Alex Hewitt reviews the penultimate episode in Torchwood‘s explosive seventh series.

---

Heistland is regular writer Tim Foley‘s final contribution to the Torchwood: Among Us series, and it’s another outstanding hit. This story sees Yvonne Hartman try and stop Deadcoin – a new cryptocurrency used by world governments for nefarious purposes.

Tracy-Ann Oberman is breathtakingly good as Yvonne, and Foley made the ingenious decision to pit her against Eva Eklof‘s Kristin – the head of the Icelandic equivalent of Torchwood, the ‘Tourist Information Centre’. The pair’s rivalry is hilarious yet unpleasant; it’s clear that the two really don’t like each other. Thanks to the Tourist Information Centre, Kai Owen gets to return as Rhys, and he is a fantastic addition to the episode.

Heistland really is Torchwood gone global – the story takes place in several countries all across the world, and the plot to take down Deadcoin is laid out clearly and precisely. David O’Mahony‘s direction ensures that, despite the many different settings in this episode, it is easy to follow, with rapid, fast-paced scenes perfectly balanced among the longer emotional and revelatory moments.

Another key part of this story is the continuation of Tyler’s arc set up in the previous episode. He and Orr speak at length about what’s going on for Tyler, and Jonny Green and Samantha Béart give some of their best performances yet, especially in a scene which is a huge step forward for both of them and will undoubtedly delight listeners.

The linking of Heistland into the main Among Us story arc is handled incredibly well, Foley’s script taking events set in motion long ago and carefully moving them towards a highly interesting conclusion. The secrets of Deadcoin, when revealed, make so much sense, and Friend’s return – although expected – is done in a unique way, that listeners perhaps won’t have seen coming.

There’s nothing to fault in Heistland. This series of Torchwood has thus far been some of the best work Big Finish has ever put out, and easily rivals the ever-popular Children of Earth as the best series of the show yet. Things seem to be spinning towards a climactic conclusion…

Torchwood: Among Us 3 is available on CD or as a download from https://www.bigfinish.com/.