10 Soul Crushing Torchwood Moments That Left Us Traumatised
8. Jack Loses His Last Happy Memory Of His Family - Adam
The main focus of Jack's arc in series 2 is his relationship with his brother Gray, who went missing during the invasion of their home world when the two of them were children. Jack was supposed to look after his younger brother, but, whilst running for their lives, Gray's hand slipped from his and he was left behind - an event that has haunted Jack for most of his life. There are a couple of moments in this arc that could qualify for this list: Gray's betrayal of Jack, or the moment where Jack is forced to subdue his younger brother and put him on ice - but one particular moment stands out.
In Adam, a parasite which survives only through the memories of others infiltrates the Torchwood team, altering their memory of the past to include him. Adam orchestrates a relationship with Tosh, turns Owen into an awkward, nervous wreck, and most cruelly, he makes Ianto believe he has murdered two girls in cold blood. It's this last lie that ultimately unravels to reveal Adam's parasitic nature (as we know, Ianto wouldn't hurt a fly and should be protected at all costs). After drugging the rest of the team with RetCon, an anmesia pill, Jack remains as the sole source of energy for Adam, who lives in only his memories.
In a desperate last ditch attempt to fight for his life, Adam offers to take Jack back to his last happy memory of his father and Gray, as they played games on the beach until sunset. When Jack agrees to go with him, Adam alters the memory, inserting himself into it and causing an argument between Jack and his father that ultimately leads to them going home early and leaving a young Jack alone on the beach.
Back in the hub, Adam tells Jack that he will always live in that memory, and that to get rid of him for good Jack would have to lose it forever. We've seen throughout the episode how racked with guilt Jack is over what happened to Gray, and this memory is the one slither of happiness he has to cling onto - regardless, Jack opts to Retcon himself and Adam is destroyed forever, as a devastated Jack succumbs to the drug. It's powerful stuff.