In 1812 Cardiff, a prostitute named Mary fleeing a murderous soldier comes upon an eerie light. Two centuries later, a body and an alien device are uncovered on a building site in the city -- and the same woman is watching the excavation. Soon, Mary has inveigled herself into Tosh's life, giving her a pendant which allows the wearer to hear people's thoughts. But what are Mary's true intentions? And can Toshiko handle the enormous power she now wields?

Of the initial slate of Torchwood writers, the only person to have previously contributed a script for Doctor Who besides executive producer Russell T Davies was Toby Whithouse. Whitehouse had scribed School Reunion for the new Doctor Who series' second season, and now developed Greeks Bearing Gifts for Torchwood. Originally announced as the eighth episode of the year, it was eventually bumped up to seventh in the running order. Greeks Bearing Gifts was made as part of the season's second production block, alongside Ghost Machine, and was directed by Colin Teague.

• Forthcoming.