Torchwood

[sharelle]

So I finally managed to get my hands on (and watch) the first three episodes of Torchwood. In general, I'd have to say that I like it, even if there are some things that bug me.

1) I like that it's darker than Doctor Who. I was thrown at first by some of the language and content - but only because here in the States we only get that on shows that are made for cable. (Or if it's Nip/Tuck. *G*) But seriously, I enjoyed the more intense feel of the show and the fact that it's not afraid to tackle some of the themes we'll probably never see on DW. (If only because the latter series is so set in its ways and its traditions after so many years.)

2) I like the fact that we get plenty of references to things that happened on Doctor Who, even if we're not getting explicit details yet. It's especially nice because the topic of Jack was so under-rug-swept during DW's second season, which always bothered me. (How someone who was so important - especially as far as Rose was concerned because she was never the type to let something go without many questions - merited only a throwaway line during the Children in Need special was beyond me.) But the amount of DW references in this show makes up for it a little:

-- The fact that Jack can't die (or even sleep, apparently) as a result of Rose bringing him back to life in "The Parting of the Ways."

-- References made to the alien attacks during "The Christmas Invasion" and "Doomsday."

-- Mention of the other Torchwood branches, including the one they haven't found yet. (Rose's Torchwood, perhaps?)

-- Re: the invisible lift - "We know how to use it, not how it happened. But if I were to guess, I would say that there was once a dimensionally transcendental chameleon circuit placed right on this spot which welded its perception properties to a spacial temporal rift." Oh, yes, Jack. That is one excellent "guess." :)

-- The fact that Jack keeps what I can only assume to be Ten's severed hand in a jar. (And that he's so protective of it.)

-- Gwen. I can understand using the same actress for a different role on a different show. (Joss Whedon did it all the time.) I'm just not sure what to make of the fact that they gave her the same name. I'll be interested to know if that has any real meaning behind it, or if it's merely a shout-out.

Yes, DW references galore! (Though if the first thing out of the mouth of that kid from 1941 was "Are you my mummy?", I may have had to turn it off. *shudders*)

3) While I'm on the subject of Gwen, gah! Can we say deer-in-headlights! And she's supposed to be a cop? (Honestly, I can't see an elite organization - like Torchwood is supposed to be - offering a job to someone like that.) As such, I think it may take me a while to warm up to her. There are just so many contradictions to her character, I'm not sure if I can find her believable at all. For a trained police officer, she seems very green. (And I *don't* just mean about the alien stuff.) And maybe the way the UK trains its officers is different, but I have a hard time buying into the fact that she's never fired a gun before. I would think that even beat cops should have that kind of training.

4) The conversation about whether or not Jack is gay . . . Hee!




Definitely a fun show if you ignore the nagging details and just enjoy. (Plus, John Barrowman is just as yummy as ever.) I'll probably be watching a bit more. :)

Comments

[juliejordan.livejournal.com]

Gwen is the weakest link in the show for me, which isn't too good as she's carrying the thing! Yes, very "deer in the headlights"...to much so. It was understandable in her first episode, forgivable in the second one...now it's just grating. I hope they drop the act and let her gain more confidence. I'm not feeling a spark between Gwen/Jack either. And that 'ship is far too in my face. I like more subtle ships, such as Nine/Rose. So far my Torchwood OTP seems to be Jack/Ianto. I've already written two fics about them.

I'm sure I heard rumours once that Torchwood Gwen is supposed to be a related to Gwyneth from "The Unquiet Dead"...that would be neat if it was true, it would explain a lot (maybe the nerves are hereditary? *g*).

I think Torchwood is a "turn your brain off" show. Though I thought, last week, the ending was pure and utter crap. Not just the way they resolved the Ed Morgan situation, but Angel's Jack's "New Day" speech to Gwen during sunrise at the end...that was very cheesy. They need to stop that.

[sharelle.livejournal.com]

I've managed to get past the in-your-face Jack/Gwen moments by reminding myself that Jack will *ahem* "dance with" just about anything anyone. *G* Otherwise I might find their interaction irritating too (especially since I don't like her as much as Mr. Davies probably wants me to). But you're right: she needs much more confidence - and soon. (Weak female leads don't do much to enhance my enjoyment of a show.)

It does seem as though the writers are *intending* her to come off as strong and confident. (For example, her whole speech during the climax - pardon the pun - of "Day One" when she was trying to coax the alien to leave Carys' body and enter hers. Gwen said, "I'm stronger than she is," and all I could think was, "Um, no, I wouldn't be so sure of that.")

I saw Ed Morgan's fate coming a mile away, so I sort of shrugged my shoulders at that. But you're right about Jack's Angel-esque speech at the end. I could have done without that. It didn't really *do* anything for the story. (Although was it just me or did a crewman pass in front of the camera during Gwen's "all those ghosts" line at the end? Maybe it was supposed to be symbolic because of what they were discussing, but it really just looked like someone walking in front of the shot.)

I'm sure I heard rumours once that Torchwood Gwen is supposed to be a related to Gwyneth from "The Unquiet Dead"

I keep thinking she's reincarnated. And not just because of the nerves (although they play a part) but because she seemed to see the truth of things in the first episode (which is the only reason I can think of as to why Jack would want her joining the ranks). That, and she just happened to end up in the exact same spot in Cardiff. :)

[constance-b.livejournal.com]

For me I think the niggles and inconsistencies outwayed the fun parts of the show, there was a tiny bit too much silliness. Maybe it will improve. But I can attest that Gwen never firing a gun is not one of them.
Most policemen never get near one, things are rapidly changing since the most recent London bombings when they started having armed policemen out on the streets for the first time since WWII. But as it stands... Here's the part where I descend into a rant about David Blunkett that you probably wouldn't appreciate, being American...

[sharelle.livejournal.com]

Most policemen never get near one

Hmm. See, I find that very interesting (especially in terms of differences between cultures). I know quite a few police officers here in the States who (as those meant to "protect and serve") have had considerable training with firearms - even if they (hopefully) never have to use it in the field.

Knowing that may help me get past at least some of the silliness that my brain was registering while watching. ;)