One Rule (audio story): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|name            = {{StoryTitle}}
|image          = Torchwood One Rule.jpg
|image          = Torchwood One Rule.jpg
|series          = [[Big Finish Torchwood series|Big Finish ''Torchwood'' series]]
|series          = ''[[Torchwood - Monthly Range]]''
|number          = 1.4
|number          = 4
|main character  = [[Yvonne Hartman]]
|story number    = 1.4
|featuring      =  
|range          = BFTW
|enemy          =  
|number in range = 4
|main character  = [[Yvonne Hartman|Yvonne]]
|featuring      = [[Skip Jameson|Skip]]
|enemy          = [[Barry Jackson]]
|setting        = [[Cardiff]], [[26 March]] [[2005]]
|setting        = [[Cardiff]], [[26 March]] [[2005]]
|writer          = [[Joseph Lidster]]
|writer          = Joseph Lidster
|director        = [[Barnaby Edwards (actor)|Barnaby Edwards]]
|director        = [[Barnaby Edwards]]
|music          = [[Blair Mowat]]
|music          = [[Blair Mowat]]
|sound          =  
|sound          = [[Neil Gardner]]
|cover          = [[Lee Binding]]
|cover          = [[Lee Binding]]
|publisher      = Big Finish Productions
|publisher      = Big Finish Productions
|release date    = [[7 December (releases)|7 December]] [[2015 (releases)|2015]]
|release date    = 7 December 2015
|format          =  
|format          =1 CD<br/>Download
|production code = BFPTWCD04
|production code = BFPTWCD04
|isbn            = ISBN 978-1-78178-922-3
|isbn            = ISBN 978-1-78178-922-3 (physical)<br/>ISBN 978-1-78178-923-0 (digital)
|prev            = Forgotten Lives (audio story)
|prev            = Forgotten Lives (audio story)
|next            = Uncanny Valley (audio story)
|next            = Uncanny Valley (audio story)
|soundcloudtrailer = https://soundcloud.com/big-finish/torchwood-one-rule-trailer
|soundcloudtrailer = https://soundcloud.com/big-finish/torchwood-one-rule-trailer
}}'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the fourth audio story in the first season of the [[Big Finish Torchwood series|Big Finish ''Torchwood'' series]]. It featured [[Yvonne Hartman]] for the first time in any medium since her television debut.
|producer = [[James Goss]]
|epcount = 1
}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the fourth story in the ''[[Torchwood - Monthly Range]]'' by [[Big Finish Productions]]. It was written by [[Joseph Lidster]] and featured [[Tracy-Ann Oberman]] as [[Yvonne Hartman]].
 
It featured Yvonne Hartman for the first time in any medium since her television debut.


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
It's been three weeks since the [[Lord Mayor of Cardiff|Mayor]] of [[Cardiff]] was killed by a [[Auton|shop dummy]] and the fight is on to see who will replace him.
It's been three weeks since [[Roy Llewellyn|the Mayor of Cardiff]] was killed by a [[Auton|shop dummy]] and the fight is on to see who will replace him.


[[Yvonne Hartman]] is visiting the city to retrieve an invaluable alien device. She's in charge of [[Torchwood One]], she's saving the [[British Empire]] and she doesn't care about local politics. But she is going to find herself caught up in that fight. There's a bloodthirsty alien stalking the streets and there's a special offer on at the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet.
[[Yvonne Hartman]] is visiting the city to retrieve an invaluable alien device. She's in charge of [[Torchwood One]], she's saving the [[British Empire]] and she doesn't care about local politics. But she is going to find herself caught up in that fight. There's a [[Creature (One Rule)|bloodthirsty alien]] stalking the streets and there's a special offer on at the all-you-can-eat [[Chinese buffet]].


It's the [[26 March|26th of March]] [[2005]] and it's the day that everything changes.
It's the [[26 March|26th of March]] [[2005]] and it's the day that everything changes.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
''to be added''
[[Yvonne Hartman|Yvonne]] stands in [[Roald Dahl Plass]] and calls [[Bev Stanley|Bev]]. [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]] answers instead and she has him tell [[Rajesh Singh|Rajesh]] to activate the [[time bubble]] so that she can enter [[the Hub]] and steal a [[Drahvin scanner]], planning to use it to find what is inside [[Void Ship|the sphere]] at [[Torchwood Tower]]. She does so, seeing [[Jack Harkness|Jack]] in the flesh for the first time.
 
[[Ross Bevan]] answers the [[phone]] to his lover, [[Ian (One Rule)|Ian]], before [[creature (One Rule)|creature]] that he believes to be someone in a [[costume]] enters. He is beheaded and his wife, [[Meredith Bevan|Meredith]], finds the body and calls the [[emergency services]].
 
After losing the scanner in a fire at [[Manor Rest Hotel]], Yvonne and [[Barry Jackson]], who early told her that members of [[Cardiff Council]] were being [[murder]]ed, go to a [[Chinese buffet]]. He tells her that it is candidates for [[Lord Mayor of Cardiff|mayor]] that are being beheaded and she calls one such person, [[Julie Jones]], who is killed in the buffet's toilets during the call.
 
Yvonne and Barry go to meet with [[Helen Evans]] at the [[White Lion]], talking about whether or not the public should know about the existence of [[alien]]s. Helen refuses to leave with Yvonne until a fight breaks out, leaving as [[sergeant (One Rule)|a police sergeant]] arrives with [[Gwen Cooper|PC Cooper]] and [[Andy Davidson|PC Davidson]]. Yvonne and Helen are chased by the creature and are joined by Barry.
 
Yvonne, Barry and Helen go to the [[Priory Nightclub]], gaining access by [[blackmail]]ing the [[bouncer]], [[Mike (One Rule)|Mike]], to keep safe from the creature. In the toilets, Yvonne promises to share alien technology with Helen should she become Mayor and keep an eye on what comes through [[the Rift]]. The creature attacks and, once outside, kills Helen and knocks Yvonne unconscious. Upon waking, she calls Ianto and has him supply her with [[money]] for a [[taxi]] and Barry's address.
 
At the [[Waterside Apartments]], Barry admits to having murdered [[Roy Llewellyn]], covering it up by blaming it on the [[Auton]]s. Yvonne threatens to kill by brandishing a [[kitchen]] [[knife]] and forcing him up onto his [[balcony]], making him tell her that he works for [[the Committee]] and was supplied with the creature by them. She agrees to let him live in return for him keeping an eye on Jack and for the arrival of [[the Doctor]], although she stabs him in the leg to give him a limp to remind him that she is watching.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
* [[Yvonne Hartman]] - [[Tracy Ann Oberman|Tracy-Ann Oberman]]
* [[Yvonne Hartman]] - [[Tracy-Ann Oberman]]
* [[Barry Jackson]] - [[Gareth Armstrong]]
* [[Barry Jackson]] - [[Gareth Armstrong]]
* [[Helen Evans]] - [[Rebecca Lacey]]
* [[Helen Evans]] - [[Rebecca Lacey]]
Line 42: Line 59:
* [[Meredith Bevan]] - [[Catrin Stewart]]
* [[Meredith Bevan]] - [[Catrin Stewart]]


=== Uncredited ===
=== Uncredited cast ===
* [[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]] {{Fact}}
* [[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]]
* [[Andy Davidson]] - [[Tom Price]] {{Fact}}
* [[Andy Davidson]] - [[Tom Price]]


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
* [[Ianto Jones]] and [[Rajesh Singh|Raj Singh]] work as Yvonne's assistants at [[Torchwood One]].
* Yvonne observes Jack along with [[Suzie Costello]] and [[Toshiko Sato]] in the frozen Hub. At this point, the three of them are the only members of the [[Torchwood Three]] team.
* [[Ross Bevan]] was born in [[1968]].
* Bevan is having an affair with [[Ian (One Rule)|Ian]].
* Believing that the creature is a costume, Bevan asks if it is [[Sheila (One Rule)|Sheila]].
* Bevan is looking forward to the new series of ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]''.
* Meredith buys a [[Rioja]] because the shop, which used to be run by a "lovely" [[India]]n family, did not have any [[Merlot]].
* [[Berta]] is a masseuse.
* Yvonne tells Berta to grab the [[pinot]] before leaving the hotel.
* Some people are taken from [[Manor Rest Hotel]] to [[St Helen's Hospital]].
* [[Reporter (One Rule)|The reporter]] reports to [[Sian (One Rule)|Sian]] in the [[studio]].
* Yvonne and Barry go to a [[Chinese buffet]] and have [[prawn cracker]]s. He says that they will get [[chicken satay]] next.
* [[Cardiff]] is undergoing regeneration projects.
* [[Brian Rayner]] and [[Julie Jones]] are two of the councillors killed.
* Barry receives a call from [[Idris (One Rule)|Idris]].
* The [[Auton]] invasion, brought forth by the [[Nestene Consciousness]] transmitting a signal to animate all [[plastic]] on [[Earth]] via the [[London Eye]] before it was defeated by the [[Ninth Doctor]], occurred [[5 March|three weeks ago]] and had spread beyond [[London]] to at least [[Cardiff]] before it was stopped, where Barry used it as a cover for his murder of former [[Lord Mayor of Cardiff]] [[Roy Llewellyn]].
* Noting Torchwood's absence in the Auton [[invasion]] to Yvonne, Barry notes that Torchwood has been there for the previous invasions along with [[UNIT]] and "the others".
* [[Colin (One Rule)|Colin]] is the [[barman]] at the [[White Lion]] on [[St Mary's Street]].
* Helen is at the pub for her friend [[Karen (One Rule)|Karen]]'s [[birthday]].
* Barry suggests that [[Bar Reunion]] would best suit Yvonne. Helen instead suggests [[Priory Nightclub]].
* Yvonne has tea with the [[Elizabeth II|Queen]] twice a week.
* Yvonne has tea with the [[Elizabeth II|Queen]] twice a week.
* Torchwood One were yet to start using [[spreadsheet]]s when Yvonne joined.
* According to Yvonne, [[Jack Harkness]] does not have the interest of Torchwood at heart. Because of this, she requires [[Barry Jackson]] to keep an eye out for the return of a [[The Doctor|particular alien]], as she knows Harkness will fail to notify her.
* According to Yvonne, [[Jack Harkness]] does not have the interest of Torchwood at heart. Because of this, she requires [[Barry Jackson]] to keep an eye out for the return of a [[The Doctor|particular alien]], as she knows Harkness will fail to notify her.
* [[Ianto Jones]] and [[Rajesh Singh|Raj Singh]] work as her assistants at [[Torchwood One]].
* ''Strictly Come Dancing'' is mentioned by one of the people in the restaurant. Yvonne calls it a fad, just as [[Charles III|Charles]] and [[Camilla (Queen)|Camilla]] will be within a couple of weeks.
* Yvonne observes Jack along with [[Suzie Costello]] and [[Toshiko Sato]] in the frozen Hub. At this point, the three of them are the only members of the [[Torchwood Three]] team.
* [[Raheem]] is a [[taxi]] driver.
* The [[Auton]] invasion, brought forth by the [[Nestene Consciousness]] transmitting a signal to animate all [[plastic]] on [[Earth]] via the [[London Eye]] before it was defeated by the [[Ninth Doctor]], occurred [[5 March|three weeks ago]] and had spread beyond [[London]] to at least [[Cardiff]] before it was stopped, where Barry used it as a cover for his murder of former [[Lord Mayor of Cardiff]] [[Roy Llewellyn]].
* Noting Torchwood's absence in the Auton [[alien invasion|invasion]] to Yvonne, Barry notes that Torchwood has been there for the previous invasions along with [[Unified Intelligence Taskforce|UNIT]] and "the others".
* ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' is mentioned by one of the people in the restaurant. Yvonne calls it a fad, just as [[Charles III|Charles]] and [[Camilla (Queen)|Camilla]] will be within a couple of weeks.
* [[Cardiff]] is undergoing regeneration projects.
* Barry described [[chicken satay]].
* [[Berta]] is a mausseuse.
* Barry mentions [[prawn cracker]]s.
* [[Raheem]] is a [[Taxi]] driver.
* [[Skip Jameson|Skip]] is a [[bartender]].
* [[Skip Jameson|Skip]] is a [[bartender]].
* Yvonne tells Helen that she is a member of [[MI5]].
* Yvonne compares [[Mike (One Rule)|Mike]], the bouncer of the [[Priory Nightclub]], to a [[Neanderthal]].
* Yvonne tells Mike that [[Yvonne Hartman's brother|her brother]] worked as a bouncer and read [[Voltaire]].
* Barry lives at the [[Waterside Apartments]].
* There is an [[outbreak]] of [[Marburg virus]] in [[Angola]].


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
* This story was recorded on [[11 September (production)|11 September]] [[2015 (production)|2015]] at [[The Soundhouse Studios]].
[[File:One Rule Textless.jpg|thumb|Textless cover art]]
* [[Gwen Cooper]] and [[Andy Davidson]] have one line cameos in this story, set before Gwen joined [[Torchwood Three]] in [[2007]].
* This story was recorded on [[11 September (production)|11 September]] [[2015 (production)|2015]] at [[the Soundhouse]].
* This story takes place on [[26 March]] [[2005]], the same day that [[Series 1 (Doctor Who)|Series 1]] of the revived series of ''Doctor Who'' premiered on [[BBC One]].
* Yvonne says that this is the first time that she has met Jack.
* [[Gwen Cooper]] and [[Andy Davidson]] have one line cameos in this story, set before Gwen joined [[Torchwood Three]] later in the [[2000s]].{{note|Episodes 1-10 of the [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|first series]] of ''[[Torchwood (series)|Torchwood]]'' are set anywhere from [[2006]]-[[2009]] as a result of [[Aliens of London dating controversy|conflicting evidence]] shown in the episodes ''[[Ghost Machine (TV story)|Ghost Machine]]'', ''[[Greeks Bearing Gifts (TV story)|Greeks Bearing Gifts]]'', ''[[Random Shoes (TV story)|Random Shoes]]'', ''[[To the Last Man (TV story)|To the Last Man]]'', ''[[Reset (TV story)|Reset]]'', ''[[Adrift (TV story)|Adrift]]'', ''[[Fragments (TV story)|Fragments]]'', ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'', and ''[[The New World (TV story)|The New World]]''. As episode 10, ''[[Out of Time (TV story)|Out of Time]]'', is set at the end of [[December]], this means that episodes 11-13 are almost certainly set the year after episodes 1-10.}}
* This story takes place on [[26 March]] [[2005]], the same day that [[Series 1 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 1]] of the revived series of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' premiered on [[BBC One]].
* The title of the story can be viewed as a multi-layered pun. Not only is it the "one rule" of [[Yvonne Hartman]], as explicitly stated in the story, but can also be read as a "rule of [[Torchwood One]]" or even the fact that the story depicts the period when Torchwood One ruled over Torchwood Three, which is also unequivocally depicted in the story.
* Although everyone is talking about the new series of ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', the [[2005]] series was broadcast beginning in [[October]].
* This story was originally released on CD and download.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* The Mayor of Cardiff was killed by the [[Auton]] invasion which reached [[Cardiff]] on [[5 March]] [[2005]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'') He would eventually be succeeded by [[Blon Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen]], posing as [[Margaret Blaine]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town (TV story)|Boom Town]]'')
* Yvonne expects [[Bev Stanley]] to answer the [[phone]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Trace Memory (novel)|Trace Memory]]'')
* A cover story was concocted to explain away the invasion on 5 March as a '[[terrorist]] attack'. Such measures were previously taken for the first Auton invasion in the [[1970s]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Who Killed Kennedy (novel)|Who Killed Kennedy]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[Spearhead from Space]]'')
* Whilst talking to Ianto on the phone, Yvonne tells him to ask [[Lisa Hallett]] out. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cyberwoman (TV story)|Cyberwoman]]'')
* Gwen Cooper and Andy Davidson are members of the Cardiff police force. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'')
* [[Helen Evans]] was born and raised in [[Splott]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Ghost Machine (TV story)|Ghost Machine]]'', ''[[Random Shoes (TV story)|Random Shoes]]'' et al)
* Both Helen Evans and [[Barry Jackson]], who are running in the mayoral race, moan about [[London]]'s lack of interest in their city. This is reminiscent of when Blon went "native" during her time as [[Lord Mayor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town]]'')
* Yvonne explains to Helen and Barry that Torchwood's presence in Cardiff is down to the space-time rift running through the city. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Unquiet Dead (TV story)|The Unquiet Dead]]'', ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') Yvonne states that alien objects and species come through the rift and that Torchwood seizes them and uses them to defend Britain. ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts (TV story)|Army of Ghosts]]'')
* Whilst talking to Ianto on the phone, Yvonne tells him to ask [[Lisa Hallett]] out. (TV: ''[[Cyberwoman (TV story)|Cyberwoman]]'')
* Ianto manages to hack into a [[London Credit Bank]] [[ATM]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Torchwood One are attempting to ascertain the nature and purpose of the [[Void Ship]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts (TV story)|Army of Ghosts]]'' / ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'')
* Torchwood One are attempting to ascertain the nature and purpose of the [[Void Ship]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts (TV story)|Army of Ghosts]]'' / ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'')
* Torchwood Three possesses a [[Drahvin]] [[Drahvin scanner|scanner]], which is procured by Yvonne. ([[TV]]: ''[[Galaxy 4 (TV story)|Galaxy 4]]'')
* Torchwood Three possesses a [[Drahvin]] [[Drahvin scanner|scanner]], which is procured by Yvonne. ([[TV]]: ''[[Galaxy 4 (TV story)|Galaxy 4]]'')
* Yvonne speaks of the incident on [[New Year's Eve]] [[1999]] involving the [[murder]] of the Torchwood Three team by [[Alex Hopkins]], who went mad after seeing the coming "change" in the [[21st century]] before committing [[suicide]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fragments (TV story)|Fragments]]'')
* Yvonne says "Happy Day". ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts (TV story)|Army of Ghosts]]'')
* Yvonne says that she is doing it "for Queen and Country" before downing a glass of [[white wine]]. She would maintain that she did her duty for Queen and Country immediately before her forced [[cyber-conversion]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'')
* The Lord Mayor of Cardiff Roy Llewellyn was killed by the [[Auton]] invasion which reached [[Cardiff]] on [[5 March]] [[2005]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'') He would eventually be succeeded by [[Blon Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen]], posing as [[Margaret Blaine]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town (TV story)|Boom Town]]'')
* Barry Jackson is an enabler of [[the Committee]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Conspiracy (audio story)|The Conspiracy]]'')
* Both Barry and Helen, who are running in the mayoral race, moan about [[London]]'s lack of interest in Cardiff. This is reminiscent of when Blon went "native" during her time as [[Lord Mayor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town (TV story)|Boom Town]]'')
* A cover story was concocted to explain away the invasion on 5 March as a "[[terrorist]] attack". Such measures were previously taken for the first Auton invasion in the [[1970s]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Who Killed Kennedy (novel)|Who Killed Kennedy]]''; [[TV]]: ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'')
* Yvonne speaks of the incident on [[New Year's Eve]] [[1999]] involving the [[murder]] of the Torchwood Three team by its leader [[Alex Hopkins]], who went mad after seeing the coming "change" in the [[21st century]] before committing [[suicide]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fragments (TV story)|Fragments]]'')
* Yvonne says that she is doing it "for Queen and Country" before downing a pint of Diamond White beer. She would maintain that she did her duty for Queen and Country immediately before her forced [[cyber-conversion]] during the [[Battle of Canary Wharf]] in [[2007]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'')
* Gwen Cooper and Andy Davidson are members of the Cardiff police force. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'')
* Yvonne says, "When I say 'run'..." ([[TV]]: ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen (TV story)|The Tomb of the Cybermen]]'', et. al)
* Yvonne tells Barry and Helen that she is a people person. ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts (TV story)|Army of Ghosts]]'')
* Skip Jameson was still working at the [[Priory Nightclub]] in [[2009]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[In the Shadows (audio story)|In the Shadows]]'')
* Yvonne explains to Helen and Barry that Torchwood's presence in Cardiff is down to the [[Cardiff Space-Time Rift|space-time rift]] running through the city. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Unquiet Dead (TV story)|The Unquiet Dead]]'', ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') Yvonne states that alien objects and species come through the rift and that Torchwood seizes them and uses them to defend Britain. ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts (TV story)|Army of Ghosts]]'')
* Helen was born and raised in [[Splott]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Ghost Machine (TV story)|Ghost Machine]]'', ''[[Random Shoes (TV story)|Random Shoes]]'', et. al)
* Ianto manages to hack into a [[London Credit Bank]] [[cash machine|ATM]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Barry is an enabler of [[the Committee]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Conspiracy (audio story)|The Conspiracy]]'')
* Yvonne says, "If it's alien, it's ours". ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts (TV story)|Army of Ghosts]]'')
* Yvonne tells Barry that Torchwood is awaiting the return of [[The Doctor|one particular alien]] to Cardiff. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town (TV story)|Boom Town]]'')
 
== Footnotes ==
{{notelist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{bigfinish|releases/v/one-rule-1297|{{StoryTitle}}}}
{{bigfinish|releases/v/one-rule-1297}}
{{TorchwoodNovelsandAudio}}
{{BFTWA}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[fr:One Rule (audio)]]
 
[[cy:One Rule (stori sain)]]
[[Category:Series 1 (BFTW) audio stories]]
[[Category:2015 audio stories]]
[[Category:2015 audio stories]]
[[Category:BFTW audio series]]
[[Category:Stories set in Cardiff]]
[[Category:Stories set in Cardiff]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2005]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2005]]
[[Category:Pseudo-historical stories]]
[[Category:The Committee audio stories]]
[[Category:Torchwood One audio stories]]
 
[[cy:One Rule (stori sain)]]
[[fr:One Rule (audio)]]
[[ru:Одно правило]]

Latest revision as of 18:56, 25 April 2024

RealWorld.png

One Rule was the fourth story in the Torchwood - Monthly Range by Big Finish Productions. It was written by Joseph Lidster and featured Tracy-Ann Oberman as Yvonne Hartman.

It featured Yvonne Hartman for the first time in any medium since her television debut.

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

It's been three weeks since the Mayor of Cardiff was killed by a shop dummy and the fight is on to see who will replace him.

Yvonne Hartman is visiting the city to retrieve an invaluable alien device. She's in charge of Torchwood One, she's saving the British Empire and she doesn't care about local politics. But she is going to find herself caught up in that fight. There's a bloodthirsty alien stalking the streets and there's a special offer on at the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet.

It's the 26th of March 2005 and it's the day that everything changes.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Yvonne stands in Roald Dahl Plass and calls Bev. Ianto answers instead and she has him tell Rajesh to activate the time bubble so that she can enter the Hub and steal a Drahvin scanner, planning to use it to find what is inside the sphere at Torchwood Tower. She does so, seeing Jack in the flesh for the first time.

Ross Bevan answers the phone to his lover, Ian, before creature that he believes to be someone in a costume enters. He is beheaded and his wife, Meredith, finds the body and calls the emergency services.

After losing the scanner in a fire at Manor Rest Hotel, Yvonne and Barry Jackson, who early told her that members of Cardiff Council were being murdered, go to a Chinese buffet. He tells her that it is candidates for mayor that are being beheaded and she calls one such person, Julie Jones, who is killed in the buffet's toilets during the call.

Yvonne and Barry go to meet with Helen Evans at the White Lion, talking about whether or not the public should know about the existence of aliens. Helen refuses to leave with Yvonne until a fight breaks out, leaving as a police sergeant arrives with PC Cooper and PC Davidson. Yvonne and Helen are chased by the creature and are joined by Barry.

Yvonne, Barry and Helen go to the Priory Nightclub, gaining access by blackmailing the bouncer, Mike, to keep safe from the creature. In the toilets, Yvonne promises to share alien technology with Helen should she become Mayor and keep an eye on what comes through the Rift. The creature attacks and, once outside, kills Helen and knocks Yvonne unconscious. Upon waking, she calls Ianto and has him supply her with money for a taxi and Barry's address.

At the Waterside Apartments, Barry admits to having murdered Roy Llewellyn, covering it up by blaming it on the Autons. Yvonne threatens to kill by brandishing a kitchen knife and forcing him up onto his balcony, making him tell her that he works for the Committee and was supplied with the creature by them. She agrees to let him live in return for him keeping an eye on Jack and for the arrival of the Doctor, although she stabs him in the leg to give him a limp to remind him that she is watching.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Textless cover art
  • This story was recorded on 11 September 2015 at the Soundhouse.
  • Yvonne says that this is the first time that she has met Jack.
  • Gwen Cooper and Andy Davidson have one line cameos in this story, set before Gwen joined Torchwood Three later in the 2000s.[nb 1]
  • This story takes place on 26 March 2005, the same day that Series 1 of the revived series of Doctor Who premiered on BBC One.
  • The title of the story can be viewed as a multi-layered pun. Not only is it the "one rule" of Yvonne Hartman, as explicitly stated in the story, but can also be read as a "rule of Torchwood One" or even the fact that the story depicts the period when Torchwood One ruled over Torchwood Three, which is also unequivocally depicted in the story.
  • Although everyone is talking about the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, the 2005 series was broadcast beginning in October.
  • This story was originally released on CD and download.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. Episodes 1-10 of the first series of Torchwood are set anywhere from 2006-2009 as a result of conflicting evidence shown in the episodes Ghost Machine, Greeks Bearing Gifts, Random Shoes, To the Last Man, Reset, Adrift, Fragments, Exit Wounds, and The New World. As episode 10, Out of Time, is set at the end of December, this means that episodes 11-13 are almost certainly set the year after episodes 1-10.

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