Re: The Fate of Your Favorite TV Show(s)

Shomeret wrote:
> Well, I've seen the first two episodes of Torchwood.  The first
> episode didn't impress me at all, but I thought I'd watch more and
> give Torchwood a chance.  The second was more interesting.  It's
> unlikely to ever be a favorite of mine because it seems to have a
> xenophobic tendency i.e. all aliens are monsters.  This makes it
> predictable--a monster of the week formula.  I suppose that its
> willingness to be ***ually explicit makes it unusual for a science
> fiction show.  There's talk about it's being a "dark" series in the
> extras.  It doesn't seem particularly dark to me.  We know who the
> heroes are, and who are the villains.  A really dark series is where
> we can't be sure about that.
> 
> Shomeret

Remember it's the first series and they're finding their footing as
well as fle****ng out new characters since Capt. Jack is the only
one we've spent any time with (assuming of course that you've seen
Doctor Who).  It's a weak start but grows stronger and stronger as
the series progresses which I find is often the case with new shows.
It does explore some dark themes and some dark places for the
Torchwood team members.  Still my biggest problem with it is the
very clumsy (in most cases) use of ***uality (especially of the same
*** sort) that at least 90% of the time seems like an afterthought
to the story and tacked on at the last minute so they can give it the
"edgy" and "adult" title.  I find it telling that in the UK they are
now having an additional showing that has been edited down for a
younger audience.  The show would be far stronger if they just left
that junk out to begin with.  I'm far from a prude.  Indeed a great
many would even call me a pervert but it just doesn't add to the
story and in fact it brings it to a screeching halt in most cases.
All that being said, if the show ended tomorrow and I never saw
another one I wouldn't be terribly bothered.  I'd shrug my shoulders
and exclaim "Oh well".  It hasn't instilled any passion in me like
the rare shows like "Firefly", "Buffy", "Veronica Mars", and
"Doctor Who" have in which I was quite distraught when they were
gone and still miss (with the exception of Who since it's now back).

I've been rewatching the new "Doctor Who" via my DVD sets for the
first time since my initial viewings with commentaries and extras.
For my money the new Who is easily heads and shoulders above what
"Torchwood" is or can be.  In concept, writing, production values,
and acting it's at least 5 times better.  I think anyone who likes
good adventure stories should love it.  It can be sci fi one
episode, fantasy another, and the next may be historical tinged
fiction but it always has that sense of wonder and adventure.  Also
in my opinion series 2's "The Girl In The Fireplace" and series 3's
"Blink" are two of the finest hours of television I have ever
watched.

Ivory