When an old cinema re-opens, scenes from a black and white film showing early 20th century Cardiff are interspersed with clips from a travelling side show. The MC and the "mermaid" manage to escape the film clips. To stay alive they must take the breath of those around them putting Cardiffians (?) in a coma-like state with a heartbeat but no breath.
After viewing the film several times, Ianto notices that the two are missing from the original film. He also notices Jack among the travelling circus. Jack tells them that he used to be a member of one of the companies as "the man who couldn't die." He tells Team Torchwood of the "Night Travellers," those who perform only in the dead of night and the myth surrounding them. Young children were told to hold their breath while the show passed through town.
The MC and the mermaid bring their carnie friends into reality. Jack deduces that if they were captured on film once they could be again. He films them with an old home movie camera and then exposes the reel to the sun, causing the carnies to vanish forever.
MY THOUGHTS/COMMENTS:
One of the better episodes. Definitely creepy.
What did you think?
-- K. L. Connie Wang
Photos: (c) BBC Worldwide