The essential episodes of Torchwood
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Torchwood — each pick states its reason.
- 01
PC Gwen Cooper is at the scene of a brutal murder, when the "special ops," known only as Torchwood, arrive. After witnessing the group bring the dead man back to life, Gwen goes in pursuit of this mysterious organization, only to see weirder things than she could ever imagine existed. Soon after, she begins to regret giving in to her curiosity, when she meets Captain Jack Harkness.
- 02
Investigating reports of ghostly music, Jack and Toshiko find themselves stranded in a packed dance hall — in 1941. As Gwen, Owen, and Ianto work to rescue their colleagues, Jack and Toshiko meet a handsome young American squadron leader by the name of Captain Jack Harkness.
- 03
The increasingly fractured Torchwood team are faced with fragments of their pasts and visions of their futures when the Rift begins splintering time all over the world. When the team's tensions reach boiling point, can Jack save the planet from certain disaster without the support of his team?
- 04
The team are conflicted when Jack Harkness returns after his unexpected departure, but won't reveal where he's been. So, when an old acquaintance of Jack's arrives in the city and starts wreaking havoc in his quest to find something hidden on Earth, the team struggle to work out whose side Jack is really on.
- 05
A booby trapped building explodes and knocks the team unconscious. As their lives flash before their eyes, we learn how each of them was recruited to Torchwood – Captain Jack's initiation into a shocked Victorian Torchwood in 1899; Toshiko's daring mission to trade alien technology for her mother's life; how Ianto woo'd Jack with coffee and a flair for alien-catching and; the medical revelation that changed how Owen saw the world.
- 06
Captain John returns to have his revenge. Taking Captain Jack prisoner, he sends him back in time for a long overdue reunion. Meanwhile, Cardiff is flooded with Weevils. Who is Captain John really working for?
- 07
An ordinary day becomes a world of terror as every single child in the world stops. A message is sent to the governments of Earth: 'We are coming'. As a trap closes around Captain Jack, sins of the past return, as long-forgotten events from 1965 threaten to reveal an awful truth.
- 08
Torchwood are forced underground, as the government takes swift and brutal action. With members of the team being hunted down, only Lois holds the key to Torchwood's salvation - but she is helpless as her superiors make plans for the mysterious Floor 13.
- 09
The eyes of the world turn to Britain, as the 456 announce, 'We are here'. As a pillar of fire descends upon London, the members of Torchwood must battle to protect their own families, as the fight gets personal. But will Clem's memories destroy everything?
- 10
Torchwood finally learns the truth about the events of 1965. Britain is in danger of becoming a rogue state, and everything now pivots around John Frobisher, as the ambassador of the 456 destroys its old allegiances and reveals its true intent.
- 11
Torchwood is defenceless and Gwen Cooper stands alone as the final sanction begins. As violence erupts and the world descends into anarchy, an ordinary council estate becomes a battleground where the future of the human race will be decided.
- 12
Torchwood goes on the run, and finds a new enemy. But as they launch a raid on PhiCorp headquarters, Jack must confront the mysterious Oswald Danes.
- 13
Torchwood goes undercover and discovers the terrible truth behind the Miracle. But the enemy is closing in and death is about to make a shocking return.
- 14
As the Three Families plunge the world into recession, the Torchwood team - defeated, powerless, and hunted - must strike a bargain with the devil himself.
- 15
The Torchwood team travels across the world on a final, desperate mission - but the Three Families are unstoppable, unless a terrible sacrifice is made...
Shows like Torchwood
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Science-Fiction·ActionThe essential episodes of Arrow2012–2020·The CWAfter a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific.
- 02Drama·Science-Fiction·ActionThe essential episodes of The Flash2014–2023·The CW
After a particle accelerator causes a freak storm, CSI Investigator Barry Allen is struck by lightning and falls into a coma. - 03Drama·Science-Fiction·ActionThe essential episodes of Fringe2008–2013·FOX
When an international flight lands at Boston's Logan Airport and the passengers and crew have all died grisly deaths, FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham is called in to investigate. - 04Drama·Science-Fiction·AdventureThe essential episodes of Doctor Who2005–2022·BBC One
Adventures across time and space with the time travelling alien and companions. - 05Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Black Mirror2011–presentOver the last ten years, technology has transformed almost every aspect of our lives before we've had time to stop and question it.
- 06Drama·Science-Fiction·CrimeThe essential episodes of The X-Files1993–2018·FOXTwo FBI agents, Fox Mulder (a believer) and Dana Scully (a skeptic), investigate unexplained cases where the paranormal might be involved while hidden forces work to impede their efforts.
