hearing voices, he coughs up rose petals. He gets himself arrested for safety, but is found dead the next day, asphyxiated, his mouth full of rose petals. Jack confirms the fairies killed him to protect a "Chosen One"—a child who will become theirs if Torchwood cannot locate her in time. That night, the fairies drown Estelle with a localised rainstorm, showing their increasing aggression.

The next day, the fairies create a large gale at Jasmine's school, traumatising two girls who were bullying her. Torchwood learns from Jasmine's teacher that Jasmine was the only one unaffected, confirming her as the Chosen One. At home, Jasmine's mother Lynn and her boyfriend Roy are hosting a garden party. Roy has fenced off the garden to keep Jasmine from the woods. When Jasmine bites him, Roy slaps her. The fairies appear and kill Roy. Jasmine runs into the woods with them. Jack tries to persuade the fairies not to take her, but they insist she is their Chosen One and that preventing her departure would cause more deaths. Admitting he has no other option and assured Jasmine will not be harmed, Jack lets her go.

Although Jack claims he does not sleep in "Ghost Machine", he experiences a waking nightmare here. A pair of 3-D glasses used by the Tenth Doctor in "Doomsday" hangs on a lamp shade on Jack's desk at the episode's start.