Discussion of Episode 1.01 (Pilot)

[N4H]

OK, now I don't have a plot blurb for this one, or anything. All I know is it starts tonight in the UK, and I really wanna hear about it, so I snuck in a disussion thread :thumbs_up :biggrimja

[Gollanth]

I shall be watching it avidly, so will hopefully report back later on. :)

[Black Eye Guy]

When Torchwood arrives on the scene of a brutal murder, WPC Gwen Cooper's burning curiosity is challenged. Their attitude, their approach and their technology is at odds with everything she believes in. But investigating the investigators leads her into a dark, paranoid world she never imagined existed.

Source (http://www.tv.com/torchwood/everything-changes/episode/606571/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;0)

Looking forward to seeing this on Wednesday!!

[N4H]

Some of you guys get it on Wednesday, and some get it tonight, correct?

[Rose Tyler]

Some of you guys get it on Wednesday, and some get it tonight, correct?

Its not split into regions or anything, Torchwood is airing first on BBC 3 which is a channel only those with Cable/Sky/Freeview have access to. Its a digital channel so you need one of the boxes to get in, terrestrial tv (or normal tv) only has channels 5 channels (BBC 1 & 2, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5).

So its been repeated on BBC 2 on Wednesdays hence the reason some people will see it later. lol probably a bit more info than you needed to know but that basically explains our TV here.

Dr Who for instance was shown first on BBC1 then repeated on BBC 3 (and Dr Who Confidential is only shown on BBC3.)

I wonder if we will get a Torchwood Confidential, I have enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes stuff....and being shown at 9pm....sounds good already post watershed!

[Black Eye Guy]

But's whats really crap, is I have Sky but because I'm in Ireland I can't get BBC3, we just Get BBC 1+2 Northen Ireland which is like the same thing! (I don't actually know what the difference is between NI and the English one!)

[Bored of the Dead]

24 minnutes until Episode 1 of the Double Bill......awesome

[Gollanth]

Having just sat through two eps, all I can say is

ABSOLUTELY FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC!!

The story-lines were both brilliant and the acting great. I loved some of the one-liners (I won't spoil things for those of you yet to see it) and I can't wait until next week.

Those of you yet to see it: you're going to LOVE it!!

Oh, and Captain Jack? Phroar!!


I wonder if we will get a Torchwood Confidential, I have enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes stuff....and being shown at 9pm....sounds good already post watershed!

Not quite a "Confidential" Rose, but there is a "Torchwood De-Classified" on BBC3 at 02:40 tomorrow morning.

[Mr Pointy]

Having just sat through two eps, all I can say is

ABSOLUTELY FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC!!

The story-lines were both brilliant and the acting great. I loved some of the one-liners (I won't spoil things for those of you yet to see it) and I can't wait until next week.

Those of you yet to see it: you're going to LOVE it!!

Oh, and Captain Jack? Phroar!!



Not quite a "Confidential" Rose, but there is a "Torchwood De-Classified" on BBC3 at 02:40 tomorrow morning.
Fave one-liner from ep 1 was something like - "CSI - bollocks! They ought to do CSI: Cardiff. Try calculating the trajectory of a kebab!" Genius :)

BTW did ep 2 remind anyone of the Angel ep Lonely Hearts? If only for the v similar plot maguffin. Russell T Davis has mentioned both Buffy and Angel a lot in recent interviews...

[Bored of the Dead]

BTW did ep 2 remind anyone of the Angel ep Lonely Hearts? If only for the v similar plot maguffin. Russell T Davis has mentioned both Buffy and Angel a lot in recent interviews...

I was totally coming here to make that connection.
Honestly, I went in there with certain expectations for a certain style of show and not only was it completely different to what I expected, it was like 20 times better.

The group are great, I loved the stories AND the feel.
Jack is awesome and the other two 'Tosh' and that guy(forgot his name) were great. I LOVED HIS SCENE WITH THE PERFUME!!!!!!!!!
Gwen is thoroughly enjoyable and very believable.

Man, this show keeps on like this it could possibly be my favourite show on TV.
If the quality keeps up, it will pass Angel(as that seems a show to compare it to) in my estimations too.

I truly suggested if you haven't seen it but are in the UK, watch on Weds. If not, well FIND A WAY!!!!!

[Rose Tyler]

Fave one-liner from ep 1 was something like - "CSI - bollocks! They ought to do CSI: Cardiff. Try calculating the trajectory of a kebab!" Genius :)


That had me in stitches!

lol well it was cram packed with one liners, sexuality jokes and its certainly not one for the kiddies. When Jack commented on hating to tell that man to put his pants back on...lol!

Good nods towards Dr Who, I still want to know how Jack got back to Earth after the end of Series 1.

Ok Gwen - Is she a reincarnation of Gwenneth who met the Doctor and Rose in series one? (the one with the Gelf) hence the reason her curiosity drove her to Torchwood or just a case of RTD liked working with her and thought she would do a good job?

The Invisible elevator? I'm going to have to look back but is that where Rose, Jack & The Doctor parked the Tardis to charge up? If so Jack would more than likely remember, then again might not want to share it.

The Hand - A mate of mine reckons that its his hand, I think its the Doctors hand (that was chopped off in Christmas Invasion). It fell to earth, Torchwood found it, did some tests found out it was Time Lord, Jack worked it out and took it. Kinda a stretch but you never know.

This is certainly not one for the kids, we learned what not to do with strangers in the toilet of clubs...and lmao the bouncer watching on CCTV.

Next week looks fantastic oooh and I love the coat! I have this thing for men with long flapping coats (don't ask!)

[Mr Pointy]

Good nods towards Dr Who, I still want to know how Jack got back to Earth after the end of Series 1.

Ok Gwen - Is she a reincarnation of Gwenneth who met the Doctor and Rose in series one? (the one with the Gelf) hence the reason her curiosity drove her to Torchwood or just a case of RTD liked working with her and thought she would do a good job?

The Invisible elevator? I'm going to have to look back but is that where Rose, Jack & The Doctor parked the Tardis to charge up? If so Jack would more than likely remember, then again might not want to share it.

The Hand - A mate of mine reckons that its his hand, I think its the Doctors hand (that was chopped off in Christmas Invasion). It fell to earth, Torchwood found it, did some tests found out it was Time Lord, Jack worked it out and took it. Kinda a stretch but you never know.


I have read that we will find out how Jack got back to Earth by the end of the series - my guess is it's something to do with the space/time rift attracting all the "flotsam and jetsam" (the original title of the ep btw) with Jack being either a piece of flotsam or jetsam, after being abandoned by the Doctor and Rose on the Game Station at the end of Who series one.

Not sure about Gwen - again I guess we'll find out as the show progresses.

The pavement elevator - I felt Jack made it fairly clear that it was a result of the TARDIS parking there in his explanation of the perception filter...something about a device being there with a chameleon circuit (ie. a TARDIS)

The hand - definitely the Doctor's hand which was chopped off by the Sycorax leader in the Christmas Invasion. The Torchwood article in the current Radio Times confirms this...it shows a picture of the inside of Torchwood and labels that container as such

[Bored of the Dead]

First things first - Gwen
Way I see it, Genre fans are THE biggest geeks on the planet, Who possibly joint first with Star Trek SO RTD is not going to make such an obvious connections without there being historical stuff.
I bet we find out there is a connection soon.

The Hand, yeah, I agree. I had the same feelings. I got the impression Jack was keeping it as to try and locate the Doctor or entice him to this time, as though it might pull him to it.

I do know from DWM that Russell T is currently writing the last three episodes of Dr Who AND Jack is in there somewhere.

[Rose Tyler]

Mr P - As regards the elevator, I had thought straight off he was referring to the Tardis but I had a quick flash back to that episode and it looked out of place. From what I remember (don't quote me) it looked more into the bay and not infront of the road.

Then again i'm too technical and either i'm wrong or the Continuity people at the Beeb are off (it won't be the first or the last time.)

The Hand - See I don't by Radio Times (nearly got it today for the Torchwood cover though) so I didn't know, it just made sense to me.

Bored of the dead - I had heard there wouldn't be a crossover, i.e Doctor wouldn't be in Torchwood, I assumed it would work the other way around. But hey I can't wait for Jack to meet in the new Doctor :D

[N4H]

Didn't Jack say he needed a some sort of Doctor to tell him why he couldn't die. And what's that "Jack can't die" one all about anyway? I question that one. It seems a little much.

[Rose Tyler]

From what he said it seems like when he was killed by the Dalek and Rose brought him back to life from the essance of the Tardis it was since then he couldn't die.

So i'm guessing that he needs a 'Doctor' because it was his ship and he thinks he can help him.

[Gollanth]

I had heard there wouldn't be a crossover, i.e Doctor wouldn't be in Torchwood, I assumed it would work the other way around. But hey I can't wait for Jack to meet in the new Doctor :D

Me too, but I also read it somewhere that he would be in the final 3 eps of DW.

BTW, did anybody stay up late enough to watch - or tape - the "De-Classified" prog yesterday? Was it any good?

[Rose Tyler]

BTW, did anybody stay up late enough to watch - or tape - the "De-Classified" prog yesterday? Was it any good?

You can watch it online at here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/).

lol I forgot to add in my review that when Gwen asked who he was I was waiting on him coming out with 'Captain Jack Sparrow' as well when you think of Captain Jack he is the first one that comes to mind.

[Bored of the Dead]

Didn't Jack say he needed a some sort of Doctor to tell him why he couldn't die. And what's that "Jack can't die" one all about anyway? I question that one. It seems a little much.

That was a definite allusion to 'The Doctor'.
Jack can't die, well again, I don't think there is anything necessarily wrong with that. When Rose absorbed the energy from the TARDIS, it was powerful, she used it to revive people. Seems like if the energy is still in his body(which we saw in Episode 2 that it is) it makes some sense it would be powerful.

Like Angel, being Immortal to a being that has experienced so much, while possibly the price of it is his humanity may not be something he wishes to have.

I would suggest that the more we look at this show, the more we will see a connection between Jack and Angel.

[N4H]

The BBC Torchwood Declassified site won't stream if you're outside the UK.

How far are we behind at youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRqbeGjQtiM

I liked that one. They go into the whole Rose bringing Jack back to life thing, among other stuff.

Hope some kind Brit will youtube upcoming declassifieds.

[Rose Tyler]

I would suggest that the more we look at this show, the more we will see a connection between Jack and Angel.

His outfit seems very Malcolm Reynolds, the trousers, shirt and braces from one Captain to another :D

[Bored of the Dead]

I think the thing that seems to be so great about this show is the complete sexual liberation that is not hindered by sexuality.
Already we are told that Jack is bisexual, we've had a lesbian kiss(even though it was Alien enhanced) we also had Owen and the perfume incident.

I don't think that this could have been done on any other series. especially American. When there is TV shows, its one or the other. Definitive lines of Gay or Straight, but this show is seemingly allowng itself to be open to absolutely any situation which will allow for anything to happen.

The potential of this show goes beyond anything I've seen on TV to be honest, just on this element alone.

His outfit seems very Malcolm Reynolds, the trousers, shirt and braces from one Captain to another :D

I didn't like Firefly.

Something tells me though, with RTD's accomplishments in TV alone he is better than Joss Whedon.

[Rose Tyler]

I'd take Joss over him but thats just me. But i'm not going to get into that, I have my opinion you have yours, plus i'm stubborn to boot ;)

One thing that did start to annoy me all those blimmen ariel shots. Yes we get it Cardiff is pretty but less is more.

[Gollanth]

I loved Firefly too, so perhaps I'm just not as fussy as some? :)

Did anybody else sit through half the prog, wondering where the hell they'd seen Tosh before? I had to IMDB her as soon as I'd finished both progs and then realisation struck.....she was Saffy's dippy little mate in Ab Fab. (I had almost convinced myself she'd been in the last Harry Potter movie..... duh!)

[Bored of the Dead]

I loved Firefly too, so perhaps I'm just not as fussy as some? :)

Did anybody else sit through half the prog, wondering where the hell they'd seen Tosh before? I had to IMDB her as soon as I'd finished both progs and then realisation struck.....she was Saffy's dippy little mate in Ab Fab. (I had almost convinced myself she'd been in the last Harry Potter movie..... duh!)

Ohh, I already knew that. An interview in DWM a few months ago told us.

I was thoroughly impressed by her too.

And Rose Tyler, i'm very stubborn too, and i'm a HUGE fan of Buffy and Angel, but RTD just seems to have the edge for the quality of programming and his ability to go deeper into a subject than Joss.
Maybe its because Joss still has limitations placed on him by the TV companies, where as UK TV seems to allow things to go further, I don't know.
Maybe Joss should come to the UK and create a TV show, one he really wants to play with and maybe, just maybe he will show the true depths of his mind.

I mean, look at the effects on Dr Who and Torchwood, plus the viewing figures, Joss could feasibly have made Firefly here.

[Rose Tyler]

Nah I didn't have that feeling. For me Torchwood kept on being interrupted (funnily enough by the Firefly tune - my ringtone) as my mate and I would ring each other just laugh and then hang up. Yeah we are real adults.

I must admit that they have done some stuff that most tv shows would not even approach sexuality wise.

Did anyone else think it had a bit of a Spooks feel, music and shooting wise?

[Gollanth]

I'm being constantly amused by all these comparisons to shows that I either don't watch by choice or have never seen by chance. :D

I have to say that I watched it purely* for the entertainment factor, not to compare it to other series. Then again, I'm shallow like that :)





* OK - BotD, I can hear you snickering from here - not purely for the entertainment factor. Captain Jack has something of an appeal too. *sigh*

[Rose Tyler]

I try to watch it for entertainment factor but it gets to the stage where its pretty much an automatic thing.

Its not so much a comparison for me as well each show is different its more of an 'hmm that reminds me of x or y.'

[N4H]

I finally managed to see them both. I really liked them. It's going to be a great ride.

I don't mind how easy it is to reference stuff in it to other things that have come before, because it gives everything a twist, and creates it's own feel. I think the one it reminds me of the most though is that cancelled Tim Minear series The Inside. I really liked that one too.

Lot's of room to nitpick, but why bother. It's better than all the little flaws it may, or may not have.

I'm wondering about something though. Will a North American audience connect with this as readily as the European one has? I'm not sure it will.

[Rose Tyler]

I'm wondering about something though. Will a North American audience connect with this as readily as the European one has? I'm not sure it will.

Why would it not? Are you referring to anything in particular?

[N4H]

Well for one thing I doubt it will get the kind of promotion here it did over there. Also there's the whole national pride thing in the UK, you won't see in N A. What the first audience over here is going to think they're watching is this quirky, British, cult thing. And of course, that is what is, but the audience may miss the idea, there's more to it than that.

I think the Genre crowd will jump on it, but as far as the kind of mainstream acceptance it seems to be enjoying over there, forget about it.

Also, it's almost a disadvantage of being big elsewhere in the established way Torchwood will be at that point. I'll bet the bloggers, and minor critics, are going to go into a feeding frenzy looking to rip this thing apart once it gets here. They just love to try to build a reputation for themselves by ripping on something with a pre-established name.

I think it will get decent to great numbers on something like the Sci Fi channel though.

[Gollanth]

Why would it not? Are you referring to anything in particular?

The sense of humour on their side of the Pond does tend to be quite different from ours. I also wonder how much of the dialogue will have to be bleeped over too? There are all sorts of rules and regs about what can be broadcast on USTV and they're not nearly as broad-minded as our channels. Bizarrely enough, I believe you can say "asshole" but not "bitch". (No, I've never understood it either!)

However, RTD wrote Queer as Folk, which apparently went down a storm in the States, so there may be hope yet.

[N4H]

That's an interesting question too. Will something like the Sci Fi channel even want something as adult-themed as Torchwood? They have Doctor Who, but have they signed up for Torchwood yet?

There will be no problem with censoring if it goes to one of the other cable channels though. Have you seen stuff like The Shield, The Sopranos, or Deadwood? The problem there is will it get the necessary kind of exposure on one of those cable channels.

It won't be picked up by a major American network. I can practically guarantee that. In Canada it's a different story. There will be no editing problems, and I would expect it on the major network where Doctor Who airs. Some of the border American states also get this channel, I think.

[Gollanth]

That's an interesting question too. Will something like the Sci Fi channel even want something as adult-themed as Torchwood? They have Doctor Who, but have they signed up for Torchwood yet?

Hmm, the difference there being that Dr Who is still actually aimed at kids - albeit older kids.

I was sitting here thinking that series like The 4400 and the various incarnations of Stargate are shown on Sci Fi, and was just about to hit the "post" button, when I realised that they're actually shown on Sky One here. I hadn't really thought about that until now, so you've given me something to mull over with my cocoa tonight. :)

[Angel's vision]

Saw a connection bet Jack, Gwen Angel and Doyle, David Tennats hand guest starred as the hand.....between filming Dr Who he made use of his hand...
Wasn't suprised when Jack was shot i'd do the same! nor seeing him arise from the dead either i'd like to see the Dr's reaction to his hand being kept at Torchwood and to Jack himself.

The bad smutty puns well the worst being " He came and went"
The species filmes were remade for episode two.
I really thought she was going into labour....
Overall not bad for a premiere, look forawrd to this findign it's feet, though, but the best scene was when they were talking to the alien as if it had a mask on and it was really a person lol.
I'm thinking it is a vampire version of alien species like the ones that will show up in Dr Who season three.

The flashes of Cardif at night well that is def an Angel influence! i can tell RTD is an Angel fan by watching the programme.