UK Spoiler Warning:
Before I begin this recap of ‘Torchwood: Miracle Day’s second episode,’ I must warn any of my UK fans out there that there may very well be some spoilers contained herein. I must apologize to my Mates in the UK who will not see this episode until Thursday.
Miracle Day has come… and gone. Much of the premiere dealt with the realization of the day no one died, but in “Rendition” we find ourselves at 30,000 feet for much of the action this time around.
As most of us know, the remaining ‘Torchwood’ team, Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) along with Rhys, Gwen’s husband and their child, were taken very much by force into the custody of Rex Matheson (Mekhi Phifer) of the CIA. They are being extradited to the US, in order to determine ‘Torchwood’s’ role in what the World has come to call, “Miracle Day.”
Oswald Danes (Bill Pullman) has a rather concise appearance that builds upon his character and prepares the viewer for the growth he is yet to attain.
Jilly Kitzinger (Lauren Ambrose) and Brian Freidkin, (Wayne Knight) make several rather brief appearances as well. Knight, who appears to be Rex Matheson’s superior gives us a clue via a small, handheld device that he has connections higher up… very, high up.
Dichen Lachman (Joss Whedon’s Doll House) plays an as yet unknown CIA agent working with Matheson. As we see later in this episode, Lachman plays a major antagonistic part involving Captain Jack and his new found mortality. Thanks to some medical advice by Dr. Juarez via phone, and a little help from Rex and a flight steward, the in flight crisis is narrowly averted.
Gwen displays her immense displeasure in the female CIA agent’s attempt on Jack’s life with a well placed Welsh right hook. Obviously, Miracle Day is witness to a much more petulant Gwen Cooper.
The episode concludes with a, well, fairly disturbing scene involving the treacherous female CIA agent and Rex. I shall leave that to your imagination, and leave it at that.
While Jack, Gwen and Rex are compressing themselves into Esther’s Mini, Gwen mutters in that delicious Welsh accent; “I thought American’s all had SUV’s.” She then nods to Rex and says indignantly, “Welcome to Torchwood.”
It is my belief that this is where Jack & Gwen kick down the door and storm American soil in true classic ‘Torchwood’ style!
