DW2000 - Voidwatch 2004

 

Voidwatch: Children of Earth would’ve been the third series of the show. After Series Two finished airing, the BBC renewed Voidwatch for a third series. However Davies decided to write the third series as the big finale to the show.

Series Three aired from 7th - 11th June 2004 on BBC One, Russell T Davies wrote episodes 1 and 5 and co-wrote episode 3 with Paul Abbott as John Fay wrote episodes 2 and 4.

Children of Earth: Day One

By Russell T Davies

In 1965 Scotland, a group of children is taken by bus to an unknown location. As they approach a bright light, one child flees before it engulfs the others.

In Cardiff, 2004, all children in the UK suddenly freeze, then resume as if nothing happened. At 10:30 am, they stop again, scream, and chant, "We are coming." Voidwatch investigates. Meanwhile, Dr. Rupesh Patanjali, a doctor at a hospital, fails to save a patient and later helps Vince and Andy retrieve an alien organ. He later shoots Vince, revealing himself as a spy, before being killed by Johnson, a government agent tasked with eliminating Voidwatch.

John Frobisher, a government official, is warned that an alien species, the 456, has returned for the first time since 1965. He orders a hit on Vince, among others, to cover past events. Voidwatch’s Hub is bombed, with Vince inside. 

Louise barely escapes, while Andy’s car is stolen. Meanwhile, Clem McDonald, a former abducted child, reveals the aliens are returning and that Louise is pregnant.

As all children chant, "We are coming... back," Vince revives just in time to realize a bomb was implanted inside him. He urges Andy and Louise to leave before the Hub explodes.

Children of Earth: Day Two

By John Fay

Louise escapes an assassination attempt and reunites with Dave. They go on the run after their bank accounts are frozen. Andy, also alive, secretly contacts his sister, while the government monitors their movements. 

Meanwhile, Vince’s body, reduced to remains, begins regenerating in a secret facility.

Frobisher oversees the construction of a sealed chamber for the 456. Lois Habiba, a new government worker, secretly helps Louise and Dave by leaking information. 

Voidwatch learns Vince is being held captive and encased in concrete to prevent his escape.

Louise and Dave infiltrate the compound posing as funeral directors but get caught. Just as they are about to be executed, Andy rescues Vince by using a forklift to break him out. They flee under gunfire, escaping in a stolen car.

At MI5, the chamber for the 456 is completed, preparing for their ominous arrival.

Children of Earth: Day Three

By Russell T Davies and Paul Abbott

Voidwatch sets up a base in an old factory, stealing supplies and tech to regain access to their systems. Vince investigates the assassinations and realizes he knows the victims, rushing off. Meanwhile, his daughter Alice tries to contact him, leading to her and her son Steven being captured by Agent Johnson.

A pillar of fire descends into Thames House, and the alien "456" arrives, demanding secrecy about their past dealings. Louise enlists Lois Habiba to spy on the government, while Vince blackmails Frobisher, who counters by threatening Vince’s family. The 456 then delivers its demand: 10% of Earth's children.

At the warehouse, Clem McDonald, a man haunted by the 456’s previous visit, recognizes Vince as the one who gave children to the aliens in 1965. Vince admits it, revealing the trade was for a cure to a deadly flu.

Children of Earth: Day Four

By John Fay

Vince recalls the 1965 deal, in which twelve children were handed over for an unspecified purpose. Back in the present, Clem shoots Vince, but he revives. Meanwhile, the 456 reveals a child from the original exchange, still alive but enslaved.

The UK government secretly agrees to sacrifice "less valuable" children based on school rankings. Voidwatch uses Lois’s recordings to blackmail officials and storms Thames House. Vince and Andy confront the 456, who refuse to negotiate and release a deadly virus, killing everyone inside. Vince survives, but Andy dies in his arms. The government, now desperate, agrees to hand over 35 million children.

Louise and Dave attempt to protect local children, but soldiers round them up. Meanwhile, the 456 reveal their motive: they use children as recreational drugs. Frobisher, realizing his family is doomed, kills his wife, daughters, and himself.

Children of Earth: Day Five

By Russell T Davies

Vince is captured but convinces Johnson to help stop the 456. Using Steven as a transmitter, he unleashes a signal that kills the aliens, but the process also kills his grandson. Alice is devastated, and Vince is left broken. Bridget Spears exposes the government's betrayal, ensuring the PM’s downfall. Six months later, Vince, wracked with guilt, prepares to leave Earth. Louise, now pregnant, begs him to stay, but he teleports away, leaving Voidwatch finished.

Children of Earth received massive praise, the performances of Kerrigan, Hawes, Macfayden and Mylan were also praised. Although Voidwatch ended, Davies hinted at a possible return.