Doctor Who fans: Torchwood

[James the Persian]

Hi all,

I know that I'm far from the only person on this site who likes Doctor Who. Did anyone else here see the new spinoff, Torchwood (I'm guessing this is only in the UK currently but I'm sure the rest of you will get a chance to se it soon enough)? If so, what did you think? If not, here's the official website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/

It basically revolves around the agency called Torchwood that Queen Victoria set up in the Werewolf episode and the main character is Captain Jack from the Christopher Ecclestone series. Personally, I thought it was great - well worth the wait - but it is rather more adult than Doctor Who is.

James

 

[Fluffy]

I thought it was wonderful. I watched the first series of Dr Who (of the new ones) but got bored of the 2nd because Jack was my favourite character. Plus the bits they were adding in to make it "family entertainment" just began to get too embarassing to watch.

I'm really glad they did a double bill because whilst the first was good, I thought it was a tad shaky (like any pilot) and it got much better in the second. What a great plot line! Alien junky comes to earth to get hits off of human orgasms. Absolutely wonderful .

 

[michel]

I liked it very much; personally I thought it in a different league from"Dr Who" (not to denigrade either); alas, I wait until my wife isn't around to watch recordings, because although she tries hard to sit patiently through such programmes, I can see they bore the pants off her.

 

[James the Persian]

I liked it very much; personally I thought it in a different league from"Dr Who" (not to denigrade either); alas, I wait until my wife isn't around to watch recordings, because although she tries hard to sit patiently through such programmes, I can see they bore the pants off her.

You should try it out on her anyway. Normally my wife hates SF and she does no more than tolerate Doctor Who for the most part but I was surprised when at the end of the second episode of Torchwood she turned around and told me she thought it was pretty good. It doesn't have the same nostalgia value Doctor Who has (obviously) and I miss being able to sit down and watch with my son (no, he's definitely not watching Torchwood till he's older) but it's really very good. I don't really think it's in a different league at all, but it certainly isn't aimed at the same audience. I guess they're really aiming for us adults who enjoy Doctor Who as well as, perhaps, the X-Files etc. audience, not that the two are necessarily separate groups.

James

 

[James the Persian]

I thought it was wonderful. I watched the first series of Dr Who (of the new ones) but got bored of the 2nd because Jack was my favourite character. Plus the bits they were adding in to make it "family entertainment" just began to get too embarassing to watch.

Whilst I liked Captain Jack (and he's back in the third series apparently) I thought the second was generally better than the first. David Tennant is clearly superior as the Doctor. I'm not really sure what you mean about the embarrassing bits. Doctor Who always was family entertainment and I really didn't see any of the second series as out of place. If you want to see some really embarrassing bits, try looking at some of the Sylvester McCoy era episodes - they were really dire.

I'm really glad they did a double bill because whilst the first was good, I thought it was a tad shaky (like any pilot) and it got much better in the second. What a great plot line! Alien junky comes to earth to get hits off of human orgasms. Absolutely wonderful .

This I agree with entirely. The first episode was clearly a pilot and as such was more scene setter than self-contained story, but it was pretty good as such things go. I've seen decent series start with far less promising pilots in the past.

James

 

[Booko]

I thought it was wonderful. I watched the first series of Dr Who (of the new ones) but got bored of the 2nd because Jack was my favourite character. Plus the bits they were adding in to make it "family entertainment" just began to get too embarassing to watch.

We're just on the 2nd of the new series here, and I'm having the same problem. Also, I prefered Eccleston's Doctor.

Who knows if Torchwood will even make it here to the States. If you think of it, mention when the DVDs are available for sale. I might be able to find it on Netflix then. *flips to another tab* Oh! It's on IsoHunt...I'll have to check it out.

 

[Bastet]

I'm not sure if I'll get to see Torchwood on anything other than dvd either. Might have to send me a letter to the ABC - I heard they were waiting to see if there was any interest before they'd commit.

I've checked out some websites and seen some screencaps which look rather interesting. *tries to think of something that wouldn't be too spoilery* It's a little odd seeing Captain Jack without his white t-shirt and leather pants, but I'm sure I could get used to it. I've heard he's darker and broodier too. Still kissing random people though.

Whilst I liked Captain Jack (and he's back in the third series apparently) I thought the second was generally better than the first. David Tennant is clearly superior as the Doctor. I'm not really sure what you mean about the embarrassing bits. Doctor Who always was family entertainment and I really didn't see any of the second series as out of place. If you want to see some really embarrassing bits, try looking at some of the Sylvester McCoy era episodes - they were really dire.

Captain Jack is back in the final episode of the third season of Doctor Who - and from what I hear it's not exactly a happy reunion.

They finished showing the second series here on October 7th (and I missed the last 5 minutes because the digital station froze. :sarcastic I was not a happy camper!). I got the dvd box set last week and decided I'd re-watch them all before I see the end. I'm up to 'The Impossible Planet' (ep.8) so I'll probably be done by the end of the week. I'd have seen it already if I hadn't watched all the special features first lol.

I did love Chris Eccleston's doctor, but David Tennant's just makes me *squee* like a fangirl. His doctor is a little more Tom Baker, who was my favourite of the originals, so that's part of the attraction. And he's just so darn geeky! I'll be interested to see if his character changes at all in series 3. Unfortunately we'll have to wait until next year to find out down here.

 

[ChrisP]

Dr Who. Kicks arse.... I might have to find some way to obtain the odd bit of torchwood.

Cheers for the Tip Mr thePersian.

 

[cardero]

Someone just tipped mrscardero and I off on the complete 1st series. I am only two episodes into the first series but I am enjoying it (thanks mostly to actress Eve Myles (sigh). Interesting. It has sort of a Night Stalker/ X-Files appeal with me enjoying the former (not the latter). I'll give it a chance. mrscardero finished the whole series in two days and is wondering where I am getting the second series from. If no one has seen it and you have the means, I would recommend it.

 

[Willamena]

I just finished the first season of Torchwood. While I enjoyed the SF I was turned off by what seemed an effort to introduce some sexuality, bisexuality or homosexuality to just about every epsiode. I'm more a fan of plot and special effects than of slash.

 

[cardero]

I just finished the first season of Torchwood. While I enjoyed the SF I was turned off by what seemed an effort to introduce some sexuality, bisexuality or homosexuality to just about every epsiode. I'm more a fan of plot and special effects than of slash.

No wonder mrscardero is so eager to get to the second season.
Having only watched two episodes, I thought the sexual angle was a bit of a novelty but this may be becasue I am not used to seeing that aspect on American TV but I can see how it could wear its welcome quickly if used gratuitously.

 

[Willamena]

No wonder mrscardero is so eager to get to the second season.
Having only watched two episodes, I thought the sexual angle was a bit of a novelty but this may be becasue I am not used to seeing that aspect on American TV but I can see how it could wear its welcome quickly if used gratuitously.

In fact, there was one episode towards the end (called "Captain Jack Harkness") that would have been brilliant story-wise if they hadn't gone overboard with making homosexuality seem a special and unusual thing (which, granted, according to mythology it was special in the 40's, but still...) Sort of kicked themselves in the pants, the producers did, I thought.

I'm still going to watch the second season, though.