With Torchwood returning, we review the music that accompanied the team's last outing... [Spoilers]

It seems that most fans either loved or hated Torchwood’s third series, the mini-series “Children of Earth”. Fan boards all over showed that there was no middle ground, and that was because at the end of it all, there was no real ending. Only two team members were left alive, one of which ran from the planet just because he couldn’t deal with the events of the series.

Torchwood, a spin-off of Doctor Who, is sort of like an adult version of The X-Files with nods to so many other great sci-fi shows. We have Captain Jack Harkness, who had last been seen being brought back to life by Rose after being killed by Daleks. Due to his resurrection, he’s immortal, and has been stuck on Earth for a little over a hundred years. He is in the employ of Torchwood, those evil bastards from Doctor Who. But working from the inside, he was able to restructure his group to better intentions. Jack’s a guy with a long and shady past, most of which we still don’t know. Some very dark secrets come into play in COE, and mistakes made will come to haunt him. And still reeling from the death of two of his team members, it’s going to take everything he has to come through this next adventure.

The story of COE is dark and mysterious, and the music for it definitely reflects that. Ben Foster’s score is fantastic, enhancing every scene but never overwhelming them. It kicks off with “The First Sacrifice”, a song that starts out with almost a lighthearted child-like motif, but quickly turns ominous, foreshadowing what the rest of the story entails.

There are dark overtones throughout the soundtrack, which perfectly mirrors the onscreen proceedings. And every track, no matter how short, is in some way different, even when they play off of the same motifs. “Diplomatic Cars”, for instance, incorporates electric guitar and bass, and utilizes an almost techno sort of beat for a scene of government officials. Scenes involving the alien threat posed by the 4-5-6, as they’re referred to, have tracks that sound both alien and menacing, utilizing bass notes and wary violins. The soundtrack also has moments of heroic themes, as would be expected with a group like Torchwood.

But those moments are brief, almost as though there is no hope to be had. There are also beautiful, almost peaceful moments, like during the track “Gwen’s Baby”, where Gwen learns that she is pregnant. The track is a new take on Gwen and Rhys’ theme, and has sounds of hope and love, only to end on a threatening note. One new character, Clement McDonald, has two tracks; one that bears his name, and one entitles “Clem Remembers”, both of which play upon the same motif, which is child-like and quite haunting to listen to. Ianto finally gets his own theme after two full seasons of the show. “Ianto Jones”, which is an expanded version of a theme played for him in Series 2, and “The Ballad of Ianto Jones”, which gives him the due he deserves, especially considering his fate in this series. The latter is a melancholy heroic theme, if such a thing could be possible.

It also would seem quite at home in a Spaghetti Western, feeling almost inspired by Ennio Morricone. Other highlights of the soundtrack include “He Was a Good Man”, which comes during the final moments of Frobisher, a government official who isn’t exactly what he seems; “Sacrifice & Salvation”, a track that brilliantly mirrors Jack’s ultimate dilemma, the decision and sacrifice made, and the price that’s paid; and “I Can Run Forever”, from a scene that is sure to bring tears to any fan of the show.

After everything that has happened in the week chronicled in this series, Jack is left loathing himself, realizing that what has occurred came about because of mistakes he made in the past, and that the collateral damage has left him more damaged and alone than he can bear. Gwen tried in vain to keep him on Earth, but Jack hitches a ride on a freighter and heads back to the stars, giving us, the fans, no real ending (It is worth noting that Jack was at least given some absolution by The Doctor in David Tennant’s last outing in the role; and while talks for an American version of Torchwood fell through – thank the maker – we have the joyful news today that the Torchwood team will be returning for a new, full ten-episode run).

"Foster’s score also does something that every score should, which is to accompany and enhance the scenes, and not hit you over the head with every theme and soundscape (Murray Gold, please take notes)"

The track listing is split up into each individual day/episode, which helps the listener keep track of which events are happening when. The performances are wonderful, as Mr. Foster is once again aided in bringing his score to life by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. There are several solo performers on the CD, including Anthony Pleeth on cello, Annalise Whittlesea on vocals, and young Lewis Cullen also contributing vocals. Foster says his decision to utilize solo voices was in keeping with the theme of the mini-series, in that one boy alone saved billions.

The tracks incorporating guitar are nice in that the guitar actually becomes part of the orchestra, and doesn’t overpower it at all, which can be easily done. Foster’s score also does something that every score should, which is to accompany and enhance the scenes, and not hit you over the head with every theme and soundscape (Murray Gold, please take notes). The string arrangements are fantastic, dark and mysterious. There is a nice interview with Foster in the CD jacket by Michael Beek, which gives some insight to the soundtrack and its conception. But the rest of the notes are taken from a previous commentary, and just gives an overview of the episodes and a few notes on the music, but nothing really exciting or new. I would have hoped for more in depth discussion about musical influences or inspirations for the score. But this is a minor quibble, because the music really delivers here. Even if you haven’t watched COE (and really, why haven’t you?), this is the sort of soundtrack you could sit and listen to and enjoy as is. Overall, I give this soundtrack four out a possible five stars, merely because I wanted more in the liner notes.

Torchwood: Children of Earth soundtrack is out now.

Torchwood To Return for new series!

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