Weevil: Difference between revisions

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{{ImageLink}}
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{{Infobox Species
{{Infobox Species
|image      =  
|image      = EverythingChangesWeevil.jpg
|type        = Humanoid
|type        = Humanoid
|aka        = Toothsome
|aka        = Toothsome
|affiliation = {{il|[[The Alliance (The Pandorica Opens)|The Alliance]]}}
|affiliation = {{csl|[[Pandorica Alliance]]}}
|origin      =  
|origin      =  
|individuals = {{il|[[Janet (Everything Changes)|Janet]]|[[Big Guy]]|[[Sonny (Corpse Day)|Sonny]]}}
|individuals = {{csl|[[Janet (Everything Changes)|Janet]]|[[Big Guy]]|[[Sonny (Corpse Day)|Sonny]]}}
|first      = Everything Changes (TV story)
|first      = Everything Changes (TV story)
|appearances = [[Weevils - list of appearances|'''''see list''''']]
|appearances = [[Weevils - list of appearances|'''''see list''''']]
|clip        = Cage fighting an alien - Torchwood - BBC
|clip        = Cage fighting an alien - Torchwood - BBC
}}{{you may|weevil (insect)|Weevils of Ourouborous Vl|n1=the Earth insect|n2=the "Weevils of Ourouborous Vl"}}
}}{{you may|weevil (insect)|Weevils of Ourouborous Vl|n1=the Earth insect|n2=the "Weevils of Ourouborous Vl"}}
'''"Weevils"''' were what [[Torchwood Three]] called a race of savage, [[alien]] [[humanoid]]s found in [[Cardiff]] due to the [[Cardiff Space-Time Rift]]. Torchwood didn't know the species' real name because, as [[Jack Harkness]] said, "they're not too good at communicating." ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'')
'''"Weevils"''' were what [[Torchwood Three]] called a race of savage, [[alien]] [[humanoid]]s which were brought to [[Cardiff]] through the [[Cardiff Space-Time Rift]]. Torchwood didn't know the species' real name because, as [[Jack Harkness]] said, "they're not too good at communicating." ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'')


== Biology ==
== Biology ==
Weevils were roughly humanoid in shape and size, but were a bit taller and had flattened faces with many sharp, fang-like teeth. Though faster and stronger than [[human]]s, they were not extraordinarily powerful and could be injured with [[electricity]], brute force or by Torchwood's [[anti-Weevil spray]]. Due to its frequent use, Weevils began to develop a resistance to the spray. ([[TV]]: ''[[Combat (TV story)|Combat]]'')
Weevils were roughly humanoid in shape and size, but were a bit taller and had flattened faces with many sharp, fang-like teeth. Though faster and stronger than [[human]]s, they were not extraordinarily powerful and could be overpowered with [[electricity]], brute force, or by Torchwood's [[anti-Weevil spray]]. Due to its frequent use, Weevils began to develop a resistance to the spray. ([[TV]]: ''[[Combat (TV story)|Combat]]'')


Though not quite cold-blooded, Weevils had a much lower [[body temperature]] than humans. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') Weevils had an advanced [[digestive system]], allowing them to eat almost anything, though they preferred meat. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') They had powerful [[teeth]] and killed by ripping out the [[throat]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Countrycide (TV story)|Countrycide]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Something in the Water (novel)|Something in the Water]]'')
Though not quite cold-blooded, Weevils had a much lower [[body temperature]] than humans. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') Weevils had an advanced [[digestive system]], allowing them to eat almost anything, though they preferred meat. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') They had powerful [[teeth]] and killed by ripping out the [[throat]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Countrycide (TV story)|Countrycide]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Something in the Water (novel)|Something in the Water]]'')
Their digestive system was connected to their [[circulatory system]], meaning that anything that got in it (be it bacteria or bullets) would eventually be digested. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') [[The Pharm]] was able to extract a [[pesticide]] and a powerful {{w|defoliant}} from the Weevils. ([[TV]]: ''[[Reset (TV story)|Reset]]'')


The [[smell]] of Weevils reminded [[Marianne Till]] and [[Owen Harper]] of the smell of the [[elephant]] house at the [[zoo]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'')
The [[smell]] of Weevils reminded [[Marianne Till]] and [[Owen Harper]] of the smell of the [[elephant]] house at the [[zoo]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'')


=== Abilities ===
=== Abilities ===
Weevils had mild [[telepathic]] abilities and could feel strong [[emotion]]s from other Weevils far away. ([[TV]]: ''[[Combat (TV story)|Combat]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') They were also believed to have a degree of [[time sensitivity]] ([[TV]]: ''[[End of Days (TV story)|End of Days]]''); could detect the illusions created by [[Bilis Manger]] ([[TV]]: ''[[End of Days (TV story)|End of Days]]''); were afraid of [[Cell 114]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Sleeper (TV story)|Sleeper]]''); and followed [[Owen Harper]] after he was brought back by the [[resurrection gauntlet]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking (TV story)|Dead Man Walking]]'')
Weevils had mild [[telepathic]] abilities and could feel strong [[emotion]]s from other Weevils far away. ([[TV]]: ''[[Combat (TV story)|Combat]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') They were also believed to have a degree of [[time sensitivity]], and could detect the illusions created by [[Bilis Manger]]; ([[TV]]: ''[[End of Days (TV story)|End of Days]]'') they were afraid of [[Cell 114]]; ([[TV]]: ''[[Sleeper (TV story)|Sleeper]]'') and they followed [[Owen Harper]] after he was brought back to life by the [[resurrection gauntlet]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking (TV story)|Dead Man Walking]]'')
 
Their digestive system was connected to their [[circulatory system]], meaning that anything that got in it (be it bacteria or bullets) would eventually be digested. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') [[The Pharm]] was able to extract a [[pesticide]] and a powerful {{w|defoliant}} from the Weevils. ([[TV]]: ''[[Reset (TV story)|Reset]]'')


Weevils were incapable of [[swimming]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Lost Souls (audio story)|Lost Souls]]'')
Weevils were incapable of [[swimming]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Lost Souls (audio story)|Lost Souls]]'')


== Culture ==
== Culture ==
Despite their violent actions, Weevils were at least partly intelligent. They wore clothing, had a basic social order and mourned the pain and loss of other Weevils. ([[TV]]: ''[[Combat (TV story)|Combat]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') When they first arrived in Cardiff through the Rift they wore "half-clothing", but inevitably acquired human-made suits and garments. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Another Life (novel)|Another Life]]'') They also treated their dead with respect and were not cannibals. They would mourn the deaths of other Weevils by whistling. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') They were unable or unwilling to communicate with humans. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') When feeding on humans, they tended to hide the remains in the same place until they ran out of room. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[SkyPoint (novel)|Skypoint]]'')
Despite their violent actions, Weevils were at least partly intelligent. They wore clothing and had a basic social order. They were also deeply empathetic, often mourning the pain and loss of other Weevils. ([[TV]]: ''[[Combat (TV story)|Combat]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') When they first arrived in Cardiff through the Rift they wore "half-clothing", but inevitably acquired human-made suits and garments. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Another Life (novel)|Another Life]]'') They also treated their dead with respect and were not cannibals. They would mourn the deaths of other Weevils by whistling. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Slow Decay (novel)|Slow Decay]]'') They were unable or unwilling to communicate with humans. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') When feeding on humans, they tended to hide the remains in the same place until they ran out of room. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[SkyPoint (novel)|Skypoint]]'')


Weevils sized up other living creatures through how they conveyed themselves. If someone appeared easy to prey on, Weevils would maul that individual without hesitation. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') However, Weevils could equally be intimidated, cowering and lowing in fear at the presence of something they perceived as more threatening than them. ([[TV]]: ''[[Combat (TV story)|Combat]]'')
Weevils did not hunt indiscriminately, and sized up other living creatures before attacking. If someone appeared easy to prey on, Weevils would maul that individual without hesitation. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') However, Weevils could equally be intimidated, cowering and lowing in fear at the presence of something they perceived as more threatening than them. ([[TV]]: ''[[Combat (TV story)|Combat]]'')


The Weevils worshipped [[Death (Dead Man Walking)|Death]], the [[Resurrection gauntlet]] that allowed it into the [[N-Space|universe]], and [[Owen Harper]] after he was resurrected by the gauntlet. It was one of the few things that Weevils would actually bow to, conceding all hostile behaviour at the mere recognition of its presence. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking (TV story)|Dead Man Walking]]'', ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'')
The Weevils worshipped [[Death (Dead Man Walking)|Death]], the [[Resurrection gauntlet]] that allowed it into the [[N-Space|universe]], and [[Owen Harper]] after he was resurrected by the gauntlet. It was one of the few things that Weevils would actually bow to, conceding all hostile behaviour at the mere recognition of its presence. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking (TV story)|Dead Man Walking]]'', ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'')
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== History ==
== History ==
=== Origins ===
=== Origins ===
The [[Torchwood Institute]] did not know the native time period or homeworld of the Weevils. An uninformed layperson, [[Mark Lynch]], believed that the Weevils might have descended from humans in the future when "all we have left is our rage". ([[TV]]: ''[[Combat (TV story)|Combat]]'')
The [[Torchwood Institute]] did not know the native time period or homeworld of the Weevils. An uninformed layperson, [[Mark Lynch]], believed that the Weevils might have descended from humans in the future when "all we have left is our rage". ([[TV]]: ''[[Combat (TV story)|Combat]]'') Indeed, [[Last of Erebus|Object 1]] transformed sailors around [[Cardiff]] into Weevils. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Torchwood Archive (audio story)|The Torchwood Archive]]'')


=== 2nd century ===
=== 2nd century ===
In [[102]], at least two Weevils were in [[the Alliance (The Pandorica Opens)|the Alliance]], a group gathered together to rid the universe of the [[Eleventh Doctor]] by using the [[Pandorica]], located beneath [[Stonehenge]], to seal him away. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'') When the plan failed, the Weevils were turned to dust and removed from the universe along with the rest of reality beyond the Earth and its [[The Moon|moon]]. They were returned when the Doctor "reset" the universe. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'')
In [[102]], two Weevils were in the [[Pandorica Alliance]], a group gathered together to rid the universe of the [[Eleventh Doctor]] by using the [[Pandorica]], located beneath [[Stonehenge]], to seal him away. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'') When the plan failed, the Weevils were turned to dust and removed from the universe along with the rest of reality beyond the Earth and its [[The Moon|moon]]. They were returned when the Doctor "reset" the universe. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'')


=== 15th century ===
=== 15th century ===
In [[1479]], via a [[resurrection gauntlet]], [[Death (Dead Man Walking)|Death]] entered the [[N-Space|universe]] in [[Cardiff]]. The Weevils worshipped it. Humans associated Weevils with death and in woodcuts illustrated a Weevil with the traditional cowl and scythe of the [[Grim Reaper]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking (TV story)|Dead Man Walking]]'')
In [[1479]], via a [[resurrection gauntlet]], [[Death (Dead Man Walking)|Death]] entered the [[N-Space|universe]] in [[Cardiff]]. The Weevils worshipped it. Humans associated Weevils with death and in woodcuts illustrated a Weevil with the traditional cowl and scythe of the [[Grim Reaper]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking (TV story)|Dead Man Walking]]'')
=== 19th century ===
Jack Harkness explained to [[Tyler Steele]] that Torchwood Three started to round up and take in Weevils in the [[1870s]], allowing them to live safely in the cells. Torchwood had even created unique bathrooms for these Weevils to use. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Hostile Environment (audio story)|Hostile Environment]]'')


=== 20th century ===
=== 20th century ===
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In the [[19th century|19th]] and [[20th century|early 20th century]], Weevils were a problem in Cardiff. Torchwood traditionally killed them instead of capturing them. In one encounter, the Torchwood carriage was attacked by Weevils when [[Agnes Havisham]] and [[George Herbert Sanderson]] were riding it. They were able to drive them off by releasing a [[flare gun|flare]], though George accidentally released it inside the carriage. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Risk Assessment (novel)|Risk Assessment]]'')
In the [[19th century|19th]] and [[20th century|early 20th century]], Weevils were a problem in Cardiff. Torchwood traditionally killed them instead of capturing them. In one encounter, the Torchwood carriage was attacked by Weevils when [[Agnes Havisham]] and [[George Herbert Sanderson]] were riding it. They were able to drive them off by releasing a [[flare gun|flare]], though George accidentally released it inside the carriage. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Risk Assessment (novel)|Risk Assessment]]'')
In the [[1970s]], [[Torchwood One]] transported a number of Weevils to a secure facility in [[London]] in order to relieve pressure on Torchwood Three. The Weevils subsequently breached containment, spreading into the [[London Underground]]. Over decades they occasionally attacked commuters, with Torchwood covering up the incidents. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Tube Strike (audio story)|Tube Strike]]'')


=== 21st century ===
=== 21st century ===
The Weevils were commonly seen in [[21st century]] Cardiff, where hundreds lived in the sewers. They generally ate the most common resources in the sewers, though they occasionally ventured out to feed on [[human]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') [[Toshiko Sato]] believed they were as common as [[rat]]s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[SkyPoint (novel)|Skypoint]]'') Some lived in the church of [[St Mary's Church (Cardiff)|St Mary's]], where they had collected a wide range of human artefacts. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking (TV story)|Dead Man Walking]]'')
The Weevils were commonly seen in [[21st century]] Cardiff, where hundreds lived in the sewers. They generally ate the most common resources in the sewers, though they occasionally ventured out to feed on [[human]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') [[Toshiko Sato]] believed they were as common as [[rat]]s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[SkyPoint (novel)|Skypoint]]'') Some lived in the church of [[St Mary's Church (Cardiff)|St Mary's]], where they had collected a wide range of human artefacts. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking (TV story)|Dead Man Walking]]'')  


One of the jobs of the Torchwood Three team was to capture these Weevils and put them in storage cells in the lower level of the Hub. Several cages were kept for storing these rogue Weevils and anti-Weevil spray and handcuffs were stored for this purpose. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') Many missions of Torchwood were started while hunting Weevils. ([[TV]]: ''[[Reset (TV story)|Reset]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Lost Souls (audio story)|Lost Souls]]'') As they were so commonly encountered, the firing range at Torchwood used pictures of Weevils as [[target practice]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Undertaker's Gift (novel)|The Undertaker's Gift]]'')
One of the jobs of the Torchwood Three team was to capture these Weevils and put them in storage cells in the lower level of the Hub. Several cages were kept for storing these rogue Weevils and anti-Weevil spray and handcuffs were stored for this purpose. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') Many missions of Torchwood were started while hunting Weevils. ([[TV]]: ''[[Reset (TV story)|Reset]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Lost Souls (audio story)|Lost Souls]]'') As they were so commonly encountered, the firing range at Torchwood used pictures of Weevils as [[target practice]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Undertaker's Gift (novel)|The Undertaker's Gift]]'')
[[The Committee]] gave an infant Weevil to [[Diane Lewis|Diane]] and [[Glynn Lewis]] to raise as an experiment. They named it [[Sonny (Corpse Day)|Sonny]] however it eventually killed Diane. Glynn began kidnapping women to force them to attempt to mate with Sonny. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Corpse Day (audio story)|Corpse Day]]'')


At one [[Christmas]] party, [[Ianto Jones]] got so [[alcohol|drunk]] he threw up on a Weevil. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Risk Assessment (novel)|Risk Assessment]]'')
At one [[Christmas]] party, [[Ianto Jones]] got so [[alcohol|drunk]] he threw up on a Weevil. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Risk Assessment (novel)|Risk Assessment]]'')
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The [[Vandrogonite Visualiser]] dug up in [[Rhiwbina]] had records of the Weevils. When [[Gareth Portland]] created [[MonstaQuest]], he used the Weevil as one of the characters, renaming it "[[Toothsome]]". Since Toothsome was a common character, Weevils were frequently created by the Visualiser, leading to an outbreak of Weevil attacks. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Pack Animals (novel)|Pack Animals]]'')
The [[Vandrogonite Visualiser]] dug up in [[Rhiwbina]] had records of the Weevils. When [[Gareth Portland]] created [[MonstaQuest]], he used the Weevil as one of the characters, renaming it "[[Toothsome]]". Since Toothsome was a common character, Weevils were frequently created by the Visualiser, leading to an outbreak of Weevil attacks. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Pack Animals (novel)|Pack Animals]]'')


[[Gray (Fragments)|Gray]] controlled Weevils in his attack on Cardiff with a high-pitched noise from his [[Gray's vortex manipulator|wrist strap]]. He first sent several of the Weevils through the Rift to the Cardiff Police Station and had them kill the four most senior officers, before the other police staff rounded the Weevils up and locked them in one of the station's prison cells. Gray later used his wrist strap's Weevil-controlling high-pitched noise to cause hundreds of the Weevils in Cardiff's sewers to come onto the surface and attack people in the streets. He also released three of Torchwood's captive Weevils from their cell and into the Hub, where they attacked [[John Hart (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang)|John Hart]] and Gwen Cooper before [[Ianto Jones]] and [[Toshiko Sato]] shot them unconscious. John later used a recall signal from his wrist strap to cause the Weevils in Cardiff's streets to return to the sewers. ([[TV]]: ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'')
On [[Corpse Day]], [[Owen Harper]] and [[Andy Davidson]] discovered the Lewis household and Glynn forced Owen to help one of the kidnapped women give birth to a human/Weevil hybrid baby. Afterwards Sonny turned on Glynn and killed him. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Corpse Day (audio story)|Corpse Day]]'')
 
[[Gray (Fragments)|Gray]] controlled Weevils in his attack on Cardiff with a high-pitched noise from his [[Gray's vortex manipulator|wrist strap]]. He first sent several of the Weevils through the Rift to the Cardiff Police Station and had them kill the four most senior officers, before the other police staff rounded the Weevils up and locked them in one of the station's prison cells. Gray later used his wrist strap's Weevil-controlling high-pitched noise to cause hundreds of the Weevils in Cardiff's sewers to come onto the surface and attack people in the streets. He also released three of Torchwood's captive Weevils from their cell and into the Hub, where they attacked [[John Hart]] and Gwen Cooper before [[Ianto Jones]] and [[Toshiko Sato]] shot them unconscious. John later used a recall signal from his wrist strap to cause the Weevils in Cardiff's streets to return to the sewers. ([[TV]]: ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]'')


Around when [[Agnes Havisham]] was woken in 2009, two Weevils were spotted near a shopping mall, though Torchwood considered them a low priority problem. Agnes helped track and kill them. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Risk Assessment (novel)|Risk Assessment]]'')
Around when [[Agnes Havisham]] was woken in 2009, two Weevils were spotted near a shopping mall, though Torchwood considered them a low priority problem. Agnes helped track and kill them. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Risk Assessment (novel)|Risk Assessment]]'')
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[[Mickey Smith]] fought a [[Weevil (The Transformed)|Weevil]] during his time as a freelance [[alien]] hunter. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Transformed (comic story)|The Transformed]]'')
[[Mickey Smith]] fought a [[Weevil (The Transformed)|Weevil]] during his time as a freelance [[alien]] hunter. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Transformed (comic story)|The Transformed]]'')
[[Tyler Steele]] gave [[Brent Hayden]] a photo of a Weevil which he used in a video. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Man Who Destroyed Torchwood (audio story)|The Man Who Destroyed Torchwood]]'')
Weevils in the sewers were attacked by a [[Plasmic psychovore]]. Whilst pursuing it, Jack encountered a lone Weevil who pointed him in the right direction. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Future Pain (audio story)|Future Pain]]'')
Whilst investigating [[ScrapeJane]], [[Ng]] and [[St John Colchester]] discovered a Weevil nest in [[Bute Park]]. The Weevils were attacked by ScrapeJane who tore them apart. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[ScrapeJane (audio story)|ScrapeJane]]'')
Weevils attacked [[Vijay Meghani]] and [[Diana Lopez]] when they tried to escape the abandoned Hub. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Cuckoo (audio story)|Cuckoo]]'')


== Other Information ==
== Other Information ==
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== Behind the scenes ==
== Behind the scenes ==
=== Torchwood website ===
=== Torchwood website ===
[[File:Torchwood Weevil Memo.jpg|thumb|A 1950s Torchwood memo on the Torchwood website.]]
Part of a memo on the [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|series 1]] version of the [[Torchwood website]] dated to the 1950s revealed more about the history, or the suspected history, of the Weevils. It mentions attention being drawn to "increasingly parallel remarks" of reports of "crocodile-like creatures" in 4th century Byzantium that infested the sewer pipes from the Sea of Marmara. "Early indications" from the memo was that the species wasn't of Earth origin. It also knew of another such infestation in 1930s New York (possibly referencing the [[pig slave]] infestation from [[TV]]: ''[[Daleks in Manhattan (TV story)|Daleks in Manhattan]]'') that was attributed to "reptiles or similar specimens escaped from the zoo". It said that the idea was so "outlandish", that the whole event was dismissed. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.torchwood.org.uk/html/weevils/images/paper-scrap.jpg |title=Weevils - 1950s Torchwood memo (partial) |date of source= |website name=[[Torchwood website]] |accessdate=25 July 2013 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070929083239/http://www.torchwood.org.uk/html/weevils/images/paper-scrap.jpg |archivedate=29 September 2007 }}</ref>
Part of a memo on the [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|series 1]] version of the [[Torchwood website]] dated to the 1950s revealed more about the history, or the suspected history, of the Weevils. It mentions attention being drawn to "increasingly parallel remarks" of reports of "crocodile-like creatures" in 4th century Byzantium that infested the sewer pipes from the Sea of Marmara. "Early indications" from the memo was that the species wasn't of Earth origin. It also knew of another such infestation in 1930s New York (possibly referencing the [[pig slave]] infestation from [[TV]]: ''[[Daleks in Manhattan (TV story)|Daleks in Manhattan]]'') that was attributed to "reptiles or similar specimens escaped from the zoo". It said that the idea was so "outlandish", that the whole event was dismissed. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.torchwood.org.uk/html/weevils/images/paper-scrap.jpg |title=Weevils - 1950s Torchwood memo (partial) |date of source= |website name=[[Torchwood website]] |accessdate=25 July 2013 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070929083239/http://www.torchwood.org.uk/html/weevils/images/paper-scrap.jpg |archivedate=29 September 2007 }}</ref>
A telephone message pad on the [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|series 1]] version of the [[Torchwood website]] read: "Det Insp Arnold called - suspected Weevil in the Big Pit mining museum." A further note read: "Weevil in beer cellar in St Mary's St." <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.torchwood.org.uk/html/weevils/postit.shtml |title=Post-it and messages |date of source= |website name=[[Torchwood website]] |accessdate=27 July 2022 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070826192638/http://www.torchwood.org.uk/html/weevils/postit.shtml |archivedate=26 August 2007 }}</ref>


=== ''The Torchwood Archives'' ===
=== ''The Torchwood Archives'' ===
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== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Weevil stories}}
[[Category:Humanoid species]]
[[Category:Humanoid species]]
[[Category:Psychic species]]
[[Category:Psychic species]]
[[Category:Time-sensitive species]]
[[Category:Time-sensitive species]]
[[Category:The Alliance]]
[[Category:The Alliance]]
[[Category:Human-descended species]]

Latest revision as of 12:33, 28 June 2024

"Weevils" were what Torchwood Three called a race of savage, alien humanoids which were brought to Cardiff through the Cardiff Space-Time Rift. Torchwood didn't know the species' real name because, as Jack Harkness said, "they're not too good at communicating." (TV: Everything Changes)

Biology[[edit] | [edit source]]

Weevils were roughly humanoid in shape and size, but were a bit taller and had flattened faces with many sharp, fang-like teeth. Though faster and stronger than humans, they were not extraordinarily powerful and could be overpowered with electricity, brute force, or by Torchwood's anti-Weevil spray. Due to its frequent use, Weevils began to develop a resistance to the spray. (TV: Combat)

Though not quite cold-blooded, Weevils had a much lower body temperature than humans. (PROSE: Slow Decay) Weevils had an advanced digestive system, allowing them to eat almost anything, though they preferred meat. (TV: Everything Changes, PROSE: Slow Decay) They had powerful teeth and killed by ripping out the throat. (TV: Countrycide, PROSE: Something in the Water)

The smell of Weevils reminded Marianne Till and Owen Harper of the smell of the elephant house at the zoo. (PROSE: Slow Decay)

Abilities[[edit] | [edit source]]

Weevils had mild telepathic abilities and could feel strong emotions from other Weevils far away. (TV: Combat, PROSE: Slow Decay) They were also believed to have a degree of time sensitivity, and could detect the illusions created by Bilis Manger; (TV: End of Days) they were afraid of Cell 114; (TV: Sleeper) and they followed Owen Harper after he was brought back to life by the resurrection gauntlet. (TV: Dead Man Walking)

Their digestive system was connected to their circulatory system, meaning that anything that got in it (be it bacteria or bullets) would eventually be digested. (PROSE: Slow Decay) The Pharm was able to extract a pesticide and a powerful defoliant from the Weevils. (TV: Reset)

Weevils were incapable of swimming. (AUDIO: Lost Souls)

Culture[[edit] | [edit source]]

Despite their violent actions, Weevils were at least partly intelligent. They wore clothing and had a basic social order. They were also deeply empathetic, often mourning the pain and loss of other Weevils. (TV: Combat, PROSE: Slow Decay) When they first arrived in Cardiff through the Rift they wore "half-clothing", but inevitably acquired human-made suits and garments. (PROSE: Another Life) They also treated their dead with respect and were not cannibals. They would mourn the deaths of other Weevils by whistling. (PROSE: Slow Decay) They were unable or unwilling to communicate with humans. (TV: Everything Changes) When feeding on humans, they tended to hide the remains in the same place until they ran out of room. (PROSE: Skypoint)

Weevils did not hunt indiscriminately, and sized up other living creatures before attacking. If someone appeared easy to prey on, Weevils would maul that individual without hesitation. (TV: Everything Changes) However, Weevils could equally be intimidated, cowering and lowing in fear at the presence of something they perceived as more threatening than them. (TV: Combat)

The Weevils worshipped Death, the Resurrection gauntlet that allowed it into the universe, and Owen Harper after he was resurrected by the gauntlet. It was one of the few things that Weevils would actually bow to, conceding all hostile behaviour at the mere recognition of its presence. (TV: Dead Man Walking, Exit Wounds)

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

Origins[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Torchwood Institute did not know the native time period or homeworld of the Weevils. An uninformed layperson, Mark Lynch, believed that the Weevils might have descended from humans in the future when "all we have left is our rage". (TV: Combat) Indeed, Object 1 transformed sailors around Cardiff into Weevils. (AUDIO: The Torchwood Archive)

2nd century[[edit] | [edit source]]

In 102, two Weevils were in the Pandorica Alliance, a group gathered together to rid the universe of the Eleventh Doctor by using the Pandorica, located beneath Stonehenge, to seal him away. (TV: The Pandorica Opens) When the plan failed, the Weevils were turned to dust and removed from the universe along with the rest of reality beyond the Earth and its moon. They were returned when the Doctor "reset" the universe. (TV: The Big Bang)

15th century[[edit] | [edit source]]

In 1479, via a resurrection gauntlet, Death entered the universe in Cardiff. The Weevils worshipped it. Humans associated Weevils with death and in woodcuts illustrated a Weevil with the traditional cowl and scythe of the Grim Reaper. (TV: Dead Man Walking)

19th century[[edit] | [edit source]]

Jack Harkness explained to Tyler Steele that Torchwood Three started to round up and take in Weevils in the 1870s, allowing them to live safely in the cells. Torchwood had even created unique bathrooms for these Weevils to use. (AUDIO: Hostile Environment)

20th century[[edit] | [edit source]]

The transportation of Object 1 to Cardiff by Jack Harkness per Queen Victoria's orders caused the appearance of Weevils. A large number of sailors became Weevils, leading to a lack of resources arriving in the city. Jack was uncertain how the Weevils appeared and how they reproduced, but threw Object 1 into the rift in the 1910s as a result. Their name was derived from the beetle larvae found in sailors' biscuits. (AUDIO: The Torchwood Archive)

In the 19th and early 20th century, Weevils were a problem in Cardiff. Torchwood traditionally killed them instead of capturing them. In one encounter, the Torchwood carriage was attacked by Weevils when Agnes Havisham and George Herbert Sanderson were riding it. They were able to drive them off by releasing a flare, though George accidentally released it inside the carriage. (PROSE: Risk Assessment)

In the 1970s, Torchwood One transported a number of Weevils to a secure facility in London in order to relieve pressure on Torchwood Three. The Weevils subsequently breached containment, spreading into the London Underground. Over decades they occasionally attacked commuters, with Torchwood covering up the incidents. (AUDIO: Tube Strike)

21st century[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Weevils were commonly seen in 21st century Cardiff, where hundreds lived in the sewers. They generally ate the most common resources in the sewers, though they occasionally ventured out to feed on humans. (TV: Everything Changes) Toshiko Sato believed they were as common as rats. (PROSE: Skypoint) Some lived in the church of St Mary's, where they had collected a wide range of human artefacts. (TV: Dead Man Walking)

One of the jobs of the Torchwood Three team was to capture these Weevils and put them in storage cells in the lower level of the Hub. Several cages were kept for storing these rogue Weevils and anti-Weevil spray and handcuffs were stored for this purpose. (TV: Everything Changes) Many missions of Torchwood were started while hunting Weevils. (TV: Reset, AUDIO: Lost Souls) As they were so commonly encountered, the firing range at Torchwood used pictures of Weevils as target practice. (TV: Everything Changes, PROSE: The Undertaker's Gift)

The Committee gave an infant Weevil to Diane and Glynn Lewis to raise as an experiment. They named it Sonny however it eventually killed Diane. Glynn began kidnapping women to force them to attempt to mate with Sonny. (AUDIO: Corpse Day)

At one Christmas party, Ianto Jones got so drunk he threw up on a Weevil. (PROSE: Risk Assessment)

Gwen Cooper encountered a Weevil in a Hospital, where it killed a Hospital porter. This was her first encounter with alien life and part of the reason she was inducted into Torchwood. (TV: Everything Changes)

During the flooding caused by a Bruydac ship, many Weevils were forced out of Cardiff's sewers onto the surface, including one which Jack Harkness accidentally hit and killed with the Torchwood SUV. Following the Bruydac incident, Torchwood tracked down the displaced Weevils. (PROSE: Another Life)

When Doctor Scotus started distributing alien tapeworms, they made the patients so ravenously hungry they would kill and eat Weevils. The Weevils feared these infected people. (PROSE: Slow Decay)

Some Weevils were captured by Mark Lynch for his "Weevil Fight Club", where humans battled against the captured Weevils to deal with their pent-up rage; one of the Weevils captured was Torchwood's Janet, who was subsequently recovered. (TV: Combat)

Torchwood located a group of Weevils in a shop's lingerie department. (AUDIO: The Conspiracy)

When the Cardiff Rift temporarily fractured, more Weevils than ever appeared on the streets, making Torchwood Three's task of rounding them up even more difficult. (TV: End of Days)

For several months, Torchwood Three was following a Weevil known as "Big Guy". As the name suggested, it was a particularly large Weevil, as well as far more aggressive, injuring and killing people. It was killed by Sally Blackteeth, leaving Torchwood to find the body. (PROSE: Something in the Water)

Unknown to Torchwood Three, the Pharm had captured at least one Weevil as part of their self-assigned mission to exploit the unique qualities of alien species for biomedical research. As noted above, the Pharm discovered the Weevils were useful in developing new kinds of defoliant and pesticide. (TV: Reset)

After Owen Harper was killed at the Pharm, Jack Harkness went to the church of St Mary's and stole Death's resurrection gauntlet from the Weevils. When Death returned and possessed the undead Owen Harper, Weevils followed and chased him. (TV: Dead Man Walking)

Soon after Gwen Cooper's honeymoon, she chased a Weevil through Splott. She had become so used to this that the only part she thought was odd was that the Weevil had a limp. Later, when trapped in the SkyPoint apartments, airborne hallucinogens caused Gwen to think Jack Harkness was a Weevil. (PROSE: SkyPoint)

The Vandrogonite Visualiser dug up in Rhiwbina had records of the Weevils. When Gareth Portland created MonstaQuest, he used the Weevil as one of the characters, renaming it "Toothsome". Since Toothsome was a common character, Weevils were frequently created by the Visualiser, leading to an outbreak of Weevil attacks. (PROSE: Pack Animals)

On Corpse Day, Owen Harper and Andy Davidson discovered the Lewis household and Glynn forced Owen to help one of the kidnapped women give birth to a human/Weevil hybrid baby. Afterwards Sonny turned on Glynn and killed him. (AUDIO: Corpse Day)

Gray controlled Weevils in his attack on Cardiff with a high-pitched noise from his wrist strap. He first sent several of the Weevils through the Rift to the Cardiff Police Station and had them kill the four most senior officers, before the other police staff rounded the Weevils up and locked them in one of the station's prison cells. Gray later used his wrist strap's Weevil-controlling high-pitched noise to cause hundreds of the Weevils in Cardiff's sewers to come onto the surface and attack people in the streets. He also released three of Torchwood's captive Weevils from their cell and into the Hub, where they attacked John Hart and Gwen Cooper before Ianto Jones and Toshiko Sato shot them unconscious. John later used a recall signal from his wrist strap to cause the Weevils in Cardiff's streets to return to the sewers. (TV: Exit Wounds)

Around when Agnes Havisham was woken in 2009, two Weevils were spotted near a shopping mall, though Torchwood considered them a low priority problem. Agnes helped track and kill them. (PROSE: Risk Assessment)

On another occasion, Torchwood was chasing a rogue Weevil through Cardiff when Jack was contacted by Martha Jones on the disappearances at the Large Hadron Collider. In the meantime, the Weevil was accidentally chased into the river, where it drowned. (AUDIO: Lost Souls)

A fortnight before the Undertaker's Gift was activated, the Weevils of Cardiff went into hiding. When the Undertaker's Gift was activated, the Weevils were driven out into the city, where they started attacking humans. When the Vortex Dweller returned things to normal, the Weevils were returned to their hideouts. (PROSE: The Undertaker's Gift)

Mickey Smith fought a Weevil during his time as a freelance alien hunter. (COMIC: The Transformed)

Tyler Steele gave Brent Hayden a photo of a Weevil which he used in a video. (AUDIO: The Man Who Destroyed Torchwood)

Weevils in the sewers were attacked by a Plasmic psychovore. Whilst pursuing it, Jack encountered a lone Weevil who pointed him in the right direction. (AUDIO: Future Pain)

Whilst investigating ScrapeJane, Ng and St John Colchester discovered a Weevil nest in Bute Park. The Weevils were attacked by ScrapeJane who tore them apart. (AUDIO: ScrapeJane)

Weevils attacked Vijay Meghani and Diana Lopez when they tried to escape the abandoned Hub. (AUDIO: Cuckoo)

Other Information[[edit] | [edit source]]

When cyborg hacker Psi was attempting to protect Clara Oswald from the Teller, he ensured that it would focus on his guilt by uploading the memories of some of the worst criminals in history, one of them being a Weevil. (TV: Time Heist)

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Torchwood website[[edit] | [edit source]]

A 1950s Torchwood memo on the Torchwood website.

Part of a memo on the series 1 version of the Torchwood website dated to the 1950s revealed more about the history, or the suspected history, of the Weevils. It mentions attention being drawn to "increasingly parallel remarks" of reports of "crocodile-like creatures" in 4th century Byzantium that infested the sewer pipes from the Sea of Marmara. "Early indications" from the memo was that the species wasn't of Earth origin. It also knew of another such infestation in 1930s New York (possibly referencing the pig slave infestation from TV: Daleks in Manhattan) that was attributed to "reptiles or similar specimens escaped from the zoo". It said that the idea was so "outlandish", that the whole event was dismissed. [1]

A telephone message pad on the series 1 version of the Torchwood website read: "Det Insp Arnold called - suspected Weevil in the Big Pit mining museum." A further note read: "Weevil in beer cellar in St Mary's St." [2]

The Torchwood Archives[[edit] | [edit source]]

According to the non-narrative source, The Torchwood Archives, which this wiki does not count as a valid source, Torchwood initially believed that the Weevils had been caught up in and sent through the Rift to Cardiff by accident, but came to believe otherwise when Weevils continued to come through the Rift into Cardiff.

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. Weevils - 1950s Torchwood memo (partial). Torchwood website. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved on 25 July 2013.
  2. Post-it and messages. Torchwood website. Archived from the original on 26 August 2007. Retrieved on 27 July 2022.