Torchwood: Redeemed

As a major Doctor Who fan who has been going without for more than a year (excepting the awesome David Tennant specials, finally getting airplay stateside), I lifted my Torchwood ban and decided to DVR the Children of Earth miniseries. Am I glad I did! When Torchwood first debuted last year, I had high hopes – the concept for this Dr Who spinoff was strong, the world was already established by Who, the Cardiff location was fun, and the charismatic Captain Jack seemed like a good anchor, along with the addition of Gwen Cooper and a strong cast from other favorites such as Bleak House and Absolutely Fabulous. Imagine my disappointment when the show devolved into a soap opera, spending too much time brooding in the basement with the whiny Tosh, Owen and Ianto. Too much (unappealing) sex and not enough sci-fi.

So imagine my pleasant surprise when I started watching Children of Earth. Having not watched in a while, I don’t know what happened to Owen and Tosh, and I don’t care. Now if we could get Ianto to stop whining, we would really be in business! Anyway, the plot of Children is a solid Who formula with good suspense and the always cringe-inducing addition of Creepy Children (see Who’s excellent Season 1 creepfest The Empty Child). I am still watching Day Three, and am really enjoying the addition of Lois Habiba as well as the inclusion of Gwen’s husband Rhys. Hey, can we get Lois as a regular? I don’t know where Children is going in Days 4 and 5, but I really look forward to finding out!

~ by hurtfewabbey on July 25, 2009.