Skip to content

More thoughts on Torchwood: Miracle Day

From Torchwood: Miracle Day ep 105 "The Categories Of Life"I’m beginning to understand* (if not entirely agree with) some of the criticism that’s coming through my Torchwood post about Torchwood: Miracle Day. We’re nearly caught up now (one episode behind) and the pacing of the show doesn’t quite feel right. Where in the earlier seasons Captain Jack was nearly constantly running, he seems to be down to about 20% of the time. This negates some of the energy of the earlier seasons and leaves you slightly confused as to what’s happening the rest of the time.

The reason I don’t think this is entirely a bad thing – and I don’t think its unquestionably a good thing either – is that it allows for more nuanced character development and intricate writing. Of course, some people don’t want that – after all, it’s been years since Captain Jack has knocked an alien unconscious (or vice-versa) – and most of the writing is focussed on the new characters. We’re already familiar with the tortured Captain Jack and the excitement-hunting (albeit family focussed-ish) Gwen Cooper).

Whilst individual episodes don’t hold my attention in the way the old seasons used to, I’m still pretty gripped by the season on the whole. I think the premise is fascinating and the way they’re exploring it is intriguing in the extreme. I think the production values are high and the writing is reasonable. I like the new characters and I’m looking forward to see what they’re doing with them. I’ll grant that the pacing is more LA Law than ER but give it time…

* I really don’t understand the people that have a problem with the gay sex scene. Seriously, its 2011, and the version shown on the BBC is hardly pornographic…

Posted in Television.

Tagged with , , .

207 comments

By Armand – August 15, 2011

← Older Comments
  • Dannygb1

    one thing that i don’t get with the current series of torchwood is that oswald danes was put to death and failed but he should be a catergory 1 person not a person that is able to walk around freely like a normal person, why isn’t he being put in the incinerator?

  • Marie

    The series final episode was really good. Remined me of the old torchwood. Good job, I hope there is another season quick pace and closer to seasons 1 & 2 of Torchwood.

    Also, I don’t think people are complaining about the gay scenes (at least that’s not my complaint) it more the skew of Jack’s character from so many speices so little time to only interested in human males. When did this shift happen? after all Jack turned the Doctor down when asked to travel with him. He choose instead to return to Gwen. If you have forgotten that, watch again the Utopia, The Sound of Drums, and The Last of the Time Lords. These Doctor Who episodes occur between seasons 1 and 2 of Torchwood. At the end, the Doctor asks Jack to come with him and Jack turns him DOWN. Then watch the first episode of season 2 in Torchwood. It’s Gwen Jack goes to, not Ianto. Ianto is almost like a rebound when he finds out Gwen is engaged to Rhys.  
    Jack should be flirting with every attractive person (being) he meets (human or not) and not just men. I think this is the main complaint. Those of us who have been following the Doctor and Torchwood, don’t understand the change.

  • Marie

    The incinerators were not activated until Oswald became popular on the lecture circuit. He is finally classified catagory 0 when the incinerators become active again after the initial outcry dies down, but he escapes. He is on the run in the final few episodes and knows if he is caught he will be burned.

  • Anneleonie

    As an ardent follower of the British ‘Torchwood’ which, in my mind was brilliant, fresh and innovative and the characters were good, I gave up on ‘Miracle Day’ after struggling through the first two episodes.  I can only presume that, yet again, we have sold out to the Americans (don’t get me wrong – I like America and its’ peoples) but this Torchwood became just another america action series without all the speciality that made it so unusual over here.  Shame – I am sure that was/is where the finance is but – yet again – true creativity has suffered for that.  I do hope no more are made in the same vein! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!  Anne Leonie

  • Pingback: In defense of Torchwood | division6

  • T J

    Watched the last episode and thought it was OK. The only problem with Miracle Day, was it was 6 episodes too long.

  • Mzlisa23

    I just started Miracle Day. 5 episodes in and I am a bit disappointed. I’m American and was enjoying the British flavor, so much so, that I have become interested in other BBC shows. But the changes, I hear to make it more marketable in America, has changed the very essence of the show. I feel, like Owen, it is (or was since it is over) a dead man walking. To sum up Miracle Day, it’s as if Torchwood died, was revived, but came back without a soul. Only the shell is there and those things that made it what it was, gave it it’s unique personality, are gone. I’d love for the series to continue, but it needs to get back to the heart and vision that made it great!

← Older Comments
« »