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{{real world}}
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{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image            = Expectant (audio story).jpg
|image            = Expectant (audio story).jpg
|number            = 34
|number            = 34
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|featuring        = [[Ianto Jones]]
|featuring        = [[Ianto Jones]]
|enemy            =  
|enemy            =  
|setting          =  
|setting          = [[South Wales]], [[2009]]
|writer            = [[Xanna Eve Chown]]
|writer            = Xanna Eve Chown
|director          = [[Scott Handcock]]
|director          = [[Scott Handcock]]
|music            = [[Blair Mowat]]
|music            = [[Blair Mowat]]
Line 18: Line 18:
|cover            = [[Lee Binding]]
|cover            = [[Lee Binding]]
|publisher        = Big Finish Productions
|publisher        = Big Finish Productions
|release date      = [[18 December (releases)|18 December]] [[2019 (releases)|2019]]
|release date      = 18 December 2019
|format            =  
|format            =1 CD<br/>Download
|production code  = BFPTWCD34
|production code  = BFPTWCD34
|isbn              = ISBN 978-1-78703-702-1
|isbn              = ISBN 978-1-78703-702-1
|series            = [[Big Finish Torchwood series|Big Finish ''Torchwood'' series]]
|series            = ''[[Torchwood - Monthly Range]]''
|prev              = Dead Man's Switch (BFTW audio story)
|prev              = Dead Man's Switch (BFTW audio story)
|next              = Fortitude (audio story)
|next              = Fortitude (audio story)
|soundcloudtrailer = https://soundcloud.com/big-finish/torchwood-expectant-trailer
|soundcloudtrailer = https://soundcloud.com/big-finish/torchwood-expectant-trailer
}}{{audio stub}}
|epcount = 1
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the thirty-fourth story in the [[Big Finish Torchwood series|''Torchwood'' audio series]] by [[Big Finish Productions]]. It was written by [[Xanna Eve Chown]] and featured [[John Barrowman]] as [[Jack Harkness]].
}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the thirty-fourth story in the ''[[Torchwood - Monthly Range]]'' by [[Big Finish Productions]]. It was written by [[Xanna Eve Chown]] and featured [[John Barrowman]] as [[Jack Harkness]].


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
The [[Yalnix Empire]] is a fragile alliance of a dozen systems, under constant attack from their ancient enemy, the [[Vad]]. With the Empress unable to trust any of her court she gives the job of growing the next [[Ruler of the Yalnix]] to an old friend - Captain [[Jack Harkness]].
The [[Yalnix Empire]] is a fragile alliance of a dozen systems, under constant attack from their ancient enemy, the [[Vad (Expectant)|Vad]]. With the Empress unable to trust any of her court she gives the job of growing the next [[Ruler of the Yalnix]] to an old friend - Captain [[Jack Harkness]].


With [[hunter]]s on the loose and a [[battlefleet]] in orbit, Cardiff’s suddenly became a dangerous place for a man to be [[pregnant]].
With [[hunter]]s on the loose and a [[battlefleet]] in orbit, Cardiff’s suddenly became a dangerous place for a man to be [[pregnant]].


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
''to be added''
[[Jack Harkness|Jack]] is on top of a burning building with [[Jonty (Expectant)|Jonty]], having set it on fire to kill an alien [[virus]] growing in the [[air conditioning]]. They use a [[zip wire]] to escape and Jonty reminds Jack that Jack is [[pregnancy|pregnant]].
 
The pair chase a [[Weevil]] called [[Terrance (Expectant)|Terrance]] in a [[sewer]] and Jack's pregnancy symptoms get worse. He counters Jonty's protestations to his activities by reminding him that he agreed to carry the next [[Ruler of the Yalnix]], whom he has nicknamed "[[Junior (Expectant)|Junior]]", so long as he could continue to work for [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]] as normal for as long as he could. Jack asks the Weevil nest if they have seen the old woman's arm that Jonty removed.
 
Jack and Jonty go to [[Café (Expectant)|a café]] where Jack suffers a [[mood swing]]. They later deal with the [[Tomvaris]], who are looking for the spawn baby and whom Jack persuades to leave, and briefly encounter [[UNIT]].
 
Jack goes to [[the Hub]] and has a hormonal meltdown in front of [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]]. Ianto speaks to Jonty outside and expresses his concern for Jack, who he thought was dealing well with [[Toshiko Sato|Tosh]] and [[Owen Harper|Owen]]'s [[death]]s before he came back pregnant. Ianto saves Jack, who has sneaked out, from [[dragon (Expectant)|a man-eating dragon]], and sees him off as Jack and Jonty go to the [[Monkstone Abbey Health Spa]]. [[Paula (Expectant)|Paula]] welcomes them.
 
The other residents stop and cry whilst staring at Jack and Jonty before returning to normal. Paula checks in with them and Jack asks if she has seen anything unusual before everybody enters a [[trance]] and state that he must be secured. Jack enters the final stage of [[gestation]] and is saved from Paula by Jonty, who explains that Junior had turned the residents into warriors to protect itself from the reckless Jack. Ianto arrives and uses a [[stun gun]] on Paula.
 
Jack admits to Ianto that he accepted the pregnancy in order to feel some control after what happened to Tosh, Owen, [[John Hart (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang)|John]] and [[Gray (Fragments)|Gray]]. Ianto deliberately drives into the [[sea]] at Penarth Pier, prompting the birthing ship to teleport them inside where Jack gives birth.
 
In a sewer, Jack hands Junior over to Jonty, who thanks him for what he has done for the Yalnix.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
* [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]  
* [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]
* [[Ianto Jones]] - [[Gareth David-Lloyd]]  
* [[Ianto Jones]] - [[Gareth David-Lloyd]]
* [[Jonty (Expectant)|Jonty]] - [[Aaron Anthony]]  
* [[Jonty (Expectant)|Jonty]] - [[Aaron Anthony]]
* [[Paula (Expectant)|Paula]] - [[Catherine Ayers]]  
* [[Paula (Expectant)|Paula]] - [[Catherine Ayers]]
* [[Brigadier (Expectant)|Brigadier]] - [[Jessica Hayles]]
* [[Brigadier (Expectant)|Brigadier]] - [[Jessica Hayles]]
* Residents - [[Meryn Davis]], [[Emily John]]
* Residents - [[Meryn Davis]], [[Emily John]]


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
* Jack described [[Unified Intelligence Taskforce|UNIT]] as "like Torchwood, with bigger guns and an HR department".
* Jack gives Jonty a [[leather harness]] to help [[zip wire]] off of the burning building.
* Jonty is a [[midwife]].
* Jack and Jonty go to [[Café (Expectant)|a café]] and are served by [[waitress (Expectant)|a waitress]].
* Jack gets a [[litre]] of [[cherryade]] and a [[salt beef]], [[peanut butter]], [[poppy seed]] [[bagel]], which Jonty supposes is high in [[protein]]. Jack is angry that they used crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth.
* Jack's first [[pregnancy]] was a [[student]] [[prank]].
* [[Mood swing]]s are caused by [[hormonal imbalance]].
* Jack deals with a [[Tomvaris destructor ship]]. The [[Tomvaris]] are [[bounty hunter]]s.
* Jack described [[UNIT]] as "like Torchwood, with bigger guns and an [[human resources|HR]] department".
* Jack has an [[egg sac]] in his [[abdomen]].
* The [[Yalnix Empire]] is under constant threat from its ancient enemy, the [[Vad (Expectant)|Vad]].
* Jack is entrusted with the next [[Yalnix]] ruler as the [[Yalnix Empress]] does not trust any other with it.
* Jack takes two [[hot dog]]s with [[onion]]s and [[mustard]] and gives them to [[dragon (Expectant)|a dragon]].
* Ianto asks if Jack has packed his [[antacid]]s, [[toothbrush]], [[underwear]] and the [[tartan]] [[slipper]]s with [[pom-pom]]s that he bought him.
* [[Gwen Cooper]] is on holiday in [[Tenerife]].
* [[Gwen Cooper]] is on holiday in [[Tenerife]].
* The [[Yalnix Empire]] is under constant threat from its ancient enemy, the [[Vad]].
* The [[birthing ship]] is under [[Penarth Pier]].
* Jack is entrusted with the next [[Yalnix]] ruler as the [[Yalnix Empress]] does not trust any other with it.
* [[Monkstone Abbey Health Spa]] offer [[yoga]], [[hydrotherapy]], [[hot stone massage]]s and [[pilates]]. The [[swimming pool]] has an underwater [[treadmill]], [[massage point]]s and a [[jacuzzi]]. It used to be an [[asylum (hospital)|asylum]] and has high [[hedge]]s around it.
* Just as Jack's [[pelvis]] breaks, he suggests he's gone too far and that '[[Toshiko Sato|Tosh]] would have stopped [him]'.
* Jonty watches [[soap opera (Expectant)|a soap opera]].
* [[Paula (Expectant)|Paula]] asks if Jack eating [[crisp]]s will lead to him smoking [[cigarette]]s behind the [[tennis]] courts and doing [[crack cocaine]] whilst everybody else does pilates.
* Jack and [[Owen Harper|Owen]] once went to a small village where everybody's [[hair]] inexplicably turned [[blue]]. They found that the local [[cannabis]] supply had been contaminated with [[lazulium]]. [[Vicar (Expectant)|The vicar]] was one of the ones with blue hair, making Jack and Owen laugh.
* Jonty accidentally calls [[Castle Taxis]].
* Just as Jack's [[pelvis]] breaks, he suggests he's gone too far and that "[[Toshiko Sato|Tosh]] would have stopped [him]."
* Gwen gave Ianto a [[siren]] for [[Secret Santa]].
* Ianto was planning to have a "nice night in" with the [[radio]], a cup of [[hot chocolate]] and some [[garibaldi]]s.
* [[Maud (Expectant)|Maud]] is a Weevil.


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 56: Line 88:


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* Jack begins the story on a rooftop, as he often does. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'' et al)
* Jack begins the story on a rooftop, as he often does. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'', etc.)
* Jack recalls that he said he would never become pregnant again. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'')
* Jack recalls that he said he would never become pregnant again. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'')
* Jack is not to blame for the [[Weevil|Weevils]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Torchwood Archive (audio story)|The Torchwood Archive]]'')
* Jack is not to blame for the [[Weevil]]s. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Torchwood Archive (audio story)|The Torchwood Archive]]'')
* Jack has protected Cardiff for over a century. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fragments (TV story)|Fragments]]''; [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Baby Farmers (short story)|The Baby Farmers]]''; [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Victorian Age (audio story)|The Victorian Age]]'', ''[[The Torchwood Archive (audio story)|The Torchwood Archive]]'')
* Jack has protected Cardiff for over a century. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fragments (TV story)|Fragments]]''; [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Baby Farmers (short story)|The Baby Farmers]]''; [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Victorian Age (audio story)|The Victorian Age]]'', ''[[The Torchwood Archive (audio story)|The Torchwood Archive]]'')
* Two of Jack and Ianto's friends just died. Jack says he really misses Owen. ([[TV]]: ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'')
* Two of Jack and Ianto's friends just died. Jack says he really misses [[Owen Harper|Owen]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'')
* Jack has survived being buried alive. ([[TV]]: ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'')
* Jack has survived being buried alive. ([[TV]]: ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'')
* Jack's reason for bringing life into the world is his [[guilt]] and [[grief]] after 'what happened to [[Toshiko Sato|Tosh]] and [[Owen Harper|Owen]] and  [[John Hart (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang)|John]] and [[Gray (Fragments)|Gray]]'. ([[TV]]: ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'')
* Jack's reason for bringing life into the world is his [[guilt]] and [[grief]] after what happened to [[Toshiko Sato|Tosh]], [[Owen Harper|Owen]], [[John Hart (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang)|John]] and [[Gray (Fragments)|Gray]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'')


== External links ==
== External links ==
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{{BFTWA}}
{{BFTWA}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:Series 5 (BFTW) audio stories]]
[[Category:Series 5 (BFTW) audio stories]]
[[Category:2019 audio stories]]
[[Category:2019 audio stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in Cardiff]]
[[Category:Stories set in Cardiff]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 21st century]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 21st century]]
[[Category:UNIT audio stories]]

Latest revision as of 20:27, 30 April 2024

RealWorld.png

Expectant was the thirty-fourth story in the Torchwood - Monthly Range by Big Finish Productions. It was written by Xanna Eve Chown and featured John Barrowman as Jack Harkness.

Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Yalnix Empire is a fragile alliance of a dozen systems, under constant attack from their ancient enemy, the Vad. With the Empress unable to trust any of her court she gives the job of growing the next Ruler of the Yalnix to an old friend - Captain Jack Harkness.

With hunters on the loose and a battlefleet in orbit, Cardiff’s suddenly became a dangerous place for a man to be pregnant.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Jack is on top of a burning building with Jonty, having set it on fire to kill an alien virus growing in the air conditioning. They use a zip wire to escape and Jonty reminds Jack that Jack is pregnant.

The pair chase a Weevil called Terrance in a sewer and Jack's pregnancy symptoms get worse. He counters Jonty's protestations to his activities by reminding him that he agreed to carry the next Ruler of the Yalnix, whom he has nicknamed "Junior", so long as he could continue to work for Torchwood as normal for as long as he could. Jack asks the Weevil nest if they have seen the old woman's arm that Jonty removed.

Jack and Jonty go to a café where Jack suffers a mood swing. They later deal with the Tomvaris, who are looking for the spawn baby and whom Jack persuades to leave, and briefly encounter UNIT.

Jack goes to the Hub and has a hormonal meltdown in front of Ianto. Ianto speaks to Jonty outside and expresses his concern for Jack, who he thought was dealing well with Tosh and Owen's deaths before he came back pregnant. Ianto saves Jack, who has sneaked out, from a man-eating dragon, and sees him off as Jack and Jonty go to the Monkstone Abbey Health Spa. Paula welcomes them.

The other residents stop and cry whilst staring at Jack and Jonty before returning to normal. Paula checks in with them and Jack asks if she has seen anything unusual before everybody enters a trance and state that he must be secured. Jack enters the final stage of gestation and is saved from Paula by Jonty, who explains that Junior had turned the residents into warriors to protect itself from the reckless Jack. Ianto arrives and uses a stun gun on Paula.

Jack admits to Ianto that he accepted the pregnancy in order to feel some control after what happened to Tosh, Owen, John and Gray. Ianto deliberately drives into the sea at Penarth Pier, prompting the birthing ship to teleport them inside where Jack gives birth.

In a sewer, Jack hands Junior over to Jonty, who thanks him for what he has done for the Yalnix.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • A bonus scene was added on the album featuring locals fighting and arguing in a Welsh pub called The Crown & Anchor. This was a fictional scene from a programme that Jack and Jonty were watching at the health spa. The famous line 'Get outta my pub' is used by the landlord, echoing the line used by Peggy Mitchell, once landlady of the Queen Victoria in EastEnders.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]