Random Shoes

Last updated

09 "Random Shoes"
Torchwood episode
Cast
Starring
Others
  • Paul Chequer – Eugene
  • Luke Bromley – Young Eugene
  • Nicola Duffett – Bronwen Jones
  • Roger Ashton-Griffiths – Mr Garret
  • Steven Meo – Josh
  • Celyn Jones – Gary
  • Robyn Isaac – Linda
  • Gareth Potter – Shaun Jones
  • Joshua Hughes – Terry Jones
  • Amy Starling – Waitress
  • Leroy Liburd – Café owner
  • Ryan Chappell – Pete
Production
Directed byJames Erskine
Written by Jacquetta May
Script editor Brian Minchin
Produced by Richard Stokes
Sophie Fante
Chris Chibnall (co-producer)
Executive producer(s) Russell T Davies
Julie Gardner
Music by Ben Foster
Production code1.9
Series Series 1
Running time49 mins
First broadcast10 December 2006 (2006-12-10)
Chronology
 Preceded by
"They Keep Killing Suzie"
Followed by 
"Out of Time"
List of Torchwood episodes

"Random Shoes" is the 9th episode of the principal series of the English sci-fi TV series Torchwood, which was initially communicated on the advanced TV station BBC Three on 10 December 2006.

Contents

The episode includes the outsider tracker Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) exploring the dubious quick in and out death of the outsider fan Eugene Jones (Paul Chequer) close to Cardiff.

Plot

Gwen investigates the death of an alien enthusiast called Eugene Jones in a hit-and-run accident, and is intrigued by photographs of random shoes that are on his mobile phone. Taking an incorporeal form, Eugene follows Gwen to find out how he died, as his memories slowly return.

In 1992, Eugene blanked on an inter-school maths competition, losing it for his school and disappointing his father Shaun; Shaun left that same night, and Eugene and his brother Terry believed he found a new job in America. After receiving an eye that fell to Earth as a consolation prize, Eugene began collecting alien artefacts. He approached Torchwood several times but was always rebuffed.

After discovering Shaun worked at the local convenience store, Eugene decided to try to sell the eye on eBay in order to raise enough money to buy tickets to Australia for his co-worker, Linda. Eugene contacted the buyers and arranged to meet at the Happy Cook restaurant. Arriving there, he found that Gary, a co-worker, and Josh, a DVD store clerk, were the winning bidders. They had raised the price initially to get Eugene's hopes up, but, when the first large bid came in from a collector, they realised that, if they could get the eye, they could resell it for more. Eugene attempted to phone for a cab with his mobile phone, accidentally taking pictures of Gary, Josh and a waitress' shoes in the process, then swallowed the eye and fled the restaurant. He escaped from Gary and Josh, but unwittingly walked right into traffic, causing the accident that killed him.

In the present, Gwen uncovers the truth from Linda, Gary, Josh, and Eugene's mother Bronwen. Jack reveals to Gwen that the eye was probably a Dogon Sixth Eye, which allowed Eugene to gain a fresh perspective on his past life after he ingested it. Gwen calls Shaun and informs him of Eugene's death. Eugene's family and friends gather for his cremation, and Gwen recovers the eye from the ashes and travels to Eugene's wake with the rest of Torchwood. As she watches across the street, Eugene becomes corporeal, and pushes Gwen out of the way of oncoming traffic. Eugene knows he will not live much longer without the eye in his body. As his family watches in amazement at seeing Eugene, Gwen gives him a kiss for saving her life and for being real.

Production

Music

Outside references

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Harkness</span> Fictional character in the TV series Doctor Who and Torchwood

Captain Jack Harkness is a fictional character played by John Barrowman in Doctor Who and its spin-off series, Torchwood. The character first appears in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "The Empty Child" and subsequently features in the remaining episodes of the first series (2005) as a companion to the series' protagonist, the Doctor. Subsequent to this, Jack became the central character in the adult-themed Torchwood, which aired from 2006 to 2011. Barrowman reprised the role for appearances in Doctor Who in its third, fourth, and twelfth series, as well as specials "The End of Time", and "Revolution of the Daleks".

Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. A spin-off of the 2005 revival of Doctor Who, it aired from 2006 to 2011. The show shifted its broadcast channel each series to reflect its growing audience, moving from BBC Three to BBC Two to BBC One, and acquiring American financing in its fourth series when it became a co-production of BBC One and Starz. Torchwood is aimed at adults and older teenagers, in contrast to Doctor Who's target audience of both adults and children. As well as science fiction, the show explores a number of themes, including existentialism, LGBTQ+ sexuality, and human corruptibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwen Cooper</span> Fictional character from the television series Torchwood

Gwen Cooper is a fictional character portrayed by Welsh actress Eve Myles in the BBC science-fiction television programme Torchwood, a spin-off of the long-running series Doctor Who. The lead female character, Gwen featured in every episode of the show's 2006–2011 run, as well as two 2008 crossover episodes of Doctor Who. Gwen appears in Expanded Universe material such as the Torchwood novels and audiobooks, comic books and radio plays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owen Harper</span> Fictional character in Torchwood

Dr Owen James Harper is a fictional character played by Burn Gorman, and a regular in the BBC television series Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running series Doctor Who. The character last appeared onscreen in the Series 2 finale, "Exit Wounds".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toshiko Sato</span> Fictional character in Torchwood

Toshiko "Tosh" Sato is a fictional character from the television series Doctor Who and its spin-off Torchwood, played by Naoko Mori. After a one-off appearance in the Doctor Who episode "Aliens of London" (2005), Toshiko is re-introduced as a series regular in the Torchwood 2006 premiere episode "Everything Changes". The character appears in every episode of the show's first two series as well as Expanded Universe material including Torchwood novels, audiobooks and comic strips.

"Everything Changes" is the first episode of the British science fiction television programme Torchwood, which was first broadcast on the digital channel BBC Three on 22 October 2006. The story was written by show creator and executive producer Russell T Davies as an introduction to the show's mythos. The episode re-introduces Captain Jack Harkness, who had proved popular in the first series of the 2005 revival of Doctor Who, as the leader of Torchwood, a team of alien hunters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ianto Jones</span> Fictional character in Torchwood

Ianto Jones is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running series Doctor Who, played by Welsh actor Gareth David-Lloyd. A regular within the show, Ianto appears in every episode of the programme's first three series excluding the finale of series 3, as well as two crossover episodes of Torchwood's parent show, Doctor Who. Additionally, Ianto appears in Expanded Universe material such as the Torchwood novels and audiobooks, comic books and radio plays. Within the narrative of the series, Ianto begins as general support officer for Torchwood Three, a team of alien hunters stationed in Cardiff, and develops into an active field agent. Initially the regular character with the least screen time, Ianto's role expanded in response to growing cult appeal.

"Captain Jack Harkness" is the twelfth episode of the first series of the British science fiction television series Torchwood, which was originally broadcast on the digital television channel BBC Three on 1 January 2007.

End of Days (<i>Torchwood</i>) 2007 Torchwood episode

"End of Days" is the thirteenth and final episode of the first series of the British science fiction television series Torchwood. It originally aired on the digital television channel BBC Three on 1 January 2007, alongside the previous episode, "Captain Jack Harkness". The episode was written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Ashley Way.

<i>Eye of the Gorgon</i> 2007 Sarah Jane Adventures story

Eye of the Gorgon is the second serial of the first series of the British science fiction television series The Sarah Jane Adventures. It first aired in two weekly parts on the CBBC channel on 1 and 8 October 2007. The episode makes references to classical mythology.

Adrift (<i>Torchwood</i>) 2008 Torchwood episode

"Adrift" is the eleventh episode of the second series of the British science fiction television series Torchwood, which was first broadcast on BBC Three on 19 March 2008, and repeated on BBC Two one week later. The episode was written by series one and two head writer Chris Chibnall, directed by Mark Everest and produced by Sophie Fante and Richard Stokes. The episode featured the five initial series regulars John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Burn Gorman, Naoko Mori and Gareth David Lloyd plus recurring actors Kai Owen and Tom Price.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lost Souls (Torchwood)</span> 2008 Doctor Who audioplay

"Lost Souls" is an original BBC Radio 4 audio play written by Joseph Lidster and is a spin-off from the British science fiction television series Torchwood, itself a spin-off from Doctor Who. It aired on 10 September 2008 in the Afternoon Play slot as part of Radio 4's Big Bang Day which celebrated the switching on of CERN's Large Hadron Collider that same day. Andrew Marr introduced the audio play live from CERN. An mp3 version of the audio play was freely available until 18 September, when the play was released on CD and as a purchasable download.

Andy Davidson (<i>Torchwood</i>) Fictional character

Andy Davidson is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, portrayed by Tom Price, a spin-off from the long-running series Doctor Who. Andy, an officer with the South Wales Police, is a supporting character who first appears in Torchwood's premiere episode "Everything Changes" and recurs regularly from thereon. Though initially only credited as 'PC Andy', the character's surname 'Davidson' was given in novels and online media and eventually confirmed by dialogue in Children of Earth, "Day Three" (2009). Like Gwen's partner, Rhys, Andy is used by the production team as an everyman character who grounds the series in a recognisable real-world setting. The character had originally been slated to be killed off in the first series, though the production team had a change of heart, believing him to work well as a supporting character. Both cast and crew, as well as professional reviewers have spoken of the character's role in providing comic relief and an outsider's perspective on the Torchwood Institute.

Rhys Williams (<i>Torchwood</i>) Fictional character of Torchwood

Rhys Alun Williams, portrayed by Kai Owen, is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running series Doctor Who. The character is introduced in the premiere episode as the co-habiting boyfriend of principal character Gwen Cooper. Initially a recurring character, Rhys' role is increased after the second series; actor Kai Owen is given star billing from the show's third series — a five-part serial subtitled Torchwood: Children of Earth — onwards. The character has gone on to appear in expanded universe material such as the Torchwood novels and audiobooks, comic books and radio plays.

<i>Torchwood: Miracle Day</i> 2011 Torchwood series

Torchwood: Miracle Day is the fourth and final series of the British science fiction television programme Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running show Doctor Who. In contrast to the first three series, which were produced by the BBC, the fourth series was a British–American co-production involving the BBC's drama production house BBC Cymru Wales for BBC Worldwide and the U.S. premium network Starz. It was broadcast in ten episodes beginning on 8 July 2011 (U.S.) and 14 July 2011 (UK).

Agent Rex Matheson, portrayed by Mekhi Phifer, is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running series Doctor Who. Phifer was one of three American actors to join Torchwood in its fourth series, Torchwood: Miracle Day (2011), as part of a then-new co-production between Torchwood's British network, BBC One, and its American financiers on US premium television network Starz.

"Immortal Sins" is the seventh episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day, the fourth series of the British science fiction television series Torchwood. It was originally broadcast in the United States on Starz on 19 August 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oswald Danes</span> Fictional character in Torchwood

Oswald Danes is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running series Doctor Who and is portrayed by American actor Bill Pullman. The character was promoted as one of five new main characters to join Torchwood in its fourth series, Torchwood: Miracle Day (2011), as part of a new co-production between Torchwood's British network, BBC One, and its American financiers on US premium television network Starz. Pullman appears in eight of the ten episodes, and is credited as a series regular. Whilst reaction to the serial and Pullman's character was mixed, Pullman's portrayal was praised by critics and in 2012 he received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor on Television.

References

  1. "Torchwood External Hub Interface – Investigation – Eugene". BBC. Archived from the original on 3 December 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2006.