The children of the world seem frozen in time momentarily and then snap out of it and carry on as if nothing has happened. With reports coming in of the worldwide impact of the phenomena, Torchwood offers its services in the investigation. They are also looking to recruit a new member whom they recently met at a local hospital and who seems to be quite keen. A second episode with children later that day foretells the coming of what is likely an alien entity. Gwen discovers that there is one adult who was affected much as the children and it appears the aliens may have visited Earth in the 1960s. For Torchwood, however, their offer of assistance is met by an attack by government forces.