I'd agree--this was one of the best episodes yet, and Torchwood has set the bar pretty high so far for writing and acting. Torchwood has struck me as a kind of British X-Files, but no American series would address the "out of time" storyline in such an unflinching and adult way as this episode does. Seeing bare buttocks shouldn't surprise me--this IS a British show after all--but I have to admit being surprised at the casual way the "F-word" is bandied about (here, and in other episodes). A very moving treatment of how 3 people who fly through a temporal displacement and land in 2006/7 Cardiff after taking off in the early 1950s might react to coming unstuck in time. I am having a bit of a hard time buying Burn Gorman as a romantic lead, but his love affair with the pilot was quite moving. The best story has to be the old man, who tracks down his son, now an old man himself and afflicted with Alzheimer's. How that story resolves itself is amazingly brave and matter-of-fact. Torchwood has had a pretty impressive first series. Here's hoping the high standard continues in subsequent ones.
11 Reviews
Now THIS is impressive!
sarastro71 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Even though I have been disappointed a few times, I have to admit that most episodes of Torchwood surprise me in a positive way. "Out of Time" is possibly the best episode yet, being a showcase of what the British do so infinitely better than the Americans, and on a fraction of the budget: Powerful characterization with an astonishing heart-in-your-throat emotional impact, and actors with the skill to pull it off. Amazing.
I was utterly engrossed with this episode. My only complaint is that Diane took off in the end. I just don't think a person like that would abandon a new and exciting world just because of a too intense relationship. I hoped she would be sticking around for a few episodes at least, but alas, it was not to be.
Fantastic installment none the less. 9 out of 10.
I was utterly engrossed with this episode. My only complaint is that Diane took off in the end. I just don't think a person like that would abandon a new and exciting world just because of a too intense relationship. I hoped she would be sticking around for a few episodes at least, but alas, it was not to be.
Fantastic installment none the less. 9 out of 10.
A deeply moving story.
phunghongphuong26 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"Out of Time" is certainly one of the greatest episode of "Torchwood" season one. No war, no enemy, just three people get lost and need to help, that is all about "Out of Time".
John Ellis, an old man must witness the end of his world, wants to die. Captain Jack, a man who can't die, always hides all his sadness, loneliness and isolatedness behind cruel coldness. John cannot understand Jack's tenacity, though, Jack was able to understand John's hurt. It's the reason why Jack lets John die (and standing by him until the end). I doubt whether Jack's immorality is finally a blessing or a curse?
I don't understand why Diane says "The thing about love is that you always at its mercy" about Owen, however, it's the first time I think that Owen wanna be serious for an affair, instead of flirting or **** buddies. So sad! Emma, the brightest part of this story, is luckier than the other, she find a new life in London, her dreaming city, it's good, really good...
After all, a thriller movie doesn't always need a lot of deaths, sometimes, living and hoping are more difficult.
John Ellis, an old man must witness the end of his world, wants to die. Captain Jack, a man who can't die, always hides all his sadness, loneliness and isolatedness behind cruel coldness. John cannot understand Jack's tenacity, though, Jack was able to understand John's hurt. It's the reason why Jack lets John die (and standing by him until the end). I doubt whether Jack's immorality is finally a blessing or a curse?
I don't understand why Diane says "The thing about love is that you always at its mercy" about Owen, however, it's the first time I think that Owen wanna be serious for an affair, instead of flirting or **** buddies. So sad! Emma, the brightest part of this story, is luckier than the other, she find a new life in London, her dreaming city, it's good, really good...
After all, a thriller movie doesn't always need a lot of deaths, sometimes, living and hoping are more difficult.
Falling through The Cracks. A real high.
Sleepin_Dragon23 March 2023
A plane from 1953 carrying a trio of passengers arrives in Cardiff in 2007, The Torchwood team meet them, and try to help them adjust to present day life.
It's a contender for Series ones best episode, it is an outstanding watch, don't expect action, horror or gore, it doesn't contain aby sort of threat, but do expect incredibly good characters, and a story that will bring you close to tears.
Each of the characters is so good, so meaningful, so much so that the regulars almost seem not to matter somehow. John is trying to find his son, Diane is looking for adventure, Emma seems to be looking for safety and security.
That scene where John gets to meet his son, it's an incredible moment, Mark Lewis Jones gets to show off his acting skills. Olivia Hallinan is awesome, as is Louise Delamere, they're all fantastic.
They could perhaps have explained why the team were there waiting for them, that's just an almost inconsequential quibble.
It never fails to move me, it works on every level, it really does change the tone before a series of heavier episodes.
10/10.
It's a contender for Series ones best episode, it is an outstanding watch, don't expect action, horror or gore, it doesn't contain aby sort of threat, but do expect incredibly good characters, and a story that will bring you close to tears.
Each of the characters is so good, so meaningful, so much so that the regulars almost seem not to matter somehow. John is trying to find his son, Diane is looking for adventure, Emma seems to be looking for safety and security.
That scene where John gets to meet his son, it's an incredible moment, Mark Lewis Jones gets to show off his acting skills. Olivia Hallinan is awesome, as is Louise Delamere, they're all fantastic.
They could perhaps have explained why the team were there waiting for them, that's just an almost inconsequential quibble.
It never fails to move me, it works on every level, it really does change the tone before a series of heavier episodes.
10/10.
Best episode yet
carolinehop10 February 2020
Forever gone
sinceverona2 September 2009
At the airport Jack and a team patiently waits for a plane to arrive. The pilot and the two passengers came through a rift from a year 1953. The pilot Diane Holmes befriends Owen, while the passengers eighteen year old Emma stays at Gwens place and Jack is left to help John Ellis. The relationship between Owen and Diane blossoms into love affair, though he called it differently. Gwen eventually became a very good friend to Emma, whose parents have died and in this new world she has no one. John Ellis story was more sad. He left his wife and his son Alan, who know was ninety years old and had Aleichemer's. The episode was very on a personal note. It is always a delight to watch what happens when someone travels through time. The sex scenes was a surprise, specially since Owen had a fling with Gwen. And we only saw Gwen dressed in his shirt at the end of an episode, marking the begging of the affair. She was standing by his colossal window, which I found very discreetly. When Owen brought a dress for Diane,you could see a even greater view from his apartment window. The music at the end was absolutely beautiful.
Heartfelt, but predictable at times
thomasgouldsbrough26 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Out of Time is probably the best Torchwood episode so far. It tells a very human story, and can be quite heartfelt at times. Surprisingly, Torchwood have broken the long running tradition of giving Ianto one line of dialogue per episode and in this time, he gets at least 5 lines! Torchwood are improving - they've actually allowed a major character to become more than just a cameo.
The story of the 3 characters are quite sad, and can be quite funny at times. Obviously the stand out story is John's, it was so depressing to witness. To be pushed 50 years into the future, to have no family, and a son that's a shell of who he was, it's heart wrenching. And on top of all that, to be at the complete wrong age - too old to start a family, and too young to retire. Owen was given a chance to show some genuine character development, it's only taken 10 episodes......
Torchwood still has some issues though. The focus of Torchwood is Captain Jack and Gwen Cooper, but in terms of how the show is written, Toshiko, and especially Ianto, are completely forgotten. Instead of having a Jack story and a Owen story, this episode could have replaced both of them with Ianto and Toshiko respectively.
The story of the 3 characters are quite sad, and can be quite funny at times. Obviously the stand out story is John's, it was so depressing to witness. To be pushed 50 years into the future, to have no family, and a son that's a shell of who he was, it's heart wrenching. And on top of all that, to be at the complete wrong age - too old to start a family, and too young to retire. Owen was given a chance to show some genuine character development, it's only taken 10 episodes......
Torchwood still has some issues though. The focus of Torchwood is Captain Jack and Gwen Cooper, but in terms of how the show is written, Toshiko, and especially Ianto, are completely forgotten. Instead of having a Jack story and a Owen story, this episode could have replaced both of them with Ianto and Toshiko respectively.
RE; Incidental music
blacksuede5812 April 2009
The piano music playing on the radio was Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" First Movement. Beautiful, timeless, and just right for the scene. (No, I didn't know that info until about 20 minutes ago-- I got as far as that scene, and had heard that piece before, came here to IMDb hoping to find out what it was. 15 minutes of Googling and various message boards brought me the answer.... thanx also to YouTube for verification!)
I'm watching the show for the first time, 1st season on DVD... it completely rocks!
I'm off to watch the rest of the epi now... and the rest of the season...
I'm watching the show for the first time, 1st season on DVD... it completely rocks!
I'm off to watch the rest of the epi now... and the rest of the season...
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