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Big Finish Torchwood #77
Torchwood: Oodunnit
Who would murder an Ood? In the 43rd Century, all the Earth Empire’s waste goes to the recycling world of Paraglas IV. But has something else been sent there? Something worth killing for? The Torchwood Archive sends Zachary Cross Flane to investigate, and he uncovers a terrible secret. The Empire has a use for everyone, even after death.
- GenresDoctor Who
Audio CD
First published November 1, 2023
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
James Goss
232 books183 followersJames Goss has written two Torchwood novels and a radio play, as well as a Being Human book. His Doctor Who audiobook Dead Air won Best Audiobook 2010. James also spent seven years working on the BBC's official Doctor Who website and co-wrote the website for Torchwood Series One. In 2007, he won the Best Adaptation category in the annual LA Weekly Theatre Awards for his version of Douglas Adams' novel Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 12, 2024
Last seen (or rather heard from) in Torchwood: Empire of Shadows, Zachary Cross Flane, who was introduced in the Doctor Who episodes The Impossible Planet & The Satan Pit, is an agent of Torchwood and he’s investigating a murder. The murder of an Ood. How odd. It’s a classic whodunnit, or in this case an Oodunnit. Cute, right? Sigh. So it would have been interesting had the writer taken it as a full-on noir-mystery, but it stays more in the classic whodunnit format. Not quite a cozy mystery, but not far from it. Anyway, it’s still entertaining and Shaun Parkes is just as compelling and charismatic here as he was in earlier appearances.
December 28, 2025
The second in a trilogy of stories set in the 43rd century and following up on the lives of the three survivors of The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit. This time it's the turn of Zachary Cross-Flane, who has previously appeared in another Torchwood audio. This is slightly better than that one, as the Torchwood Archive assigns Zack and his synthetic assistant Chloe to investigate the murder of an Ood on a planet dedicated to recycling the Empire's waste.
The "whodunnit" element implied by the title isn't really a major element, with the bigger question being what their motive could have been. After the events on Krop Tor, Zack has developed a near-phobia of the Ood and his difficulty in trusting them is a key element of the story. Chloe's perspective is also significant; as a sentient artificial being built to serve, her starting point is naturally different from that of any of the human characters. Aside from Zack, of course, all of these are the suspects, and there's not a particularly large number of them, due to the nature of these small-scale audio plays, which, again, reduces the "whodunnit" element.
Instead, there are some action elements and a theme of servitude, comparing the different forms that the Ood, synthetics, and regular human workers are all experiencing. It feels more like a Doctor Who story than a Torchwood one, and not just because of the futuristic setting - the villains here would fit right in with many of the TV serials from both the classic and modern eras. And, of course, it's a sequel to a DW story, with no connection to Torchwood beyond the name of Zack's employers. From that perspective, though, it's a decent story, with Zack struggling against his prejudices and Chloe as an intelligent character fully aware of the constraints on her existence.
The "whodunnit" element implied by the title isn't really a major element, with the bigger question being what their motive could have been. After the events on Krop Tor, Zack has developed a near-phobia of the Ood and his difficulty in trusting them is a key element of the story. Chloe's perspective is also significant; as a sentient artificial being built to serve, her starting point is naturally different from that of any of the human characters. Aside from Zack, of course, all of these are the suspects, and there's not a particularly large number of them, due to the nature of these small-scale audio plays, which, again, reduces the "whodunnit" element.
Instead, there are some action elements and a theme of servitude, comparing the different forms that the Ood, synthetics, and regular human workers are all experiencing. It feels more like a Doctor Who story than a Torchwood one, and not just because of the futuristic setting - the villains here would fit right in with many of the TV serials from both the classic and modern eras. And, of course, it's a sequel to a DW story, with no connection to Torchwood beyond the name of Zack's employers. From that perspective, though, it's a decent story, with Zack struggling against his prejudices and Chloe as an intelligent character fully aware of the constraints on her existence.
November 8, 2023
I'll admit after having really enjoyed Odyssey, I immediately went to pick up Oodunnit curious to see how Zachary Cross Flane is coping with events after The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit.
When an Ood is mysteriously murdered, Zachary Cross Flane and his synth sidekick Chloe are called to investigate the situation on a small recycling world Paraglas IV. But their about to discover something a whole lot nastier than an ordinary murder. To solve the case Zachary will have to come to terms with his past.
James Goss has written a really thrilling murder mystery that is occasionally very creepy as we experience the Ood in Zachary Cross Flane's eyes after having survived the Krop Tor incident. We get to experience his mental health in this story and how such an experience could be exploited by others, but despite this he tries his best to help the Ood. Even though this is a futuristic science fiction tale, it's scarily relevant to how companies exploit their workers and treat them.
I absolutely loved Chloe's character as well in this, very intelligent with an honest sharpness to her. The ending of this one was really satisfying and gives hope that even impossible battles can be won.
Overall: A brilliant script by James Goss that wonderfully gives Zachary Cross Flane some closure. 9/10
When an Ood is mysteriously murdered, Zachary Cross Flane and his synth sidekick Chloe are called to investigate the situation on a small recycling world Paraglas IV. But their about to discover something a whole lot nastier than an ordinary murder. To solve the case Zachary will have to come to terms with his past.
James Goss has written a really thrilling murder mystery that is occasionally very creepy as we experience the Ood in Zachary Cross Flane's eyes after having survived the Krop Tor incident. We get to experience his mental health in this story and how such an experience could be exploited by others, but despite this he tries his best to help the Ood. Even though this is a futuristic science fiction tale, it's scarily relevant to how companies exploit their workers and treat them.
I absolutely loved Chloe's character as well in this, very intelligent with an honest sharpness to her. The ending of this one was really satisfying and gives hope that even impossible battles can be won.
Overall: A brilliant script by James Goss that wonderfully gives Zachary Cross Flane some closure. 9/10
November 27, 2023
This was okay.
Not bad or anything, but also not thrilling and I pretty much knew how this was going to go as soon as I met the major players.
However, the performances are great, especially the Ood are fantastic.
Not bad or anything, but also not thrilling and I pretty much knew how this was going to go as soon as I met the major players.
However, the performances are great, especially the Ood are fantastic.
November 17, 2023
Loved this one. The individual lines weren't the best but it was hugely atmospheric.
December 18, 2023
MAVITY?!?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews