As first episodes go, Torchwood is a good one. We're sold the prospect of the ever likeable Captain Jack catching aliens, a team of charismatic assistants, a central character who's easy to get behind, and an atmosphere not a million miles from US team based sci-fi, like Angel.
I've often said that the BBC could produce great Science Fiction. It used to — it had a history of some great television — but hasn't really done anything to impress of late beyond the triumphant return of Doctor Who. Hopefully, Torchwood will change that during its run. The potential is there, the intention is obvious after episode one, and thanks to its adult focus there'll likely be none of Russell Davies toilet jokes.
Episode one gets my seal of approval, and there's not a man eating dustbin in sight. And as the BBC showed episodes one and two back to back, my review of Episode two will soon follow.
Article comments
1 - media_lush
personally I was very disapointed.....it was just like Dr Who with added sex and violence and ludicrous swearing...that is it maintained the level of writing at the same target audience of Dr. Who but seemed to add "adult" elements as an after thought. If you're going out after the watershed you can expect to have adults as your audience, not kids staying up past their bed time!
2 - Andrew Ian Dodge
I was tempted by that the bloke who plays lead really irritated me in "What to do about a Problem like Maria? However I will give it a chance based on this. I would rather it have been more Millenium than Angel but you can't have everything.
3 - Dirty Idea
Not impressed. The worst part comes first: the team. Their manner of introduction reminded me of the Spice Girls. This is Sporty Torchwood, Posh Torchwood… This much achieved, the episodes use any available plot twist to ensure that yes, we are still aware that Jack is Sexy Torchwood and that annoying little twat is ‘boyish but clever for his age’ Torchwood.
We are also to believe that they are so used to living surrounded by aliens that they don’t pay attention to a dinosaur flying around. I wasn’t able to join Gwen’s sense of awe and wonder, nor was I able to smirk at “how cool” these wild Torchwood guys are. All I could think was “Smack the conceited little mare” for her flippant copmment about the flying beast. This juxtaposition between the newbie’s sense of wonder and the seasoned pro’s complete ambivalence works with Doctor Who, though it wears thin. Here, with four people non-plussed by these amazing happenings, it grates before the end of episode 1. There’s only so many times you can hear “a transmimensional, blood sucking doo-dah…. so what?” before you start thinking “Yeah, yeah, we get it, you’re hardened to this, she’s new, you’re a pro, yadda yadda”.
Also painfully crowbarred in is the Jack/Gwen thing. It’s such a terrible cliche. She’s devoted to her man, who’s a bit boring, Jack’s gorgeous and exciting, but wait, she’s not leaving her man, but he must have her, he’s attracted to her like he never has been, blah, blah and I woke up and it was all a dream. For something that’s tagged as adult sci-fi the long term plot is transaprent and the characters are cardboard cut-out poor. Likewise, the Weevil is in place for later happenings, no doubt, as we are constantly reminded of it and Jack ensured we are aware of an open plot line by rubbing our nose vigorously in the fact that “we don’t know why! Eh? Eh?”. And “Twat-Kid… don’t you go taking that trap out again! Eh? Eh?” Oh please.
That said, there were some nice parts. The guy’s final remarks before his 2 minutes were over. The rough shagging in the toilets. Well, actually, that’s about it… not up to the mark yet.