As for the immortal Captain Jack, he is, ironically, now suddenly very mortal. The two things must somehow be connected, and the mystery surrounding it is certainly one worthy of the Torchwood Institute. Gwen and Jack reunite and reluctantly go back into action, this time adding CIA agent Rex (Mekhi Phifer) to sort out the "miracle" (which has several definite downsides, including a mega population boom).
Captain Jack is exactly the sort of literary hero to whom I gravitate: brilliant, outwardly brash, even egotistical, but harboring a lot of torment and secrets buried deep inside. He has a deeply human side, but can come across as cold and overly rational when weighing life and death choices. (Okay, I admit it, he's very, very easy on the eyes.) The rest of the characters in Torchwood are quite compelling in their own right; none of the characters—friend or foe—are cookie-cutter stereotypes.
Of course now that I’m hooked, I can’t stop with four seasons of Torchwood. I have to go back at least to the relevant Doctor Who episodes (with Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant as the ninth and tenth Doctors). And then of course there are the fansites, novels, and audio books. It's a good thing House doesn't come back on the air with new episodes until early October! (Oh, and there is even one episode of the very British Torchwood series that references my own favorite doctor!)
Torchwood airs Friday evening at 10 PM ET on STARZ.
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Article comments
1 - Sherry
Nice article Barbara. Torchwood is one of my favorite shows. I have a feeling you might get hooked on Doctor Who also, so you might want to watch the first Christopher Ecceleston episode and see what you think, that's what got me started on it all. It doesn't take long for Captain Jack to come into it.
2 - barbara barnett
Hi Sherry. Thanks. Glad you liked the article. Already found the Captain Jack Doctor Who episodes :) Haven't seen them yet, but soon.
3 - Meg
This article chronicles my own experience with Torchwood, because I came to Dr. Who through Captain Jack. Like the author I had to go back and watch all the Doctor series, especially from the first season to figure out where Jack came from. The journey was loads of fun and now Dr. Who is a new addiction too.
4 - 60 plus
Barbara,
I am regretfully coming to terms with the fact that the coming season may be the last for House, which has been my only don't-miss TV program for seven years. From the beginning, I was compelled by House's journey and the way Hugh Laurie portrayed him...the medical aspects were incidental.
Just as you did, I am putting my toe very gently into other TV waters to see if something else will make my anticipated sense of loss a bit more bearable. :) So far, I've found nothing compelling--even those highly praised programs such as Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Good Wife, etc.
Because I have enjoyed all of your writing about House and feel that, in general, we valued it for similar reasons, I am asking for your advice. It seems we both also enjoy a good mystery/science fiction story. Would you recommend that I try Torchwood? (It sounds as though Captain Jack shares some characteristics with House.) If so, would you suggest I just plunge in and watch the new episodes, or go back to the beginning--or try both at the same time?
Thanks for your help.
ps..Maybe you should consider writing "There will be life after House..." for all of us addicts who are facing detox. :)
5 - barbara barnett
Hi 60+! Captain Jack Harkness (the hero of Torchwood) shares a lot with House: they are both tormented, but hide it well under a lot of bravado. They are both brilliant and also have a humanity they would prefer not to acknowledge. He loves from afar, but finds pleasures of the flesh as well. (Although his casual sexual relationship with one character gets to him more than he would admit). He has sacrificed much.
The team is composed of equally brilliant researchers, including a doctor and a computer genius--and then there's Gwen, a police officer turned Torchwood agent.
You should absolutely give it a try (John Barrowman, who plays Jack is a native of Scotland, but raised in the U.S.--but it's interesting to hear him speak in his native Scots accent :) -- but he plays an American :)
6 - 60 plus
Thanks, Barbara. I'll give it a good try.
7 - Andrée
Welcome to the club, Barbara! I am happy to hear that there will be at least a season 4 for Torchwood. I am a Doctor Who fan now for several years and therefore got caught with Torchwood, too. I have read I don't know how many Torchwood fanfics, a little less Doctor Who, Jack Harkness being my absolute favorite persona.
Now I hope that you will write as good comments for Torchwood as you use to do with House.
I wish you - and us - a lot of fun with this "new" series.
Enjoy!
Andree from the Netherlands
8 - Jonathan
Nice article! And yes, Torchwood is really an amazing series! It litteraly has everything I could ask for in a series!!