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

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{{Template:Infobox Torchwood
{{title dab away}}
|image         = [[File:Tw ep04 jack 456 02.jpg|250px]]
{{real world}}
|story name    = Day Four
{{ImageLinkTV}}
|series         = [[Torchwood]] - [[List of Torchwood television stories|TV Stories]]
{{Infobox Story SMW
|series number  = [[Series 3 (Torchwood)|Series 3]]
|image                 = Children of earth day 4 main.jpg
|number        = 30
|series                = ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''
|enemy         = [[The 456]]
|season number        = Series 3 (Torchwood)
|writer        = [[Russell T Davies]]
|series episode number = 4
|director       = [[Euros Lyn]]
|scripturl      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/torchwood-children-of-earth-episode-4-day-four-green-revisions-27102008.pdf
|producer       = [[Peter Bennett]]
|main character        = [[Jack Harkness|Jack]], [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]], [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]], [[Rhys Williams|Rhys]]
|broadcast date = [[9th July]] [[2009]]
|featuring            = Lois Habiba
|previous story = [[Day Three (Children of Earth)|Day Three]]
|featuring2            = John Frobisher
|next story    = [[Day Five (Children of Earth)|Day Five]]
|featuring3            = Bridget Spears
}}
|featuring4            = Johnson (Children of Earth: Day One)
|featuring5            = Alice Carter
|featuring6            = Clem McDonald
|featuring7            = Trinity Wells
|featuring8            = French newsreader{{!}}Newsreader
|enemy                 = The [[456 ambassador]]
|setting              = [[London]], [[2009]]
|writer                = John Fay
|director             = [[Euros Lyn]]
|producer             = [[Peter Bennett]]
|network              = BBC One
|broadcast date       = 9 July 2009
|prev                  = Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story)
|next                  = Children of Earth: Day Five (TV story)
|trailer              = Torchwood Children of Earth - Day Four trailer - BBC One
|clip                  = Ianto and Jack die - Torchwood Children of Earth - BBC
|format = 1x60 minute episode;<br/>Part 4 of 5}}
'''''Children of Earth: Day Four''''' was the fourth episode of [[Series 3 (Torchwood)|Series 3]] of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]''. It was written by [[John Fay]], 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]].
 
Narratively, it was most notable for revealing the true threat of [[the 456]] and for killing off [[Ianto Jones]]. While the choice to kill Ianto was the subject of much praise,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/tvandradioblog/2009/jul/10/torchwood-children-of-earth-day-five|title=Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Five|accessdate=13 August 2009|author=Daniel Martin|author first name=Daniel |author last name=Martin |publisher=The Guardian | location=London | date=11 July 2009}}</ref> some fans were emotionally scarred by his passing. Proof of their resistance to the death was soon evidenced in [[Cardiff Bay]], where a shrine to Ianto was erected by fans, almost immediately after the 2009 transmission.<ref>[http://www.combom.co.uk/2009/08/ianto-jones-shrine-on-cardiff-bay.html An August 2009 fan report on the shrine from combom.co.uk]</ref> The shrine persisted for several years and was, as of 2012, simply a feature of Mermaid Quay in Cardiff.<ref>[http://mountperdition.tumblr.com/post/9762529969/the-mermaid-quay-memorial-i-ate-my-lunch-there-0 A picture of the Ianto Shrine in 2012]</ref> Eventually, the shrine was elevated to a permanent attraction in Wales.<ref>[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186460-d4580683-Reviews-Ianto_s_Shrine-Cardiff_Southern_Wales_Wales.html "If you watched Torchwood it is funny to go there and observe people who doesn't know what is this shrine about and their curious/confused/indignant looks."]</ref> Additionally, a number of "Save Ianto" websites and forum threads sprung up in the wake of this episode's transmission.<ref>[http://www.saveianto.com saveianto.com]</ref><ref>[http://www.doctorwho.com/forums/forum/doctor-who-spinoffs-torchwood-and-sarah-jane-adventures/torchwood/121-save-ianto-jones-campaign Typical forum thread requesting support for the notion of bringing back Ianto]</ref>
 
Away from the controversy over Ianto's death, the episode was a milestone in the career of long-term [[DWU]] contributor, [[Nicholas Briggs]]. Though his vocal talents had long been used by [[BBC Wales]] and [[Big Finish]], and despite having starred in number of direct-to-video productions made by [[BBV Productions]], this was the first time he had actually been seen in-camera, on [[BBC One]], in a DWU production.


''Day Four'' was the most successful single episode of ''Torchwood'', scoring the programme's highest ratings on every front: greatest final audience (6.8 million), highest weekly ranking (11th), and largest [[Appreciation Index|AI]] (91%). Indeed, its AI has only been equalled by ''[[Doctor Who]]''{{'}}s {{cs|The Stolen Earth (TV story)}} and {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}} but has never been surpassed, {{as of|2019|1|lc=y}}.


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
Torchwood finally learns of the events of [[1965]]. Britain is in danger of becoming a rogue state, and everything now pivots around [[John Frobisher]], as the [[456 Ambassador|ambassador of the 456]] destroys its old allegiances.
[[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]] finally learns of the events of [[1965]]. [[Great Britain|Britain]] is in danger of becoming a rogue state and everything pivots around [[John Frobisher]] as the [[456 ambassador|ambassador of the 456]] destroys its old allegiances.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
The episode opens with Jack's recollections of the events of 1965. We find out that the [[The 456|aliens]] offered a cure for a deadly new flu strain that will soon arise, and in return wanted 12 children. Jack's partner (a woman) claims that the aliens said the children will live forever and he was requested as he cant die and doesn’t care.
[[Jack Harkness|Jack]] recalls the events of [[1965]]. The [[The 456|aliens]] had offered a cure for a deadly new [[Indonesian influenza|flu strain]] that will soon arise, and, in return, wanted twelve children. Jack's partner, [[Venessa]], claims that the aliens say the children will live forever and he was asked for because he can't die and doesn't care.


We then see Clement's attempted abduction, and that Jack was the one primarily responsible for handing the children over. It turns out that the reason Clement wasn’t taken was the 456 disappeared before they could take him, and Jack was unaware that Clement had escaped. The 456 did not seem to care as they handed over the cure data.
[[Clement McDonald|Clem]] escapes abduction. Jack is in charge of handing over the children. It turns out that Clem wasn't taken because the 456 disappeared first. Jack had not known Clem had escaped. The 456 do not seem to care when they hand over the information for the cure...


Back in the present Clement then steals Gwen's gun and shoots Jack, after Gwen retrieves her gun from Clement, Jack wakes up and Clement runs off in a panic, but Gwen manages to calm him down. They later wonder why Clem wasn’t taken but speculate that perhaps he was on the verge of puberty and so not wanted by the 456.
Back in [[2009|the present]], Clem steals [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]]'s [[Firearm|gun]] and shoots Jack. Gwen retrieves her gun, Jack wakes up and Clem runs off in a panic. Gwen calms him down. They wonder why Clem wasn't taken; perhaps he was on the verge of puberty and so not wanted by the 456.


At Johnson's facility, Alice and Steven are imprisoned, and Alice warns Johnson about angering Jack.
At [[Johnson (Children of Earth: Day One)|Johnson]]'s facility, [[Alice Carter|Alice]] and [[Steven Carter|Steven]] are imprisoned and Alice warns Johnson about angering Jack.


Back at the home office, Frobisher, asks what would happen to the children, and the “456” by responding that a “Remnant” is watching, and then says it is off the record. It then invites Frobisher in with a camera.
Back at the Home Office, [[John Frobisher|Frobisher]] asks what would happen to the children, and the "456" by responding that a "remnant" is watching — Clem realises the 456 is talking about him — and then says it is off the record. It invites Frobisher in with a [[camera]].


A cameraman enters, and we see a profile of the 456. Decker then says he is detecting 3 heartbeats and that there are 3 distinct types of life in there. We then see a child hooked up to something. The child is identified as one taken in the 1960's and appear not to have aged.
A [[Camera operator (Children of Earth)|cameraman]] enters. A 456 appears in profile. [[Dekker]] says he detects three [[heart]]beats and three distinct types of life in there. A child, one identified as one taken in the [[1960s]], who has not aged, is hooked up to something. The child's eyes widen in shock, possibly at seeing another human for the first time since the 1960s.


As the cameraman leaves, a recording of Frobisher's voice saying it is off the record is played, the 456 then says they do not harm the children and they feel no pain. The 456 then say if humanity refuse to hand over the children, they will wipe out the human species.
The cameraman leaves. A recording of Frobisher's voice announces this is off the record. The 456 says they do not harm the children and they feel no pain. If [[human]]ity refuse to hand over the children, they will wipe out the human species. The [[American]]s demand all the records of 1965 from the [[Brian Green]] and threaten him with [[United Nations|UN]] sanctions for withholding the information.


The Americans then demand all the records of 1965 from the PM, and threaten him, with UN sanctions of some sort for withholding the information.
Jack and [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]] argue about Jack's role in the swap of children. Jack calls Frobisher to confirm the 456 have returned. Jack insists the 456's return is proof that they cannot be trusted. Frobisher says he has Jack's daughter and grandson but they will not be harmed if Jack does not reveal Britain's dealings with the 456. Jack insists he needs to confront the 456.


After an argument with Ianto about his role in the child swap, Jack calls Frobisher to confirm that the 456 have returned. Jack contends that the 456's return is proof that they cannot be trusted. Frobisher informas Jack that he has Jack's daughter and grandson but they will be unharmed if Jack does not reveal Briton's former dealings with the 456. Jack insists he need to confront the 456.
Lois attends a [[COBRA]] meeting. The PM says they will try to haggle, but they can't take military action. There isn't anything to target. The PM and Frobisher talk about camouflaged targets but no more. Bridget looks at Lois with suspicion. The PM tells Frobisher to offer "sixty units" and no more.


There is then a Cobra meeting, which Lois attends. The PM then says they will try to haggle, but they cant take military action as there isn’t anything to target. The PM and Frobisher then talk about camouflaged targets but no more. At one point in the meeting Bridget looks at Lois with suspicion. The PM then tells Frobisher to offer 60 Units” and no more.
Back at the 456 "embassy," Frobisher offers the 456 one [[child]] per million people on Earth. The 456 refuse. Around the world, children begin to chant a number. It is a tenth of all the children in the world.


Back at the 456 “embassy” Frobisher offers the 456 1 child per million people on Earth.  The 456 refuse, but Frobisher suggests that they consider his offer, since it is far more children that previously provided. Around the world, children begin to chant a number, which upon investigation, turns out to be 10% of the total children in each country.
Back at Johnson's facility, she is being kept in the dark. She decides to go into [[London]], but keeps her team on the lookout for Jack.


Back at Johnson's facility, it turns out that she is being kept in the dark and decides to go into London, but keeps her team on the lookout for Jack.
At the COBRA meeting, a discussion ensues over how to select the tenth and how best to present it to the public. At first a random lottery is suggested, since the [[British government|government]] could protect itself from the resulting aftermath. However, one of the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|Cabinet]] members, [[Denise Riley]], does not agree with the idea, as it would put her own children at danger of being selected. [[Rick Yates|Yates]] suggests an alphabetical draw, which Riley scorns. Eventually Green declares that the children and grandchildren of everyone at the table will be exempt from possible selection but refuses to widen the scope to include nieces and nephews, much to the disgust of Denise. Denise won't accept this, and suggests that the criteria for selection should be the school league tables since the higher schools will be producing graduates who will contribute to society while the failing schools will be producing people who are "drains on society". She further suggests that the children doomed to spend their lives on benefits, and in prisons, should be handed over. This proposal is accepted and given to Frobisher.


At the Cobra meeting, a discussion commences regarding how to select the 10%. First it is proposed that every family should lose only one child, and perhaps each "second child" should be taken. The logisitics of this are deemed too complicated.  Then Denise, one of the cabinet members, proposes that they select the children on the basis of intellect and social status, using the school league tables. This proposal is accepted and given to Frobisher as the source of the 10% to be given to the 456.
The [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood team]] decide [[Lois Habiba|Lois]]'s footage gives them leverage to [[blackmail]] the Cabinet. They force their way into [[Thames House]]. Ianto phones [[Rhiannon Davies|his sister]] to warn her, knowing that the line is tapped. He sends a message to those listening — to protect their children — and makes a quick call to Gwen, providing Johnson with information of Torchwood's location.


The Torchwood team determines that Lois' footage gives them leverage to blackmail the cabinet, and force there way into Thames House. Ianto phones his sister to warn her, knowing that the line is tapped. He also sends a message to those listening--to protect their children.  Ionto also makes a quick call to Gwen, providing Johnson with infomation regarding Torchwood's location.  
Frobisher begins to plan how children will be gathered and notes that the government can promise an "inoculation" to prevent children from chanting messages in unison. He suggests it be reported that the false vaccination "went wrong," allowing the government to put the blame on the 456 for the loss of the children.


Frobisher begins to plan how children will be gathered and notes that the government can promise an innoculation to prevent children from chanting messages in unison.  He suggests that it can be reported that the false vaccination "went wrong” allowing the government to put the blame on the 456 for the loss of the children.
Johnson arrives at the warehouse, but Gwen was expecting them and shows them what they were recording. [[Rhys Williams|Rhys]] has gone into hiding, with the footage from the COBRA meetings in Thames House, and is ready to send out the footage to the public if anything goes wrong.


Thames House and confront the 456.
Jack and Ianto enter Thames House. Jack talks to the 456, who will not yield on their request for ten percent of the world's children. Jack says he is making it a war. The 456 say, "[[The 456 virus|A virus]] has been released. It will kill everyone in the building." Jack runs out of the room and warns two guards of the virus, but the 456 locks Thames House down, restricting anyone within the building to escape. Meanwhile, Ianto orders the 456 to release an anti-virus or he'll blow a hole in their tank. Jack returns and tries to negotiate, but the alien refuses. Ianto and Jack shoot at the 456 chamber, but the bullets bounce off. The 456 start to shriek. Clement screams in agony and starts to bleed. The 456 say the Remnant will be disconnected and Clement dies in Gwen's arms. Jack says he will get Ianto out, aware that he can survive anything but Ianto can't. Ianto tells him it is too late: he's breathed in the virus. Within seconds, Ianto collapses from toxic exposure and Jack catches him in his arms.
[[File:Jack ianto last kiss.jpg|thumb|left|Jack kisses Ianto one last time.]]
Everyone in Thames house is collapsing and dying, save [[Dekker]], who dons an environmental suit in time, and Jack, who [[Immortality|can't die]]. The people in Thames House scream for help, but begin to collapse, and everyone eventually dies. Ianto sobs quietly as his strength fades. He tells Jack that he loves him, slipping away. Jack starts crying as he begs Ianto to stay with him. Ianto wakes and whispers that "it [their relationship] was good while it lasted." Jack agrees. Ianto gives Jack a dying request: "Don't forget me." Jack answers, "Never could." Ianto's last words are, "A thousand years' time...you won't remember me." However, Jack denounces them; "Yes I will. I promise, I will." Ianto gasps one final time and dies in his arms, Jack hopelessly pleading for his lover not to leave him. The 456 tell Jack that "you will die, and tomorrow, your people will deliver the children". Jack grimaces at the 456, and kisses Ianto and succumbs to the virus himself. The Gold Command room is left with no choice but to enact the plan to deliver 35 million children to the 456 or face annihilation. Denise Riley believes that "an injury to one is not an injury to all", and believes that they have to surrender to the 456. The Cabinet decide to go ahead and deliver the children.


Johnson arrives a the Torchwood Hub, but Gwen was expecting them, and shows them what they were recording. Rhys has gone into hiding and is ready to send out the footage to the public if anything goes wrong.  
At Thames House, a room has been filled with dozens of body bags, all victims of the virus attack, which has been cleansed from the building. Gwen walks into the room of the dead with support troops. One man points out Jack's and Ianto's bodies and she walks towards them. Gwen calmly removes the sheet over Jack and smiles faintly. He will revive and all will be well. However, she glances to the right and her expression darkens, knowing Ianto is underneath the sheet... who won't be coming back. She lifts the sheet off his face and sees that Ianto is pale and lifeless, fixing his crooked tie. The sight breaks her heart and she begins to cry. Jack wakes up and comforts her, equally as torn apart by the death of his partner. Defeated, Gwen, with Jack hugging her, tearfully says, "There is nothing we can do."


Jack and Ianto enter Thames House.  Jack talks to the 456, who will not yield on their request for 10% of the world's children.  Jack says he is making it a war, then the 456 says the fight begins. The 456 then say they have released a virus into the building that will kill everyone. Ianto and Jack shoot at the 456 chamber, but the bullets bounce off. Jack says he will get Ianto out, but it's too late and Ianto collapses.
== Cast ==
 
* [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]
The 456 then start to shriek which causes Clement to scream in agony and start bleeding, the 456 then say the Remnant will be disconnected and Clement dies in Gwen’s arms
* [[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]]
 
* [[Ianto Jones]] - [[Gareth David-Lloyd]]
We then see everyone in Thames house collapsing and dying aside from Decker who gets into an environmental suit in time. Ianto tells Jack that he loves him and dies in Jack's arms. The 456 then tell Jack that he will die and tomorrow the children will be delivered. Jack then kisses Ianto one more time and succumbs to the virus himself.
* [[Rhys Williams]] - [[Kai Owen]]
 
* [[Lois Habiba]] - [[Cush Jumbo]]
The Cabinet then wonder what to do next, and decide to go ahead with delivering the children. We then see Gwen and some army or special ops. men walk in. The men point out Jack and Ianto's bodies and she walks towards them, she pulls down Jacks sheet and then she pulls down Ianto's sheet and starts to cry. Jack then wakes up and comforts a distraught Gwen who says "there is nothing we can do."
* [[Alice Carter]] - [[Lucy Cohu]]
 
* [[Steven Carter]] - [[Bear McCausland]]
==Cast==
* [[Bridget Spears]] - [[Susan Brown]]
 
* [[John Frobisher]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]
*Captain [[Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]  
* [[Johnson (Children of Earth: Day One)|Johnson]] - [[Liz May Brice]]
*[[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]]  
* [[Clem McDonald]] - [[Paul Copley]]
*[[Ianto Jones]] - [[Gareth David-Lloyd]]  
* [[Brian Green|Brian Green PM]] - [[Nicholas Farrell]]
*[[Rhys Williams]] - [[Kai Owen]]  
* [[Rick Yates]] - [[Nicholas Briggs]]
*[[Lois Habiba]] - [[Cush Jumbo]]  
* [[Denise Riley]] - [[Deborah Findlay]]
*[[Alice Carter]] - [[Lucy Cohu]]  
* [[Austin Pierce|General Pierce]] - [[Colin McFarlane]]
*[[Steven Carter]] - [[Bear McCausland]]  
* [[Defence Secretary (Children of Earth: Day Three)|Defence Secretary]] - [[Patrice Naiambana]]
*[[Bridget Spears]] - [[Susan Brown]]  
* [[Augustus Oduya|Colonel Oduya]] - [[Charles Abomeli]]
*[[John Frobisher]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]  
* [[Rhiannon Davies]] - [[Katy Wix]]
*[[Johnson (Children of Earth)|Johnson]] - [[Liz May Brice]]  
* [[Johnny Davies]] - [[Rhodri Lewis]]
*[[Clem MacDonald]] - [[Paul Copley]]  
* [[Anna Frobisher]] - [[Hilary Maclean]]
*[[Brian Green|Brian Green PM]] - [[Nicholas Farrell]]
* [[Venessa]] - [[Sophie Hunter]]
*[[Rick Yates]] - [[Nicholas Briggs]]
* [[David Davies]] - [[Luke Perry]]
*[[Denise Riley]] - [[Deborah Findlay]]
* [[Mica Davies]] - [[Aimee Davies]]
 
* [[Holly Frobisher]] - [[Julia Joyce]]
==Production crew==
* [[Lilly Frobisher]] - [[Madeleine Rakic-Platt]]
 
* [[The 456]] - [[Simon Poland]]
 
* [[Clement McDonald|Young Clem]] - [[Gregory Ferguson]]
== References ==
* [[Newsreader (Children of Earth)|Newsreader]] - [[Louise Minchin]]
 
* [[French newsreader|French Newsreader]] - [[Anthony Debaeck]]
''to be added''
* [[Trinity Wells]] - [[Lachele Carl]]


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|Thanks2=
|WithThanksTo=BBC National Orchestra of Wales
|WithThanksTo2=
|SpecialThanks=
|ConductedAndOrchestratedBy=
|Vocals=
|CounterTenor=
|RecordedBy=
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|ProductionExec=Julie Scott
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|CostumeDesigner=Ray Holman
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|ExecutiveProd=Russell T Davies
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|DedicatedTo=<!--This exact credit never actually used as of April 2010; left for future use-->
|InMemoryOf=
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}}


== Worldbuilding ==
* The 456 ambassador mentions [[infant mortality]].


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
*With the exception of [[Gwen Cooper|Gwen]], all the Torchwood 3 team have died (although she did die in [[DW]]: [[Turn Left|''Turn Left'']]).[[Suzie Costello| Suzie]] died in [[Everything Changes]] and again in [[They Keep Killing Suzie]], [[Owen Harper|Owen]] died in [[Reset (Torchwood story)|Reset]] and again in [[Exit Wounds]] along with [[Toshiko Sato|Toshiko]], and Jack has died many times throughout the series. Ianto is killed in this episode.
* [[Russell T Davies]] originally wrote a role for [[Noel Clarke]] as [[Mickey Smith]] in ''Day Four'' and ''Day Five'', but these scenes were cut when Clarke became unavailable because of a film commitment. ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale - The Final Chapter]]'')
*This is the final appearance of [[Gareth David-Lloyd]] as Ianto Jones.
* The scene where Gwen adjusts the tie on Ianto's body caused everyone onset to get emotional.
*[[Nicholas Briggs]], playing one of the Prime Minister's advisors, makes his on-screen debut in an official ''Doctor Who'' franchise production. Although best known to viewers for providing many of the show's alien voices, including the [[Dalek]]s, [[Cybermen]], [[Nestene Consciousness]] and [[Judoon]] since 2005, Briggs is well-known in Who fandom, playing the Doctor in the fan-made [[Audio Visuals]] audio dramas of the late 1980s (which later evolved into [[Big Finish]]), and appearing in (as well a writing and directing) many of the independent spin-off video productions of the 1990s. He also hosted the long-running ''[[Myth Makers]]'' interview series. His appearance in this episode also means he has now worked on both ''Doctor Who'' spinoffs.


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
* 6.24 million [[BBC One]] viewers, according to unofficial overnight figures
* 6.76 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 88%
* 11th most-watched programme in [[Britain]] during the week of transmission


6.24m ( overnight )
=== Filming locations ===
 
* Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay - Johnson's team attempt to track down Torchwood
=== Myths===
* No. 13 Rupert Brooke Drive, Newport - Ianto's sister's
 
* Thames House, Millbank, London - Thames House
*When Jack kissed Ianto at the end of this episode it would be a "kiss of life" (given Jack's resurrection ability) however it was not.
* MOD Caerwent, Monmouthshire - Ashton Down
 
* Cathys Park 2, Cardiff - MI5 headquarters foyer
=== Filming Locations ===
* No. 41 Cefn Coed Road, Cardiff - The Frobisher residence
''to be added
* Avesta Polarit Steelworks, Newport - Torchwood London warehouse
 
* National Park Vistitor Centre, Brecon - Jack revealed his involvement in 1965
=== Discontinuity, Plot Holes and Errors ===
* Coedarhydglyn, St. Nicholas, Cardiff - Prime Minister's office
*It takes much longer for Jack to revive, he would normally revive after 5 or 10 minutes but after the 456 killed him there was enough time to move him and cover him up, which must have taken at least an hour with all of the other bodies. ''Jack's time to come back varies, usually with how long it takes him to die. For example at the end of series 1 he stood beneath Abaddon for a while before dying. In this instance he was breathing the virus-laden air for a protracted period and therefore it took him longer to come back. It is also possible that he could not revive until all or most of the virus in his system had been purged. It's unknown just how many times Jack died from the virus so it could be that, like with Abaddon, he came closer to death than usual and took longer to come back''
* City Hall Road, Cardiff
*In series one, Jack sits in a car with a man named John while he commits suicide by Carbon Monoxide poisoning ([[Out of Time]]) and lives while he dies. This shows that Jack can live through airborne poisons while other humans cannot, so why did he die with Ianto in this episode? ''Perhaps the 456 knew of this and used a virus that would cause him to die, or it was simply stronger than CO.''
* West Brute Street, Cardiff - Jack and Ianto hit a [[traffic jam]] on the way to Thames House
*Jack's death by airborne virus (and, in fact, his explosive end in Part One) raises questions about the nature of his immortality. Specifically, if his body can still come to harm, why didn't his body show any signs of dissolving while he was exposed to Stet Radiation in "[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]"? ''Maybe because you die from radiation before you dissolve from it so Jack's body healed before it gets that far as apposed to being blown up were you die after or at the same time as the explosion. It could also be that the Stet Radiation simply ''couldn't'' dissolve him because he needs at least one piece left to grow back from and if there aren't any pieces left, he can't be brought back and thus is no longer a fixed point in time and space.''
* Ship Lane, Cardiff - Jack and Ianto head to Thames House
*Where on earth could [[Martha Jones]] be on honeymoon that she did not notice all this and phone the Doctor? ''She may have believed that the Doctor was already present, or possibly have not taken her superphone with her. It should be noted that Martha has only called the Doctor twice, despite other major public incidents [[The Lost Boy|like the moon heading for Earth]] - this is not a plot hole unique to Children of Earth. In addition, this episode and those preceding it indicate that the UK government is going out of its way to keep this situation secret; it's very possible Martha isn't aware of what's going on. And the lack of a "Doctor, can you hear us?" plea for help ([[The Christmas Invasion]]) could also be tied to this secrecy, combined with the coverup. It was never said that Martha stayed on her honeymoon after the children stopped, so it is entirely possible she was doing something off screen - and [[The Stolen Earth]] established that she was not always able to contact the Doctor.''
* Abington Street, London - Frobisher heads back to MI5
*325,000 is way below 10% of the UK's children. The UK has around 10 million children aged under 15, so the figure should have been around 1 million ''Perhaps by children they mean people who have yet to go through puberty. Remember that it was speculated that Clem was not taken because he might have been on the cusp of puberty.''
* Chelsea Bridge, London - Johnson's convoy on its way to Torchwood
*The plans made in COBRA would require emergency powers, which would need [[Queen Elizabeth II|the Queen's]] consent. She goes unmentioned in this episode, possibly for narrative convenience. ''Considering the depth of the illegal actions being depicted on the part of the UK government, it's possible they're bypassing her -- especially given that they authorized the destruction of the Torchwood Institute which was established by the Royal Family.''
* Dumballs Road, Cardiff - Johnson tracks down Torchwood
*Why didn't [[the 456]] just direct the required number of children to their embarkation points? ''The 456 have only shown the ability to stop children, and to make them talk. Perhaps the 456 do not have the ability to control children's motor controls. But they were capable of making the children point towards London.'' ''(If the 456 had done so, the children could have been physically prevented from reaching those points by the adult humans. They apparently felt that they needed humanity to go along with their plan.)''
* Tresillian Terrace, Caardiff - Johnson tracks down Torchwood
 
* Queens Circus, Battersea, London - Johnson's convoy on its way to Torchwood
== DVD releases ==
* Brangwyn Hall, Swansea - MI5 Thirteenth floor
 
* Western Lesuire Centre, Cardiff - Gwen finds Jack and Ianto amongst the bodies
*This Episode will be released on DVD along with the rest of Children of Earth on the 13th of July.  
* Ponton Road (aerial), London - The Torchwood 1 holding area
 
* BBC Broadcasting House (Lift shafts), Llandaff, Cardiff - Elevator shafts in Thames House (stock footage from [[TV]]: {{cs|Rose (TV story)}}, [[TV]]: {{cs|World War Three (TV story)}}, [[TV]]: {{cs|New Earth (TV story)}} and [[TV]]: {{cs|Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story)}}.
==See also==
 
''to be added''


=== Broadcasts ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Date
!Time
!Channel
!class="unsortable"|Notes
|-
|[[Thursday]] [[9 July (releases)|9 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|21:00
|[[BBC One]] & [[BBC HD]]
|First broadcast.
|-
|[[Thursday]] [[9 July (releases)|9 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|23:45
|[[BBC Three]]
|
|-
|[[Friday]] [[10 July (releases)|10 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|00:00
|[[BBC HD]]
|
|-
|[[Friday]] [[7 August (releases)|7 August]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|21:00
|[[BBC Three]]
|
|-
|[[Saturday]] [[8 August (releases)|8 August]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|00:45
|[[BBC Three]]
|
|-
|[[Tuesday]] [[11 August (releases)|11 August]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|22:00
|[[BBC HD]]
|
|-
|[[Wednesday]] [[30 December (releases)|30 December]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|23:50
|[[BBC HD]]
|
|}


=== Production errors ===
{{Torchwood discontinuity}}
* Clem is visibly still breathing after the 456 killed him.


==External links==
== Continuity ==
* [[Johnny Davies]] is thrilled over the money he's making off charging "ten quid a kid" for babysitting children back at his house as started in [[TV]]: {{cs|Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story)}}.
* [[Road traffic|Traffic]] gridlock forces Jack and Ianto to abandon the stolen vehicle Torchwood swiped earlier in the events of [[TV]]: {{cs|Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story)}}.
* The 456 ambassador uses the same argument the [[Cybermen]] used of thousands of nameless deaths being unrecognised, but the same number only being acknowledged when directly threatened, like in [[TV]]: {{cs|The Tenth Planet (TV story)}}.
* [[Agnes Havisham]] stated that those close to Jack Harkness tend to die during [[PROSE]]: {{cs|Risk Assessment (novel)}}. Therefore, Ianto's death is the latest in a list of Jack's family and friends who have died before the natural end; this includes [[Toshiko Sato]] in [[TV]]: {{cs|Exit Wounds (TV story)}}, [[Owen Harper]] in [[TV]]: {{cs|Reset (TV story)}} and [[Estelle Cole]] in [[TV]]: {{cs|Small Worlds (TV story)}}.


== Home video releases ==
* ''Children of Earth: Day Four'' 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|2}}
{{TWTV}}
{{UNIT stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[fr:Day Four]]
[[ro:Children of Earth: Day Four]]


==Footnotes==
[[Category:Torchwood television stories]]
{{Torchwood series 3}}
[[Category:Torchwood episodes]]
[[Category:2009 television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2009]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2009]]
[[Category:Stories set in London]]
[[Category:Stories set in London]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1965]]
[[Category:Stories set in Scotland]]
[[Category:Series 3 (Torchwood) stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Needs crew check]]

Latest revision as of 18:45, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

Children of Earth: Day Four was the fourth episode of Series 3 of Torchwood. It was written by John Fay, 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.

Narratively, it was most notable for revealing the true threat of the 456 and for killing off Ianto Jones. While the choice to kill Ianto was the subject of much praise,[1] some fans were emotionally scarred by his passing. Proof of their resistance to the death was soon evidenced in Cardiff Bay, where a shrine to Ianto was erected by fans, almost immediately after the 2009 transmission.[2] The shrine persisted for several years and was, as of 2012, simply a feature of Mermaid Quay in Cardiff.[3] Eventually, the shrine was elevated to a permanent attraction in Wales.[4] Additionally, a number of "Save Ianto" websites and forum threads sprung up in the wake of this episode's transmission.[5][6]

Away from the controversy over Ianto's death, the episode was a milestone in the career of long-term DWU contributor, Nicholas Briggs. Though his vocal talents had long been used by BBC Wales and Big Finish, and despite having starred in number of direct-to-video productions made by BBV Productions, this was the first time he had actually been seen in-camera, on BBC One, in a DWU production.

Day Four was the most successful single episode of Torchwood, scoring the programme's highest ratings on every front: greatest final audience (6.8 million), highest weekly ranking (11th), and largest AI (91%). Indeed, its AI has only been equalled by Doctor Who's The Stolen Earth [+]Loading...["The Stolen Earth (TV story)"] and Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"] but has never been surpassed, as of January 2019.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

Torchwood finally learns of the events of 1965. Britain is in danger of becoming a rogue state and everything pivots around John Frobisher as the ambassador of the 456 destroys its old allegiances.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Jack recalls the events of 1965. The aliens had offered a cure for a deadly new flu strain that will soon arise, and, in return, wanted twelve children. Jack's partner, Venessa, claims that the aliens say the children will live forever and he was asked for because he can't die and doesn't care.

Clem escapes abduction. Jack is in charge of handing over the children. It turns out that Clem wasn't taken because the 456 disappeared first. Jack had not known Clem had escaped. The 456 do not seem to care when they hand over the information for the cure...

Back in the present, Clem steals Gwen's gun and shoots Jack. Gwen retrieves her gun, Jack wakes up and Clem runs off in a panic. Gwen calms him down. They wonder why Clem wasn't taken; perhaps he was on the verge of puberty and so not wanted by the 456.

At Johnson's facility, Alice and Steven are imprisoned and Alice warns Johnson about angering Jack.

Back at the Home Office, Frobisher asks what would happen to the children, and the "456" by responding that a "remnant" is watching — Clem realises the 456 is talking about him — and then says it is off the record. It invites Frobisher in with a camera.

A cameraman enters. A 456 appears in profile. Dekker says he detects three heartbeats and three distinct types of life in there. A child, one identified as one taken in the 1960s, who has not aged, is hooked up to something. The child's eyes widen in shock, possibly at seeing another human for the first time since the 1960s.

The cameraman leaves. A recording of Frobisher's voice announces this is off the record. The 456 says they do not harm the children and they feel no pain. If humanity refuse to hand over the children, they will wipe out the human species. The Americans demand all the records of 1965 from the Brian Green and threaten him with UN sanctions for withholding the information.

Jack and Ianto argue about Jack's role in the swap of children. Jack calls Frobisher to confirm the 456 have returned. Jack insists the 456's return is proof that they cannot be trusted. Frobisher says he has Jack's daughter and grandson but they will not be harmed if Jack does not reveal Britain's dealings with the 456. Jack insists he needs to confront the 456.

Lois attends a COBRA meeting. The PM says they will try to haggle, but they can't take military action. There isn't anything to target. The PM and Frobisher talk about camouflaged targets but no more. Bridget looks at Lois with suspicion. The PM tells Frobisher to offer "sixty units" and no more.

Back at the 456 "embassy," Frobisher offers the 456 one child per million people on Earth. The 456 refuse. Around the world, children begin to chant a number. It is a tenth of all the children in the world.

Back at Johnson's facility, she is being kept in the dark. She decides to go into London, but keeps her team on the lookout for Jack.

At the COBRA meeting, a discussion ensues over how to select the tenth and how best to present it to the public. At first a random lottery is suggested, since the government could protect itself from the resulting aftermath. However, one of the Cabinet members, Denise Riley, does not agree with the idea, as it would put her own children at danger of being selected. Yates suggests an alphabetical draw, which Riley scorns. Eventually Green declares that the children and grandchildren of everyone at the table will be exempt from possible selection but refuses to widen the scope to include nieces and nephews, much to the disgust of Denise. Denise won't accept this, and suggests that the criteria for selection should be the school league tables since the higher schools will be producing graduates who will contribute to society while the failing schools will be producing people who are "drains on society". She further suggests that the children doomed to spend their lives on benefits, and in prisons, should be handed over. This proposal is accepted and given to Frobisher.

The Torchwood team decide Lois's footage gives them leverage to blackmail the Cabinet. They force their way into Thames House. Ianto phones his sister to warn her, knowing that the line is tapped. He sends a message to those listening — to protect their children — and makes a quick call to Gwen, providing Johnson with information of Torchwood's location.

Frobisher begins to plan how children will be gathered and notes that the government can promise an "inoculation" to prevent children from chanting messages in unison. He suggests it be reported that the false vaccination "went wrong," allowing the government to put the blame on the 456 for the loss of the children.

Johnson arrives at the warehouse, but Gwen was expecting them and shows them what they were recording. Rhys has gone into hiding, with the footage from the COBRA meetings in Thames House, and is ready to send out the footage to the public if anything goes wrong.

Jack and Ianto enter Thames House. Jack talks to the 456, who will not yield on their request for ten percent of the world's children. Jack says he is making it a war. The 456 say, "A virus has been released. It will kill everyone in the building." Jack runs out of the room and warns two guards of the virus, but the 456 locks Thames House down, restricting anyone within the building to escape. Meanwhile, Ianto orders the 456 to release an anti-virus or he'll blow a hole in their tank. Jack returns and tries to negotiate, but the alien refuses. Ianto and Jack shoot at the 456 chamber, but the bullets bounce off. The 456 start to shriek. Clement screams in agony and starts to bleed. The 456 say the Remnant will be disconnected and Clement dies in Gwen's arms. Jack says he will get Ianto out, aware that he can survive anything but Ianto can't. Ianto tells him it is too late: he's breathed in the virus. Within seconds, Ianto collapses from toxic exposure and Jack catches him in his arms.

Jack kisses Ianto one last time.

Everyone in Thames house is collapsing and dying, save Dekker, who dons an environmental suit in time, and Jack, who can't die. The people in Thames House scream for help, but begin to collapse, and everyone eventually dies. Ianto sobs quietly as his strength fades. He tells Jack that he loves him, slipping away. Jack starts crying as he begs Ianto to stay with him. Ianto wakes and whispers that "it [their relationship] was good while it lasted." Jack agrees. Ianto gives Jack a dying request: "Don't forget me." Jack answers, "Never could." Ianto's last words are, "A thousand years' time...you won't remember me." However, Jack denounces them; "Yes I will. I promise, I will." Ianto gasps one final time and dies in his arms, Jack hopelessly pleading for his lover not to leave him. The 456 tell Jack that "you will die, and tomorrow, your people will deliver the children". Jack grimaces at the 456, and kisses Ianto and succumbs to the virus himself. The Gold Command room is left with no choice but to enact the plan to deliver 35 million children to the 456 or face annihilation. Denise Riley believes that "an injury to one is not an injury to all", and believes that they have to surrender to the 456. The Cabinet decide to go ahead and deliver the children.

At Thames House, a room has been filled with dozens of body bags, all victims of the virus attack, which has been cleansed from the building. Gwen walks into the room of the dead with support troops. One man points out Jack's and Ianto's bodies and she walks towards them. Gwen calmly removes the sheet over Jack and smiles faintly. He will revive and all will be well. However, she glances to the right and her expression darkens, knowing Ianto is underneath the sheet... who won't be coming back. She lifts the sheet off his face and sees that Ianto is pale and lifeless, fixing his crooked tie. The sight breaks her heart and she begins to cry. Jack wakes up and comforts her, equally as torn apart by the death of his partner. Defeated, Gwen, with Jack hugging her, tearfully says, "There is nothing we can do."

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]]

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

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • 6.24 million BBC One viewers, according to unofficial overnight figures
  • 6.76 million viewers, according to final official BARB viewing figures[7]
  • AI of 88%
  • 11th most-watched programme in Britain during the week of transmission

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

  • Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay - Johnson's team attempt to track down Torchwood
  • No. 13 Rupert Brooke Drive, Newport - Ianto's sister's
  • Thames House, Millbank, London - Thames House
  • MOD Caerwent, Monmouthshire - Ashton Down
  • Cathys Park 2, Cardiff - MI5 headquarters foyer
  • No. 41 Cefn Coed Road, Cardiff - The Frobisher residence
  • Avesta Polarit Steelworks, Newport - Torchwood London warehouse
  • National Park Vistitor Centre, Brecon - Jack revealed his involvement in 1965
  • Coedarhydglyn, St. Nicholas, Cardiff - Prime Minister's office
  • City Hall Road, Cardiff
  • West Brute Street, Cardiff - Jack and Ianto hit a traffic jam on the way to Thames House
  • Ship Lane, Cardiff - Jack and Ianto head to Thames House
  • Abington Street, London - Frobisher heads back to MI5
  • Chelsea Bridge, London - Johnson's convoy on its way to Torchwood
  • Dumballs Road, Cardiff - Johnson tracks down Torchwood
  • Tresillian Terrace, Caardiff - Johnson tracks down Torchwood
  • Queens Circus, Battersea, London - Johnson's convoy on its way to Torchwood
  • Brangwyn Hall, Swansea - MI5 Thirteenth floor
  • Western Lesuire Centre, Cardiff - Gwen finds Jack and Ianto amongst the bodies
  • Ponton Road (aerial), London - The Torchwood 1 holding area
  • BBC Broadcasting House (Lift shafts), Llandaff, Cardiff - Elevator shafts in Thames House (stock footage from TV: Rose [+]Loading...["Rose (TV story)"], TV: World War Three [+]Loading...["World War Three (TV story)"], TV: New Earth [+]Loading...["New Earth (TV story)"] and TV: Children of Earth: Day Three [+]Loading...["Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story)"].

Broadcasts[[edit] | [edit source]]

Date Time Channel Notes
Thursday 9 July 2009 21:00 BBC One & BBC HD First broadcast.
Thursday 9 July 2009 23:45 BBC Three
Friday 10 July 2009 00:00 BBC HD
Friday 7 August 2009 21:00 BBC Three
Saturday 8 August 2009 00:45 BBC Three
Tuesday 11 August 2009 22:00 BBC HD
Wednesday 30 December 2009 23:50 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.
  • Clem is visibly still breathing after the 456 killed him.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Johnny Davies is thrilled over the money he's making off charging "ten quid a kid" for babysitting children back at his house as started in TV: Children of Earth: Day Three [+]Loading...["Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story)"].
  • Traffic gridlock forces Jack and Ianto to abandon the stolen vehicle Torchwood swiped earlier in the events of TV: Children of Earth: Day Three [+]Loading...["Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story)"].
  • The 456 ambassador uses the same argument the Cybermen used of thousands of nameless deaths being unrecognised, but the same number only being acknowledged when directly threatened, like in TV: The Tenth Planet [+]Loading...["The Tenth Planet (TV story)"].
  • Agnes Havisham stated that those close to Jack Harkness tend to die during PROSE: Risk Assessment [+]Loading...["Risk Assessment (novel)"]. Therefore, Ianto's death is the latest in a list of Jack's family and friends who have died before the natural end; this includes Toshiko Sato in TV: Exit Wounds [+]Loading...["Exit Wounds (TV story)"], Owen Harper in TV: Reset [+]Loading...["Reset (TV story)"] and Estelle Cole in TV: Small Worlds [+]Loading...["Small Worlds (TV story)"].

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

  • Children of Earth: Day Four was released on DVD along with the rest of Children of Earth on 13 July 2009.
  • It was also released in the Series 1-4 boxset (Region 2 release: 14 November 2011.)

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ Daniel Martin. Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Five. The Guardian. Retrieved on 13 August 2009.
  2. ↑ An August 2009 fan report on the shrine from combom.co.uk
  3. ↑ A picture of the Ianto Shrine in 2012
  4. ↑ "If you watched Torchwood it is funny to go there and observe people who doesn't know what is this shrine about and their curious/confused/indignant looks."
  5. ↑ saveianto.com
  6. ↑ Typical forum thread requesting support for the notion of bringing back Ianto
  7. ↑ BARB Ratings - July, 2009
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