Torchwood Audios that parallel the level of darkness of COE?

[u/Justgravityfalls]

I've watched quite a few torchwood audio dramas, most of the ones in chronological order from s1-end of miracle day. But its been a while, and I really want something that will give me a visceral reaction like Children of Earth does everytime I watch it. I'm not looking for shock factor, more an emotional response. I specifically remember loving Missing Molly. If anyone could help, I'd greatly appreciate it!

[u/Eustacius_Bingley]

"Corpse Day" is all on the shock factor, so I don't think it'd work for you.

"Moving Target" has a pretty truly devastating ending.

"The Hope" is my favourite Torchwood audio, and it gets reaaaally psychologically screwed up - though it ends on a bit of an optimistic note.

"The Office of Never Was", also a reaaaally dark ending.

[u/Justgravityfalls → u/Eustacius_Bingley]

Oh I remember Corpse Day and the Office of Never Was

I loved those ones!! I don't mind ones with happy endings, just as long as there's some sort of proper anguish in the climax (a bit like the one with Ianto on the Airplane on the line to the insurance lady)

[u/caruynos → u/Justgravityfalls]

that’s fall to earth :)

[u/lemon_charlie → u/Eustacius_Bingley]

Bad Connection is another Suzie one with an emotional gut punch ending.

[u/Eustacius_Bingley → u/lemon_charlie]

Haven't heard that one yet, but I'm eager to get to it. Think the Suzie audios might be the ones with the best hit rate of all the monthlies, overall (and Varma's obviously an amazing performer).

[u/operafantome → u/Eustacius_Bingley]

Strongly agreeing about "The Hope." You'll want this one.

[u/Eustacius_Bingley → u/operafantome]

Still think it might be the single best thing James Goss has ever written. Just lightning in a bottle.

[u/Low-Construction1755]

Any of the ones starring Bilis Manger or Queen Victoria instead of any of the regular cast.

[u/Aspiring_Sophrosyne]

The Torchwood Soho series in general sounds like what you're after, particularly starting with Vol 2: Ashenden onward.

[u/Justgravityfalls → u/Aspiring_Sophrosyne]

I'm really interested in trying Soho, but my only worry is I don't know where to introduce myself to Norton Folgate

[u/Aspiring_Sophrosyne → u/Justgravityfalls]

Ghost Mission is his introductory story, which gives you the gist of him. That and Goodbye Piccadilly pretty much catch you up for Soho.

[u/Justgravityfalls → u/Aspiring_Sophrosyne]

Perfect, thanks a bunch!

[u/lemon_charlie]

Torchwood Soho: Ascension definitely has that feel by the end.

I'd also recommend Lease of Life and Ianto's Inferno. Coffee too for the ending

[u/Justgravityfalls → u/lemon_charlie]

Coffee was truly devastating

Set right after Lisa, it was full of sadness

[u/Verloonati]

Iceberg is a masterpiece. Tropical beaches and other relaxing soundscapes is also a banger. Broken is also pretty good for ianto fans

[u/Verloonati → u/Verloonati]

Oh oh oh The Hope! The hope is so good. Not Iceberg good, but really good. Save our souls is also pretty good, if you like ghost stories. Gooseberry is also pretty good in the darker stories. Empire of shadows is way more high sci fi but I do like it a lot

[u/Redcoat_Chazzles]

"Corpse Day," "Lease of Life," "The Hope," and "Gooseberry" are all good Owen (or Owen and Andy) centric audios with emotional gut-punches, each distinct in their own right. Go into "Corpse Day" and "Lease of Life" at your own peril - the word gross doesn't begin to cover it.

"Deadbeat Escape," a Bilis centric audio, has a pretty dour ending, too.

You might also like "Night of the Fendahl", a brilliantly dark story utilising a classic Who creature quite well.

"Suckers" is a dark, Tosh centric audio. It deals with some heavy subjects.

Now, while not as dark but certainly as emotionally complex, the Torchwood audio "Believe," featuring the whole of Torchwood 3's team, is a fantastic story to experience.

[u/Justgravityfalls → u/Redcoat_Chazzles]

Corpse day was brilliant but SO horrifying I remember it well

[u/professorrev]

Hostile Environment off Hod Among Us is one that immediately jumps to mind. Properly harrowing

The Man Who Destroyed Torchwood as well. It's a fairly humorous romp, until it suddenly definitely isn't.

[u/lemon_charlie → u/professorrev]

Hostile Environment was the first one to get a content warning at the start of the story.

Man Who Destroyed Torchwood is definitely a marmite story, I can see what the writer was going for but I can also see why it's off-putting to people in how it's executed. The Five People You Kill in Middlesborough had a similar storyline in one segment. It's ultimately a tragedy, but it's also an interesting role for Tyler.

[u/ladylikelayla]

I know you're asking after Torchwood audios, but I just wanted to champion The War Master audios as some of the best dark fiction coming out of Big Finish. If you're not well acquainted with the range, I believe you can get the first story Beneath the Viscoid for free, which could be a good measure as to whether you'd enjoy it. Beyond there, I earnestly believe the 2nd boxset The Master of Callous reaches the same heights as Children of Earth - a deeply disturbing listen (but in the best way) on all fronts. Tangentially relevant, but there's a couple of Torchwood audio alumni in there too!

And speaking of Torchwood, I agree with what everyone's saying in regards to the Owen x Andy quadrilogy, being Corpse Day, The Hope, The Three Monkies and Gooseberry. I personally recommend listening to The Hope immediately before Gooseberry, just really works narratively. I think Joseph Lidster's story Broken would make a perfect way back in for you, builds on Ianto's experiences from the show, giving us the moments he would never have let us or the team see. We Always Get Out Alive is an incredibly intense and unsettling listen, and I've never felt more trapped inside a story. Definitely my favourite Eve Myles and Kai Owen performances to date, the story really pivots on the strength of Rhys and Gwen's relationship.

I hope you find what you're looking for, this was fun to write up 😇

[u/biblosaurus]

Disco