WOW. That was by far the best episode in a while – definitely the best of Series 2 so far. Of course it helps that the concept of memory, and a creature that changes memories, is so fascinating – but the story wouldn’t be half as good if it weren’t for the performances.
Jack’s sadness as he remembered Gray was very moving. You could just see it slowly coming back to him, watching it affect him. And as if remembering wasn’t enough, then he had to lose his memories at the end after Adam infiltrated them. That was a real shock – just as I was starting to think that Adam was starting to regret his effect on the team, he basically holds Jack’s most precious memory hostage. That's a real villain.
Jack’s sad acting was certainly better than Ianto’s, though he at least seemed to have improved since Cyberwoman. And Evil!Ianto was amazing – the look in his eyes as he ‘confessed’ his murders made it such a tense scene. Speaking of confessions, Owen’s confession of love to Tosh was completely adorable. I know there are a couple more coming up though, so we’ll see if I get bored of their repetitious nature at any point.
I’m not sure about the treatment of Gwen this episode. When Rhys kisses her, it’s established that she still can’t quite remember him – but then it’s implied that she goes on to sleep with him anyway. And then at the end, she pretty much undoes it all by saying she loves Jack.
Apart from that though, the rediscovery scene was beautiful. It gave us a great insight into the characters’ lives in just a few lines, and it particularly felt like Jack was a true leader who cared about them. Notice how he responded to everyone – telling Owen he’ll save him, telling Tosh he knows she’s special, kissing Ianto... and telling Gwen, after she says she loves him, to just take her pill.
In an episode about changing memories, I’m bound to have a few questions. If Adam had only just decided that day to make Tosh love him, and it was only her memory he altered, why did the others think it was perfectly normal that they’d been together for a year? And why do none of the team care about Adam constantly invading their personal space?
These are only little niggles though in an otherwise brilliant episode. Yet another favourite written by a woman :)
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