The Ianthology begins! Over the next three months, Torchwood fans are getting a triple helping of Ianto Jones in a trilogy penned by Ianto actor Gareth David-Lloyd. Here’s what we made of the first enty.

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Gareth David-Lloyd has written several episodes of Torchwood in the past, but this year he’s getting the spotlight for three months in a row. The first instalment of the ‘Ianthology’ sees Ianto and Tommy dealing with a group of Weevils that have invaded the London underground.

Along the way, we meet Derek Elroy‘s Bill and Kay Bridgeman‘s Tia, and it’s great that this story has a diverse range of attitudes – especially given that anyone who’s heard a Tommy story before can probably predict almost exactly how he’ll react to any situation. Bill and Tommy have a relationship that goes way back, and although their perspectives don’t always align, it’s interesting to see how Tommy can be friends with someone who’s chosen such a different path to his own. Meanwhile, Tia is absolutely crazy and provides some levity at points where it’s needed – though David-Lloyd hasn’t shied away from giving her a few more serious moments as well.

It comes as a lovely shock, then, that what on the surface is largely just an action-packed Weevils vs Torchwood underground romp is so profoundly character-driven. David-Lloyd and Timothy Bentinck allow for Ianto and Tommy’s relationship to be put under the spotlight, and revelations are made that are bound to delight followers of this pair’s journey. In particular, there’s a genuinely moving moment towards the end that will warm even the coldest of fans’ hearts.

Another thing this story does really well is feeling fresh and new. Given the volume of appearances from Ianto Jones, he can occasionally feel as though there’s nowhere else to go, so setting this in his early days at Torchwood One was a good move. If the next two Ianto-centric releases are anything like Tube Strike, listeners are in for a delightful few months.

Torchwood: Tube Strike is now available as a CD or download from bigfinish.com. The Ianthology continues next month in Missing Molly and will conclude with Disco in May. Both of these instalments are available to pre-order now.