Slow Decay (novel): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image= Slow Decay.jpg | |image = Slow Decay.jpg | ||
|series=[[BBC Torchwood novels]] | |series = [[BBC Torchwood novels]] | ||
|number= 3 | |number = 3 | ||
|main character=[[Jack Harkness|Jack]] | |main character = [[Jack Harkness|Jack]], [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]], [[Toshiko Sato|Tosh]], [[Owen Harper|Owen]], [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]] | ||
|featuring= | |featuring = Rhys Williams | ||
|featuring2= | |featuring2 = Jimmy Mitchell{{!}}Mitch | ||
|featuring3= | |featuring3 = Janet (Everything Changes){{!}}Janet | ||
|enemy = [[Scotus]], [[Alien tapeworm]]s | |||
|enemy= [[Scotus]], [[Alien tapeworm]]s | |setting = [[Cardiff]], mid [[2000s]] | ||
|setting=[[Cardiff]] | |writer = Andy Lane | ||
|writer= | |read by = [[Burn Gorman]] | ||
|read by=[[Burn Gorman]] | |publisher = BBC Books | ||
|publisher= BBC Books | |release date = 11 January 2007 | ||
|release date= | |format = Hardcover Book, 251 Pages, 20 Chapters | ||
|format= Hardcover Book, 251 Pages | |isbn = ISBN 0-563-48655-4 | ||
|isbn= ISBN 0-563-48655-4 | |prev = Border Princes (novel) | ||
|prev= Border Princes (novel) | |next = Something in the Water (novel) | ||
|next= Something in the Water (novel) | |clip = Torchwood Slow Decay | ||
|clip = Torchwood Slow Decay | |||
}}{{prose stub}} | }}{{prose stub}} | ||
'''''Slow Decay''''' was the third release in the [[BBC Torchwood novels|BBC ''Torchwood'' Novels]] series. | '''''Slow Decay''''' was the third release in the [[BBC Torchwood novels|BBC ''Torchwood'' Novels]] series. | ||
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When [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]] track an energy surge to a [[Cardiff]] [[nightclub]], the team finds the police are already at the scene. Five teenagers have died in a fight, and lying among the bodies is an extraterrestrial device. Next morning, they discover the corpse of a [[Weevil]], its [[face]] and [[neck]] eaten away, seemingly by [[human]] [[teeth]]. And on the streets of Cardiff, an ordinary woman with an extraordinary hunger is attacking people and eating her victims. | When [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]] track an energy surge to a [[Cardiff]] [[nightclub]], the team finds the police are already at the scene. Five teenagers have died in a fight, and lying among the bodies is an extraterrestrial device. Next morning, they discover the corpse of a [[Weevil]], its [[face]] and [[neck]] eaten away, seemingly by [[human]] [[teeth]]. And on the streets of Cardiff, an ordinary woman with an extraordinary hunger is attacking people and eating her victims. | ||
The job of a lifetime it might be, but working for Torchwood is putting big strains on [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]]'s relationship with Rhys. While she decides to spice up their love life with the help of alien [[technology]], Rhys decides it's time to sort himself out — better music, healthier food, lose some weight. Luckily, a friend has mentioned Doctor Scotus's weight-loss clinic... | The job of a lifetime it might be, but working for Torchwood is putting big strains on [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]]'s relationship with Rhys. While she decides to spice up their love life with the help of alien [[technology]], Rhys decides it's time to sort himself out — better music, healthier food, lose some weight. Luckily, a friend has mentioned Doctor [[Scotus]]'s [[Scotus Clinic|weight-loss clinic]]... | ||
== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
| Line 38: | Line 37: | ||
* [[Owen Harper]] | * [[Owen Harper]] | ||
* [[Ianto Jones]] | * [[Ianto Jones]] | ||
* [[Lucy | * [[Rhys Williams]] | ||
* [[Lucy Sobel]] | |||
* [[Marianne Till]] | |||
* Dr [[Scotus]] | * Dr [[Scotus]] | ||
* PC [[Jimmy Mitchell]] | |||
* [[Craig Sutherland]] | * [[Craig Sutherland]] | ||
* | * [[Rick Dennis]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Geraint Morris]] | ||
* [[Dai Morris]] | |||
* [[Idris ab Hugh]] | |||
* [[Designer (Slow Decay)|Designer]] | |||
* [[Martin (Slow Decay)|Martin]] | |||
* [[Receptionist (Slow Decay)|Receptionist]] | |||
* [[Jodie Williams]] | |||
* [[Shaven-headed man]] | |||
* [[Thug (Slow Decay)|Thug]] | |||
* [[Goon (Slow Decay)|Goon]] | |||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
* The sky over Cardiff is compared to an [[Edvard Munch]] painting. | * The sky over Cardiff is compared to an [[Edvard Munch]] painting. | ||
* Gwen states that they stopped wearing [[bowler hat]]s in the [[Civil Service]] in the [[1950s]] as they went out of fashion, like [[tea trolly|tea trollies]] and [[waistcoat]]s. Jack compares the Civil Service to an administrative version of the [[Ku Klux Klan]]. | * Gwen states that they stopped wearing [[bowler hat]]s in the [[Civil Service]] in the [[1950s]] as they went out of fashion, like [[tea trolly|tea trollies]] and [[waistcoat]]s. Jack compares the Civil Service to an administrative version of the [[Ku Klux Klan]]. | ||
* [[Jack Harkness]] uses a two-year-old playing near [[poison ivy]], [[Rose|rose bushes]], [[hawthorn]], [[spade]]s and [[secateurs]] as a metaphor for humans and alien technology. | * [[Jack Harkness]] uses a two-year-old playing near [[poison ivy]], [[Rose|rose bushes]], [[hawthorn]], [[spade]]s and [[secateurs]] as a metaphor for humans and alien technology. | ||
* Jack lists examples of small talk: [[fashion]], [[politics]], [[house]] prices, [[sport]]. | * Jack lists examples of small talk: [[fashion]], [[politics]], [[house]] prices, [[sport]]. | ||
* Gwen goes on a date with Rhys to the [[Indian Summer ( | * Gwen goes on a date with Rhys to the [[Indian Summer (restaurant)|Indian Summer]]. | ||
* Jack once parked the [[Torchwood SUV]] in the middle of the [[Taff Bridge]]. | * Jack once parked the [[Torchwood SUV]] in the middle of the [[Taff Bridge]]. | ||
* Torchwood investigate an incident at a nightclub off [[St Mary Street]]. Five bodies are found with [[Folding knife|folding knives]]. The victims are [[Craig Sutherland]], [[Rick Dennis]], [[Geraint Morris]], [[Dai Morris]] and [[Idris ab Hugh]]. Gwen theorises that there are three locals and two students from [[Cardiff University]]. | * Torchwood investigate an incident at a nightclub off [[St Mary Street]]. Five bodies are found with [[Folding knife|folding knives]]. The victims are [[Craig Sutherland]], [[Rick Dennis]], [[Geraint Morris]], [[Dai Morris]] and [[Idris ab Hugh]]. Gwen theorises that there are three locals and two students from [[Cardiff University]]. | ||
| Line 60: | Line 71: | ||
* The device is part of a batch which arrived on Earth sometimes in the [[1950s]]. Own compares them to [[Apostle Spoon]]s. | * The device is part of a batch which arrived on Earth sometimes in the [[1950s]]. Own compares them to [[Apostle Spoon]]s. | ||
* Rhys includes swapping [[Radio 2]] for [[Radio 1]] among the radical changes he needs to make. | * Rhys includes swapping [[Radio 2]] for [[Radio 1]] among the radical changes he needs to make. | ||
* Gwen cooked Rhys [[Chicken|chicken | * Gwen cooked Rhys [[Chicken|chicken breasts]] marinated in [[lime juice]] and [[orange juice]] and wrapped in [[parma ham]] with [[asparagus]] and [[parmesan]]. To drink they had [[white wine]] and for dessert was a [[coffee]] [[crème brûlée]]. They usually made do with [[pasta]] in sauce. | ||
* Rhys and Gwen had [[CD]]s of [[The Flaming Lips]] and [[Suzanne Vega]], which included the track ''[[Luka]]''. | * Rhys and Gwen had [[CD]]s of [[The Flaming Lips]] and [[Suzanne Vega]], which included the track ''[[Luka]]''. | ||
* Gwen and Rhys used to buy [[recipe book]]s and go through the recipes. They made [[Turkey (bird)|turkey]] with [[milk chocolate]] and [[chilli pepper]] sauce, noting they should have used [[dark chocolate]] instead of milk. They also made [[brie]] wedges in breadcrumbs, [[pork]], [[paprika]] and [[pear]]s, and [[barbecue]]d [[Cuban lamb]] marinated in [[Coca Cola]]. For a dinner party with [[Andy (Slow Decay)|Andy]] and [[Rebecca (Slow Decay)|Rebecca]], Gwen once made [[peanut butter and apple soup]]. | * Gwen and Rhys used to buy [[recipe book]]s and go through the recipes. They made [[Turkey (bird)|turkey]] with [[milk chocolate]] and [[chilli pepper]] sauce, noting they should have used [[dark chocolate]] instead of milk. They also made [[brie]] wedges in breadcrumbs, [[pork]], [[paprika]] and [[pear]]s, and [[barbecue]]d [[Cuban lamb]] marinated in [[Coca-Cola]]. For a dinner party with [[Andy (Slow Decay)|Andy]] and [[Rebecca (Slow Decay)|Rebecca]], Gwen once made [[peanut butter and apple soup]]. | ||
* Owen mentions [[GQ]]. | |||
* [[Heart disease]] is mentioned. | |||
* The [[Red Dragon Centre]] is in Cardiff. | |||
* A [[San Miguel]] is an alcoholic drink. | |||
* Owen uses a [[Sig Sauer P226]]; Tosh uses a [[Walther P99]]. | |||
* Torchwood Three uses [[Teflon bullet]]s and [[Glock 17]]. | |||
* Rhys goes shopping in [[ASDA]]. | |||
* [[St Edmunds Pippin]] was a variety of [[apple]]. | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
* The plotline of medical malpractice and treatment using an alien parastite is similar to the ''Torchwood'' television story ''[[Reset (TV story)|Reset]]''. | * The plotline of medical malpractice and treatment using an alien parastite is similar to the ''Torchwood'' television story ''[[Reset (TV story)|Reset]]''. | ||
* In the novel, [[Owen Harper]] quickly comes up with [[Tapanuli Fever]] to falsely describe the condition of [[Marianne Till]]. Tapanuli Fever is fictional illness from the [[Sherlock Holmes]] story ''The Adventure of the Dying Detective''. | |||
=== Audio release === | === Audio release === | ||
| Line 72: | Line 92: | ||
== Continuity == | == Continuity == | ||
* | * Gwen secretly takes an [[emotional amplifier]] from [[the Hub]] to use in her private life. Many of the team previously borrowed items. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') | ||
* | * Toshiko finds Ianto acting strangely around a chamber in the [[Torchwood Archive]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cyberwoman (TV story)|Cyberwoman]]'') | ||
* | * Tosh again recalls [[Operation Goldenrod]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Another Life (novel)|Another Life]]'') | ||
* Jack asks Ianto to make a call to [[Jubilee Pizza]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') | |||
* Tosh knows its a touchy subject to talk about what happened to [[Torchwood One|Torchwood London]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'') | |||
== Gallery == | == Gallery == | ||
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{{dwrefguide|torchwood_n03.htm|Slow Decay}} | {{dwrefguide|torchwood_n03.htm|Slow Decay}} | ||
* {{whoniverse|twn03|Slow Decay}} | * {{whoniverse|twn03|Slow Decay}} | ||
{{ | {{TorchwoodNovelsandShortStories}} | ||
{{Weevil stories}} | |||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[Category:Torchwood novels]] | [[Category:Torchwood novels]] | ||
[[Category:2007 novels]] | [[Category:2007 novels]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in Cardiff]] | [[Category:Stories set in Cardiff]] | ||
[[Category:Weevil novels]] | [[Category:Weevil novels]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:BBC Books novels with audiobook readings]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:40, 9 November 2023
Slow Decay was the third release in the BBC Torchwood Novels series.
Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]
When Torchwood track an energy surge to a Cardiff nightclub, the team finds the police are already at the scene. Five teenagers have died in a fight, and lying among the bodies is an extraterrestrial device. Next morning, they discover the corpse of a Weevil, its face and neck eaten away, seemingly by human teeth. And on the streets of Cardiff, an ordinary woman with an extraordinary hunger is attacking people and eating her victims.
The job of a lifetime it might be, but working for Torchwood is putting big strains on Gwen's relationship with Rhys. While she decides to spice up their love life with the help of alien technology, Rhys decides it's time to sort himself out — better music, healthier food, lose some weight. Luckily, a friend has mentioned Doctor Scotus's weight-loss clinic...
Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]
to be added
Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Captain Jack Harkness
- Gwen Cooper
- Toshiko Sato
- Owen Harper
- Ianto Jones
- Rhys Williams
- Lucy Sobel
- Marianne Till
- Dr Scotus
- PC Jimmy Mitchell
- Craig Sutherland
- Rick Dennis
- Geraint Morris
- Dai Morris
- Idris ab Hugh
- Designer
- Martin
- Receptionist
- Jodie Williams
- Shaven-headed man
- Thug
- Goon
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The sky over Cardiff is compared to an Edvard Munch painting.
- Gwen states that they stopped wearing bowler hats in the Civil Service in the 1950s as they went out of fashion, like tea trollies and waistcoats. Jack compares the Civil Service to an administrative version of the Ku Klux Klan.
- Jack Harkness uses a two-year-old playing near poison ivy, rose bushes, hawthorn, spades and secateurs as a metaphor for humans and alien technology.
- Jack lists examples of small talk: fashion, politics, house prices, sport.
- Gwen goes on a date with Rhys to the Indian Summer.
- Jack once parked the Torchwood SUV in the middle of the Taff Bridge.
- Torchwood investigate an incident at a nightclub off St Mary Street. Five bodies are found with folding knives. The victims are Craig Sutherland, Rick Dennis, Geraint Morris, Dai Morris and Idris ab Hugh. Gwen theorises that there are three locals and two students from Cardiff University.
- Jack suggests getting Laurence Llewelyn Bowen to decorate the Torchwood Hub with swags and velvet and stencilled oak leaves.
- Gwen says that Torchwood has a responsibility not to disturb the crime scenes, "like the Country Code only a lot weirder".
- Owen wipes blood from his hands with a Kleenex.
- Owen questions whether a device found at the crime scene is an iPod.
- Tosh uses a hyperspectral scanner to confirm where the device comes from.
- Gwen quotes her old tutor from Hendon.
- The device is part of a batch which arrived on Earth sometimes in the 1950s. Own compares them to Apostle Spoons.
- Rhys includes swapping Radio 2 for Radio 1 among the radical changes he needs to make.
- Gwen cooked Rhys chicken breasts marinated in lime juice and orange juice and wrapped in parma ham with asparagus and parmesan. To drink they had white wine and for dessert was a coffee crème brûlée. They usually made do with pasta in sauce.
- Rhys and Gwen had CDs of The Flaming Lips and Suzanne Vega, which included the track Luka.
- Gwen and Rhys used to buy recipe books and go through the recipes. They made turkey with milk chocolate and chilli pepper sauce, noting they should have used dark chocolate instead of milk. They also made brie wedges in breadcrumbs, pork, paprika and pears, and barbecued Cuban lamb marinated in Coca-Cola. For a dinner party with Andy and Rebecca, Gwen once made peanut butter and apple soup.
- Owen mentions GQ.
- Heart disease is mentioned.
- The Red Dragon Centre is in Cardiff.
- A San Miguel is an alcoholic drink.
- Owen uses a Sig Sauer P226; Tosh uses a Walther P99.
- Torchwood Three uses Teflon bullets and Glock 17.
- Rhys goes shopping in ASDA.
- St Edmunds Pippin was a variety of apple.
Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The plotline of medical malpractice and treatment using an alien parastite is similar to the Torchwood television story Reset.
- In the novel, Owen Harper quickly comes up with Tapanuli Fever to falsely describe the condition of Marianne Till. Tapanuli Fever is fictional illness from the Sherlock Holmes story The Adventure of the Dying Detective.
Audio release[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The story was released as an audiobook on 3x CD read by Burn Gorman.
- The audiobook is also available as a download from the AudioGo website.
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Gwen secretly takes an emotional amplifier from the Hub to use in her private life. Many of the team previously borrowed items. (TV: Everything Changes)
- Toshiko finds Ianto acting strangely around a chamber in the Torchwood Archive. (TV: Cyberwoman)
- Tosh again recalls Operation Goldenrod. (PROSE: Another Life)
- Jack asks Ianto to make a call to Jubilee Pizza. (TV: Everything Changes)
- Tosh knows its a touchy subject to talk about what happened to Torchwood London. (TV: Doomsday)
Gallery[[edit] | [edit source]]
Original cover
German edition
Audiobook cover
External links[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Official Slow Decay page at Penguin Books
- Slow Decay at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- The Discontinuity Guide to: Slow Decay at The Whoniverse
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