Torchwood 9/8/07 BBCA SPOILERS

[sieglinde]

I think this one will have to grow on me. I do like police woman character and the Captain Jack character but the pilot was just too much getting things started. The story improved when the police were identifying the weapon and getting closer to solving the crime.

[latrobe7]

I liked it, but I'm a Doctor Who fan and I've been waiting awhile for it to come on here. My GF did not like it, though. She had never seen Doctor Who before we started dating, and has only seen the ones from the new season; so I thought this would be a show we could both enjoy from the start.

I was surprised when she said she liked Doctor Who better! She said that Doctor Who knows it's cheesy and plays it tongue-in-cheek, while Torchwood seems to be taking itself too seriously. She hated Captain Jack; said he was too smug.

Oh, well, maybe it will grow on her...

[dianebrat]

FWIW I loved Torchwood (caught the BBC airings) and it got me back into Doctor Who, so that says a lot.

But I have to give a word of warning, the first season is very uneven in quality, fun show, solid concept, but varied quality of execution.

The 1st 2 episodes were outstanding, with the 1st being especially good, LOVED the pizza delivery issues.

[cheesesteak]

I thought the first Torchwood episode was terrific.

We've got three (soon to be two) charaters who don't die currently on tv. Claire from Heroes, Capt. Jack Harkness and the soon to be gone Painkiller Jane.

[Amnesia]

I thought you said PKJ couldn't die! How can she be gone?

Oh, and I believe the show New Amsterdam has an immortal character, but I'm not sure if that just means that he doesn't age...

[Rob Helmerichs]

I thought you said PKJ couldn't die! How can she be gone?
What, you think just because they stop making TV shows about her, she ceases to exist?!?

That's just silly!







She'll still be in the comic books.

[IndyJones1023]

Did they retain the raunch on the BBCA airing?

[cheesesteak]

Did they retain the raunch on the BBCA airing?
I don't remember the original version that well but considering the BBCA version had a commercial break every three minutes, I doubt it. Owen did kiss a dude.

[PhillyJimbo]

I was entertained and will continue with it.

Is it Capt. Jack Harkness or really Captain Scarlet (another one who cannot die)? Both actors are pretty wooden. (Not really, but I wanted to throw in the pun.) Was I alseep during the Doctor Who eps where Captain Jack appeared? He wasn't immortal then, was he?

Liked that the policewoman got injured in the bar fight. Women just can't kick ass like guys and at least she was portrayed realistically and not like some Lara Croft.

Did not like the homo kiss. BLECH!

[Warren]

Did they retain the raunch on the BBCA airing?
the blanked out a cop saying Fu-ck but not someone else saying sh-it

[pkscout]

the blanked out a cop saying Fu-ck but not someone else saying sh-it

The bleep machine is going to get a series workout on this show. :D

[jtown0620]

Was I alseep during the Doctor Who eps where Captain Jack appeared? He wasn't immortal then, was he?

Capt. Jack references the event in the Doctor Who Series 1 finale "The Parting of the Ways" where after being shot by a dalek Rose raises him from the dead as being the genesis of his immortality.

Good episode I prefer the more whimsical Jack of Doctor Who to the deadly serious one in this weeks episode. But it was a solid start for the show. Loved the opening scene! Bringing that guy back from the dead and the rain stopping and all was just very cool!

[Fl_Gulfer]

I thought it was suppose to start on HDNet this week also?

[IndyJones1023]

It doesn't start until the 13th or 17th or something like that.

[Warren]

i liked the refs to dr. who the hand the something with a chameleon circuit sitting in this spot causing the blind spot. :D

[Bulldog7]

I thought you said PKJ couldn't die! How can she be gone?

Oh, and I believe the show New Amsterdam has an immortal character, but I'm not sure if that just means that he doesn't age...

then theres cancellation. She may not die, but no one seems to care enough to watch the show to keep the show alive. So she doesn't die, but the show did!!!
Semantics are fun, aren't they? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :D :D

[Bulldog7]

It doesn't start until the 13th or 17th or something like that.

start Monday, the 17th.

[emandbri]

I thought it was pretty good. Being an American my husband was annoyed with the gap in the main char front teeth (what was her name? I don't remember) . I hated her hair, which is kind of funny because it is similar to mine but mine looks better ;)

[IndyJones1023]

Being an American my husband was annoyed with the gap in the main char front teeth....
:confused:

What does being an American have to do with that?

[Agatha Mystery]

I thought it was pretty good. Being an American my husband was annoyed with the gap in the main char front teeth (what was her name? I don't remember) . I hated her hair, which is kind of funny because it is similar to mine but mine looks better ;)
Her name is Gwen.

I like her hair. I tried to get my hair cut like hers when I got it cut earlier this year (during the original airing of these on BBC).

[Agatha Mystery]

:confused:

What does being an American have to do with that?
Most American actresses wouldn't be caught dead on tv with a large gap in front of their teeth. Exception is Sandra Bernhardt and Madonna, but they really aren't actresses. :D

[Rob Helmerichs]

:confused:

What does being an American have to do with that?
Probably because American actors always have perfect teeth, unless they're playing villains, quirky sidekicks, or bit parts.

That's one nice thing about British TV is that they're a lot more willing to let the characters be more like real people.

[And Agatha beats me to the punch.]

[IndyJones1023]

Who was that model with the gap tooth grin who became an actress? Lauren Hutton or something? She wasn't a bit part actress as I recall.

[busyba]

Who was that model with the gap tooth grin who became an actress? Lauren Hutton or something? She wasn't a bit part actress as I recall.
Yeah, Lauren Hutton. And you could say that either she's the exception that proves the rule, or that she was from an earlier era that didn't place such a premium on "perfection".

[cheesesteak]

I'm ready to trade in my imaginary Rose Tyler for an imaginary Gwen Cooper, gap toofs and all.

[pantherman007]

Did not like the homo kiss. BLECH!
How very modern. :rolleyes:

If that seriously bothered you, then (as someone who's seen the full first season and read about season 2) I'd advise you to consider canceling your season pass and move on.

[busyba]

How very modern. :rolleyes:

If that seriously bothered you, then (as someone who's seen the full first season and read about season 2) I'd advise you to consider canceling your season pass and move on.
No kidding. :D

Although he might want to record the one episode that has a lot of girl-girl action in it. Somehow I'm guessing that he'll think that kind of "homo" is less unacceptable. :p

[Rob Helmerichs]

If that seriously bothered you, then (as someone who's seen the full first season and read about season 2) I'd advise you to consider canceling your season pass and move on.
They don't call him "Spike" for nuthin'... :D

[pantherman007]

No kidding. :D

Although he might want to record the one episode that has a lot of girl-girl action in it. Somehow I'm guessing that he'll think that kind of "homo" is less unacceptable. :p

That could be a little risky, though. If the kiss in episode 1 caused a "blech", I wouldn't want him to record the 1940's show by mistake and have a stroke. :D

[busyba]

That could be a little risky, though. If the kiss in episode 1 caused a "blech", I wouldn't want him to record the 1940's show by mistake and have a stroke. :D
For what it's worth, I actually kinda thought that episode was a little gratuitous with that stuff. Then again, I suppose it was supposed to be the "very special episode" of Torchwood. :D

[Agatha Mystery]

For what it's worth, I actually kinda thought that episode was a little gratuitous with that stuff. Then again, I suppose it was supposed to be the "very special episode" of Torchwood. :D
If you think this is gratuitous, stay away from the rest. It only gets more in your face. Trust me.

[busyba]

If you think this is gratuitous, stay away from the rest. It only gets more in your face. Trust me.
The other guy was talking about Owen in the pilot; I was talking about "Jack and Jack" in the 1940's episode. It didn't bother me, it just seemed like it was there just for the sake of putting it there. It seemed out of place within the episode as opposed to all the other massive amounts of snogging and shagging that was otherwise going own throughout the season. :)

Hey, if I can sit through every episode of Six Feet Under, I can handle Torchwood. :)

(as an aside, the worst 6FU moment for me was when Claire was about to explore Mena Suvari's feminine side (if you know what I mean ;)) and just as it was getting to the "good stuff" and I was on the edge of my seat, they do a jump cut to a shot of David and Keith making out on the couch. Talk about whiplash!!! :))

[Agatha Mystery]

The other guy was talking about Owen in the pilot; I was talking about "Jack and Jack" in the 1940's episode. It didn't bother me, it just seemed like it was there just for the sake of putting it there. It seemed out of place within the episode as opposed to all the other massive amounts of snogging and shagging that was otherwise going own throughout the season. :)

Ah, but the Jack/Jack thing hasn't happened yet, so you're spoiling an episode for some.

Hey, if I can sit through every episode of Six Feet Under, I can handle Torchwood. :)

(as an aside, the worst 6FU moment for me was when Claire was about to explore Mena Suvari's feminine side (if you know what I mean ;)) and just as it was getting to the "good stuff" and I was on the edge of my seat, they do a jump cut to a shot of David and Keith making out on the couch. Talk about whiplash!!! :))
Haven't seen an episode.

[busyba]

Ah, but the Jack/Jack thing hasn't happened yet, so you're spoiling an episode for some.
I think I managed to stay cryptic enough. :)

Besides, hinting that a couple of guys are going to do stuff with each other on an upcoming episode of Torchwood is a spoiler the same way that suggesting that an upcoming episode of Boston Legal will have William Shatner say "Denny Crane!" is a spoiler. :D

[pantherman007]

The other guy was talking about Owen in the pilot; I was talking about "Jack and Jack" in the 1940's episode. It didn't bother me, it just seemed like it was there just for the sake of putting it there. It seemed out of place within the episode as opposed to all the other massive amounts of snogging and shagging that was otherwise going own throughout the season. :)



Interesting. I had exactly the opposite reaction. The 40's ep was probably my favorite from season 1. Among other things it provided some contrast to the Jack character's smugness that an earlier post mentioned. I don't remember anything seeming out of place. And I'm not spoiling anything for you fresh viewers! :)

As with much of the BBCA stuff, it's going to be tough to have discussions about the current US eps without introducing spoliers after having seen everything on the UK schedule. I will be really interested to see what reactions the show gets from US viewers over the first season given how much of a niche program it could have been (British, sci-fi, spinoff, some adult language, progressive sexual themes, etc.). Hopefully it will do well and renew some of my faith in US television viewers. :cool:

[kmcorbett]

I'm surprised this thread hasn't catalogued more references from Doctor Who that came up in the Torchwood pilot:

The rift in Cardiff... Spaceship crash in London... Daleks attacked the world. Mechanical men in every living room. Gwen's boyfriend put it all down to terrorists, maybe drugs in the water - hilarious!

Capt. Jack showing some of The Doctor's mixed feelings about being immortal, the pros and cons. He said something about perhaps someday he'll find a real Doctor - what was the exact line?

Torchwood 1, 2, 3, and 4? One was destroyed in London. Another is in Glasgow -huh? And one that's gone missing... possible Babylon 4 reference?

etc.

Also: too bad Indra Varma won't be around. Who knows, aybe she'll pop out at some point.

Finally, why does Capt. Jack always end up standing on top of a big building?

[IndyJones1023]

Finally, why does Capt. Jack always end up standing on top of a big building?
Trying to overcompensate.

[Agatha Mystery]

Trying to overcompensate.
maybe trying to minimize. :p ;)

[pgogborn]

Finally, why does Capt. Jack always end up standing on top of a big building?I think that it is symbolic of him waiting and watching for the Doctor to turn up. And it is a small demonstration of his immortality - if he falls he can't be killed - if he wants to commit suicide he can't. And it helps establish (to a British audience) that he is in Cardiff. And it probably helps keep the Cardiff City government on side

[cheesesteak]

I can accept the "I can't die thing" but a bullet to the noggin should leave you with a headache, at least.

[pantherman007]

Trying to overcompensate.

Barrowman was nearly nude in the Doctor Who 'Weakest Link' episode a while back and has offered to fully nude up in Torchwood season 2. Judging from various interviews (TV and press), I don't believe the man needs to compensate for anything... ;)

[JohnB1000]

I watched this a while back but thoroughly enjoyed the whole series.

I am not sure Cpt Jack was made immortal by Rose, I believe he was immortal before that and that he did not die in the Dalek incident because of that. This may be because I imagined this or because of something I learned late in the latest series of Doc Who. Remember he is from the far distant future originally (I think though it could be one of those circular time loop things)

[IndyJones1023]

I watched this a while back but thoroughly enjoyed the whole series.

I am not sure Cpt Jack was made immortal by Rose, I believe he was immortal before that and that he did not die in the Dalek incident because of that. This may be because I imagined this or because of something I learned late in the latest series of Doc Who. Remember he is from the far distant future originally (I think though it could be one of those circular time loop things)
I thought he was from WWI era and that he did die when Rose revived him.

[Mars Rocket]

He's a time traveller from the far future; Rose met him during WWII, but he had some 26th-century equipment IIRC. Torchwood reference his experiences in WWI as well, but I don't think anybody has written out a complete timeline for where/when all he has been.

[busyba]

He's a time traveller from the far future; Rose met him during WWII, but he had some 26th-century equipment IIRC. Torchwood reference his experiences in WWI as well, but I don't think anybody has written out a complete timeline for where/when all he has been.
The most recent Season Finale arc of Doctor Who, combined with information we see here and there throughout both shows has pretty much nailed down the key points of his timeline fairly well.

Jack is originally from the distant future. For a time he was involved with some kind of "time agency" for whom he was a Time Agent. He ran into some trouble and ran off through time and space. He ends up on Earth during in WW2 where he meets Rose and The Doctor. They travel to a station orbiting Earth in the distant future where he is killed by the Daleks and is revived by Rose (an act which makes him immortal). After being abandoned on the station by the Doctor, he uses his own personal time travelling device to try to go to the 21st century, thinking that would be the best place to find the Doctor, but miscalculated and ended up in 1869 and his device burnt out, stranding him there. His timeline from that point on is linear with respect to Earth. Interestingly enough, that means that for some period of time during WW2, there were two of him on earth at the same time, although presumably he did not cross paths with himself.

[JohnB1000]

I still don't know that Dr Who confirmed that Rose made him immortal, I recently watched that episode and it's more than possible he was already immortal.

Of course the Jack from the future could have been the same one from the past who just lived that long and then came back in what's known as a viscous-time-circle :)

[IndyJones1023]

I still don't know that Dr Who confirmed that Rose made him immortal, I recently watched that episode and it's more than possible he was already immortal.
Except for the part when he said "she made me immortal."

[JohnB1000]

Except for the part when he said "she made me immortal."

Don't remember that either... (I meant that I watched the one where he died btw)

Where am I again ???? :)

[IndyJones1023]

Don't remember that either... (I meant that I watched the one where he died btw)

Where am I again ???? :)
Jack told Gwen that Rose brought him back to life and somehow made him immortal in the process. I think they were standing on a roof.

[JohnB1000]

OK, if you now just remember my name and where I am I will be all set to go :) I watch to much TV and have too short a retention span in my brain.

[Rob Helmerichs]

Jack told Gwen that Rose brought him back to life and somehow made him immortal in the process. I think they were standing on a roof.
There may or may not be some elaboration on this issue in a future (US)/past (UK) episode of Doctor Who, which of course I haven't seen yet since that sort of thing is frowned upon in certain circles and I hate being frowned at.

[busyba]

and I hate being frowned at.

:(

[pgogborn]

Looking at the Doctor Who / Torchwood interplay I think it is worth noting that although the Doctor took Captain Jack to the Gamestation he left him behind after the battle (I would say deliberately left him behind). And Captain Jack told Gwen he is looking for a doctor, a special doctor, to tell him what has happened to him.

The actress that plays Gwen played Gwenyth (the maid) in the episode where the Doctor and Rose meet Charles Dickens (The Unquiet Dead).

[busyba]

Ok, now this is funny.... In this weeks Entertainment Weekly, in the "What to Watch" section in the back, there's a little blurb for Torchwood, and it includes the following line:

"Captain Jack will get you bi tonight."

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4973/rotfl9cm.gif

[Idearat]

"Captain Jack will get you bi tonight."

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4973/rotfl9cm.gif

I'm going to remember that and chuckle every time I watch Torchwood now.

[LoadStar]

Barrowman was nearly nude in the Doctor Who 'Weakest Link' episode a while back and has offered to fully nude up in Torchwood season 2. Judging from various interviews (TV and press), I don't believe the man needs to compensate for anything... ;)
Nearly? That scene was done completely nude, and only the BBC censors stopped it from going to air showing more. (I think the original cut of that scene was supposed to show rear nudity.)

[secondclaw]

Hmm - I guess I'll be in dissent here and say that I thought the show was pretty bad ... too much running around - wooden dialogue - boring / predictable characters and storyline ... not enough personality that made Dr Who what it is ... and why does it look like Painkiller Jane with aliens???

Mid-way through the second episode I deleted it and removed the season pass.

[DianaMo]

I used the cable PVR instead of the Tivo to record this show.

For some reason, instead of just recording the one hour...it recorded 14 hours on BBC America.

It was rather odd...the time remaining bar was almost to the end when Torchwood was almost over...and then I was still able to fast forward thru 13 more hours of BBC America programming.

(Yep, this wipes out stuff I wanted to save to watch later.)

Anyway, it would appear that my cable PVR has a random Tardis recording feature where the recordings are longer on the "inside" than on the "outside". :rolleyes:

This also happened on another BBC show, but airing on PBS.

Weird, huh.

[JohnB1000]

For some reason, instead of just recording the one hour...it recorded 14 hours on BBC America..

This is probably a spoiler but that extra 13 hours is very important later in the season. You have been recruited by Torchwood. :D

[DianaMo]

Captain Jack should make a guest appearance on the Heroes show.

Speaking of crossovers, is Lex Luthor running Torchwood USA?

Oh, and was that the hand of Omega from the classic Doctor Who series on Torchwood recently?

I can accept the "I can't die thing" but a bullet to the noggin should leave you with a headache, at least.