eleventh episode second series british science fiction television series broadcast bbc march repeated bbc week later episode written series head writer directed produced episode featured initial series regulars plus recurring actors episode begins employee gwen cooper eve called investigate missing person case colleague mother starts support group missing people gwen realises problem widespread pursues investigation wishes boss able track son isolation facility revealed son like missing individuals cardiff taken space time rift returned physically mentally realising relationship son gwen reveal truth relative wanted write story tackled issue loss revolved missing person case executive producer appreciated character dynamics domestic themes episode cited script inspirations continuing series generally better known comedic roles cast type central guest role episode filmed largely location island featuring prominently response episode generally positive reviewers generally praised episode conflicting elements gwen character providing central dilemma easy answer critics identified plot holes felt episode emotional successes plot walking home cardiff bay barrage mysterious bright light appears seven months later police colleague agent eve investigating disappearance mother starts support group relatives missing people cardiff area gwen realises cases resembling disappearance gwen chart missing people colleague discovers occurred negative spikes activity cardiff space time rift women implications rift people away gwen confronts boss research informs orders stop investigation gwen consumed issue missing individuals takes toll relationship husband owen argue states gwen working safeguard ordinary life successful returning headquarters gwen jack fellow employee david lloyd sexual encounter tells jack wants continue investigation jack refuses help later gives gwen gps device coordinates hidden location leading gwen facility missing people rift taken subsequently brought gwen finds jack demands access aged physically deformed stuck burning planet shortly witnessing burning solar system jack reveals set facility took command order care victims rift previously locked away gwen brings supervision facility staff member horrified believing cruel joke starts childhood thinks taking home care starts screaming necessitating leave company gwen reveals scream lasts hours day looked heart effect driving insane gwen visits week later island states better remembered son know true fate packs belongings knowing return home breaks home night gwen prepares romantic lit dinner realising upset insists gwen shares burden production produced production block block seven filming episode double banked block consisted episodes rain fragments accounted lack availability regular cast members unlike rest episodes series episode solely produced regular series guest producer discussing premise story writer states issue loss drives narrative wanted write story people missing director noted people missing time tackle theme brave thing executive producer felt provided good drama story examine elements paranoia fear gwen jack result realising know extent work davies later stated book writer tale scripts paved way series intention write characters real people families feuds pains episode underwent script series final version essentially second draft gwen initially referred husband surname williams vetoed idea believed independent professional woman want maiden change editing episode cutting short scene possible romance andy scene included deleted scenes included series cast central guest role actress stated excited scared appear series role comedy previously comfort zone cast aged version son estimated actor spend half hours addition hour filming day applied create appearance found absolutely fantastic reveal scream initially going wholly alien effect set keen scream states final dub scream layers added stated fundamental basis screaming lungs discussing return andy stated plan production team character greater focus episode comic value whilst joked personal mission character episode largely filmed location disappearance jack subsequent investigation filmed cardiff bay barrage house filmed marina whilst scenes missing persons meeting filmed victoria square september café sequences gwen andy recorded café whilst scene gwen picnic argument shot cardiff main location shoot episode island exterior shots filmed end september island allow access production team restricted filming equipment island possess derelict cholera isolation hospital scenes isolation facility fact filmed inside building incidental music included song album lady bridge song hard beat hard album stars heard second time gwen andy meet café song world album eye plays scene gwen brings breakfast broadcast reception broadcast digital channel bbc march received terrestrial broadcast days later march bbc pre watershed version episode aired march according consolidated figures episode bbc broadcast watched million viewers bbc debut million viewers pre watershed version million viewers amounting total million viewers initial episode available watch online catch service 16th viewed individual broadcast january march critical reception sfx rated episode half stars felt showed related casualty life destroying tragedy thought episode logic gaps emotional focus distract audience felt sequence gwen husband tears strip gwen reminds fighting episode highlight digital spy stated script brings conflicting components gwen character praised episode raising moral dilemma reveal truth gave episode stars feeling highlight versatility series badly science fiction overlooked crafted drama ign rated episode amazing stated kind science fiction series create felt episode worked viewers unfamiliar whilst managing progress regular character series felt episode handled subject matter missing people whilst relationship gwen stating best episode gwen date showcased range tremendous power actor concluded review stating nearly perfect episode genre science fiction medium television slant_magazine gave positive review feeling episode explore bread butter topic intersection human alien means human aftermath stated episode played strengths gwen relates human alien stated demonstrate perfect gwen felt episode flawed cop ending jack handling gwen conclusion noted episode left crying gwen end felt episode vast improvement predecessors stating hard hitting edgy explores darker avenues life felt personal effect gwen struggles domestic life interesting aspects comparing television series angel touched threads story vampire mythology scale episode concluded episode conclusion credit biggest disappointment showed way right left audience screaming happy ending come mixed review felt episode vast improvement week episode stated lived reputation darker mature cousin doctor stated episode logistical problems convenient coincidence emotional hook episode praised tragic emotional impact moment mom told gwen promise families stated liked weren easy answers described easily best episode doctor spin showed stated fact offered easy solutions gave super bleak ending win
Adrift (Torchwood)