Torchwood review: Instant Karma (audio)

Toshiko meets a support group leader with some dangerous abilities and even more dangerous morals, in this month’s Torchwood audio, Instant Karma.

This month in the Torchwood audio range, we have a story that focuses on Toshiko Sato with Instant Karma. One that’s set relatively early for her character, as it’s explicitly set not long after the episode Greeks Bearing Gifts.

For those who don’t remember that episode, Toshiko got to find out exactly what her friends thought of her. Literally, in fact, by using an alien pendant to hear their thoughts.

While plotwise, Instant Karma isn’t exactly a direct sequel to that episode, it does at least share some strong themes with it. In particular, both stories explore what we really think of each other, as well as the darker side of humanity that most of us keep hidden away.

This is explored with the key antagonist of the story, Simon, played brilliantly by Jonny Dixon. On the surface, Simon seems like a nice guy. As the leader of a support group, he initially seems to be a pretty charming man.

However, it’s not long before it’s revealed that this is, of course, a total facade. It’s not just that he’s simply unlikable. He has a dark and manipulative side to him, and he clearly likes to be the one in control. Especially when he has abilities that gives him power over others. Powers that can cause pain, or even death.

Toshiko Sato encounters someone with dangerous powers and even more dangerous views on others in Instant Karma.

(Photo credit: Torchwood/Big Finish Productions.

Image obtained from: Big Finish Productions.)

A pseudo-morality tale

Instant Karma presents an interesting exploration of morality. Or perhaps, pseudo-morality. There are many people targeted and killed in this one. Not because they’re evil, not in this case. But because they’re annoying, or inconsiderate. People who cause small, everyday things that make life more difficult for others.

It soon becomes clear that Simon thinks he’s better than these people. To an absolutely horrifying extent. And that horror only increases as the story goes on, and you see Simon’s complete lack of empathy towards others.

Once again, it’s great to hear Naoko Mori as Toshiko. Especially as her character is explored at such a vulnerable point. She’s really having major self-confidence issues due to recent events. But in some ways, she’s also stronger, too.

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She continues to portray the intelligence and vulnerability of the character wonderfully well. Like in this year’s earlier (and highly recommended) Torchwood story Believe, it’s another fantastic performance.

This is aided by a really great script. Surprisingly, it’s been handled by not just one or even two writers, but three.

Sometimes, it can be easy for the voice of the story to become lost when handled by multiple writers. But David Llewellyn, James Goss and Jonathan Morris have given us a very distinct and unique script that truly stands out.

Instant Karma is a very satisfying Torchwood audio. It explores not just a fantastic character brilliantly. It also asks some rather interesting questions, particularly about people.

What are the things that make us feel superior to others? And when we take that attitude too far, do we simply become far worse? Instant Karma is a story with dark questions and some very difficult answers.

Have you listened to Instant Karma? What did you think? Are you glad to hear Toshiko Sato once again? Let us know in the comments below.