Torchwood review: Bilis Manger returns in trilogy of terror episode Dead Man’s Switch

Three passengers wake up on a train that’s going nowhere in this month’s Torchwood audio, Dead Man’s Switch. And they each have a story to tell…

After a gap of a couple of months, I recently renewed my subscription to Big Finish’s Torchwood audios. The number one reason was, of course, money. I’m a big fan of the audios in general, but sometimes, you have to pick and choose which stories to get from Big Finish. However, the main reason I decided it was worth renewing this month (and hence my overdue reviews for The Vigil and Smashed)? The return of Bilis Manger.

A villain who appeared far too briefly in the TV series, Bilis Manger is such a fascinating character. Charming yet sinister, we’re never quite sure what his true agenda is. Not until it’s too late, at least. He really is a fantastic character, one that’s always performed brilliantly by Murray Melvin.

So I’m always happy to see him make a return appearance, thanks to Big Finish. In 2017, he appeared in the Series 5 episode A Kill to a View. In 2018, he featured in the dark and horrific story Deadbeat Escape. And this month, he returns in Dead Man’s Switch…

An unexpected tale

Like Deadbeat Escape, Dead Man’s Switch definitely has a strong air of creepiness to it. It probably helps that none of the Torchwood regulars feature in either of these stories, so the fate of the other characters in this story is completely uncertain. With Bilis Manger in charge however, you know that it can’t be good.

One thing that stands out about Dead Man’s Switch compared to Bilis’s previous appearances is that it’s more of a linked anthology than one single story. Three passengers wake up on a train. They have no idea how they got there. But when a mysterious old man asks, they each tell the story of the last thing that they remember…

David Llewellyn perfectly captures those old-school horror anthologies with his script. It’s quite a challenge he’s had with this one: three stories in one hour with a limited cast – but he’s handled it nicely. He makes each character clear and distinctive, and keeps the stories just simple enough to work in the short time. There are also quite a few genuinely creepy moments too, which as a horror fan I definitely appreciated.

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Trio of terror

Along with Murray Melvin, the other three members of the cast all give great performances. Maxine Evans (who played another character entirely in Torchwood TV episode Countrycide) is great as Rowena, an auctioneer who acquires a very special mirror. Mali Ann Rhys gives a wonderfully grounded performance as Zoe, someone who’s faced some very harsh tragedies before arriving on this train.

But my favorite guest performance is Timothy Blore as Piers. Piers is a thoroughly loathsome and disgusting individual, and Blore just throws himself into that. He’s a character you immediately feel the urge to want to punch in the face, and considering this is audio, that’s quite impressive.

Dead Man’s Switch is a very different kind of Torchwood story. Dark and delightfully creepy, it’s a real joy for horror fans to listen to, especially when they reach the twisted ending. Another strong appearance for Bilis Manger, and I can’t wait for him to return once more.

Are you a fan of Bilis Manger? Do you think he should have appeared more often in the TV series? Are you hoping he appears more often in the audios? Let us know in the comments below.