I had the honour of getting to see the first episode in the Brand New Series of Torchwood at BFI London today (and even got to meet the cast – they're awesome!) While I can’t give away any spoilers, I can’t go to bed without writing down a few thoughts and teasers. So without further ado:
1. It’s still Torchwood. Even though the action is mostly moving to the other side of the pond, the soul of the show is still there. Not just in the Wales based sequences, but in its characters, dialogue and tone. Anyone worried that American influence may have damaged it can rest easy. That Said:
2. It’s very international. Not just in its narrative, but in its production style. Rather fittingly, the American led sequences often have a very E.R., or Heroes sort of feel; lots of government buildings, cities and surroundings. They feel like a US Drama. But the UK scenes feel like classic Torchwood, with a grittier, action thriller style. It’s a great juxtapositioning of two styles of TV, though I expect we’ll see less of it as the series continues.
3. RTD is on top form. The Man himself was at the event tonight, and was a nice as Doctor Who Confidential made him out to be! But in terms of his writing, this was some of his best. Although this episode obviously featured a lot of setting up for the season in general, there are some of his lovely patented ‘domestic’ moments breaking up the C.I.A.’s shenanigans, and it has a great mix of humour and balls-out action that made his best Doctor Who scripts memorable. Love & Monsters this ain’t.
4. There also some of his best ever dialogue snippets, with one early phrase shocking you into silence with its ruthless timing. Sadly due to its context, we probably won’t get it on a T-Shirt.
5. New Characters Rex and Esther (played by Mekhi Phifer and Alexa Havins respectively) are fantastic additions to the cast. Though they understandably start off as ‘the audience’s eyes’ in the first half of the episode, but by the end they are both fully fleshed protagonists – there’s a great montage 2/3 through that really shows how damn cool and resourceful Rex is.
6. Bill Pullman, playing new wrong un’ Oswald Jones is also good, but doesn’t leave as big impression as the rest of the cast (probably because he’s actually only in three scenes). But if the trailer and RTD’s comments after the screening where anything to go by (spoilers!) he’ll be stepping into the limelight in a big way as the series goes on.
7. There’s lots of hangover from last season. Anyone worried that the 456 and Jack’s sacrifices are going to be left untouched will be glad to hear there’s lots of mentions to Children of Earth, as well as earlier Torchwood adventures. We not at the mercy of a need for a reboot or reintroducing characters; the story follows seamlessly from the mini-series, but with plenty of room for new viewers to jump on board.
8. That said, it gets on with the story. There’s not much hysterics or brooding in the ep, and by the end of the episode all the characters have been launched fully into the events of Miracle Day. This is a great relief, as we could have easily been subjected to a few episodes of battle scars and hurt feelings after last series; it’s great that we can launch straight in without too many problems.
9. There some brilliant use of violence – there’s one major sequence with some of the nastiest, stomach-churning stuff the BBC have done, but not in a shocking or gratuitous way; it all seems integral and necessary to the narrative. (Something that defiantly couldn’t be said of the shows earlier seasons!)
10. The Climax is FREAKING BRILLIANT! Heroic, action packed and very, very funny. Doctor Who will need to step up its game to get an action sequence this memorable!
All in all, were in for a real treat with this series; it’s gonna make the Summer Months much less boring for its existence! And if you want spoilers.... buy me a few drinks, and we’ll see how it goes...
Torchwood: Miracle Day will probably start on 9th July, but the BBC haven’t bothered to tell anyone yet...
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