Adrift (Torchwood)

24 – "Adrift"
24 – "Adrift"
Torchwood episode
	Gwen compiles a list of missing people. Chris Chibnall stated that "the issue of loss" was the driving force behind the story.
Cast
	Starring John Barrowman – Captain Jack Harkness; Eve Myles – Gwen Cooper; Burn Gorman – Owen Harper; Naoko Mori – Toshiko Sato; Gareth David-Lloyd – Ianto Jones;
	Others Kai Owen – Rhys Williams; Tom Price – PC Andy Davidson; Ruth Jones – Nikki Bevan; Robert Pugh – Jonah Bevan (adult); Oliver Ferriman – Jonah Bevan (child); Lorna Gayle – Helen;
Production
Directed by	Mark Everest
Written by	Chris Chibnall
Script editor	Lindsey Alford
Produced by	Richard Stokes; Sophie Fante; Chris Chibnall (co-producer)
Executive producer(s)	Russell T Davies; Julie Gardner
Music by	Ben Foster
Production code	2.11
Series	Series 2
Running time	50 mins
First broadcast	19 March 2008
Chronology
← Preceded by; "From Out of the Rain"	Followed by →; "Fragments"
	List of episodes

"Adrift" is the eleventh episode of the second series of the British science fiction television series Torchwood, which was first broadcast on BBC Three on 19 March 2008, and repeated on BBC Two one week later. The episode was written by series one and two head writer Chris Chibnall, directed by Mark Everest and produced by Sophie Fante and Richard Stokes. The episode featured the five initial series regulars John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Burn Gorman, Naoko Mori and Gareth David Lloyd plus recurring actors Kai Owen and Tom Price.

The episode begins with the alien hunter Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) being called in to investigate a missing person case by her former colleague in the police Andy Davidson (Tom Price). When bereaved mother Nikki Bevan (Ruth Jones) starts a support group for missing people, Gwen realises the problem is widespread. She pursues the investigation against the wishes of her boss Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and is able to track Nikki's son to an isolation facility. It is revealed that Nikki's son Jonah (Robert Pugh and Oliver Ferriman), like the other missing individuals around Cardiff, was taken by the space-time rift and returned physically and mentally scarred. After realising she cannot have a relationship with her son, Nikki implores Gwen not to reveal the truth to any other bereaved relative.

Chibnall wanted to write a story that tackled the issue of loss and revolved around a missing person case. Executive producer Russell T Davies appreciated the character dynamics and domestic themes in the episode and cited the script as one of his inspirations in continuing the series. Ruth Jones, who is generally better known for her comedic roles, was cast against type in the central guest role of Nikki Bevan. The episode was filmed largely on location in South Wales with the island of Flat Holm featuring prominently. Response to the episode was generally positive. Reviewers generally praised the episode for illuminating the conflicting elements of Gwen's character and providing a central dilemma with no easy answer. Some critics identified ostensible plot holes, though felt that the episode's emotional successes negated these.