It originally aired on the digital television channel BBC Three on 1 January 2007, alongside the previous episode, "Captain Jack Harkness".

Continuing from the events of "Captain Jack Harkness", the episode involves the time-travelling clock seller Bilis Manger (Murray Melvin) manipulating members of a team of alien hunters called Torchwood into opening a rift in time and space which would cause the release of the demon Abaddon.

However, Bilis causes a power cut to raise a security breach in the Hub, releases Rhys, and kills him.

When he insults them, Owen attacks and kills him, and scans his and the team's retinas and opens the Rift.

After Jack comes back to life, they discover that Bilis has manipulated the team to open the Rift, in order to release Abaddon whose shadow kills anyone who touches it.

As the rest of Torchwood go for a coffee run, Jack sees a severed hand glowing.

[2] The episode represented Torchwood in three BAFTA Cymru awards, including "Best Drama Series," Ben Foster for "Best Original Music Soundtrack," and Eve Myles for "Best Actress.