Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story): Difference between revisions

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{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}
{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image         = 456Arrival.jpg
|image                 = 456Arrival.jpg
|series         = ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''
|series               = ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''
|season number = Series 3 (Torchwood)
|season number         = Series 3 (Torchwood)
|series episode number         = 3
|series episode number = 3
|main character = [[Jack Harkness|Jack]], [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]], [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]], [[Rhys Williams|Rhys]]
|scripturl      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/torchwood-children-of-earth-episode-3-day-three-blue-revisions-28082008.pdf
|featuring     = Lois Habiba|Lois
|main character       = [[Jack Harkness|Jack]], [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]], [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]], [[Rhys Williams|Rhys]]
|featuring2     = John Frobisher|Frobisher
|featuring             = Lois Habiba
|featuring3     = Bridget Spears|Bridget
|featuring2           = John Frobisher
|featuring4     = Alice Carter|Alice
|featuring3           = Bridget Spears
|featuring5     = Johnson (Children of Earth)|Johnson
|featuring4           = Clem McDonald
|featuring6     = Clem McDonald|Clem
|featuring5           = Johnson (Children of Earth: Day One)
|featuring7     = Andy Davidson
|featuring6           = Alice Carter
|enemy         = [[The 456]]
|featuring7           = Andy Davidson
|setting       = [[London]] and [[Cardiff]], [[2009]]
|featuring8            = Trinity Wells
|writer         = [[Russell T Davies]] and [[James Moran]]
|featuring9            = French newsreader{{!}}Newsreader
|director       = [[Euros Lyn]]
|enemy                 = The [[456 ambassador]]
|producer       = [[Peter Bennett]]
|setting               = [[London]] and [[Cardiff]], [[2009]]
|network       = [[BBC One]]
|writer               = Russell T Davies, James Moran
|broadcast date = [[8 July (releases)|8 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|director             = [[Euros Lyn]]
|prev = Children of Earth: Day Two (TV story)
|producer             = [[Peter Bennett]]
|next           = Children of Earth: Day Four (TV story)
|network               = BBC One
|clip           = We are here - Torchwood Children of Earth - BBC
|broadcast date       = 8 July 2009
|clip2         = The lost children - Torchwood Children of Earth - BBC
|prev                 = Children of Earth: Day Two (TV story)
|clip3         = We want the children - Torchwood - BBC
|next                 = Children of Earth: Day Four (TV story)
|trailer       = Torchwood Children of Earth - Day Three trailer - BBC One
|clip                 = We are here - Torchwood Children of Earth - BBC
}}
|clip2                 = The lost children - Torchwood Children of Earth - BBC
|clip3                 = We want the children - Torchwood - BBC
|trailer               = Torchwood Children of Earth - Day Three trailer - BBC One
|format = 1x60 minute episode;<br/>Part 3 of 5}}
'''''Children of Earth: Day Three''''' was the third episode of [[Series 3 (Torchwood)|Series 3]] of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''. It was written by [[Russell T Davies]] and [[James Moran]], directed by [[Euros Lyn]] and featured [[John Barrowman]] as [[Jack Harkness]], [[Eve Myles]] as [[Gwen Cooper]], [[Kai Owen]] as [[Rhys Williams]] and [[Gareth David-Lloyd]] as [[Ianto Jones]].
'''''Children of Earth: Day Three''''' was the third episode of [[Series 3 (Torchwood)|Series 3]] of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''. It was written by [[Russell T Davies]] and [[James Moran]], directed by [[Euros Lyn]] and featured [[John Barrowman]] as [[Jack Harkness]], [[Eve Myles]] as [[Gwen Cooper]], [[Kai Owen]] as [[Rhys Williams]] and [[Gareth David-Lloyd]] as [[Ianto Jones]].


It notably introduced [[the 456]] after the buildup in previous episodes. [[Torchwood Three]] also established a new temporary base of operations and pilfered a new car to replace their stolen [[Torchwood SUV|SUV]].
It notably introduced [[the 456]] after the buildup in the previous two episodes. [[Torchwood Three]] also established a new temporary base of operations and pilfered a new car to replace their stolen [[Torchwood SUV|SUV]].


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
The eyes of the world turn to [[Britain]]. [[The 456]] announce: "We are here," as the new [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]] adventure continues. A pillar of fire descends upon [[London]] and Torchwood must battle to protect their own families as the fight gets personal. Will [[Clem McDonald|Clem]]'s [[memory|memories]] destroy everything?
The eyes of the world turn to [[Great Britain|Britain]]. [[The 456]] announce: "We are here," as the new [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]] adventure continues. A pillar of fire descends upon [[London]] and Torchwood must battle to protect their own families as the fight gets personal. Will [[Clem McDonald|Clem]]'s [[memory|memories]] destroy everything?


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
The [[Torchwood Three|team]], including [[Rhys Williams|Rhys]], have set up a base in an old factory once used by [[Torchwood One]] for storage. As a former [[police]] officer, [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]] knows all the tricks of the criminal trade, including stealing [[mobile phone]]s, debit cards and laptops from people off the street. [[Jack Harkness|Jack]] makes off with a car. Soon the base is stocked with creature comforts; [[coffee]], [[electricity]], access to the Torchwood server, toiletries, and new clothes for the group, including replacement [[World War II]] era apparel for Jack, thanks to an Army Surplus special. When he researches the other people targeted for [[assassination]], Jack is shocked. He seems to recognise them and he runs off.
The [[Torchwood Three|team]], including [[Rhys Williams|Rhys]], have set up a base in an [[Torchwood holding facility|old factory]] once used by [[Torchwood One]] for storage. As a former [[police officer]], [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]] knows all the tricks of the criminal trade, including stealing [[mobile phone]]s, debit cards and laptops from people off the street. [[Jack Harkness|Jack]] makes off with a car. Soon the base is stocked with creature comforts; [[coffee]], [[electricity]], access to the Torchwood server, toiletries, and new clothes for the group, including replacement [[World War II]] era apparel for Jack, thanks to an Army Surplus special. When he researches the other people targeted for [[assassination]], Jack is shocked. He seems to recognise them and he runs off.


In [[Cardiff]], Jack's daughter [[Alice Carter|Alice]] is still trying to contact him; she goes outside and borrows a girl's mobile to phone the Cardiff police, but the government's scanners pick up Jack's name and try to find the connection between them. [[Johnson (Children of Earth)|Agent Johnson]] gets word of this. Her team take Alice and her [[Steven Carter|son]] away to "help" them. Suddenly, Steven points southeastwards to [[London]] as all the children on [[Earth]] are pointing towards London.
In [[Cardiff]], Jack's daughter [[Alice Carter|Alice]] is still trying to contact him; she goes outside and borrows a girl's mobile to phone the Cardiff police, but the government's scanners pick up Jack's name and try to find the connection between them. [[Johnson (Children of Earth: Day One)|Agent Johnson]] gets word of this. Her team take Alice and her [[Steven Carter|son]] away to "help" them. Suddenly, Steven points southeastwards to [[London]] as all the children on [[Earth]] are pointing towards London.


A [[pillar of fire]] descends from the sky and enters [[Thames House]]. Fiery energy fills the gas containment system. [[John Frobisher]] and [[Dekker|Mr Dekker]] meet with the [[alien]]s, who instruct the humans to call them "[[the 456|456]]". During the discussion, Frobisher extracts a promise from the 456 that it will not mention its previous visit to Earth in [[1965]].
A [[pillar of fire]] descends from the sky and enters [[Thames House]]. Fiery energy fills the gas containment system. [[John Frobisher]] and [[Dekker|Mr Dekker]] meet with the [[alien]]s, who instruct the humans to call them "[[the 456|456]]". During the discussion, Frobisher extracts a promise from the 456 that it will not mention its previous visit to Earth in [[1965]].
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Jack sneaks into Frobisher's house and steals his wife's mobile. He phones Frobisher, having made the connection between the children and the events of 1965. He threatens Frobisher with "blow[ing] this thing sky high". Frobisher tells Jack they have taken his daughter and grandson into custody and will kill them if he does. Jack threatens to do the same, but Frobisher knows he would never do such a thing.
Jack sneaks into Frobisher's house and steals his wife's mobile. He phones Frobisher, having made the connection between the children and the events of 1965. He threatens Frobisher with "blow[ing] this thing sky high". Frobisher tells Jack they have taken his daughter and grandson into custody and will kill them if he does. Jack threatens to do the same, but Frobisher knows he would never do such a thing.


That night, Frobisher, [[Bridget Spears]] and Lois Habiba enter the gas chamber room, which is being filmed for the [[Prime Minister]] and being transmitted to a conference room where [[UNIT]], an [[American]] general and the Prime Minister are watching. Frobisher demands the 456 cease using human children to communicate; in return the 456 demand a gift: 10% of the children on Earth.
That night, Frobisher, [[Bridget Spears]] and Lois Habiba enter the gas chamber room, which is being transmitted to a conference room where [[UNIT]], an [[American]] general and [[Brian Green]] are watching. Frobisher demands the 456 cease using human children to communicate; in return the 456 demand a gift: 10% of the children on Earth.


Back at the warehouse base, Clem tells Gwen he can smell the man who brought the children to the aliens. When Jack walks in, Clem recognises him as the man who gave the twelve children up to the aliens in 1965. When Gwen protests that Jack is a "good guy" who fights aliens, Jack informs them that in this instance, he had done what was asked. He gave the 456 the children... "as a gift."
Back at the warehouse base, Clem tells Gwen he can smell the man who brought the children to the aliens. When Jack walks in, Clem recognises him as the man who gave the twelve children up to the aliens in 1965. When Gwen protests that Jack is a "good guy" who fights aliens, Jack informs them that in this instance, he had done what was asked. He gave the 456 the children... "as a gift."


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
* [[Captain]] [[Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]
* [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]
* [[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]]
* [[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]]
* [[Ianto Jones]] - [[Gareth David-Lloyd]]
* [[Ianto Jones]] - [[Gareth David-Lloyd]]
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* [[Bridget Spears]] - [[Susan Brown]]
* [[Bridget Spears]] - [[Susan Brown]]
* [[John Frobisher]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]
* [[John Frobisher]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]
* [[Johnson (Children of Earth)|Johnson]] - [[Liz May Brice]]
* [[Johnson (Children of Earth: Day One)|Johnson]] - [[Liz May Brice]]
* [[Clem McDonald]] - [[Paul Copley]]
* [[Clem McDonald]] - [[Paul Copley]]
* [[Brian Green|Brian Green PM]] - [[Nicholas Farrell]]
* [[Brian Green|Brian Green PM]] - [[Nicholas Farrell]]
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* [[Dekker|Mr Dekker]] - [[Ian Gelder]]
* [[Dekker|Mr Dekker]] - [[Ian Gelder]]
* [[Andy Davidson|PC Andy Davidson]] - [[Tom Price]]
* [[Andy Davidson|PC Andy Davidson]] - [[Tom Price]]
* [[Newsreader (Children of Earth)|Newsreader]] - [[Louise Minchin]]
* [[Louise Minchin (in-universe)|Newsreader]] - [[Louise Minchin]]
* [[French newsreader|French Newsreader]] - [[Anthony Debaeck]]
* [[French newsreader|French Newsreader]] - [[Anthony Debaeck]]
* [[Trinity Wells]] - [[Lachele Carl]]
* [[Trinity Wells]] - [[Lachele Carl]]
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* [[Johnny Davies]] - [[Rhodri Lewis]]
* [[Johnny Davies]] - [[Rhodri Lewis]]
* [[Anna Frobisher]] - [[Hilary Maclean]]
* [[Anna Frobisher]] - [[Hilary Maclean]]
* [[Parliamentary Secretary]] - [[Rachel Ferjani]]
* [[Parliamentary Secretary (Children of Earth: Day One)|Parliamentary Secretary]] - [[Rachel Ferjani]]
* [[Press Officer]] - [[Christopher James]]
* [[Press Officer]] - [[Christopher James]]
* [[Operative (Children of Earth)|Operative]] - [[Ben Loyd-Holmes]]
* [[Operative (Children of Earth: Day One)|Operative]] - [[Ben Loyd-Holmes]]
* [[David Davies]] - [[Luke Perry]]
* [[David Davies]] - [[Luke Perry]]
* [[Mica Davies]] - [[Aimee Davies]]
* [[Mica Davies]] - [[Aimee Davies]]
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}}
}}


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
* [[Clement McDonald]] is held at a police station on [[Albany Street]] in [[Camden]].
* [[Clement McDonald]] is held at a police station on [[Albany Street]] in [[Camden]].
* Clem describes [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]] as "[[queer]]", which he considers to be highly offensive.
* Clem describes [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]] as "[[queer]]", which he considers to be highly offensive.
* Jack's wife is said to have died in [[October]] [[2006]], making him a widower.
* Jack's lover, [[Lucia Moretti]], is said to have died in [[October]] [[2006]].
* [[Fishponds]], [[Huxley, Cheshire|Huxley]], [[Market Harborough]], [[Middlesbrough]], [[Streatham]], [[Watford]], [[Waverley]], [[Caersws]] and [[Greenham]] are located in Britain.
* [[Fishponds]], [[Huxley, Cheshire|Huxley]], [[Market Harborough]], [[Middlesbrough]], [[Streatham]], [[Watford]], [[Waverley]], [[Caersws]] and [[Greenham]] are located in Britain.
* Alice's [[maiden name]] is Sangster.
* Andy fears that the children are heralding the arrival of [[Godzilla]].
* Prior to Agent Johnson's raid on Alice's home, Steven watched the TV series ''[[Trapped! (TV series)|Trapped!]]''.


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* This is the second time in the recent ''Doctor Who'' multiverse that an alien asked for ten percent of a population. The first was in [[TV]]: ''[[The Sound of Drums]]'' when {{Simm}} kills 10% of Earth's population. Both stories involved [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]].
* The footage of the lift going up is the same used in ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'' and ''[[New Earth (TV story)|New Earth]]''.
* The footage of the lift going up is the same used in [[TV]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'' et al.
* [[Trinity Wells]] and the [[French newsreader]] both make their first appearances in ''Torchwood'' and become the only two characters to have also appeared in both ''[[Doctor Who]]'' and ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''.
* [[Trinity Wells]] and the [[French newsreader]] both make their first appearances in ''Torchwood'' and become the only two characters to have appeared in ''[[Doctor Who]]'' and both of the spin-offs.


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
* 5.9 million [[BBC One]] viewers, according to unofficial overnight figures
* 5.9 million [[BBC One]] viewers, according to unofficial overnight figures
* 6.4 million viewers, according to final official viewing figures
* 6.4 million viewers, according to final official BARB viewing figures<ref>[https://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/weekly-top-10/ BARB Ratings - July, 2009]</ref>
* [[AI]] of 90%
* [[AI]] of 90%
* 14th most-watched programme in [[Britain]] during the week of transmission
* 14th most-watched programme in [[Britain]] during the week of transmission
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=== Filming locations ===
=== Filming locations ===
''to be added''
''to be added''
=== Broadcasts ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Date
!Time
!Channel
!class="unsortable"|Notes
|-
|[[Wednesday]] [[8 July (releases)|8 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|21:00
|[[BBC One]] & [[BBC HD]]
|First broadcast.
|-
|[[Thursday]] [[9 July (releases)|9 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|00:00
|[[BBC HD]]
|
|-
|[[Thursday]] [[9 July (releases)|9 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|00:15
|[[BBC Three]]
|
|-
|[[Friday]] [[31 July (releases)|31 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|21:00
|[[BBC Three]]
|
|-
|[[Saturday]] [[1 August (releases)|1 August]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|01:45
|[[BBC Three]]
|
|-
|[[Tuesday]] [[4 August (releases)|4 August]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|22:00
|[[BBC HD]]
|
|-
|[[Monday]] [[29 December (releases)|29 December]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|23:30
|[[BBC HD]]
|
|}


=== Production errors ===
=== Production errors ===
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* When Gwen is demonstrating the lenses to Lois, several times she looks in different directions and moves her head, but the display on the laptop doesn't move. Also, when Gwen blinks, the display is unaffected (although the computer program may be able to compensate the blinking).
* When Gwen is demonstrating the lenses to Lois, several times she looks in different directions and moves her head, but the display on the laptop doesn't move. Also, when Gwen blinks, the display is unaffected (although the computer program may be able to compensate the blinking).
* When Torchwood accesses the (production mock-up) BBC News website, the word Minister is misspelled as "Minster".
* When Torchwood accesses the (production mock-up) BBC News website, the word Minister is misspelled as "Minster".
* ''Torchwood'', like many BBC-produced shows in the 21st century including ''Doctor Who'', is shot digitally at 50fps, and a film effect is introduced in post to remove every other frame, creating the illusion of more cinematic 25fps footage. However here are two moments in this episode where the film effect has not been applied to the footage. The first occurs during the high-wide shot of Frobisher addressing the 456, and is subtle enough to miss. The second occurs during the shot of the TV screen showing the news feed in the scene immediately afterwards, as well as close-up shots of the news feed later in the episode (particularly, after Frobisher receives the call about becoming the point-of-contact for the 456, and Jack leaves his daughter's house).
** Of note, this error is noticeable because the BBC required production houses to provide material in 720p50 for broadcast purposes at the time ''Children of Earth'' was produced. The end credits of almost all BBC-produced or commissioned series are seen to scroll at 50fps. This is what allows this error to become apparent - if the material had been output at 25fps, it would go unnoticed.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* [[Lois Habiba|Lois]] wears [[Eye-5|contact lenses]] with the same abilities as the ones [[Martha Jones|Martha]] wore. ([[TV]]: ''[[Reset (TV story)|Reset]]'')
* [[Lois Habiba|Lois]] wears [[Eye-5|contact lenses]] with the same abilities as the ones [[Martha Jones|Martha]] wore while infiltrating [[the Pharm]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Reset (TV story)}})
* [[The Doctor]] is mentioned. ([[TV]]: ''[[End of Days (TV story)|End of Days]]'', ''[[Fragments (TV story)|Fragments]]'')
* Ianto asks Jack whether he felt being blown up when the [[bomb]] inside him went off at the [[Torchwood Hub]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Children of Earth: Day One (TV story)}})
* Ianto shows his continued fondness for Jack's coat. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fragments (TV story)|Fragments]]'')
* Jack tells Ianto that the [[Tenth Doctor|Doctor]] called him "a fixed point in time and space". ([[TV]]: {{cs|Utopia (TV story)}})
* Ianto asks Jack whether he felt being blown up. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day One (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day One]]'')
* Ianto shows his continued fondness for Jack's coat. ([[TV]]: {{cs|End of Days (TV story)}}, {{cs|Fragments (TV story)}})
* [[Holly Tree Lodge]] is mentioned. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day One (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day One]]'')
* Gwen has taken Torchwood equipment home with her for "fun", as other members of Torchwood Three have. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Everything Changes (TV story)}})
* Jack tells Ianto that [[Tenth Doctor|the Doctor]] called Jack "a fixed point in time and space." ([[TV]]: ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'')


== Home video releases ==
== Home video releases ==
* ''Children of Earth: Day Three'' was released on DVD along with the rest of ''Children of Earth'' on [[13 July (releases)|13 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]].
* ''Children of Earth: Day Three'' was released on DVD along with the rest of ''Children of Earth'' on [[13 July (releases)|13 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]].
* It was also released in the Series 1-4 boxset (Region 2 release: 14 November 2011.)
== Footnotes ==
{{Reflist}}


{{TWTV}}
{{TWTV}}
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[[Category:Stories set in Cardiff]]
[[Category:Stories set in Cardiff]]
[[Category:UNIT television stories]]
[[Category:UNIT television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Stories set in Camden]]


[[fr:Day Three]]
[[fr:Day Three]]
[[ro:Children of Earth: Day Three]]
[[ro:Children of Earth: Day Three]]
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