"Sleeper" is the second

episode An episode is a narrative unit within a larger dramatic work or documentary production, such as a series intended for radio, television or streaming consumption. The noun ''episode'' is derived from the Greek term ''epeisodion'' (), meaning ...

of the second series of the British

science fiction television Science fiction first appeared in television programming in the late 1930s, during what is called the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Special effects and other production techniques allow creators to present a living visual image of an imaginary ...

series ''

Torchwood ''Torchwood'' is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. A spin-off of the 2005 revival of '' Doctor Who'', it aired from 2006 to 2011. The show shifted its broadcast channel each series to reflect its growin ...

'', which was first broadcast on

BBC Two BBC Two is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It covers a wide range of subject matter, with a remit "to broadcast programmes of depth and substance" in contrast to the more mainstream ...

on 23 January 2008. A specially edited pre-watershed repeat was shown the following day. In the episode, an alien sleeper cell with false memories attacks strategic targets in Cardiff to prepare the Earth for invasion.

Plot

Torchwood is called to investigate fatal injuries sustained by two burglars in the failed attempt to rob a flat owned by Beth Halloran and her husband. They suspect Beth is responsible, though she has no recollection of the events, but willingly goes with the team. When they return to the Hub and place Beth in one of the cells, a nearby Weevil cowers at Beth's presence. Jack suspects there is more to Beth than she lets on, and orders her to undergo a mind probe. After numerous evaluations under the probe, they suddenly discover alien technology buried under Beth's right forearm, allowing it to transform into a bladed weapon that matches the injuries on the burglars; she herself is shocked by its presence. Jack surmises that she is an alien "

sleeper agent A sleeper agent, also called sleeper cell, is a spy who is placed in a target country or organization not to undertake an immediate mission but to act as a potential asset if activated. Even if unactivated, the "sleeper agent" is still an asset ...

", yet to be activated by its controller and given the belief it is human through memory transplants. At the same time Torchwood discovers this, other sleeper agents are awakened by a signal, dropping whatever they were doing and setting off for assigned targets and killing those that got in their way. Three of them commit suicide bombings using explosives in the implants, destroying a communications centre and a military pipeline, and killing the Cardiff City Council member in charge of emergency responses. Torchwood learns of these events and quickly leave the Hub to investigate, allowing Beth to escape. She goes to the hospital where her husband was taken, but soon she too is sent a signal and though tries to fight to retain her humanity, accidentally stabs her husband. Jack and Gwen apprehend her, and she agrees to try to help locate any other sleeper agents. Extrapolating from the targets already hit and the signal that Beth has received, Torchwood deduces that the agents are likely targeting a nearby military base that stores nuclear weapons; a bomb detonated in the base would likely wipe out much of the surrounding areas. Jack rushes to stop the sleeper agent, though ends up getting stabbed by the man. The man, unable to reach his target in time, warns that there are numerous other agents around Earth, before his implant explodes harmlessly outside the base. Back at Torchwood, Beth is conflicted with the thoughts that she could kill again. Though the team tries to encourage her that they could help de-program her, she instead uses her implant, transformed into a blade, to threaten Gwen, forcing the others to shoot and kill her. As they deal with Beth's body, Gwen recognises that they will be able to deal with any other sleeper agents that may arrive.

Production

The explosion of a building that was scheduled to be filmed in Cardiff on 1 July 2007, the day after 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack, was in danger of being cancelled. Instead, the filming was announced via the local media to warn the public that there would be a controlled explosion, and not another terrorist attack.

Cast notes

Nikki Amuka-Bird, who plays Beth Halloran, later played the Glass Woman in the 2017 Doctor Who Christmas Special, Twice Upon A Time. William Hughes, who plays the Graingers' son, previously appeared as the eight-year-old version of the Master in the 2007 '' Doctor Who'' episode "

The Sound of Drums "The Sound of Drums" is the twelfth episode of the third series Third or 3rd may refer to: Numbers * 3rd, the ordinal form of the cardinal number 3 * , a fraction of one third * 1⁄60 of a ''second'', or 1⁄3600 of a ''minute'' Places ...

". Derek Lea, who plays the Sleeper Agent/Paramedic; also appears as a worker being examined by

Martha Jones Martha Jones is a fictional character played by Freema Agyeman in the long-running British science fiction on television, science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'' and its spin-off series, ''Torchwood''. She is a companion (Doctor Who), ...

at the ATMOS factory in the 2008 '' Doctor Who'' episode " The Sontaran Stratagem" and as a taxi driver in " Partners in Crime".

Reception

Broadcast at 9pm on

BBC 2 BBC Two is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It covers a wide range of subject matter, with a remit "to broadcast programmes of depth and substance" in contrast to the more mainstream ...

on 23 January 2008, the episode achieved 3.4 million viewers, a 14% share, "a solitary share point" down on the share of the season 2 debut episode on 17 January, according to

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide ...

's report of overnight returns.

BARB Barb or the BARBs or ''variation'' may refer to: People * Barb (name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name or surname * Barb, a term used by fans of Nicki Minaj to refer to themselves * The Barbs, a band Places * Barb, ...

later listed the episode as

BBC2 BBC Two is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It covers a wide range of subject matter, with a remit "to broadcast programmes of depth and substance" in contrast to the more mainstream ...

's top audience draw for week ending 27 January 2008, on a certified estimate of 3.78 million viewers including timeshift.

Weekly Viewing Summary, Terrestrial Top 30,

BBC2 BBC Two is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It covers a wide range of subject matter, with a remit "to broadcast programmes of depth and substance" in contrast to the more mainstream ...

, week ending 27 January 2008

References

External links

{{Torchwood Torchwood episodes 2008 British television episodes