Out of Time (Torchwood)
Encyclopedia
"Out of Time" is an episode in the British
science fiction television
series Torchwood
, which was broadcast on 17 December 2006. It is the tenth episode of the first series.
, courtesy of the Rift
; the passengers are reoriented by the Torchwood team, who become drawn closely to their lives, only to leave again just as quickly as they arrived.
that has unknowingly passed through the Rift
from 1953 and arrived in the present. The three persons on board, pilot Diane Holmes and passengers Emma-Louise Cowell and John Ellis, are told of what happened, and the Torchwood team helps to set each up with room and board while assisting them in adapting to modern conveniences. Each of the three begin to go their separate ways with members of the Torchwood team.
Diane and Owen Harper
begin to form a romantic bond, though Diane continually yearns to fly again. Owen tries to help her to get flying lessons but finds that she will have to wait weeks to take them, much to Diane's disappointment.
John finds that his son is still alive but suffers from Alzheimer's disease
and is in a nursing home. Assisted by Jack
, John visits his son, who barely remembers John's presence. John becomes very remorseful at missing his son's life as well as being unable to adapt to modern times.
Emma-Louise bonds with Gwen Cooper
, and discovers that love is much more promiscuous than in the 1950s. Gwen and Rhys
help Emma to become more accustomed to modern romance, although Rhys's trust in Gwen is damaged when he learns that her story about Emma-Louise being a distant relative is false.
When Jack discovers that Ianto
's car has gone missing, he believes John has taken it, and finds him in the garage of his old home, ready to commit suicide by running the car and suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning
. Jack tries to encourage him to start his life anew by saying there is no Afterlife
, only for John to refuse and kill himself anyway
, which Jack agrees to help him with. Jack holds John's hand as he succumbs to the fumes and dies.
Emma's skills as a "retro" fashion artist land her a job in London
, and after trying to convince her to stay, Gwen tearfully helps Emma off to a bus station to enjoy her life.
After a romantic night with Owen, Diane secretly leaves to fly the Sky Gypsy off through the same pattern, hoping to fly through the Rift back to 1953, but if not to simply explore the world. Owen realizes that their relationship is different than any he's had before; he actually loves her as a person. When he wakes up Owen reads a note Diane left him and he is able to catch her at the airfield before she leaves. He tries to prevent her from leaving, warning her that even if the Rift opens, she may end up anywhere, but she refuses to heed his advice. They have a tearful moment before she flies off.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
science fiction television
Science fiction on television
Science fiction first appeared on a television program during the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Special effects and other production techniques allow creators to present a living visual image of an imaginary world not limited by the constraints of reality; this makes television an excellent medium...
series Torchwood
Torchwood
Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. The series is a spin-off from Davies's 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who. The show has shifted its broadcast channel each series to reflect its growing audience, moving from...
, which was broadcast on 17 December 2006. It is the tenth episode of the first series.
Synopsis
A plane from 1953 lands in modern CardiffCardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, courtesy of the Rift
Cardiff Rift
The Cardiff Rift is a fictional wormhole in the science fiction television series Doctor Who and Torchwood, one end of which is located in Cardiff Bay, Wales. The other end is apparently floating freely through spacetime, and matter and radiation can pass through the Rift, allowing extraterrestrial...
; the passengers are reoriented by the Torchwood team, who become drawn closely to their lives, only to leave again just as quickly as they arrived.
Plot
The Torchwood team meet up with the Sky Gypsy, a vintage twin-engined aircraftDe Havilland Dragon Rapide
The de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide was a British short-haul passenger airliner of the 1930s.-Design and development:Designed by the de Havilland company in late 1933 as a faster and more comfortable successor to the DH.84 Dragon, it was in effect a twin-engined, scaled-down version of the...
that has unknowingly passed through the Rift
Cardiff Rift
The Cardiff Rift is a fictional wormhole in the science fiction television series Doctor Who and Torchwood, one end of which is located in Cardiff Bay, Wales. The other end is apparently floating freely through spacetime, and matter and radiation can pass through the Rift, allowing extraterrestrial...
from 1953 and arrived in the present. The three persons on board, pilot Diane Holmes and passengers Emma-Louise Cowell and John Ellis, are told of what happened, and the Torchwood team helps to set each up with room and board while assisting them in adapting to modern conveniences. Each of the three begin to go their separate ways with members of the Torchwood team.
Diane and Owen Harper
Owen Harper
Owen 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"....
begin to form a romantic bond, though Diane continually yearns to fly again. Owen tries to help her to get flying lessons but finds that she will have to wait weeks to take them, much to Diane's disappointment.
John finds that his son is still alive but suffers from Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
and is in a nursing home. Assisted by Jack
Jack Harkness
Captain Jack Harkness is a fictional character played by John Barrowman in Doctor Who and its spin-off series, Torchwood. He first appeared in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "The Empty Child" and reappeared in the remaining episodes of the 2005 series as a companion of the ninth incarnation of the...
, John visits his son, who barely remembers John's presence. John becomes very remorseful at missing his son's life as well as being unable to adapt to modern times.
Emma-Louise bonds with Gwen Cooper
Gwen Cooper
Gwen Cooper is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, a spin-off to the long-running show Doctor Who, portrayed by Welsh actress Eve Myles. The series' lead female character, Gwen has featured in every episode of the sci-fi programme to date as well as two crossover...
, and discovers that love is much more promiscuous than in the 1950s. Gwen and Rhys
Rhys Williams (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...
help Emma to become more accustomed to modern romance, although Rhys's trust in Gwen is damaged when he learns that her story about Emma-Louise being a distant relative is false.
When Jack discovers that Ianto
Ianto Jones
Ianto Jones is a fictional character in the BBC television series Torchwood, played by Welsh actor Gareth David-Lloyd. A series regular, Ianto appears in every episode of the programme's first three series, as well as two crossover episodes of Torchwoods parent show, Doctor Who...
's car has gone missing, he believes John has taken it, and finds him in the garage of his old home, ready to commit suicide by running the car and suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after enough inhalation of carbon monoxide . Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, but, being colorless, odorless, tasteless, and initially non-irritating, it is very difficult for people to detect...
. Jack tries to encourage him to start his life anew by saying there is no Afterlife
Afterlife
The afterlife is the belief that a part of, or essence of, or soul of an individual, which carries with it and confers personal identity, survives the death of the body of this world and this lifetime, by natural or supernatural means, in contrast to the belief in eternal...
, only for John to refuse and kill himself anyway
Nihilism
Nihilism is the philosophical doctrine suggesting the negation of one or more putatively meaningful aspects of life. Most commonly, nihilism is presented in the form of existential nihilism which argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value...
, which Jack agrees to help him with. Jack holds John's hand as he succumbs to the fumes and dies.
Emma's skills as a "retro" fashion artist land her a job in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and after trying to convince her to stay, Gwen tearfully helps Emma off to a bus station to enjoy her life.
After a romantic night with Owen, Diane secretly leaves to fly the Sky Gypsy off through the same pattern, hoping to fly through the Rift back to 1953, but if not to simply explore the world. Owen realizes that their relationship is different than any he's had before; he actually loves her as a person. When he wakes up Owen reads a note Diane left him and he is able to catch her at the airfield before she leaves. He tries to prevent her from leaving, warning her that even if the Rift opens, she may end up anywhere, but she refuses to heed his advice. They have a tearful moment before she flies off.
Continuity
- The Sky Gypsy is a de Havilland Dragon RapideDe Havilland Dragon RapideThe de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide was a British short-haul passenger airliner of the 1930s.-Design and development:Designed by the de Havilland company in late 1933 as a faster and more comfortable successor to the DH.84 Dragon, it was in effect a twin-engined, scaled-down version of the...
. It is identified as a de Havilland on the Torchwood Institute web site (where it is misnamed the Sea Gipsy). - Conflicting information exists about the year in which the episode is set. December 29 is clearly stated as being on a Friday in the show (as it is in 2006); yet the entire series is set after the Doctor Who episode "DoomsdayDoomsday (Doctor Who)"Doomsday" is the thirteenth and final episode in the second series of the revival of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on 8 July 2006 and is the conclusion of a two-part story; the first part, "Army of Ghosts", was broadcast on 1 July 2006...
", which took place in 2007 in that series' continuity. However, other sources on the Torchwood Institute web site set this episode in late 2007. - Diane's fate is not shown in the episode. A vision of her appears to Owen in "End of DaysEnd of Days (Torchwood)"End of Days" is the thirteenth episode and the first series finale of the British science fiction television series Torchwood. It originally aired on BBC Three on 1 January 2007, alongside the previous episode, "Captain Jack Harkness". The episode was written by Chris Chibnall and directed by...
", begging him to be "brought back". - When Jack is talking to John after his suicide attempt, he says that after you die, there is just black, echoing Suzie Costello in "They Keep Killing SuzieThey Keep Killing Suzie"They Keep Killing Suzie" is an episode in the British science fiction television series Torchwood. It is the eighth episode of the first series, which was broadcast on 3 December 2006.-Synopsis:...
."
Music
- Beethoven'sLudwig van BeethovenLudwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
"Moonlight SonataPiano Sonata No. 14 (Beethoven)The Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2, by Ludwig van Beethoven, popularly known as the Moonlight Sonata , was completed in 1801...
" (when Jack tunes the radio for John; Gwen talks with Emma as she unpacks) is featured in this episode, along with "TroubleTrouble (Ray LaMontagne song)"Trouble" is the first track on the debut album of the same name by Maine folk singer Ray LaMontagne. The album was released by RCA on September 14, 2004...
" by Ray LaMontagneRay LaMontagneRaymond "Ray" Charles Jack LaMontagne is a Grammy-award winning American singer-songwriter. LaMontagne has released four studio albums, Trouble, Till the Sun Turns Black, Gossip in the Grain and God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise. He was born in New Hampshire and was inspired to create music after...
(when Diane and Owen share drinks at his apartment), "I See You Baby" by Groove ArmadaGroove ArmadaGroove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
(Gwen and Rhys take Emma to a club) and "The Good Life" by Tony BennettTony BennettTony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
(when Diane and Owen dance on the roof of the car-park then return to his apartment). - The song sung by Emma in the hostel is "I Just Blew in from the Windy City" from Calamity JaneCalamity Jane (1953 film)Calamity Jane is a "Wild West"-themed film musical released in 1953. It is loosely based on the life of Wild West heroine Calamity Jane and explores an alleged romance between Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok in the American Old West. The film starred Doris Day as the title character and Howard...
.
Outside references
- The visitors are taken to a branch of the supermarket AsdaAsdaAsda Stores Ltd is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile telephone network, , Asda Mobile...
for their initial orientation, although efforts are made by the production team to disguise this fact. Several recognisable brands and products are also shown on the screen, albeit quite briefly, including MaltesersMaltesersMaltesers are a confectionery product manufactured by Mars, Incorporated.Maltesers consist of a roughly spherical malt honeycomb centre, surrounded by Milk chocolate. They are most popular in the UK, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Poland, France, Hong Kong, and Portugal...
, Mars BarMars BarMars is a chocolate bar manufactured by Mars, Incorporated. It was first manufactured in Slough, Berkshire in the United Kingdom in 1932 as a sweeter version of the US Milky Way bar which Mars, Inc. produced...
s, TwixTwixTwix is a chocolate bar made by Mars, Inc., consisting of a biscuit finger, topped with caramel and coated in milk chocolate. Being somewhat smaller in width than other confectionery bars, Twix bars are typically packaged in pairs...
, Kit KatKit KatKit Kat is a chocolate-coated wafer confection that was created by Rowntree's of York, England, and is now produced worldwide by Nestlé, which acquired Rowntree in 1988, except in the United States where it is made under licence by The Hershey Company. Each bar consists of fingers composed of three...
s, Milky Way barMilky Way barThe Milky Way bar is a chocolate bar distributed by the Mars confectionery company. The American version of the Milky Way bar is made of chocolate-malt nougat topped with caramel and covered with milk chocolate and is very similar to the Mars bar sold in other countries...
s, CadburyCadbury SchweppesCadbury is a confectionery company owned by Kraft Foods and is the industry's second-largest globally after Mars, Incorporated. Headquartered in Uxbridge, London, United Kingdom, the company operates in more than 50 countries worldwide....
Dairy MilkDairy MilkDairy Milk is a brand of milk chocolate currently manufactured by Cadbury; except in the United States where it is made by The Hershey Company. It was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1905 and now consists of a number of products...
, and M&M'sM&M'sM&M's are dragée-like "colorful button-shaped candies" produced by Mars, Incorporated...
, among others. - Diane muses about the possibility that famed aviatrix Amelia EarhartAmelia EarhartAmelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
may also have flown through a rift when she disappeared. - John talks about the 1953 FA Cup FinalFA Cup Final 1953The 1953 FA Cup Final, also known as the Matthews Final, was the eighth to be held at Wembley Stadium after the Second World War. The football match was contested between Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers, with Blackpool winning 4-3. The match became famous for the performance of Blackpool winger...
between BlackpoolBlackpool F.C.Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
and Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, which Blackpool went on to win 4–3, and particularly praises the performance of Stanley MatthewsStanley MatthewsSir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
during the match (known in football folklore as the "Matthews Final"). - Rhys calls Emma "Pollyanna", a slang term which is derived from the main character of the 1913 novel PollyannaPollyannaPollyanna is a best-selling 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter that is now considered a classic of children's literature, with the title character's name becoming a popular term for someone with the same optimistic outlook. The book was such a success, that Porter soon produced a sequel, Pollyanna...
. - Diane is delighted to see a CessnaCessnaThe Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary...
at the air training school, remarking that they have "hardly changed at all". The plane is G-DRID, a Cessna 172Cessna 172The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...
, a model that dates back to the 1950s and has long been a popular flight trainingFlight trainingFlight training is a course of study used when learning to pilot an aircraft. The overall purpose of primary and intermediate flight training is the acquisition and honing of basic airmanship skills....
aircraftAircraftAn aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
.