Torchwood on BBC America

[Budyzir]

Anyone else watching this show?

I've been hooked since the premier episode. Great SciFi series, last nights episode had a great little twist for an ending.

[JoeyDVDZ]

I DL'ed the entire season from usenet. Got hooked on the character Jack Harkness on Doctor Who, knew I'd love the series. Which ep was last nights?

[Budyzir]

Trying not to spoil .... it was about the dead guy with the "eye".

[whitebeard]

Good show saw all of first season already..

[roche]

They are also showing it on HDNet

[Arc Lite]

Loving it. You all know Torchwood was an anagram of Doctor Who?

Fun Fact.

[reverend chapel]

Another fun fact, the creator of torchwood is gay. This fact will be burnt into your skull by the time the first season ends.

There`s talk of the next season of torchwood and who being half the size due to strikes at the BBC

[Arc Lite]

Another perhaps more burning factoid is that the guy that plays Captain Jack is gay. My wife hates knowing that.

[Hudson]

That explains all the gay content....which is almost taking me out of the show.
(the jap chick's character is also a lesbo )

[patbattlefield]

I'm hooked as well. Love the hot lesbian kiss scenes.

[Budyzir]

I'm hooked as well. Love the hot lesbian kiss scenes.

Good point
Good point

[Budyzir]

WOW! Another great show. Its SciFi but, hell, it can really rip at your emotions. Three very different story lines in one episode.

[Hudson]

WOW! Another great show. Its SciFi but, hell, it can really rip at your emotions. Three very different story lines in one episode. I agree...I was almost in tears...I thought that was the best so far..

[Hudson]

First season Marathon on today!!!!!!

[Budyzir]

Great ep last night, I'm really digging Tosh but, I could have done without the man kiss.

Season finale next Sunday and it looks to be good.

[Hudson]

Great ep last night, I'm really digging Tosh but, I could have done without the man kiss.

Season finale next Sunday and it looks to be good. thought Captain Jack is season finale. Wait, nevermind, just saw the ad.

[patbattlefield]

Great ep last night, I'm really digging Tosh but, I could have done without the man kiss.

Season finale next Sunday and it looks to be good.

My eyes burned...is Jack gay or bi?

[Budyzir]

My eyes burned...is Jack gay or bi?

I was cringing and had to look away.

I'm guessing he's totally flaming. As he was building the rift generator thingy, Owen referred to that other dude, Gareth, as Jack's "occasional shag."

Eh, I guess that's the price we pay for a couple of girl on girl kissing scenes.

[Kugzilla]

Iv'e really enjoyed the show, in particular the tie-ins they've done with Dr. Who.

Does the end of this season mean the return of Robin Hood?

[Hudson]

My eyes burned...is Jack gay or bi?yes
But mostly gay

[Jim T.]

It's not so much gay as fuck-anything-that-moves. Capt. Jack is supposed to be from the far future, where everybody's "omnisexual." It's even become an in-joke on the show. In the first episode of season 2, James Marsters gets horned up over a poodle.

I didn't really like the few episodes I saw last year, but it looks like they fixed a lot of things this season. Capt. Jack doesn't have a stick up his ass (not that he would mind), there's more energy, it's funnier... Just better overall.

[Budyzir]

It's not so much gay as fuck-anything-that-moves. Capt. Jack is supposed to be from the far future, where everybody's "omnisexual." It's even become an in-joke on the show. In the first episode of season 2, James Marsters gets horned up over a poodle.

I didn't really like the few episodes I saw last year, but it looks like they fixed a lot of things this season. Capt. Jack doesn't have a stick up his ass (not that he would mind), there's more energy, it's funnier... Just better overall.

WAIT WHAT ?!?!?!?!?!?

Season 2 already?

[mascan42]

WAIT WHAT ?!?!?!?!?!?

Season 2 already?
It started in England a couple of weeks ago. BBC America will start airing it tomorrow night.

[mascan42]

Don't forget, season 2 starts tonight at 9:00.

From downloading the torrents of the first 2 episodes, I'd say the show is a huge improvement over the spotty first season - they finally found the show's sense of humor, and after the events of Jack's Doctor Who episodes, he's much less angsty.

[JoeyDVDZ]

Man, I'll never look at James Marsters the same way again. Blech.

[Budyzir]

Don't forget, season 2 starts tonight at 9:00. .......

Out freaking standing, set to DVR. First I'm watching the the last two eps from last season.

[Kugzilla]

I'm really enjoying the new season. Everyone still watching?

[Arc Lite]

Also enjoying thew new season even though it's gayer than ever.

[mascan42]

BBC America is still a couple of weeks behind the UK. For you guys watching at the American pace, you're in for quite a shock in 2 weeks time.

[JoeyDVDZ]

I dl from usenet. I have eps 5 and 6, but I haven't watched them yet. What am I going to be shocked by?

[Vyce]

I dl from usenet. I have eps 5 and 6, but I haven't watched them yet. What am I going to be shocked by?

Hardcore gay male sex.

And it rocked, IIRC.

[mascan42]

I dl from usenet. I have eps 5 and 6, but I haven't watched them yet. What am I going to be shocked by?
The last scene of episode 6.

[thelord68]

Gwen (to Jack): Have you ever eaten alien meat?
Jack: Yes - and he really seemed to enjoy it.

[Budyzir]

Anyone still watching this show?

I just caught up with the last 3 eps . How screwed up is it to be alive and dead at the same time?!?!?!

Hell, I haven't felt for a TV character like Owen in long time.

The writing for this show is great.

[Arc Lite]

Definately still watching. Love the whole Owen story line of late.

[thelord68]

I liked the first season, but I think this season is better. The Owen storyline is good and bringing in Martha Jones worked as well.

I also like how they're working Rhys in more. They had to do something with his character to make you see why Gwen would be with him and have that pull between work and personal life.

[Kugzilla]

Looks like the show is getting set to relaunch in the UK...not sure if it will make it on air over here in a timely manner...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/

[LiddyRules]

It'll be online in a timely matter. That's all that matters.

[Bobobie]

It isn't going to be as adult oriented this season. It's basicly filling in for Dr Who in it's earlier time slot so it has to be clean for the UK kiddies. If this means no more gay male makeout and sex scenes then it might be for the best.

[Hudson]

Ugh! I saw part of a special on BBC about the main guy from the show and his search for why he is gay....wow is he a flamer out of character......

[Bobobie]

How is he out of character? I thought it was perfectly clear that Captain Jacks sexuality was bisexual. I've only seen him flirt with chicks, but he's constantly making out with guys so this bi part is still up for debate.

[Budyzir]

Well, BBCA's Torchwood website just says "new season coming in 2009." I'm looking forward to it.

[Radioguy]

I accept Torchwood, but it is (and always should be) a spinoff to Dr Who. It should accompany it, but not steal focus from it. I worry a little when I see they are resting Dr Who while continuing with this. Torchwood could potentially be a nail in the coffin like Sliders was for the FOX Dr. Who series.

[Chimp Pembry]

I enjoy it but it doesn't really seem to have any kind of plot focus. Save for the end of the second season, you can almost watch this show out of sequence and still be able to follow it.

[JoeyDVDZ]

First two eps of season 3 are out there for those who know where to look. OUT-FUCKING-STANDING start! Captain Jack has a very bad first hour.

[JoeyDVDZ]

Torchwood fans, you gotta check this shit out!!!! Friggin insane!

[CM Mark]

I'll be watching the first three episodes tomorrow night. Then once again when they air on BBCA starting the 20th.

[Bobobie]

Also enjoying thew new season even though it's gayer than ever.

Yeah, I thought they were going to go the entire show without a single flaming kiss and then he smooches him at the last second.

Just downloaded the second episode, will watch it tonight.

[Chimp Pembry]

Is there an actual plot direction now? Or is it just a bunch of one shots yet again? Since they iced my favorite character aside from Jack, I'm a little on the fence about this show.

[mascan42]

Is there an actual plot direction now? Or is it just a bunch of one shots yet again? Since they iced my favorite character aside from Jack, I'm a little on the fence about this show.
This season is essentially a 5-part mini-series, it's all a single story.

[Chimp Pembry]

Niceeeeeee.


But is the asshole still dead? :(

[Bobobie]

Just watched the last episode of the Mini-series. I hate it when they make him do the coldest fucking shit. The likeable rogue in Dr. Who to this fucked up immortal asshole who saves the world by killing puppies, kittens, and children.

[Kugzilla]

Just watched night 1 of the Children of Earth Series. Loved it, and got my wife to watch it with me. Score one for me.

Anyone else in? No open spoilers please from you bittorrent guys who saw this 12 years ago.... :)

[JoeyDVDZ]

One of the most intense story arcs Torchwood ever EVER had. I loved this 5-parter.

[Bobobie]

I'm betting that since he's out traveling the galaxy, he'll pop up for the Dr who debut. He'll be his old devil-may-care roguish self. Then he'll go back to Torchwood and be an old cold tortured asshole.

[JoeyDVDZ]

I got the impression that this 5 parter was all we were getting of Torchwood this season. I could be wrong, hope I am.

[Hudson]

Liked part one....when did what's her name (old Dr who gal) get married

[Kugzilla]

If you mean Gwen, that was during last season-about midway through I think.

[Budyzir]

I'm DVRing this 5 part miniseries for straight through viewing this weekend.

[MadMatt]

I got the impression that this 5 parter was all we were getting of Torchwood this season. I could be wrong, hope I am.

This is all the Torchwood you're going to get. The BBC would only commit to this "mini-series" rather than a full series.

And if you can download the BBC version, do it. I don't know what they will cut from the BBC America version, but you really don't want to miss any of it.

Fucking excellent show - Best mini-series since Galactica (maybe better in some respects).

[CM Mark]

I decided against watching this yet, since I have not seen a single episode of Torchwood yet. My girlfriend has the first two series on DVD, so I shall be watching them first. The only thing I would understand pretty much is that Jack is immortal.

[Hudson]

If you mean Gwen, that was during last season-about midway through I think.no I meant Sarah Jane..I figured She'd be part of it......and I got about half a year to catch up on.

[JoeyDVDZ]

This is all the Torchwood you're going to get. The BBC would only commit to this "mini-series" rather than a full series.

And if you can download the BBC version, do it. I don't know what they will cut from the BBC America version, but you really don't want to miss any of it.

Fucking excellent show - Best mini-series since Galactica (maybe better in some respects).

Yep. Grabbed the BBC version off usenet. Nothing watered down there. Friggin ruled.

[VMS]

1.) Series 4 (Children of Earth is officially Series 3) is anything but guaranteed, but the ratings for CoE were apparently incredible, so maybe Series 4 has a shot.

OTOH, having to pay for a brand-new Hub set to replace the old, blown-up Hub is going to make it a difficult call for the BCC

2.) I'm going to be the asshole, and rip into the storyline a little:

The character of the Prime Minister in this mini-series is fucking worthless. Poorly, poorly, poorly written. I know he needed to do the things he did to move the plot along, but c'mon- try to make it fucking realistic.

He orders Torchwood destroyed (well, he orders the bureaucrat to order it...) before the 456 show up to cover up the handing over of the kids in 1965. He was too young to have anything to do with that- he's covering up someone else's mistake by killing his #1 anti-alien team. So the guy's a crazy-level ass coverer who is less interested in protecting the world than in saving his own personal ass. That stretches the character beyond believability in that sense (he could have had Torchwood fix the problem and then have them killed, after all), but even if you accept that from him he then blurts out how relieved he is to have his ass saved in front of fucking witnesses??? And witnesses he'd be fucking blind to trust like that? Witnesses who've already demonstrated they're not 100% with him on everything?? Hyper-paranoid one minute, and then a complete Pollyanna the next??? C'mon.

3.) Morality of it: What would you have done if you were in the Prime Minister's position (beginning of the mini-series)? What would you have done if you were in Harkness's position (end of the movie, with the kid)?

Feel free to answer that last with the Spoilers tag on it.

[JoeyDVDZ]

1.) Series 4 (Children of Earth is officially Series 3) is anything but guaranteed, but the ratings for CoE were apparently incredible, so maybe Series 4 has a shot.

OTOH, having to pay for a brand-new Hub set to replace the old, blown-up Hub is going to make it a difficult call for the BCC

2.) I'm going to be the asshole, and rip into the storyline a little:

The character of the Prime Minister in this mini-series is fucking worthless. Poorly, poorly, poorly written. I know he needed to do the things he did to move the plot along, but c'mon- try to make it fucking realistic.

He orders Torchwood destroyed (well, he orders the bureaucrat to order it...) before the 456 show up to cover up the handing over of the kids in 1965. He was too young to have anything to do with that- he's covering up someone else's mistake by killing his #1 anti-alien team. So the guy's a crazy-level ass coverer who is less interested in protecting the world than in saving his own personal ass. That stretches the character beyond believability in that sense (he could have had Torchwood fix the problem and then have them killed, after all), but even if you accept that from him he then blurts out how relieved he is to have his ass saved in front of fucking witnesses??? And witnesses he'd be fucking blind to trust like that? Witnesses who've already demonstrated they're not 100% with him on everything?? Hyper-paranoid one minute, and then a complete Pollyanna the next??? C'mon.

3.) Morality of it: What would you have done if you were in the Prime Minister's position (beginning of the mini-series)? What would you have done if you were in Harkness's position (end of the movie, with the kid)?

Feel free to answer that last with the Spoilers tag on it.
Jack didn't feel he had a choice. It was 1 vs. the rest of the worlds children. He sacrificed like a motherfucker to do that to his own grandson. You saw how much it fucked him up in the head...

[JoeyDVDZ]

1.) Series 4 (Children of Earth is officially Series 3) is anything but guaranteed, but the ratings for CoE were apparently incredible, so maybe Series 4 has a shot.



Actually, I saw an interview with Russell T. Davies, who seemed really certain that a season 4 would happen. He did S3 the way he did because he said he likes the big epic miniseries format. Gotta say, with the exception of the fact that we have no more torchwood to look forward to in the foreseeable future, I have to agree with him. CoE was fuckin brilliant.

[VMS]

Jack didn't feel he had a choice. It was 1 vs. the rest of the worlds children. He sacrificed like a motherfucker to do that to his own grandson. You saw how much it fucked him up in the head...

Oh, I'm not criticizing what Jack did in the end. I think he did what he had to do, and that it was an incredibly difficult decision. I guess it was more of a "would you have had the balls to do that" question.

Now, would you have done what Jack did in 1965?

[JoeyDVDZ]

Oh, I'm not criticizing what Jack did in the end. I think he did what he had to do, and that it was an incredibly difficult decision. I guess it was more of a "would you have had the balls to do that" question.

Now, would you have done what Jack did in 1965?


No, I think I would have put that big Torchwood brain to work to stop that shit at the get-go.

[Kugzilla]

Actually, I saw an interview with Russell T. Davies, who seemed really certain that a season 4 would happen. He did S3 the way he did because he said he likes the big epic miniseries format. Gotta say, with the exception of the fact that we have no more torchwood to look forward to in the foreseeable future, I have to agree with him. CoE was fuckin brilliant.

QFT. I really enjoyed the series, and they're nuts if they don't bring it back. It's way better than Primeval, which I watch too. Some of my favorite stuff is on BBC right now-between Doctor Who, Robin Hood, Torchwood, that's a damned fine network.

I haven't gotten into the Sarah Jane stuff-is it worth checking out?

[VMS]

QFT. I really enjoyed the series, and they're nuts if they don't bring it back. It's way better than Primeval, which I watch too. Some of my favorite stuff is on BBC right now-between Doctor Who, Robin Hood, Torchwood, that's a damned fine network.

I haven't gotten into the Sarah Jane stuff-is it worth checking out?

My impression of the Sarah Jane Chronicles is that it's more of a kid's show than Doctor Who or Torchwood. Doctor Who is the middle-of-the-road show, while Torchwood is the more adult/serious show.

But I haven't watched Sarah Jane, either. Frankly, her character did nothing for me on any of the crossover Doctor Who episodes (of the 9th and 10th Doctors, I mean- I've never really watched the old Doctor Who stuff when Sarah Jane was the Companion).

[VMS]

No, I think I would have put that big Torchwood brain to work to stop that shit at the get-go.

Eh. From the flashbacks, Jack didn't know what was happening until he pulled up. He literally had minutes to find out what was going on, and it was during one of his I-don't-give-a-fuck-about-anyone phases.

And frankly, I probably would have made the same decision. Principles are fine and good, but when it's 12 kids vs. the fate of the world, I know which way I'm picking. After all, Jack basically made that same decision at the end of the series, but with one kid, right?

[Budyzir]

Just finished watching the miniseries ...... IN-FUCKING-CREDIBLE !! The ending just blew me away.

BBCA is THE network for great science fiction, SyFy, or what ever they're calling themselves, should take notes.

[VMS]

Just finished watching the miniseries ...... IN-FUCKING-CREDIBLE !! The ending just blew me away.

BBCA is THE network for great science fiction, SyFy, or what ever they're calling themselves, should take notes.

Well, it probably helps that the BBC has a budget many times that of SyFy. The BBC collects money from every person in Great Britain with a TV as a "license fee", which amounts to hundreds of dollars per person (I read somewhere that the BCC license fee in 2005 amounted to 3.5 billion pounds, which works out to about $5.7 billion). Those are a lot deeper pockets than SyFy can play with.

OTOH, that $5.7 billion apparently goes into the Brit's general fund, which means production for BBC shows can become very political. That's probably one of the things that's keeping Series 4 of Torchwood from being a slam-dunk for being picked up. That, and the money goes to support multiple BBC channels.

[Budyzir]

Well, it probably helps that the BBC has a budget many times that of SyFy. The BBC collects money from every person in Great Britain with a TV as a "license fee", which amounts to hundreds of dollars per person (I read somewhere that the BCC license fee in 2005 amounted to 3.5 billion pounds, which works out to about $5.7 billion). Those are a lot deeper pockets than SyFy can play with.

OTOH, that $5.7 billion apparently goes into the Brit's general fund, which means production for BBC shows can become very political. That's probably one of the things that's keeping Series 4 of Torchwood from being a slam-dunk for being picked up. That, and the money goes to support multiple BBC channels.

True but, a show like Torchwood, how expensive can it be to produce? Not much along the lines of special effects or sets. More to the point, what I find outstanding is the quality of the writing, the plot lines, and the imagination to dream up these series. Yes, Torchwood is a spin off of Dr. Who which was based on a famous older BBC series but, the current writers have taken these programs and created something new and intriguing.

Say that about one of those SyFy "Original Movies". Unimaginative and hack.

The original SciFi channel concept had so much but, it was wasted and lost. It just makes me angry to think how many science fiction writers there are out there with potential genius and we keep getting "The Attack" of something or other.

[Bobobie]

True but, a show like Torchwood, how expensive can it be to produce?

From what Russel T. Davies said in an interview, they were moved to BBC1, the premier UK TV channel. There are only so many time slots for any TV show, no matter how popular. Many shows like Spooks and Life on Mars only have 6 episodes a season.