Cadoc Point

 

Cadoc Point by David Llewellyn

Cadoc Point is really, really good, the kind of story any other range but Torchwood would be dying to have, and I really hope I don't in any way damn it by faint praise, because in earnest, it is exceptional. Definitely a "jumping on point" audio, Cadoc Point is certainly a potent script that works well for those well acquainted with Torchwood, as well as those who don't know a thing about it. One of the best things about Cadoc Point is how it keeps trying to trip you up - making you wonder exactly what it's really going for throughout. 

The plot revolves around Andy and his old art teacher Merl, who could be responsible for several murders, but also might not be. The audio is very careful not to take you too much into one direction of whether he has or not, so I will be careful not to discuss it as well. I can say though, that most of Cadoc Point is atmosphere, description and discussion of the nature of art. There are very few audios quite like it, and I hesitate to point out one in particular, as mentioning what it is may easily give away the twists, but in some ways it resembles a certain Big Finish Classic, twisted and shown in a new light.

Standalone Andy stories are always quite different, as a lot of Torchwood revolves around the Andy "buddy system" where Andy is paired with Owen, Norton, Lizbeth, Yvonne, Liv, or whoever the heck is available this week. It's weirdly humorous how often he's paired up, when in truth, he works almost as well on his own. Tom Price really sells the material of this early post Miracle Day pre Ghost Mission Andy, wondering whether he's in the right place in his life. It's quite good drama to have a protagonist unsure of himself in a story that revolves around the audience being unsure. 

 There are some flaws in Cadoc Point's script, such as it's slightly confusing chronology, where certain scenes starring the other two characters minus Andy and Merl, Darren and Cynthia, interrupt the conversation with Andy and Merl, some of it taking place concurrently, and some of it taking place prior. It soon clears the confusion up though, so I was only disoriented briefly. By and large, Cadoc Point is just, well, really, really good. There's not too much to say about it beyond that, and it gets my fervent recommendation. Cadoc Point was on the verge of treading old ground for the Torchwood Main Range, but ultimately it feels new and bold, even though it stars one of the range's oldest stalwarts. That's an impressive thing to do - while certain stars of the range are starting to deliver subpar stories, it's quite good to know there's still plenty of life in this magnificent format. 9/10