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{{Infobox Story SMW
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|image                 = Combat.jpg
{{Infobox Story
|series               = ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''
|image = Combat.jpg
|season number         = Series 1 (Torchwood)
|name = Combat
|series episode number = 11
|series = ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''
|scripturl      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/torchwood-1-episode-11-combat-yellow-revisions-04092006.pdf
|featuring=[[Rhys Williams|Rhys]]
|main character       = [[Jack Harkness|Jack]], [[Owen Harper|Owen]], [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]], [[Toshiko Sato|Tosh]], [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]]
|season number = [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|Series 1]]
|featuring            = Janet (Everything Changes){{!}}Janet
|episode number = 11
|featuring2            = Rhys Williams
|main character= [[Jack Harkness|Jack]], [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]], [[Toshiko Sato|Tosh]], [[Owen Harper|Owen]], [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]]|enemy = [[Mark Lynch]], [[Weevil]]s
|enemy                 = [[Mark Lynch]]
|setting = [[Cardiff]], [[2008]]
|setting               = [[Cardiff]], [[2000s]]{{note|Episodes 11-13 of the [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|first series]] of ''[[Torchwood (series)|Torchwood]]'' are set anywhere from [[2007]]-[[2010]] as a result of [[Aliens of London dating controversy|conflicting evidence]] shown in the episodes  {{cs|Ghost Machine (TV story)}}, {{cs|Greeks Bearing Gifts (TV story)}}, {{cs|Random Shoes (TV story)}}, {{cs|To the Last Man (TV story)}}, {{cs|Reset (TV story)}}, {{cs|Adrift (TV story)}}, {{cs|Fragments (TV story)}}, {{cs|Exit Wounds (TV story)}}, and {{cs|The New World (TV story)}}. As episode 10, {{cs|Out of Time (TV story)}},, is set at the end of [[December]], this means that episodes 11-13 are almost certainly set the year after episodes 1-10.}}
|writer = [[Noel Clarke]]
|writer                = Noel Clarke
|network=[[BBC Three]]
|director             = [[Andy Goddard]]
|director = [[Andy Goddard]]
|producer             = [[Richard Stokes]]
|producer = [[Richard Stokes]]
|broadcast date       = 24 December 2006
|broadcast date = [[24 December (releases)|24 December]] [[2006 (releases)|2006]]
|network              = BBC Three
|prev = Out of Time (TV story)
|prev                 = Out of Time (TV story)
|next = Captain Jack Harkness (TV story)
|next                 = Captain Jack Harkness (TV story)
|clip = Cage fighting an alien - Torchwood - BBC
|clip                 = Cage fighting an alien - Torchwood - BBC
|clip2                = Janet the Weevil Gets Kidnapped Combat Torchwood
|clip3                = Owen Harper King of the Weevils? Combat Torchwood
|format                = 1x48-minute episode
}}
}}
'''''Combat''''' was the eleventh episode in the [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|first series]] of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''. It principally featured [[Owen Harper]] and significantly developed the mythos surrounding the [[Weevil]]s.  Indeed, this episode established that Owen had a unique relationship with Weevils — something that would be explored further in [[series 2 (Torchwood)|series 2]] and stories in other media.
'''''Combat''''' was the eleventh episode in the [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|first series]] of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''. It was written by [[Noel Clarke]] and directed by [[Andy Goddard]].
 
It principally featured [[Owen Harper]] and significantly developed the mythos surrounding the [[Weevil]]s, establishing that Owen had a unique relationship with them — something that would be explored further in [[series 2 (Torchwood)|series 2]] and stories in other media.
 
Written by [[Noel Clarke]], it was, {{As of|2023|3|lc=y}}, the only ''Doctor Who''-related television episode to be penned by an actor who portrayed a major DWU character, though not the first or only penned by ''any'' actor that appeared in the DWU as a named character.


Still wallowing from the end of his relationship with [[Diane Holmes]], Owen fell into depression. Likewise, [[Gwen Cooper]] had grown sick of her affair with him after this change in personality and the buildup of guilt toward cheating on [[Rhys Williams]]. It was in this episode that she called off the affair and tried to right things with her husband in a "dress rehearsal" speech, where she confessed to Rhys all her goings-on with Owen, only to supply him with [[Retcon]] so he would remain in the dark. Instead of being forgiven, he reacted maliciously, causing her great pain so much so that she is seen to cry in the hub in a very personal scene.
Written by [[Noel Clarke]], it was, {{as of|2014|9|lc=y}}, the only televised [[DWU]] episode to be penned by an actor who portrayed a major character. 
== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
Savage [[alien]]s are being kidnapped from the streets of [[Cardiff]], and [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]] want to know why. [[Owen Harper|Owen]] is sent undercover to find out who's behind it and soon befriends the charismatic [[Mark Lynch]]. Beneath the veneer of city life, Owen discovers a shocking subculture: can he avoid being sucked in?
Savage [[alien]]s are being kidnapped from the streets of [[Cardiff]], and [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]] want to know why. [[Owen Harper|Owen]] is sent undercover to find out who's behind it and soon befriends the charismatic [[Mark Lynch]]. Beneath the veneer of city life, Owen discovers a shocking subculture: can he avoid being sucked in?
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[[Jack Harkness|Jack]] is chasing a [[weevil]]. It evades him, having seemingly developed an immunity to the "weevil spray" used by [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]]. [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]] is meanwhile having dinner out with [[Rhys Williams|Rhys]]. Rhys is furious when Jack shows up unexpectedly and whisks Gwen away to help him. While chasing the weevil, Jack and Gwen have it snatched out from in front of them by masked men in a white van. The next morning, while [[Toshiko Sato|Tosh]] is unable to trace the plates, she does use the CCTV to track the van to a warehouse near the docks. There Jack and Tosh find the dead body of a young man apparently attacked by a weevil. His [[mobile phone|cellphone]] rings, and an unknown voice warns Jack not to interfere in things he doesn't understand. Further research shows a recent spike in [[hospital]] visits for apparent weevil attacks.
[[Jack Harkness|Jack]] is chasing a [[weevil]]. It evades him, having seemingly developed an immunity to the "weevil spray" used by [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]]. [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]] is meanwhile having dinner out with [[Rhys Williams|Rhys]]. Rhys is furious when Jack shows up unexpectedly and whisks Gwen away to help him. While chasing the weevil, Jack and Gwen have it snatched out from in front of them by masked men in a white van. The next morning, while [[Toshiko Sato|Tosh]] is unable to trace the plates, she does use the CCTV to track the van to a warehouse near the docks. There Jack and Tosh find the dead body of a young man apparently attacked by a weevil. His [[mobile phone|cellphone]] rings, and an unknown voice warns Jack not to interfere in things he doesn't understand. Further research shows a recent spike in [[hospital]] visits for apparent weevil attacks.


[[Owen Harper|Owen]], meanwhile, is still upset over the loss of [[Diane Holmes|Diane]]. At a bar, he speaks with a bartender, who notices he is dodging calls from work, and gets into a short fight with her boyfriend, who believes he is chatting her up. He avoids for some time answering his phone, but ultimately agrees to come into [[the Hub]]. Examining the dead body discovered by the others, he determines that the man had first been assaulted by [[human]]s before being mauled by the weevil. As Owen is the only member of the team not yet seen by the unknown perpetrators, he agrees to go undercover to meet with real estate agent [[Mark Lynch]] , who may have something to do with the incident. Gwen is tasked with telling his wife about him dying, and afterwards she and Owen get into an argument and decide to end their affair.
[[Owen Harper|Owen]], meanwhile, is still upset over the loss of [[Diane Holmes|Diane]]. At a bar, he speaks with a bartender, who notices he is dodging calls from work, and gets into a short fight with her boyfriend, who believes he is chatting her up. He avoids for some time answering his phone, but ultimately agrees to come into [[the Hub]]. Examining the dead body discovered by the others, he determines that the man had first been assaulted by [[human]]s before being mauled by the weevil. As Owen is the only member of the team not yet seen by the unknown perpetrators, he agrees to go undercover to meet with [[real estate agent]] [[Mark Lynch]], who may have something to do with the incident. Gwen is tasked with telling his wife about him dying, and afterwards she and Owen get into an argument and decide to end their affair.


Jack and Ianto go to the hospital to speak to a patient with injuries that might be Weevil-inflicted. The patient refuses to talk, saying that "they" will kill him. Jack decides to take a desperate measure: they will release the weevil they have in captivity (which he calls "[[Janet (Everything Changes)|Janet]]"), plant a tracking device on its clothes, and then see if it will be picked up by this mysterious group. Tosh and Ianto have grave reservations about letting it loose in the city, but Jack assures them they will be with Janet each step of the way. They do so, and watch Janet being captured.
Jack and Ianto go to the hospital to speak to a patient with injuries that might be Weevil-inflicted. The patient refuses to talk, saying that "they" will kill him. Jack decides to take a desperate measure: they will release the weevil they have in captivity (which he calls "[[Janet (Everything Changes)|Janet]]"), plant a tracking device on its clothes, and then see if it will be picked up by this mysterious group. Tosh and Ianto have grave reservations about letting it loose in the city, but Jack assures them they will be with Janet each step of the way. They do so, and watch Janet being captured.
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Posing as an exporter of jellied eels, Owen has met with Mark Lynch to supposedly investigate procuring a new warehouse for his business. Lynch invites him out to drinks, and they end up at the same bar Owen was at the previous night. The same man whom Owen had fought with the previous night approaches him with friends. They attack Owen, but Lynch helps him defeat the men.
Posing as an exporter of jellied eels, Owen has met with Mark Lynch to supposedly investigate procuring a new warehouse for his business. Lynch invites him out to drinks, and they end up at the same bar Owen was at the previous night. The same man whom Owen had fought with the previous night approaches him with friends. They attack Owen, but Lynch helps him defeat the men.
[[File:Rhys_passes_out.jpg|thumb|left|Rhys passes out before Gwen receives forgiveness.]]
[[File:Rhys_passes_out.jpg|thumb|left|Rhys passes out before Gwen receives forgiveness.]]
Rhys returns home earlier than expected, and Gwen hands him a drink. She then confesses to him that she has been having an affair with a co-worker. Rhys initially does not believe her, and then starts to feel woosy. Gwen has put [[Compound B67|Retcon]] in his drink, so that she can confess to him, and hopefully gain his forgiveness, but he will not remember her confession in the morning. She tries desperately to get Rhys to say he forgives her, but he passes out before doing so.
Rhys returns home earlier than expected, and Gwen hands him a drink. She then confesses to him that she has been having an affair with a co-worker. Rhys initially does not believe her, and then starts to feel woozy. Gwen has put [[Compound B67|Retcon]] in his drink, so that she can confess to him, and hopefully gain his forgiveness, but he will not remember her confession in the morning. She tries desperately to get Rhys to say he forgives her, but he passes out before doing so.


After being invited over to Mark's home for drinks, Owen finds a chained weevil in a locked room in the house. Mark, aware that Owen isn't who he claims, is still intrigued by his anger and offers to take Owen with him for the evening's entertainment.
After being invited over to Mark's home for drinks, Owen finds a chained weevil in a locked room in the house. Mark, aware that Owen isn't who he claims, is still intrigued by his anger and offers to take Owen with him for the evening's entertainment.
[[File:Weevil_fight_club.jpg|thumb|Man and weevil square off.]]
[[File:Weevil_fight_club.jpg|thumb|Man and weevil square off.]]
The entertainment is a fight club which Mark moves to a different empty building each night. Mark brings Owen into the fight club where Owen sees men fighting each other to warm up. Each contender pays £1000 to enter a cage with the weevil. The man who stays in the longest wins the pot. Mark informs Owen that he is up next.
The entertainment is a fight club which Mark moves to a different empty building each night. Mark brings Owen into the fight club where Owen sees men fighting each other to warm up. Each contender pays £1000 to enter a cage with the weevil. The man who stays in the longest wins the pot. Mark informs Owen that he is up next.
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Owen is recuperating at the hospital when Jack appears and gives him [[grape]]s. Owen tells Jack that he did not want to be saved. Jack asks if Owen wants him and the team to apologise for saving his life. As he walks off, Jack tells Owen to be back at work tomorrow.
Owen is recuperating at the hospital when Jack appears and gives him [[grape]]s. Owen tells Jack that he did not want to be saved. Jack asks if Owen wants him and the team to apologise for saving his life. As he walks off, Jack tells Owen to be back at work tomorrow.


The next day, Owen returns to the hub. Down in the vaults, he looks at both the captive Weevils, who gape at him with bloodthirsty expressions and hiss at his face. Owen, not willing to be intimidated, hisses back with menacing intent far more pungent and fearsome than theirs. They both groan submissively, recoil, and cower at the superior predator, as Owen looks on with a decidedly satisfied smirk.
The next day, Owen returns to the Hub. Down in the vaults, he looks at both the captive Weevils, who gape at him with bloodthirsty expressions and hiss at his face. Owen, not willing to be intimidated, hisses back with menacing intent far more [[pungent]] and fearsome than theirs. They both groan submissively, recoil, and cower at the superior predator, as Owen looks on with a decidedly satisfied smirk.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
* Captain [[Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]
* [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]
* [[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]]
* [[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]]
* [[Owen Harper]] - [[Burn Gorman]]
* [[Owen Harper]] - [[Burn Gorman]]
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|ArtDeptCoOrdinator=Matthew North
|ArtDeptCoOrdinator=Matthew North
|ArtDeptProdManager=Jonathan Allison
|ArtDeptProdManager=Jonathan Allison
|ArtDepOpManager=Adrian Anscombe
|ArtDeptOpManager=Adrian Anscombe
|AssociateDesigner=
|AssociateDesigner=
|ProductionBuyer=
|ProductionBuyer=
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|SeniorPropsMaker=
|SeniorPropsMaker=
|ChiefPropsMaker=
|ChiefPropsMaker=
|PropsFabricationManager=Barry Jones
|FabricationManager=Barry Jones
|PropsMaker=Nick Robatto
|PropsMaker=Nick Robatto
|PropsMaker2=Penny Howarth
|PropsMaker2=Penny Howarth
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|UnitDriver4=
|UnitDriver4=
|CastingAssociate=Andy Brierley
|CastingAssociate=Andy Brierley
|CastingAssociate2=Kate Robertson
|CastingAssociate2=Kirsty Robertson
|CastingAssistant=
|CastingAssistant=
|AsstEditor=Matt Mullins
|AsstEditor=Matt Mullins
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|SoundEditor=Paul McFadden
|SoundEditor=Paul McFadden
|SoundEditor2=
|SoundEditor2=
|SoundEffectsEditor=Howard Eaves
|SoundFXEditor=Howard Eaves
|ModelUnitSupervisor=
|ModelUnitSupervisor=
|ModelUnitDOP=
|ModelUnitDOP=
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|Music=Murray Gold
|Music=Murray Gold
|Music2=Ben Foster
|Music2=Ben Foster
|Editor=Richard Cox
|Editor=Richard Cox (editor)
|ProductionDesigner=Edward Thomas
|ProductionDesigner=Edward Thomas
|ProductionDesigner2=
|ProductionDesigner2=
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|Note=
|Note=
}}
}}
== References ==
 
== Worldbuilding ==
* Mark uses the word "[[bullshit]]" as an insult.
 
=== Music ===
 
* The "[[Crazy Frog]]" ringtone, which was a major fad in Britain during the mid-2000s, is referenced in this episode. Toshiko mistakes it for Jack's ringtone, to which he takes offence.
 
=== Foods and beverages ===
=== Foods and beverages ===
* Gwen and Rhys go to a [[France|French]] [[restaurant]] where Rhys orders a [[steak]].
* Owen poses as the owner of a company exporting [[jellied eel]]s.
* Owen poses as the owner of a company exporting [[jellied eel]]s.
* Jack gives Owen [[grape]]s in the hospital; Owen states he hates grapes.
* Gwen orders pizza from [[Jubilee Pizza]].
* Jack gives Owen [[grape]]s in the hospital.


=== Individuals ===
=== Influences ===
* Owen appears to gain some affinity for and connection with the [[weevil]]s.
 
* Gwen and Owen break off their ongoing affair. Gwen confesses the affair to Rhys, but uses [[Retcon]] so he will not remember. Jack repeats his warning to Gwen to not allow her job at Torchwood to compromise her personal life.
* This episode borrows thematically from ''[[Fight Club]]''.
* Lynch references an oncoming "darkness" in the eyes of the [[Weevil]]s.


=== Locations ===
=== Locations ===
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=== Technology ===
=== Technology ===
* Mark Lynch searches for information on Owen using [[search-wise.net]].
* Mark Lynch searches for information on Owen using [[Search Wise|search-wise.net]].
* Dan Hodges has the [[Crazy Frog]] ringtone on his phone.


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* [[Mark Lynch]] works at the real estate agency [[Lynchfrost]]. [http://www.freebase.com/view/guid/9202a8c04000641f800000000ba3802c Lynch/Frost productions] (with {{w|David Lynch}} and {{w|Mark Frost}}) made ''{{w|Twin Peaks}}''.
* Writer [[Noel Clarke]] played the role of [[Mickey Smith]] in ''Doctor Who''. He is also the first writer of colour to write a televised episode set in the ''Doctor Who'' universe, although not for ''Doctor Who ''itself.
* This episode borrows thematically from the movie ''Fight Club''.
* The episode was repeated on [[BBC Two]], three days later at 10:00pm on Wednesday [[27 December (releases)|27 December]] [[2006 (releases)|2006]].
* The "[[Crazy Frog]]" ringtone, which was a major fad in Britain during the mid-2000s, is referenced in this episode. Toshiko mistakes it for Jack's ringtone, to which he takes offence.
* The character [[Mark Lynch]] works at the [[estate agency|real estate agency]] [[Lynchfrost]]. In real life, [http://www.imdb.com/company/co0029640/ Lynch/Frost productions] is a television production company founded by {{w|David Lynch}} and [[Mark Frost]].
* [[Noel Clarke]] originally intended for [[Nicholas Briggs]] to play a character in the story. However, after several rewrites the character was removed. [https://www.blogtorwho.com/nicholas-briggs-exclusive-interview-part-two/ <nowiki>[1]</nowiki>]


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
* 0.8 million viewers
* 0.83 million viewers<ref>[https://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/weekly-top-10/ BARB Ratings - October, 2006]</ref>


=== Filming locations ===
=== Filming locations ===
''to be added''
* Trinity Street, Cardiff (the French restaurant)
* St. John's Church (Jack chases the Weevil)
* Working Street (Jack loses the Weevil)
* Wood Street, Great Western Lane (the car park)
* The Coal Exchange (Fight club)
 
=== Broadcasts ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Date
!Time
!Channel
!class="unsortable"|Notes
|-
|[[Sunday]] [[24 December (releases)|24 December]] [[2006 (releases)|2006]]
|21:30
|[[BBC Three]]
|First broadcast.
|-
|[[Wednesday]] [[27 December (releases)|27 December]] [[2006 (releases)|2006]]
|22:00
|[[BBC Two England]]
|
|-
|[[Monday]] [[19 March (releases)|19 March]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]]
|01:40
|[[BBC Three]]
|
|-
|[[Friday]] [[7 December (releases)|7 December]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]]
|21:00
|[[BBC Three]]
|
|-
|[[Saturday]] [[8 December (releases)|8 December]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]]
|02:55
|[[BBC Three]]
|
|-
|[[Friday]] [[2 July (releases)|2 July]] [[2010 (releases)|2010]]
|00:20
|[[BBC HD]]
|
|}


=== Production errors ===
=== Production errors ===
''to be added''
{{Torchwood discontinuity}}
*The back window of Mark's flat seems to lead directly into a green screen.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
{{Torchwood discontinuity}}
* Owen is still upset over the loss of [[Diane Holmes]], who disappeared in [[TV]]: {{cs|Out of Time (TV story)}}.
* [[Owen Harper|Owen]] also shows a connection with [[Weevil]]s in [[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking]]'', ''[[A Day in the Death]]'' and ''[[Exit Wounds]].''
* Owen will go on to have a more complicated relationship with the Weevils in Cardiff city as shown in [[TV]]: {{cs|Dead Man Walking (TV story)}} and {{cs|Exit Wounds (TV story)}}.
* Owen is still upset over the loss of [[Diane Holmes|Diane]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Out of Time (TV story)|Out of Time]]'')
* Gwen tells Rhys about her affair with Owen which happened during the events of ([[TV]]: {{cs|Countrycide (TV story)}} and {{cs|Greeks Bearing Gifts (TV story)}} but makes Rhys take recton to forget her confession, much like how Jack did to her in [[TV]]: {{cs|Everything Changes (TV story)}}.
* Gwen was given Retcon to forget Torchwood. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') [[Suzie Costello]] gave [[Max Tresilian]] Retcon once a week for two years. ([[TV]]: ''[[They Keep Killing Suzie (TV story)|They Keep Killing Suzie]]'')
* Frost Lynch is the real estate agency promoting the house that Rhys visits during ''[[Children of Earth: Day One (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day One]]''.


== Home video releases ==
== Home video releases ==
[[File:TWS1Part3.jpg|thumb|Series one, part three DVD cover]]
[[File:TWS1Part3.jpg|thumb|Series one, part three DVD cover]]
*''Combat'' was first released on DVD, with three other episodes in''Torchwood: Series 1, part 3'' on [[26 March (releases)|26 March]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]]. It was later included in ''Torchwood: The Complete First Series'' on [[19 November (releases)|19 November]] 2007.
 
=== DVD releases ===
* ''Combat'' was first released on DVD, with three other episodes in ''Torchwood: Series 1, part 3'' on [[26 March (releases)|26 March]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]].
* It was later included in ''Torchwood: The Complete First Series'' on [[19 November (releases)|19 November]] 2007.
* It was also released in the Series 1-4 boxset (Region 2 release: 14 November 2011.)
 
=== Blu-ray releases ===
* Released in the US with the rest of Series 1 as a Complete First Season set on 16 September 2008.
 
* It was released in the Series 1-3 Blu-ray boxset on 26 October 2009 in the UK. The US release was on 19 July 2011.
* It was also released in the Series 1-4 Blu-ray boxset. (Region 2 release: [[14 November (releases)|14 November]] [[2011 (releases)|2011]])


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{dwrefguide|torchwood_11.htm|Combat}}
{{dwrefguide|torchwood_11.htm|Combat}}
* {{briefhistory|torchwood/2006k.html|Combat}}
* {{briefhistory|torchwood/2006k.html|Combat}}
* {{locguide|combat|Combat}}
* {{locguide|combat|Combat}}
* {{whoniverse|tw1_11|Combat}}
== Footnotes ==
=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}


{{TWTV}}
{{TWTV}}
{{Weevil stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[de:{{StoryTitle}}]]
[[fr:Combat]]
[[fr:Combat]]
[[he:קרב (סיפור טלוויזיה)]]
[[ru:Поединок]]
[[ru:Поединок]]
[[Category:Torchwood television stories]]
[[Category:Torchwood television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in Cardiff]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2008]]
[[Category:2006 television stories]]
[[Category:2006 television stories]]
[[Category:Series 1 (Torchwood) stories]]
[[Category:Weevil television stories]]
[[Category:Weevil television stories]]
[[Category:Series 1 (Torchwood) stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in Cardiff]]
[[Category:SH ok]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Jack Harkness television stories]]

Latest revision as of 01:05, 11 November 2024

RealWorld.png

Combat was the eleventh episode in the first series of Torchwood. It was written by Noel Clarke and directed by Andy Goddard.

It principally featured Owen Harper and significantly developed the mythos surrounding the Weevils, establishing that Owen had a unique relationship with them — something that would be explored further in series 2 and stories in other media.

Written by Noel Clarke, it was, as of March 2023, the only Doctor Who-related television episode to be penned by an actor who portrayed a major DWU character, though not the first or only penned by any actor that appeared in the DWU as a named character.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

Savage aliens are being kidnapped from the streets of Cardiff, and Torchwood want to know why. Owen is sent undercover to find out who's behind it and soon befriends the charismatic Mark Lynch. Beneath the veneer of city life, Owen discovers a shocking subculture: can he avoid being sucked in?

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Jack is chasing a weevil. It evades him, having seemingly developed an immunity to the "weevil spray" used by Torchwood. Gwen is meanwhile having dinner out with Rhys. Rhys is furious when Jack shows up unexpectedly and whisks Gwen away to help him. While chasing the weevil, Jack and Gwen have it snatched out from in front of them by masked men in a white van. The next morning, while Tosh is unable to trace the plates, she does use the CCTV to track the van to a warehouse near the docks. There Jack and Tosh find the dead body of a young man apparently attacked by a weevil. His cellphone rings, and an unknown voice warns Jack not to interfere in things he doesn't understand. Further research shows a recent spike in hospital visits for apparent weevil attacks.

Owen, meanwhile, is still upset over the loss of Diane. At a bar, he speaks with a bartender, who notices he is dodging calls from work, and gets into a short fight with her boyfriend, who believes he is chatting her up. He avoids for some time answering his phone, but ultimately agrees to come into the Hub. Examining the dead body discovered by the others, he determines that the man had first been assaulted by humans before being mauled by the weevil. As Owen is the only member of the team not yet seen by the unknown perpetrators, he agrees to go undercover to meet with real estate agent Mark Lynch, who may have something to do with the incident. Gwen is tasked with telling his wife about him dying, and afterwards she and Owen get into an argument and decide to end their affair.

Jack and Ianto go to the hospital to speak to a patient with injuries that might be Weevil-inflicted. The patient refuses to talk, saying that "they" will kill him. Jack decides to take a desperate measure: they will release the weevil they have in captivity (which he calls "Janet"), plant a tracking device on its clothes, and then see if it will be picked up by this mysterious group. Tosh and Ianto have grave reservations about letting it loose in the city, but Jack assures them they will be with Janet each step of the way. They do so, and watch Janet being captured.

Gwen has meanwhile been sent home by Jack so she can spend some time mending things with Rhys. When she arrives home, Rhys leaves to spend a night out on the town with friends. Gwen is alone.

Posing as an exporter of jellied eels, Owen has met with Mark Lynch to supposedly investigate procuring a new warehouse for his business. Lynch invites him out to drinks, and they end up at the same bar Owen was at the previous night. The same man whom Owen had fought with the previous night approaches him with friends. They attack Owen, but Lynch helps him defeat the men.

Rhys passes out before Gwen receives forgiveness.

Rhys returns home earlier than expected, and Gwen hands him a drink. She then confesses to him that she has been having an affair with a co-worker. Rhys initially does not believe her, and then starts to feel woozy. Gwen has put Retcon in his drink, so that she can confess to him, and hopefully gain his forgiveness, but he will not remember her confession in the morning. She tries desperately to get Rhys to say he forgives her, but he passes out before doing so.

After being invited over to Mark's home for drinks, Owen finds a chained weevil in a locked room in the house. Mark, aware that Owen isn't who he claims, is still intrigued by his anger and offers to take Owen with him for the evening's entertainment.

Man and weevil square off.

The entertainment is a fight club which Mark moves to a different empty building each night. Mark brings Owen into the fight club where Owen sees men fighting each other to warm up. Each contender pays £1000 to enter a cage with the weevil. The man who stays in the longest wins the pot. Mark informs Owen that he is up next.

Gwen shows up to the Hub with pizza, but finds it empty. While she sits there alone and sobbing, the deceased man's cell phone begins to chime in the morgue. Text messages with the location of that evening's event show on the screen and Gwen passes that information onto Jack, Tosh, and Ianto.

Owen seems more than willing to enter the cage and leaves his guard down as the weevil attacks. Just then Jack and Gwen bust in and have Owen pulled from the cage and send the participants scattering. While Jack is tending to Owen, Mark realises that both his fight club and his livelihood are ruined. Not willing to commit himself to a meaningless life in prison, Mark enters the cage to end his life, knowing the Weevil will surely maul him to death. Jack does not stop the Weevil as it attacks and kills Mark.

Owen is recuperating at the hospital when Jack appears and gives him grapes. Owen tells Jack that he did not want to be saved. Jack asks if Owen wants him and the team to apologise for saving his life. As he walks off, Jack tells Owen to be back at work tomorrow.

The next day, Owen returns to the Hub. Down in the vaults, he looks at both the captive Weevils, who gape at him with bloodthirsty expressions and hiss at his face. Owen, not willing to be intimidated, hisses back with menacing intent far more pungent and fearsome than theirs. They both groan submissively, recoil, and cower at the superior predator, as Owen looks on with a decidedly satisfied smirk.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

General production staff

Script department

Camera and lighting department

Art department

Costume department

Make-up and prosthetics

Movement

Casting

General post-production staff

Special and visual effects

Sound



Not every person who worked on this adventure was credited. The absence of a credit for a position doesn't necessarily mean the job wasn't required. The information above is based solely on observations of the actual end credits of the episodes as broadcast, and does not relay information from IMDB or other sources.


Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Mark uses the word "bullshit" as an insult.

Music[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The "Crazy Frog" ringtone, which was a major fad in Britain during the mid-2000s, is referenced in this episode. Toshiko mistakes it for Jack's ringtone, to which he takes offence.

Foods and beverages[[edit] | [edit source]]

Influences[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This episode borrows thematically from Fight Club.

Locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • 0.83 million viewers[1]

Filming locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Trinity Street, Cardiff (the French restaurant)
  • St. John's Church (Jack chases the Weevil)
  • Working Street (Jack loses the Weevil)
  • Wood Street, Great Western Lane (the car park)
  • The Coal Exchange (Fight club)

Broadcasts[[edit] | [edit source]]

Date Time Channel Notes
Sunday 24 December 2006 21:30 BBC Three First broadcast.
Wednesday 27 December 2006 22:00 BBC Two England
Monday 19 March 2007 01:40 BBC Three
Friday 7 December 2007 21:00 BBC Three
Saturday 8 December 2007 02:55 BBC Three
Friday 2 July 2010 00:20 BBC HD

Production errors[[edit] | [edit source]]

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • The back window of Mark's flat seems to lead directly into a green screen.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Owen is still upset over the loss of Diane Holmes, who disappeared in TV: Out of Time [+]Loading...["Out of Time (TV story)"].
  • Owen will go on to have a more complicated relationship with the Weevils in Cardiff city as shown in TV: Dead Man Walking [+]Loading...["Dead Man Walking (TV story)"] and Exit Wounds [+]Loading...["Exit Wounds (TV story)"].
  • Gwen tells Rhys about her affair with Owen which happened during the events of (TV: Countrycide [+]Loading...["Countrycide (TV story)"] and Greeks Bearing Gifts [+]Loading...["Greeks Bearing Gifts (TV story)"] but makes Rhys take recton to forget her confession, much like how Jack did to her in TV: Everything Changes [+]Loading...["Everything Changes (TV story)"].

Home video releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

Series one, part three DVD cover

DVD releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Combat was first released on DVD, with three other episodes in Torchwood: Series 1, part 3 on 26 March 2007.
  • It was later included in Torchwood: The Complete First Series on 19 November 2007.
  • It was also released in the Series 1-4 boxset (Region 2 release: 14 November 2011.)

Blu-ray releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Released in the US with the rest of Series 1 as a Complete First Season set on 16 September 2008.
  • It was released in the Series 1-3 Blu-ray boxset on 26 October 2009 in the UK. The US release was on 19 July 2011.
  • It was also released in the Series 1-4 Blu-ray boxset. (Region 2 release: 14 November 2011)

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

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ Episodes 11-13 of the first series of Torchwood are set anywhere from 2007-2010 as a result of conflicting evidence shown in the episodes Ghost Machine [+]Loading...["Ghost Machine (TV story)"], Greeks Bearing Gifts [+]Loading...["Greeks Bearing Gifts (TV story)"], Random Shoes [+]Loading...["Random Shoes (TV story)"], To the Last Man [+]Loading...["To the Last Man (TV story)"], Reset [+]Loading...["Reset (TV story)"], Adrift [+]Loading...["Adrift (TV story)"], Fragments [+]Loading...["Fragments (TV story)"], Exit Wounds [+]Loading...["Exit Wounds (TV story)"], and The New World [+]Loading...["The New World (TV story)"]. As episode 10, Out of Time [+]Loading...["Out of Time (TV story)"],, is set at the end of December, this means that episodes 11-13 are almost certainly set the year after episodes 1-10.

Citations[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ BARB Ratings - October, 2006
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