Torchwood’s ninth episode is another lighthearted affair and the coming darkness is left behind, for now. This one deals with the death of Eugene, an alien artifact collector who discovered Torchwood just before his death. Their paths crossed as Eugene became more and more curious about an alien eye that his old high school science teacher gave him.

Ever since then he was sure that the alien who lost it would return and he devoted his life to preparing for that day by learning everything there is to know about extra terrestrial life. Little did he know that while he getting nearer to finding out the truth about the eye, that quest would cost him his life. Now Eugene is dead but he is still on earth and everyone thinks he is just the victim of a hit and run, except Torchwood agent Gwen Cooper, that is.

Eugene is played by up and coming British actor Paul Chequer, who starred in hit BBC shows ‘Silent Witness’ and ‘Sinchronicity’. As the geeky Torchwood stalker, he plays another personable character that you can easily connect with.

Able to witness everything that is going on but he can’t do anything to interact with his own murder investigation, Eugene’s memory of the events that led up to his death is filled with gaps and only Gwen’s investigation can help him remember.

This is another Gwen Cooper episode and a chance for Eve Myles to shine again. A more light-hearted show, this is a good episode but not one for this late in the season. The finale storyline should have been followed up from the last episode and be building towards the season climax. Unfortunately this isn’t the way the season should be going.

‘Random Shoes’ is another fine stand-alone Torchwood episode. The problem is that this is another show that doesn’t really push the science fiction envelope or really contain adult themes. This could have easily been a Doctor Who episode however. Torchwood needs to be more risqué than this.

Jamie Kelwick