S02E13: 'Exit Wounds'

To paraphrase Captain Jack's Buffy-inspired opening line to the series - hey kids, will you miss them? The shock deaths of Owen and Toshiko provided a fittingly dramatic end to an excellent finale to this vastly-improved second season of Torchwood.

This time, one has the feeling that the infamous resurrection glove may not work on the post-nuclear meltdown remains on Owen Harper. His death, along with Tosh's, feels very final. It's very sad because these two characters have been compelling to watch this year, but this also means that their fates mean a great deal to the viewers and consequently raise the stakes that the climax of a season finale needs. The final emotional exchange between the dying pair was tragic, tender and beautiful, generating a genuine sense of closure. Burn Gorman and Naoko Mori - you have been fantastic.

James Marsters is always a pleasure to witness in full-on swagger mode, with his Captain John creation toying with our affections throughout the story before finally unveiling himself as one of the good guys. Or has his true end game yet to be revealed? Conversely, let's hope the lumbering Gray is never seen again. Did his personality fall into the Rift? Played in shockingly wooden fashion by Lachlan Nieboer, it felt as if he was reading his lines on an autocue. Let's hope Gray is kept in the deep freeze next to Kerry Katona’s prawn rings.

This episode's impressive direction by Ashley Way enabled the narrative to flow at a nice pace and generate a sense of impending dread. In particular, the Weevil outbreak in the city had an epic, horror film feel to it. Finally, it's worth praising the decision to slip in the legendary Hoix into the action for a brief cameo following its meat-munching appearance in the Doctor Who episode 'Love & Monsters'.

We laughed, we cried and we saluted the passing of two fallen comrades. 'Exit Wounds' was the emotional rollercoaster of a send-off that this outstanding second season of Torchwood deserved.

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