TV Review: Torchwood
Published April 28, 2008
Frequent and obvious plot holes also make it hard to lose yourself in the stories. There is a lack of coherence to the world of Torchwood, as if no one has thought the whole thing through, to bring all the elements together. Torchwood is a top secret organisation, but as the series goes on, apparently every single police officer has heard of them. They drive around in a big black car, semi-inconspicuous, but the windows aren’t tinted and there are bright blue lights on both sides of the front window, sure to catch everyone’s eye. Are they trying to hide themselves or to stand out? It also does not make much sense that their large underground complex is run by only five people, who are frequently the only ones standing in between the world and total disaster. The series takes a stab at addressing this by saying the Cardiff branch is estranged from the others for unspecified reasons, meaning they are on their own. Why head offices would allow a rogue branch to continue is not clear, however, and it makes you wonder where all the money for the high-tech gizmos is coming from.
The first season was very uneven but with the second series, Torchwood is becoming more polished; it has more of a sense of humour about itself and better continuity. In the beginning, the characters were just jumping through the hoops of the plot, being made to act in unbelievable ways. But the characters seem to be wrestling control away from the plots and gaining dominance, which is a very good thing. Torchwood is still on hiatus, but I would like to see it renewed, so that it gets a chance to reach its full potential.
Steven is a 32-year-old bilingual editor/(copy)writer from the Netherlands who indulges in the odd spot of creative writing. Bit of a pop culture junkie.
- TV Review: Torchwood
- Published: April 28, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Television, Video: SF, Video: Adventure, Video: Action
- Writer: Steven van Lijnden
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Comments on this articleComments
I think you really need to watch Doctor Who o understand the spin-off. Some of what you consider goofs are fully explained in the episodes that dealt with the original Torchwood (the head office which was destroyed).
I'm rather astounded at the notion that one must have a valid doctor's excuse in order to be bisexual.
Maybe my phrasing was off, Crabby; I did not say that. But if the love of your life (as she was presented) - is hidden in the basement in half-Frankenstein mode, it seems unlikely Ianto would get into sex with Jack on the side. And the sudden attraction of Jack to Gwen also seems off, as there is no sexual chemistry between them.
Bisexuality here seems to service the plot and doesn't come organically from within the characters. That was the point I was trying to make.
Julie - I haven't caught up with Dr. Who yet, but it seems a bit strange to not give all the valid information within a series. Not all viewers will watch both. I am not sure which episode you mean.
Some of it does seem forced to me, as well... while Jack's polysexuality is quite explainable (especially with the introduction of another character, Capt. John Hart, who is a contemporary of Jack's from his original chronological frame) as an alternate cultural background, Yanto's 'switch' doesn't make much sense to me as a viewer.
On the other hand, in the second season, the tension between Tosh and Owen is rather nicely done, and actually makes a bit of sense.
At least, to me. I rather like that Gwen's loyal to her fiance' as well-it's nice to see a rather conventional relationship in a television series, and even her slips don't feel as forced, or have the same kind of artificial drama you see in, say, daytime television here in the U.S.
It's rather like a "Men in Black" style series, but without the hyperseriousness of "The X-Files" or the absolute goofiness of material on the other end of the spectrum.
IN MY OPINION, that is. Others may differ ("May" as in "Might", lest someone be offended...)
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Actually, it's not a problem to be a bisexual. I don't know why many ppl are surprised who is bisexual, etc. I know many bisexuals on the site BiLoves. They are very great.