The Middle Men
Torchwood exposes concentration camps in a world without death.
The sixth episode of *Torchwood: Miracle Day* aired on 12 August 2011 in the US on Starz. In this installment, the Torchwood team reveals the existence of secret camps where injured people are burned, a consequence of the global event that made death impossible.
Before the credits, PhiCorp COO Stuart Owens sends an investigator to look into company construction sites in Shanghai. Rather than report what he finds, the man jumps from a tall building to end his life. Jack later confronts Owens, who explains that PhiCorp is just another piece in a larger system, and that whoever caused the miracle has been planning it for years. Owens also mentions a term his team uncovered: "the blessing," which dates back to the 1990s.
In San Pedro, Rex finishes a video message that includes footage of Dr. Juarez being incinerated. Esther grows suspicious about Juarez’s fate. Rex tries to pose as a soldier at the San Pedro Overflow Camp but is captured. Camp director Colin Maloney briefly considers using Rex’s video to expose the killing and become a hero, then tries to kill Rex instead. Esther finds them and is forced to strangle Maloney. With help from soldier Ralph Coltrane, who was involved in Juarez’s murder, they escape with the footage. They release it, sparking public outrage, but the government’s stance on the camps and the life-and-death classification system remains unchanged.
In Wales, Gwen breaks her father Geraint out of an Overflow Camp while Rhys runs over the gates with Geraint in his truck. Using Torchwood contact lenses, Gwen broadcasts a message explaining the camps’ purpose, then blows up the incineration modules at the Cardiff facility. After landing in Los Angeles, she cannot reach Rhys. A mysterious phone call at LAX tells her to put on her lenses. She receives a direct message from unknown conspirators: they have her mother, husband, and child, and will free them only if she delivers Jack.
Assignment X called the episode "lackluster," noting that while it excels at exploring the premise’s social permutations—like the "45 Club"—the main plot with the Torchwood team becomes frustrating. The Yorker praised it, saying the revelations grow grimmer and the switch between Wales and the US works well with a realistic contrast.
Quick Facts
- Number
- 37
- Serial Name
- The Middle Men
- Show
- TW
- Cast
- John Barrowman – Captain Jack Harkness / Eve Myles – Gwen Cooper / Mekhi Phifer – Rex Matheson / Alexa Havins – Esther Drummond / Kai Owen – Rhys Williams
- Director
- Guy Ferland
- Writer
- John Shiban
- Producer
- Kelly A. Manners · Brian Minchin (UK unit)
- Executive Producer
- Russell T Davies · Julie Gardner · Jane Tranter · John Shiban (co-executive) · Vlad Wolynetz (co-executive)
- Composer
- Murray Gold
- Production Code
- 106
- Series
- Miracle Day
- Length
- 55 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the pre-credits sequence, PhiCorp COO Stuart Owens attempts to investigate PhiCorp construction sites in Shanghai but his hired investigator jumps off a high-story building rather than tell him the horror of what is really going on. Jack later confronts Owens and learns that PhiCorp is as much a pawn as any other player, and that whoever orchestrated the miracle has been working towards it for a very long time. Jack also learns of another term: "the blessing", dating back to the 1990s.
In San Pedro, Rex finishes his video message containing footage of Dr. Juarez's incineration, and Esther begins to suspect something has happened to Dr. Juarez. Rex attempts to pass himself off as a soldier at the San Pedro Overflow Camp but is captured. Camp director Colin Maloney briefly considers using Rex's video to expose the death of Dr. Juarez and become a hero, but then attempts to kill Rex. Esther finds them and is forced to strangle Maloney. With assistance from soldier Ralph Coltrane, they escape the compound with the footage and release it, causing a public outcry, but do not affect the government's stance on Overflow Camps.
In Wales, Gwen breaks her father Geraint out of the Overflow Camp as Rhys runs over the gates with Geraint in the back of his truck. Gwen publicly broadcasts a message explaining the purpose of the Overflow Camps shortly before blowing up the Modules at the Cardiff facility. However, touching down in Los Angeles she is unable to make contact with Rhys. A mysterious phone call at LAX tells her to put on her lenses, where she receives a message from mysterious conspirators: they have her mother, husband and child, and to set them free she must deliver Jack.
Reader's Guide
"The Middle Men" is significant for advancing the central mystery of Torchwood: Miracle Day, revealing the term "the blessing" and the long-term planning behind the miracle. The episode focuses on the moral and physical costs of the Overflow Camps, with graphic scenes of violence against women noted by critics. The public release of incineration footage causes outcry but fails to change government policy, highlighting the systemic nature of the crisis. Reception was mixed: Assignment X described the episode as "lackluster," while The Yorker praised its grim revelations and the contrast between Wales and the US. The Guardian noted that Esther comes into her own, killing Evil Colin in a shocking scene, and that her final, broken scene with Rex was "really very moving." The episode sets up a new threat: Gwen's family is taken hostage, and she must deliver Jack to free them.
Did You Know?
- The episode introduces the term 'the blessing,' dating back to the 1990s, as a key piece of the miracle's mystery.
- Esther is forced to strangle camp director Colin Maloney to save Rex, marking a Torchwood rite of passage in killing someone.
- Gwen blows up the Modules at the Cardiff facility after broadcasting the purpose of the Overflow Camps.
- The episode ends with Gwen receiving a message that her mother, husband, and child are held hostage, and she must deliver Jack to free them.
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