This year’s season of monthly Torchwood audios begins with The Death of Captain Jack – featuring the return of John Hart!
The Death of Captain Jack is definitely a huge story to kick off the new season of Torchwood audios. And it’s not simply the title that’s the big draw. It’s not even the return of James Marsters as Captain John Hart. No, what really makes this story stand out is the following question: how different would the world look if it was ruled by an incredibly dangerous psychotic who just likes to enjoy himself?
David Llewellyn clearly had a lot of fun when he wrote this story. It’s not just the fact that Captain John Hart is obviously a fun character to write for. After all, John is just like Jack, but without the morals. Of course someone like that is fun to write!
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But it’s also how well the character is used throughout the story. After all, this is the first time that James Marsters has played John Hart in over ten years. Fans have been eager to hear more from the character. So it’s wonderful that, to balance such a long gap, Llewellyn made John the central character of this story.
Even better, Llewellyn tells two connected and yet different stories with John. And they’re both equally interesting. The first is some backstory exploring John’s relationship with Jack. So we get to hear plenty of the fun times that they shared together. They clearly had a lot of fun, and did nothing but encourage the worst from each other. It’s fantastic hearing so much of their relationship.
Especially the part where it all goes wrong.
A whole new world
The second storyline in The Death of Captain Jack is John changing history in a big way. How big, are you wondering? Well, think of how much fun a completely amoral and self-indulgent criminal with the power of time travel could have. Then imagine that person completely destroying the heroes of the series. Yeah, it’s definitely big, alright.
Hearing what happens when the world goes to hell shouldn’t be this much fun. But John Hart is such a fantastic character that you can’t help but love him. Marsters’s performance especially is as wonderful to hear as it ever was.
The Death of Captain Jack is a fantastic start to this new season of Torchwood audios. It’s a brilliantly written story, filled with tons of little nods and treats for Torchwood fans. It’s also a very welcome return of a fantastic character. Worth a listen for any one who loved the episode Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang.
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Are you a fan of Captain John Hart? Have you been eager to hear more from the character? Has this review made you more curious about this story? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.