Is Torchwood Worth Watching (No Spoilers)

[JohnB1000]

I now have all the eps of Torchwood ready to watch.

Is it worth the time ? I love Doc Who, Galactica, STNG, all the "good" sci fi.

Thanks so much for you input.

Also is it suitable for 12yo Doctor Who fan ?

[porges]

The answers are yes, and almost certainly not. If it were a movie, it would be a serious R rating for frequent f-words, violence, occasional partial nudity, and recurrent adult themes. It's on in Britain after what's called the watershed (around 10PM, I think), where all of those things are allowed.

But I love it. And probably your kid wouldn't be scarred by watching it, but you'd both be mortified that the other of you was in the room. But that's the facts, anyway.

[Mars Rocket]

I've watched all the of the first season. My opinion is that it's interesting enough to keep me watching, but not nearly as good as I'd hoped it would be. I think they relied a little too much on "edginess" rather than really good writing. Some of the episodes bordered on scary/creepy, others were kind of stupid, a few were really intriguing. Most were merely adequate.

But I like Eve Myles a lot, and will probably continue watching just to see more of her.

[dianebrat]

Worth it? yes
Suitable for a 12 y.o? not in my opinion, but as others have said, it's the sexual situations and F-words more so then the gore.

[not spoiler] one of the key issues folks "had issues with" was that pretty much folks sleep with anyone, regardless of gender. [/not spoiler]

Personally I found it liberating and so "non-hollywood" for that reason, but it's a big one for folks that are stuck-up on status quo in reproduction :-p

The best episodes are "Dr Who good" quality, not great (although some come close) and the worst of them are pretty wince-worthy at times.

All in all, the season as a whole came out in my book as "good enough to watch again, and buy the DVD" but not "fly to Wales to see them film"

Diane

[dswallow]

I think a lot depends on your 12-year-old. Most episodes wouldn't rate more than a TV-PG in the US, with perhaps an occasional TV-14.

[Rosincrans]

[not spoiler] one of the key issues folks "had issues with" was that pretty much folks sleep with anyone, regardless of gender. [/not spoiler]

Personally I found it liberating and so "non-hollywood" for that reason, but it's a big one for folks that are stuck-up on status quo in reproduction :-pThat was a thing that bothered me a little - in terms of realism, NTTAWT. It worked for Jack, I thought it was an interesting twist for a lead character. But not everyone in the world is bi-sexual and it seems silly to play it off as the norm.

[Kamakzie]

I'm snagging these episodes now, hopefully they are good..

[dswallow]

That was a thing that bothered me a little - in terms of realism, NTTAWT. It worked for Jack, I thought it was an interesting twist for a lead character. But not everyone in the world is bi-sexual and it seems silly to play it off as the norm.
Never spent any time in England, have you? :p

[Rob Helmerichs]

I've noticed that British shows tend to be a LOT more casual about inter-racial and gay relationships...perhaps Britain has finally come into the 20th century, and perhaps someday we will join them! :D

[pantherman007]

If you're a fan of Who, BSG, etc., then you'll enjoy Torchwood.

As for a 12 year-old, that's a tough call and would depend on the kid and his/her maturity. I'd definitely suggest you watch the first few episodes first and decide for yourself - the first two eps do a pretty good job of letting you know where the producers were going to go more 'adult' than Doctor Who. It's worth noting that Torchwood airs in the UK after the 9pm watershed, while Doctor Who airs in an earlier timeslot.

With that said, I really enjoy Torchwood, particularly when it deals with topics that would be tough to air on American TV.

[pgogborn]

To answer your "is it suitable for 12yo Doctor Who fan" in a very specific way.

I think most adult Doctor Who fans will enjoy Torchwood, I think it is suitable for many 12 year olds (but you should watch it first to take into account your particular views on things such as the F word and your particular 12yo) but I reckon a 12yo Doctor Who fan expecting a Doctor Who lookalike could be a tad disappointed, perhaps a 12yo will find it a tad harder to adapt to the bleaker, darker style that Torchwood has in comparison to Doctor Who.

[whitson77]

Isn't it coming to Sci-fi?

[dswallow]

Isn't it coming to Sci-fi?
Nope. It's coming to BBC America.

[sieglinde]

Great (except they cut things). When?

[JohnB1000]

I watched the first ep' Pretty good, certainly draws me in for the rest of the show though not a whole lot happened I guess. The welsh accents are fun (being a transplanted welshie myself), the couple of references to Doc Who also fun. Definitely a good iPod/Treadmill watch for the next 3 weeks or so.

[dcheesi]

If you like Dr. Who, you should definitely give it a try. I think the current Dr. Who is better, though.

Torchwood is kind of uneven in my opinion. Case in point: [not really a spoiler]I almost gave up on it after one episode, but that's because it happened to be Episode 4! Those who've seen the show will know what I'm talking about ;) [/not really a spoiler]

[JohnB1000]

I'm pretty open with what I let me children watch but I would not consider this good for a 12yo, too many "f" words and relatively graphic sex stuff (no nudity but no doubt either).

I'm not sure why they went this direction. So far this stuff hasn't really added anything to the stories.

[JohnB1000]

BTW, I had a question.

In Ep 2 Jack is obsessed with a hand, have I forgotten what the significance of that is from Doc Who or is it something new ???

[Rob Helmerichs]

BTW, I had a question.

In Ep 2 Jack is obsessed with a hand, have I forgotten what the significance of that is from Doc Who or is it something new ???
The second new Doctor lost a hand in (I think) his first appearance. That's what Torchwood has.

[LoadStar]

I got about 2/3's of the way through Torchwood before pretty much giving up. For me, it's just not that interesting of a series, because unlike Doctor Who, there doesn't seem to be any real "heart" to the series. It lacks a real emotional catalyst to keep the characters moving forward. I mean, it's not BAD, it's just for me, it's just not nearly as interesting as I had hoped or heard it would be.

[Kamakzie]

I'm pretty open with what I let me children watch but I would not consider this good for a 12yo, too many "f" words and relatively graphic sex stuff (no nudity but no doubt either).

I'm not sure why they went this direction. So far this stuff hasn't really added anything to the stories.

Yeah I like the show and the second episode had a pretty big sex scene and a masturbation scene that wouldn't get on network TV here or maybe not even cable..

[zordude]

I enjoy the show quite a bit, I don't have kids because I don't have any, and I really think that's a very individual based thing. I don't think sex is as bad as so many think though, especially considering the kinds of explicit violence people let their kids watch, before stopping them from seeing a naked person.

Z

[Sacrilegium]

I don't have kids because I don't have any
That's a very good reason to not have 'em!

I'll echo most people's comments and say it depends on the twelve-year-old. For me, it's a decent show but it's definitely a tier below Doctor Who. They've made it more gritty and adult-oriented, but the emotional connection with the characters is a little lacking. I'll still watch the next season and likely enjoy it, but I'm not as attached to it as I am to several other shows.

[Rob Helmerichs]

I don't have kids because I don't have any, and I really think that's a very individual based thing. I don't think sex is as bad as so many think though...
Hmmm...

:D

[JohnB1000]

That sex v violence thing is an odd one. A family I know will not let their children watch Lord of the Rings or Star Wars but lets them watch James Bond which is full of sexist stuff (the old one's).

For me I think it's because a 12yo can understand violence, they know enough to understand the difference between TV and real life. Sex, at least for my 12yo, is embarrassing and unknown. I think I'd rather he didn't see it to avoid his own embarrassment as much as anything.

[JohnB1000]

Well I finished the whole season now and I really really enjoyed it. I thought it was outstanding TV. I read all the show threads and certain people talked about inconsistent characters and the like but I must watch TV at a slightly different level. I really don't care too much if someone is a bit different from show to show.

I thought the season was great, very emotional at times, a bit skimpy on major plot movements but I have throughly enjoyed it and I'm sad it's over. I can't say there was a single episode or moment that I didn't enjoy.

[drew2k]

Nope. It's coming to BBC America.Have any dates Doug?

[LoadStar]

Have any dates Doug?
I'm sure he does, but isn't that getting a bit personal, and not particularly relevant? ;)

Torchwood begins on Sept. 8 on BBC America.

[drew2k]

I'm sure he does, but isn't that getting a bit personal, and not particularly relevant? ;)

Torchwood begins on Sept. 8 on BBC America.Thanks, and I didn't mean to pry! Honest! :p