Something Borrowed (Torchwood)
Encyclopedia
"Something Borrowed" is the ninth episode of the second series of British science fiction television
series Torchwood
. It was broadcast by BBC Three
on 5 March 2008 and repeated on BBC Two
one week later.
During Gwen's examination, Jack tries to persuade Gwen to cancel her wedding. Owen mentions that if she were going to die, it would have happened already; so Gwen proceeds with the wedding. Rhys also tries to postpone the wedding but, at the insistence of Gwen, decides to have their wedding anyway. The alien fertilisation is explained to the guests as Gwen's pregnancy to Rhys.
Tosh arrives at the wedding venue after being sent by Jack to guard Gwen. After being propositioned by Rhys' best man Banana Boat, Tosh gives Gwen her new wedding dress before discussing the possibility of a relationship between Tosh and Owen. The Nostrovite follows and murders the DJ, eating most of him. Her presence is detected by Tosh and Banana. After trapping them on the bed in a black web-like construct, the Nostrovite joins the wedding guests.
Gwen and Rhys are at the altar when Jack demands the wedding be stopped. Owen and Ianto rescue Tosh and Banana, and the DJ's body. A bridesmaid enters the room, and upon seeing the DJ's body flees. Ianto fails to stop her and she screams murder to the entire wedding party. Tosh and Jack chase the Nostrovite, but it escapes.
Jack questions Owen about Gwen, and he says Brenda, Rhys' mother, is with them. Tosh mentions that Brenda is also with Gwen's mother in the garden. Tosh and Jack reach the couple's room, where Jack calls Brenda an 'ugly bitch,' After being punched by Rhys, Jack is told that the woman is actually Rhys' mother. They reach the garden to find the Nostrovite with Gwen's mother. The Nostrovite holds Gwen's mother hostage, demanding her child. Gwen walks towards them, but just as the Nostrovite releases Gwen's mother, Gwen reveals a hidden gun and fires several times as it flees.
Owen suggests using the singularity scalpel to destroy the egg. He sends Gwen to her room, but asks Rhys to wait while he teaches Rhys how to use the Scalpel. Jack enters Gwen's room whilst Owen and Rhys are outside, and he and Gwen share a heated conversation. They nearly kiss as Jack transforms into the Nostrovite. Owen enters, shooting the Nostrovite whilst Gwen exits with Rhys. After attempting to attack Owen, only to discover he is dead, he leaves for Gwen.
Rhys and Gwen reach the stable and Rhys explains Owen's plan to remove the egg. As the Nostrovite tries to enter, Rhys succeeds in removing the egg. Just as the egg is vaporised, the Nostrovite enters, impersonating Rhys' mother. She attacks Rhys, who protects himself with a malfunctioning chainsaw. Jack kills the creature with a powerful gun.
Rhys and Gwen’s wedding resumes, and the couple are wed. At the reception, Rhys and Gwen notice everyone falling asleep and realise Jack has RetConned the wedding party. Jack offers the couple pills, but Gwen declines, stating that there will 'be no secrets in this marriage'. Jack and the others clean up, Ianto stating the irony of fighting aliens by day and reverting to cleaner by night. Later, Jack enters the Hub alone, blowing some confetti in the air. He retrieves an old tin box, containing pictures from his past. He looks through them, reminiscing, but picks one up and stops. This picture shows Jack and his bride at their wedding.
Science fiction on television
Science fiction first appeared on a television program during the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Special effects and other production techniques allow creators to present a living visual image of an imaginary world not limited by the constraints of reality; this makes television an excellent medium...
series Torchwood
Torchwood
Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. The series is a spin-off from Davies's 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who. The show has shifted its broadcast channel each series to reflect its growing audience, moving from...
. It was broadcast by BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
on 5 March 2008 and repeated on BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
one week later.
Synopsis
While out on her hen night (Bachelorette party), Gwen is bitten on the arm by an alien that is then killed by Jack. It is discovered that the alien transferred eggs to Gwen, which mature inside her body to the point where she appears pregnant. The creature is a Nostrovite, a race of carnivourous shape shifters who hunt in pairs and mate for life. After fertilisation, the female transfers her eggs to the male, who transfers them to a host to incubate them until the eggs are ready to hatch. The female then kills the host, releasing the offspring.During Gwen's examination, Jack tries to persuade Gwen to cancel her wedding. Owen mentions that if she were going to die, it would have happened already; so Gwen proceeds with the wedding. Rhys also tries to postpone the wedding but, at the insistence of Gwen, decides to have their wedding anyway. The alien fertilisation is explained to the guests as Gwen's pregnancy to Rhys.
Tosh arrives at the wedding venue after being sent by Jack to guard Gwen. After being propositioned by Rhys' best man Banana Boat, Tosh gives Gwen her new wedding dress before discussing the possibility of a relationship between Tosh and Owen. The Nostrovite follows and murders the DJ, eating most of him. Her presence is detected by Tosh and Banana. After trapping them on the bed in a black web-like construct, the Nostrovite joins the wedding guests.
Gwen and Rhys are at the altar when Jack demands the wedding be stopped. Owen and Ianto rescue Tosh and Banana, and the DJ's body. A bridesmaid enters the room, and upon seeing the DJ's body flees. Ianto fails to stop her and she screams murder to the entire wedding party. Tosh and Jack chase the Nostrovite, but it escapes.
Jack questions Owen about Gwen, and he says Brenda, Rhys' mother, is with them. Tosh mentions that Brenda is also with Gwen's mother in the garden. Tosh and Jack reach the couple's room, where Jack calls Brenda an 'ugly bitch,' After being punched by Rhys, Jack is told that the woman is actually Rhys' mother. They reach the garden to find the Nostrovite with Gwen's mother. The Nostrovite holds Gwen's mother hostage, demanding her child. Gwen walks towards them, but just as the Nostrovite releases Gwen's mother, Gwen reveals a hidden gun and fires several times as it flees.
Owen suggests using the singularity scalpel to destroy the egg. He sends Gwen to her room, but asks Rhys to wait while he teaches Rhys how to use the Scalpel. Jack enters Gwen's room whilst Owen and Rhys are outside, and he and Gwen share a heated conversation. They nearly kiss as Jack transforms into the Nostrovite. Owen enters, shooting the Nostrovite whilst Gwen exits with Rhys. After attempting to attack Owen, only to discover he is dead, he leaves for Gwen.
Rhys and Gwen reach the stable and Rhys explains Owen's plan to remove the egg. As the Nostrovite tries to enter, Rhys succeeds in removing the egg. Just as the egg is vaporised, the Nostrovite enters, impersonating Rhys' mother. She attacks Rhys, who protects himself with a malfunctioning chainsaw. Jack kills the creature with a powerful gun.
Rhys and Gwen’s wedding resumes, and the couple are wed. At the reception, Rhys and Gwen notice everyone falling asleep and realise Jack has RetConned the wedding party. Jack offers the couple pills, but Gwen declines, stating that there will 'be no secrets in this marriage'. Jack and the others clean up, Ianto stating the irony of fighting aliens by day and reverting to cleaner by night. Later, Jack enters the Hub alone, blowing some confetti in the air. He retrieves an old tin box, containing pictures from his past. He looks through them, reminiscing, but picks one up and stops. This picture shows Jack and his bride at their wedding.
Continuity
- An upgraded version of the singularity scalpel from "ResetReset (Torchwood)"Reset" is the sixth episode of the second series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, which was first broadcast by BBC Three on 13 February 2008, immediately after the broadcast of "Adam" on BBC Two...
" is used to remove the alien egg from Gwen. - Owen makes reference to saving Martha JonesMartha JonesMartha Jones is a fictional character played by Freema Agyeman in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who and its spin-off series, Torchwood. She is a companion of the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who, replacing Rose Tyler...
with the singularity scalpel from "ResetReset (Torchwood)"Reset" is the sixth episode of the second series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, which was first broadcast by BBC Three on 13 February 2008, immediately after the broadcast of "Adam" on BBC Two...
". - On the Torchwood website Jack receives an email from Martha Jones after the events in "A Day in the DeathA Day in the Death"A Day in the Death" is the eighth episode of the second series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, which was broadcast by BBC Three on 27 February 2008...
" saying she is sorry for not going to Gwen's wedding. - During the wedding, one of the songs played is Soft CellSoft CellSoft Cell are an English synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s. They consist of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The duo is most widely known for their 1981 worldwide hit version of "Tainted Love" and platinum debut Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret...
's "Tainted LoveTainted Love"Tainted Love" is a song composed by Ed Cobb, formerly of The Four Preps, which was originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1965. It attained worldwide fame after being covered by Soft Cell in 1981, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart, and has since been covered by numerous groups and...
", also heard in the Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
episode "The End of the WorldThe End of the World (Doctor Who)"The End of the World" is the second episode of Series One of the British science-fiction television series Doctor Who. Written by show runner Russell T Davies and directed by Euros Lyn, the episode was first broadcast on 2 April 2005....
", where the song is considered an "Earth classic". - Rhys' best mate Banana Boat is seen in this episode for the first time; he was mentioned in dialogue in the pilot episode, "Everything ChangesEverything Changes (Torchwood)"Everything Changes" is the first episode of the British science fiction television programme Torchwood, which was first broadcast on 22 October 2006.-Synopsis:Police constable Gwen Cooper comes across the mysterious organisation known as Torchwood...
". The Characters of Banana Boat and Megan appear briefly in the novel Pack AnimalsPack AnimalsPack Animals is a BBC Books original novel written by Peter Anghelides and based on the British science fiction television, Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood...
; which is set shortly before Gwen and Rhys' wedding. Gwen also mentions her mother (Mary Cooper) and future mother in law (Brenda Williams) in relation to her upcoming wedding. - Gwen opines to Toshiko that the latter will get married and suggests "there's always Owen," which Toshiko dismisses, noting that "till death do us part" would be a bad joke in his case. In doing so, she unwittingly foretells their common demise in "Exit WoundsExit Wounds (Torchwood)"Exit Wounds" is the thirteenth and final episode of the second series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, and was broadcast on BBC Two on 4 April 2008.-Synopsis:...
".
Music
- Filthy/GorgeousFilthy/Gorgeous"Filthy/Gorgeous" is a song by American disco group Scissor Sisters and is the seventh track on their self-titled debut album . It was released as the last single from that album in the UK and despite this, it was surprisingly successful commercially, peaking at #5 in the UK Singles Chart in...
by the Scissor SistersScissor SistersScissor Sisters are an American band "spawned by the scuzzy, gay nightlife scene of New York" who took their name from a sexual position between two women also known as tribadism...
is played during the club scene. - You Do Something To MeYou Do Something to Me"You Do Something to Me" is a song written by Cole Porter. It is notable in that it was the first number in Porter's first fully integrated-book musical Fifty Million Frenchmen...
by Paul WellerPaul WellerPaul Weller is an English singer-songwriter. Starting with the band The Jam , Weller then went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with The Style Council...
can be heard while Jack, Gwen, and Ianto dance. - Tainted LoveTainted Love"Tainted Love" is a song composed by Ed Cobb, formerly of The Four Preps, which was originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1965. It attained worldwide fame after being covered by Soft Cell in 1981, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart, and has since been covered by numerous groups and...
by Soft CellSoft CellSoft Cell are an English synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s. They consist of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The duo is most widely known for their 1981 worldwide hit version of "Tainted Love" and platinum debut Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret...
at the end of the wedding party
Cast notes
- Nerys Hughes previously appeared in the Fifth DoctorFifth DoctorThe Fifth Doctor is the fifth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He is portrayed by Peter Davison....
serial KindaKinda (Doctor Who)Kinda is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 1 February to 9 February 1982.-Synopsis:...
and the Eighth DoctorEighth DoctorThe Eighth Doctor is the eighth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by Paul McGann...
audio drama PhobosPhobos (Doctor Who audio)Phobos is an audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. This audio drama was produced by Big Finish Productions and was broadcast on BBC 7 on 28 January 2007.-Plot:...
. - William Thomas was the first actor to appear in both the classic and new series of Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
, first in the Seventh DoctorSeventh DoctorThe Seventh Doctor is the seventh incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by the actor Sylvester McCoy....
serial Remembrance of the DaleksRemembrance of the DaleksRemembrance of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 5 October to 26 October 1988....
and then the Ninth DoctorNinth DoctorThe Ninth Doctor is the ninth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He is played by Christopher Eccleston....
episode "Boom TownBoom Town (Doctor Who)"Boom Town" is an episode in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on 4 June 2005. The Doctor, Rose and Jack travel to modern-day Cardiff and meet up with Rose's boyfriend, Mickey...
". This makes him the first actor to appear in the classic series, the new series and Torchwood. - William Thomas is set to reprise the role of Geraint Cooper in Torchwood: Miracle Day, whilst Sharon Morgan will also appear as Mary.