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Torchwood Radio Dramas #4
Torchwood, the Dead Line - Audio Book on CD
When a Cardiff hospital is inundated with patients that have fallen into coma-like trances, Torchwood move in to investigate. They find that the trances were triggered by phone calls, all of which were made from a number that hadn't been active for over 30 years. Determined to find out who's been calling the unfortunate victims, Jack rings the mysterious number - two, zero, five, nine - nothing. It's a dead line. Until it calls Jack back, he answers - and falls into a deep trance...With the help of one of Jack's old girlfriends, eminent neuroscientist Stella Courtney, the team have to race against time to find the source of the 'infection' and save the patients...Written specially for BBC Radio by Phil Ford, "The Dead Line" stars John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper and Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto Jones.
Hardcover
First published August 6, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 12, 2020
One of my favourite of the audio series, the story was brilliant and loved the kick ass team Rhys and Gwen make and was so happy to see him included in these audio dramas too!
Also some gorgeously heart wrenching moments with Ianto and Jack and snippets of Jacks past which are always intriguing. Fantastically performed and really enjoyed.
Also some gorgeously heart wrenching moments with Ianto and Jack and snippets of Jacks past which are always intriguing. Fantastically performed and really enjoyed.
July 7, 2014
I don't mean to sound like a gushing fan, but the Torchwood radio dramas are beautifully done on the whole. This one is no exception, really focusing in on the dynamic of Jack and Ianto's relationship, and the sad reality that no matter what the direction of the TV show may have gone in steering Ianto's fate, he's mortal and his lover is not. Moreover, Ianto is very much aware of this and while he clearly loves Jack, he doesn't think he'll matter to him in years to come. It all comes ahead in a moment that is both incredibly sweet and incredibly heartbreaking in context of later Torchwood canon.
Moreover, this is one of the few Torchwood stories that's successfully managed to put Jack in a situation where his immortality won't necessarily save him from physical harm. In fact, it guarantees him a fate worse than death. The stakes are raised and the danger feels even more pressing.
I can't stress enough that this us one if the best pieces of Torchwood fiction out there, including the TV show itself. I highly recommend it along with Torchwood the Lost Files: House of the Dead. Especially if you're a fan of Ianto Jones.
Moreover, this is one of the few Torchwood stories that's successfully managed to put Jack in a situation where his immortality won't necessarily save him from physical harm. In fact, it guarantees him a fate worse than death. The stakes are raised and the danger feels even more pressing.
I can't stress enough that this us one if the best pieces of Torchwood fiction out there, including the TV show itself. I highly recommend it along with Torchwood the Lost Files: House of the Dead. Especially if you're a fan of Ianto Jones.
July 5, 2025
This is probably one of the best Torchwood tie in media that I've read. The plot was interesting, and the characters felt real and true to the TV series. Ianto was by far my favourite in this, and he was so lovely.
April 4, 2016
Real rating, 4.5.
I feel like there could have been so much more to this, but it got limited due to being a radio drama versus an audiobook. Therefore some of scenes felt rushed.
I would have loved to have more interaction between Professor Courtney & both Jack and Ianto. The old love versus current love, and Ianto witnessing what could have potentially been his life someday as a former lover of Jack had he not died in CoE.
I love Rhys in this. Perhaps I wouldn't have disliked Gwen in the shows so much if Rhys was in them genuinely like he was here. Rhys makes her better, even though she originally used and abused that love.
But I digress from my real loving point of this. All the Janto feels. I've listened to just Ianto's speech before, but having it in full context made it even more beautiful. The foreshadowing made me cry even more than every time I've listened to it before thanks to being able to visualize all the scenes now. Plus it highlights who Ianto is. We don't ever know much about Ianto because Jack is always so boisterous that he overshadows him. But this let us see more into Ianto, his thoughts and feelings, and what type of man he is. I love him even more.
If it weren't for the continual crying that would occur, I would honestly listen to this on repeat.
I feel like there could have been so much more to this, but it got limited due to being a radio drama versus an audiobook. Therefore some of scenes felt rushed.
I would have loved to have more interaction between Professor Courtney & both Jack and Ianto. The old love versus current love, and Ianto witnessing what could have potentially been his life someday as a former lover of Jack had he not died in CoE.
I love Rhys in this. Perhaps I wouldn't have disliked Gwen in the shows so much if Rhys was in them genuinely like he was here. Rhys makes her better, even though she originally used and abused that love.
But I digress from my real loving point of this. All the Janto feels. I've listened to just Ianto's speech before, but having it in full context made it even more beautiful. The foreshadowing made me cry even more than every time I've listened to it before thanks to being able to visualize all the scenes now. Plus it highlights who Ianto is. We don't ever know much about Ianto because Jack is always so boisterous that he overshadows him. But this let us see more into Ianto, his thoughts and feelings, and what type of man he is. I love him even more.
If it weren't for the continual crying that would occur, I would honestly listen to this on repeat.
November 10, 2015
Did an audio book manage to make me tear up? Why, yes it did. This felt just like an episode of Torchwood and I really enjoyed it.
March 25, 2017
Just as Pack Animals is my favorite Torchwood book to date, I believe that The Dead Line is my favorite Torchwood audio drama to date. How can I not love this one when it contains Ianto's "blip in time" speech.
The story-line is, once again, basic yet intriguing. People all over Cardiff who own old phones from the 1970s (and how weird it was to think of the 70s as ancient) are receiving calls that put them into a most unusual coma. Jack, being Jack, dials the number without any problems. The call is actually an older one that no longer exists. Unfortunately, he is quickly called back and is himself soon a victim.
Ianto, distraught, calls an old girlfriend of Jack's past, a woman who is an eminent neuroscientist and knows about Torchwood and Jack's immortality. While Ianto stays by Jack's side, Doctor Stella Courtney searches for a solution while Gwen and Rhys work out in the field to find the source.
Well done, and some deeper insights into how Ianto views Jack and his relationship with the Immortal. Barrowman was delightful, but didn't have a large role in this, thanks to being mostly unconscious. I personally think this would have been a wonderful aired episode.
The story-line is, once again, basic yet intriguing. People all over Cardiff who own old phones from the 1970s (and how weird it was to think of the 70s as ancient) are receiving calls that put them into a most unusual coma. Jack, being Jack, dials the number without any problems. The call is actually an older one that no longer exists. Unfortunately, he is quickly called back and is himself soon a victim.
Ianto, distraught, calls an old girlfriend of Jack's past, a woman who is an eminent neuroscientist and knows about Torchwood and Jack's immortality. While Ianto stays by Jack's side, Doctor Stella Courtney searches for a solution while Gwen and Rhys work out in the field to find the source.
Well done, and some deeper insights into how Ianto views Jack and his relationship with the Immortal. Barrowman was delightful, but didn't have a large role in this, thanks to being mostly unconscious. I personally think this would have been a wonderful aired episode.
May 22, 2018
Quarto dei sette radioplay prodotti dalla BBC per Torchwood, ambientati tra la seconda e la terza stagione del telefilm.
Ianto e Gwen (e Rhys) si trovano a dover sbrogliare un mistero che sembra destinato a mettere ko l'intera Cardiff... se non la nazione.
Una serie di telefonate, eseguite su telefoni vintage degli anni '70, mettono in coma sempre più persone, Jack compreso.
Gwen e Rhys sono la parte attiva delle indagini, mentre Ianto sfoga le sue paure riguardo il rapporto con Jack, approfittando del fatto che quest'ultimo non può ribattere... sapendo come le cose si evolveranno, il breve monologo è ancora più triste.
Finale rapido e senza fronzoli, per un episodio abbastanza in linea con la serie tv.
Ianto e Gwen (e Rhys) si trovano a dover sbrogliare un mistero che sembra destinato a mettere ko l'intera Cardiff... se non la nazione.
Una serie di telefonate, eseguite su telefoni vintage degli anni '70, mettono in coma sempre più persone, Jack compreso.
Gwen e Rhys sono la parte attiva delle indagini, mentre Ianto sfoga le sue paure riguardo il rapporto con Jack, approfittando del fatto che quest'ultimo non può ribattere... sapendo come le cose si evolveranno, il breve monologo è ancora più triste.
Finale rapido e senza fronzoli, per un episodio abbastanza in linea con la serie tv.
June 13, 2017
Loved this one. A great Torchwood case and would have made a great actual episode for tv.
Spoilers
Something is going through the telephone and people aroind Cardiff are ending up in coma like transe. One of the people that ends up being affected is Jack, so Ianto and Gwen, with Rhys, have to figure out what it is and wake them all up.
I really liked the play between Jack and Ianto in this story and it really shows a lot more of their relationship. I also liked Rhys in this episode, and Gwen wasn't overly annoying.
A great one for both Torchwood fans and Janto fans.
Spoilers
Something is going through the telephone and people aroind Cardiff are ending up in coma like transe. One of the people that ends up being affected is Jack, so Ianto and Gwen, with Rhys, have to figure out what it is and wake them all up.
I really liked the play between Jack and Ianto in this story and it really shows a lot more of their relationship. I also liked Rhys in this episode, and Gwen wasn't overly annoying.
A great one for both Torchwood fans and Janto fans.
October 23, 2017
42 WORD REVIEW:
This full-cast radio drama is more scenario- than action-based, yet the premise is quite neat and the recording evinces a subtlety not always heard in audio adventures. Moreover, Gareth David-Lloyd is afforded time and story space for a beautifully delivered, character-defining monologue.
This full-cast radio drama is more scenario- than action-based, yet the premise is quite neat and the recording evinces a subtlety not always heard in audio adventures. Moreover, Gareth David-Lloyd is afforded time and story space for a beautifully delivered, character-defining monologue.
November 25, 2012
This "Torchwood" story is a bit uninspired in the plot department, but the structure of the storytelling and the character content make up for that. Simple, but flows forward with good momentum and contains some really solid scenes of stylishly emotional content.
December 28, 2012
Right in the Janto feels. May require tissues.
January 5, 2020
But you never will just be a blip in time, Ianto Jones. Not for me.
August 31, 2017
Mysterious phone-calls are sending people into death-like comas. Torchwood investigates, Jack answers the phone and of course gets put into a trance leaving Gwen, Ianto and Rhys to try and save him.
Absolutely loved this one - with Jack out of action it gives the other cast time to shine. Ianto's heartbreaking speech at Jack's bedside had me in tears - Any Jack/Ianto shippers won't want to miss this one. I loved the way this deals with Jack's so called immortality - What does that mean exactly if he's in a vegetative state? I also liked the horror aspect of this one - While Stephen King with Cell, uses the phone call idea to better horrific effect, here's another good example of fears born from the current obsession with phones.
Production values are great and for me this is Torchwood at its best, embracing horror and LGBT themes.
Absolutely loved this one - with Jack out of action it gives the other cast time to shine. Ianto's heartbreaking speech at Jack's bedside had me in tears - Any Jack/Ianto shippers won't want to miss this one. I loved the way this deals with Jack's so called immortality - What does that mean exactly if he's in a vegetative state? I also liked the horror aspect of this one - While Stephen King with Cell, uses the phone call idea to better horrific effect, here's another good example of fears born from the current obsession with phones.
Production values are great and for me this is Torchwood at its best, embracing horror and LGBT themes.
November 28, 2023
Needed something quick and easy but still Torchwood to listen to after the bit of confusion I had with Big Finish’s Torchwood Archive and I remembered I had this in my defunct audiable library. Didn’t realize that wasn’t even an hour long. Story was still good and Ianto’s speech is still moving even though this has been yet another relisten for me just wish the audio was a tad longer.
September 21, 2020
Right in the feels and straight through the heart. Sigh. Very highly recommended! Oh and the story was good too! I just LOVE when Rhys shows up, because Torchwood with three people just does not work when two third are not functioning properly. I really, really love this one. <3
December 15, 2016
I just wasn't feeling this story. It was interesting, but it had no substance. To me it seemed like nothing really happened.
May 17, 2017
I love old time radio.
November 15, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up for the narration.
August 22, 2019
Ianto and Jack had me in tears. Not fair.
September 27, 2020
An emotional part where Ianto told Captain Jack his true feelings about him while he was in a coma
January 26, 2021
Really just a radio drama, and only 45 minutes long, but I don't care because OH MY GOODNESS THIS IS A THING THAT EXISTS AND I CAN GET MORE TORCHWOOD. Well done.
February 28, 2022
Short but sweet. And we get an "Aww" moment between Ianto and Jack at the end.
December 15, 2022
made me cry would not recommend
April 1, 2023
Bit short, and so the plot feels a bit too rushed and simplistic, it needed more time. But overall for the time it has to work with, it’s pretty good.
September 2, 2023
Great idea, great execution, wonderful speech by Ianto, slightly let down by a bit too convenient ending. Still very much liked this one.
September 5, 2023
crying sobbing sliding down the wall
November 1, 2024
Having the cast from the show in this was so good. A scene that Gareth (Ianto) did made me cry because of events in the show.
November 25, 2025
This was a thoroughly good story and years after the series ended, it was lovely to be back in it and appreciate how silly it all was. In a good way of course……
The central narrative of the mysterious phone lines turning people into comatose patients was great. The concept was spot on for this series. Not too complex and tangible enough to feel creepy. The resolution was a bit weak and this let down what was a really engaging drama. It just sort of happened, a bit blink and you miss it, with some technical nonsense.
The soapy relationships of the main characters were good. Gwen and Rhys are always fun together; Captain Jack chews up the scenery and Ianto’s love story felt so poignant at the time and now feels really overdone. Perfect soap material…….
Really enjoyable and a lovely blast from the past. I’ll see if I can dig out some more Torchwood from my storage boxes…….
The central narrative of the mysterious phone lines turning people into comatose patients was great. The concept was spot on for this series. Not too complex and tangible enough to feel creepy. The resolution was a bit weak and this let down what was a really engaging drama. It just sort of happened, a bit blink and you miss it, with some technical nonsense.
The soapy relationships of the main characters were good. Gwen and Rhys are always fun together; Captain Jack chews up the scenery and Ianto’s love story felt so poignant at the time and now feels really overdone. Perfect soap material…….
Really enjoyable and a lovely blast from the past. I’ll see if I can dig out some more Torchwood from my storage boxes…….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2020
5 Stars for the Janto content, that's all I have to say :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews