A Day in the Death

21 – "A Day in the Death"
Torchwood episode
Owen holds on to "the Pulse", expecting it to explode.
Cast
Starring John Barrowman – Captain Jack Harkness Eve Myles – Gwen Cooper Burn Gorman – Owen Harper Naoko Mori – Toshiko Sato Gareth David-Lloyd – Ianto Jones Freema Agyeman – Martha Jones
Others Richard Briers – Henry Parker Christine Bottomley – Maggie Hopley Louis Decosta Johnson – Phillip Farrington Brett Allen – Taylor Gil Kolirin – Webb Paul Kasey (uncredited) – Weevil
Production
Directed by	Andy Goddard
Written by	Joseph Lidster
Script editor	Gary Russell
Produced by	Richard Stokes Chris Chibnall (co-producer)
Executive producer(s)	Russell T Davies Julie Gardner
Production code	2.8
Series	Series 2
Length	50 mins
Originally broadcast	27 February 2008
Chronology
← Preceded by Followed by → "Dead Man Walking" "Something Borrowed"
List of Torchwood episodes

"A Day in the Death" is the eighth episode of the second series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, which was broadcast by BBC Three on 27 February 2008. This episode is the last of three to feature Doctor Who companion, Martha Jones, and also features guest star Richard Briers.

Owen Harper narrates the opening of the episode, detailing his life and his death, which he is living through. On top of a building Owen sits with a woman, asking her if she is ready to jump.

After revealing his undead state, Owen tells the woman about the days since his death, shown as a series of flashbacks. Jack relieves Owen of his duties so he can be monitored and protected. Owen is angry when Martha Jones assumes his position, and further disheartened when he is given Ianto's job of making coffee. He feels useless, conscious that he's always been alone while each one of the Torchwood team has or has had someone in their life (Ianto and Jack, Gwen and Rhys, Martha and her boyfriend, Tosh and Tommy).

Martha concludes that Owen is 100% human yet will not age. The team discusses a series of energy spikes coming from the estate of a reclusive collector of alien artifacts, Henry Parker. Parker has not been seen since 1986, leading the team to wonder what he has inside his house. They devise a plan to find out the origin of the energy spikes, excluding Owen from the task.

As Owen toys with a scalpel in the autopsy room, Martha tries to reassure him that she doesn't want his job. While talking, she realises that Owen has sliced his hand - a wound he can't feel, which won't heal. Owen heads home, where he begins to clear out his apartment. Tosh arrives to keep him company, and Owen zones out.