"Out of Time" is by far the gentlest episode of "Torchwood" to date, telling the story of a group of people from 1953 who arrive in the present day through the time rift. We aren't concerned about why they have travelled back, or how Torchwood know, or the implications of them living in an anachronistic time zone, because the episode is clearly designed as a character exercise, probably starting life as one of the 'base ideas' on RTD's sketch pad when "Torchwood" was conceived. As a slice of "Torchwood", it's in-part another labour saving exercise (Tosh doesn't appear at all, and Ianto is restricted to a cameo) but more damagingly is an episode which now appears a little lifeless and, dare I say it, dull when compared to other, more high-profile instalments around it.

That isn't to say that it's without merit - there is some great pathos here, most notably when Alan Ellis tracks down his son in the present day to find him a brainless vegetable in a retirement home. Conversely, Emma's story is a little more cheery, as she discovers a more sexually liberated world and finishes up moving to London to be a fashion buyer. There is some good humour to be had here too, as Gwen grapples with explaining the quirks of a modern-day sexual relationship to a girl with 1950's values. Unfortunately for a series already obsessed with matters beneath-the-sheets, the third plot strand encompasses a massive rumpo-based affair between Owen and Diane, the remaining member of the group. It's not that I deny womaniser Owen a meaningful relationship, but one can't help but find his hysterical reaction to falling in love ("I'm fucking frightened!" etc. Get over it!) somewhat ridiculous. As his tear-stained face yells "what about me!" you know this is supposed to be "serious drama" as opposed to real life, when one might expect some semblance of perspective after a few weeks of being with someone.

By far my biggest criticism of the story is that it's almightily depressing. Aside from Emma, who at least escapes happy at the end (after naturally entering a modern day nightclub for the first time and almost getting taken advantage of), Alan ends up killing himself and Diane leaves Owen for no reason whatsoever. At the start of the episode, we're told there's "no way back" for the time travellers, yet for some reason (and having found a loving partner) she decides to get in a plane and just take off, apparently now certain of finding the rift again. Worse, she isn't concerned that she might end up "anywhere"! What's wrong with the woman? Likewise, I'm not sure I respect Alan for not actually being able to go on LIVING just because he's been transported to a different century. Where's the human spirit? The adaptability? The world of 2006 surely isn't THAT BAD that you'd want to top yourself when faced with living there, even if you were used to good old powdered egg Britain of 1953.

So whilst there are some touching moments to be had, on re-watching the romance between Owen and Diane becomes more cloying, Alan's plight even more depressing and hopeless and the whole thing generally seems to take longer to finish. My other half fell asleep through this - both times! - and I can sort of see his point. There's a great idea at the heart of it, but "Out of Time" isn't a tremendously enduring production.

John Barrowman Sit-On-My-Face-O-Meter: **

Some neat moments with John when he talks about death and where he comes from, but it's really time we saw more of him.

Torchwood Tally: ***

I was clock-watching for much of the last twenty minutes of this less than thrilling episode.