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Torchwood: Miracle Day premier – first thoughts

Torchwood Miracle Day 101_27

We finally watched the season premier of the new Torchwood.

I wasn’t as blown away as I’d hoped. The premise of the show is great and well-advertised (death stops working), and the reveal of the specifics of this within the show is pretty entertaining (and surprisingly gory for a Doctor Who spin-off).

They’ve successfully introduced the new cast – a mobile phone addicted Mekhi Phifer and a generic young, female, attractive CIA agent amongst them, and a creepy paedophile. But the majority of the episode was spent revealing what you probably knew if you’d watched any of the trailers: death has stopped happening and its going to cause problems for planet Earth. And it has something to do with Torchwood.

That said; the production values are ridiculous compared to previous seasons and some of the sequences are fantastic. Jeep vs helicopter on a seaside car chase? Bet on the jeep, every time.

I’m hoping that the show picks up its pace now that the initial unveiling is done. I guess that it had to be from first principles, given that the cable tie-up (the show is co-produced by American cable TV network, Starz, which also co-produced Camelot) will bring it to new audiences in the US. Although I’m not looking forward to seeing Captain Jack’s willy as some are (or not, as the case may be).

Still, looking forward to the next one.

Posted in Television.

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23 comments

By Armand – July 25, 2011

  • Anonymous

    I very much like the way Eve Myles has strengthened her character Gwen such that she is now so much stronger, more resourceful and “in the know” compared to the new American recruits. It would appear that Davros was right when he implied that anyone having any connection with the Doctor effectively became a weapon. Although she has never met the Doctor in person Torchwood has taught her a lot. I hope to hear more references made about Torchwood, the Doctor and Gwen’s part in defeating the Daleks when they stole and invaded Earth. The new recruits should know of the invasion but not of Gwen’s and Captain Jack’s part in their defeat. I also like the steady stream of sniping remarks within the team, about flat and fizzy drinks and driving on the wrong side of the road. It makes the characters seem more human. Of course Captain Jack knows so much more (as does the audience) about Torchwoods activities, but I don’t think he is aware that it was Rose Tyler  who gave him his Immortality.
    Pike.

  • Hug663

    Episode 4 is due next thursday. I will watch it but “my God” it`s just boring. It has everything a big production can give it, except substance, soul. It`s “flat”. I was never against American involvement and am suprised they have managed to strip all aspects of the characters and script as 2 dimensional and souless.

  • Roger

    Oh wow is me, what have they done? Torchwood used to be fast paced and exciting. With good writing and story. This new series is sooo slow. seems they have tried to make a two part episode last a full series. Sorry Torchwood but I think you’ll lose fans with this one. :-(

  • Terry

    Torchwood was a must watch, sadly we think it is a must miss, irrelevant characters and subplots, what in God’s name was the disgusting gay bar scene all about?
    Someone satisfying their own desires we think.
    Sorry BBC you have lost the plot ( no pun intended) This is not Torchwood, just a poor americanised imitation of what was once a great show.

  • Dip7

    I am so disappointed in the new series far too Americanistic – is that a word? Slow and boring.

  • Betighe

    Torchwood lost two new viewers with that sickening gay man-sex scene. I got it that they were gay in the bar. ‘Nuff said. I definitely did not need to see them wrestling around in bed. I mean. come on people, that bordered on porn!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dalek-Caan/100002244014620 Dalek Caan

    You have taken my 2nd favorite Sci-fi show and turned into pure trash.   It is actually painful to watch at this point.   Who in their RIGHT MIND casted Newman from Seinfeld into this show?   Did some executive figure that every other Seinfeld actor went on to do such amazing television they had to snatch up Newman? LOL.   How dumb.  

  • Anonymous

    Tell me……..what is the matter with some of you people…….I think a great deal of work has gone into this series with an eye to make the program appeal to the majority of viewers. I think they have succeded in that. OK there might be subtle differences between US and european humour and attitudes but the actors themselves have worked hard and managed to make their characters believable. To say nothing of the writers, stuntmen/women and producers working behind the scenes. Give the program a chance please.
    regards,
    Pike. 

  • Micky

    I am American and have to agree with Terry. What happened to sticking with the formula of the old Torchwood? I have been long-time fans of Doctor Who and Torchwood. I say we stick with the old saying…”If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. The new characters are fine, but they really need to get back to the Torchwood that we all know and love.

  • Tiffany Ann Harvey

    The first time I watched this series was the miracle day premiere. Liked it ok but decided to find out where it came from and have been watching all the old torchwoods. Have to say I like “the monster of the week” strategy better. I had been watching doctor who and didnt realize they were related. After finding that out I am even more disappointed with miracle day. just let bbc take care of torchwood. Im an american but I prefer these shows handled by bbc.

  • Gtwitch

    I used to like this show very much. I don’t like all the sex scenes as they do nothing for the shows appeal( or anything else) except use film time if you don’t have a strong story.

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  • Lorraine

    tonight is week 4….so where is all the sci-fi? What the hell was all the sex about last week, not relevant to anything. Apart from two familiar faces(whom I think are great) I would never know this was Torchwood. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!!!

  • Bhx

    Once a great series, now a load of rubbish.

  • No

    Lost it.  They had a great programme with a wonderful cast.  Killed them all off, now we’re left with this boring nonsense.

  • Kazza

    The new Torchwood is  a far cry from what I’m used to from the series. The storyline is far too boring. OK have a long running story, but please, lets have something different each week to keep our attention span. We like our sci fi. Give me more.

  • Wildbur

    The only good television around.  Miracle Day is the most intelligent and exciting science fiction in a long, long, time.  I guess a lot of folks have gotten used to pablum.

  • Patmccamley6

    Have just watched latest episode. Will continue to watch from loyalty. Production values gone and replaced by “blockbuster ” elements Shame it was soooo good
    Bring it back BBC 1

  • Leaping_shelaleh

    I’m disappointed… The American cast, save for the doc and loopy PR girl are wooden. While the idea is brilliant the series is really quite disturbing, overdramatised and while I watch it out of loyalty, I find myself turning the tv off with the same feeling I get when I’ve watched a wierd American B movie, a mixture of bewilderment and general distaste. What a shame that in America nothing can be left to the imagination, no subtlety is considered neccesary. Ho hum…

  • dlgiles

    All I can say is that I’ve been absolutely dying for some more Torchwood.  I was absolutely hearbroken when it ended – way before it’s time.  Unfortunately, I only have BBC America, but they’ll send it across the waters one day I hope!!!

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  • Doctoroo

    This series of Torchwood has lost the plot. What made it so enjoyable was that it was part of the Doctor Who universe. This new series is far too American with Captain Jack now just a gay caricature with far too explicit scenes. The story concentrates far too much on the (dull) American characters. How can Captain Jack now be mortal when he was created by energy from Doctor Who’s Tardis?

    Torchwood should be set in Britain not America. It is a total waste of the main character (who is supposed to be bi-sexual not a gay predator) Captain Jack. It has become a kind of sub X-Files clone with everything that made that show so good removed. Bring it back to blighty with good old fashioned Alien baddies and let Captain Jack get back to the character (it is about time he met Matt Smith’s Doctor as well)

  • Jim

    Not even watching out of loyalty now, over hyped rubbish. America can keep it, please don’t feed it back over here!

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