Review: Torchwood, Episode 2.7, "Dead Man Walking"

Writer Matt Jones, who began his career as a columnist for Doctor Who Magazine and was a script editor for Torchwood creator Russell T Davies' Queer as Folk, brings some interesting ideas to the table here but just isn't able to fully realize them. The episode is a bit disappointing and simply not on the same level as its predecessors this season. For one thing, Jones isn't able to bring the emotional resonance to the story needed to develop its themes and serve as a follow-up to the events of the previous episode.

Things that didn't work:

Warning: spoilers below, please highlight the white space with your mouse to read them.

1. The child tarot reader revealing the location of the second resurrection glove is a poorly conceived deus ex machina. It would have been simpler and more interesting had Jack known its location all along.

2. The Grim Reaper. Are we supposed to believe it really is Death and killing thirteen people will allow it continued freedom? If it's the thing lurking in the darkness that Suzie referred to last season, it's not very impressive.

3. The Weevils are used as red herrings.

4. Not enough Martha!

That said, the CGI effects are great and it's good to see that Owen is still alive, at least in some fashion.