Episode two: Gwen’s first day on the job, so of course she messes up as quick as possible, setting a parasitic-gas-sex-alien thing free from a recently crashed meteorite. The episode focused on Gwen’s role in Torchwood as their link to humanity. (Similar to in Angel how Cordelia always goes on about how Angel is so detached from the world, and needs to get back into real life.) Now, this episode in particular is where the show gets fairly adult. Did I mention this parasite has pretty much sex on the brain? It successfully takes control of a young girl and pretty much goes and has sex with a bunch of people, killing them in the process. It gave me the vibe of "Lonely Hearts" - coincidentally the second episode of Angel.
The first episode was basically an introductory episode, and the second episode was good. The whole alien wanting orgasmic energy was a little iffy. And, if there is one thing the show did, was that it had good actors who successfully carried the show, unlike some programmes that we get over here in England. The first two episodes had rather interesting stories, most definitely showing that Torchwood is indeed much more adult than Doctor Who. (For example, there were thankfully no farting aliens.) On the topic of aliens, all those present looked rather good special effects-wise. I’m talking CGI and good old prosthetics here, especially the weevil whose face was amazing!
With the dialogue in the show I must say I was a tad disappointed. Expecting the amazing stuff I found in Doctor Who, I came back a little empty handed. Nothing was really bouncing out at me. But, then I must also say that can be a good thing. While waiting for Torchwood to start I switched on The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Stephen Norrington, 2003). Mr. Hyde had just been caught yada and he changed into Dr. Jekyll. I just thought ‘Dr. Jekyll at your service’ and right out he went and said it.
Sure it happens a lot, you can predict lines in films and television alike. But there’s something I find with a good writer and that is that you do not predict their lines, very much the case in Torchwood; writers like Russell almost create characters who are alive, not just hollow shells full of ‘writing clichés.' So, I really did like the dialogue in the show.
Article comments
1 - TV and Film Guy
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2 - Madam Miaow
Shame Torchwood is still derivative, shrill and not as sexy as it thinks it is.
I know Joss was a genius at the the extreme character arc, turning evil villain Spike into the loveable hero of later Buffy and Angel, but last night's season finale of Torchwood ... Call that a character arc? More like a deus ex machina last minute lurch up itself. You could practically smell the rubber and hear the squeal of brakes as James Marster's Captain John did a 180 degree turn that had everything to do with script expediency and nothing to do with character development.
What a waste of the lovely James. Full review at mine.