When a book, movie or television series becomes
popular the executives in charge of the financial side have a single though; how
can make reproduce this success? Usually this means a sequel or for TV a spin
off. Most of the time a spin off series fails because it is only a meager shadow
of the original series that started it all. Conventional wisdom would indicate
that the better the original the lower the chances are for the spin off. Of
course, there is frequently an exception that proves the rule such as the series
under consideration here ‘Torchwood’. First of all it came from one of the most
popular and long lasting science fiction TV shows ever, ‘Dr. Who’. Since 1963
this series has delighted one generation of Sci-Fi and fantasy fans after
another. There is fan fiction, conventions and a legion of die hard fans who
endlessly debate the smallest details of each episode. To make a spin off of
this you had better have the buy in of the fan base or it will crash and burn.
Fortunately, ‘Torchwood’ creator Russell T. Davies is a long time writer for
‘Dr. Who’ and has the respect for the fans required so as not letting them down.
Davies just took the basic universe that has served the Doctor for so many
decades and made a more adult themed series out of it. This is not for the kids.
There are a lot of sexual innuendo and ambiguity present in each episode. What
it does provide is a thrilling and compelling action series for the more mature
members of the audience. There is some good news and bad news for fans of this
series. The bad news is it is not present in the channel line ups of a lot of
major cable providers. The good news it the complete second season is now on DVD
thanks to BBC America.
Torchwood is a highly secret organization originally
created by Queen Victoria to fight any extra terrestrial menace that may
threaten the British Empire and the world at large. Its origins are tightly
bound to the story lines in Doctor Who providing a level of continuity that few
TV spin offs have achieved. There are four main locations for the Torchwood
Institute; London, Glasgow, Cardiff and a fourth that is missing for the moment
but expected to return ‘when needed’. The action for this series centers on the
Cardiff branch. As it just so happens there is a time space rift in the city
that results in a lot of alien technology and the stray ET to gain access to our
world. The time machine of the Doctor, the TARDIS, has been known to stop there
to refuel now and again. Leading the Cardiff team is Captain Jack Harkness (John
Barrowman). He started is life as a con man in the 51st century who
wound up joining the Time Agency of that time period. At one time he was a
companion of the Doctor and due to some strange circumstances is now immortal.
He is also the most sexually fluid character imaginable. He is not just
bi-sexual he will go after just about any sentient life form even if it is not
exactly humanoid. Captain Jack Harkness is not even his real name that, like
most information about him, is covered in mystery. Captain Jack is charming,
devious and always ready for action no matter what form it may take. As this
season starts Jack has been on a little trip with the Doctor. He returns to find
his team involved in a hostage situation with a rouge alien. During this time he
re-encounters Captain John Hart (James Marsters), a former fellow time agent and
one of Jacks many past lovers.
Second in command to Jack at Torchwood is Dr. Owen
Harper (Burn Gorman). He is a medical doctor and a bi-sexual having had affairs
with members of both genders on the team. Owen is sullen at times and very
impetuous by nature. He is a devoted member of the Torchwood organization
although he had his doubts at times. The stress of working for a secret
organization has it toll on him but he typically works through it. Since this is
a Sci-Fi a plot line of killing Owen off doesn’t mean the actor has to stop
coming in to work. Owen is resurrected about midway through the season with a
story arc that leads towards to the season conclusion. Toshiko Sato (Naoko Mori)
is mostly known simply as Tosh, works primarily as the computer whiz of the
team. She is also a medical doctor and somewhat fluid in her sexuality. In this
season the character is taken on an emotional arc that helps to fill out and
complete her story line. Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) had worked as a police woman in
Cardiff until she was recruited into Torchwood by Jack. Although she lacks the
advanced degrees of her teammates she has an innate sense of knowing what to do.
Jack as noted on several occasions that Gwen is the human touch that Torchwood
needs to offset its dependency on advanced alien technology. She has sexually
experimented with woman but is basically heterosexual. Gwen is initially engaged
to her boyfriend Rhys (Kai Owen) whom she eventually marries in this season.
With all the battles and aliens running around Cardiff there has to be someone
to make sure the headquarters is maintained and the paperwork gets done. For
Torchwood Three this person is
Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd). While he
occasionally feels underappreciated he is the heart of the organization and a
vital team member. Like most characters in this series he is bi-sexual and in
this season having an affair with Jack. While Jack was off with the Doctor Ianto
took a more active role in the team. He began to take part in field missions
with a greater frequency. Making a few guest appearances in this season is
Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman). She was a medical student when she became a
companion for the Doctor and after returning to earth finished her medical
degree and joined UNIT (United Intelligence Taskforce), an international group
that collects alien technology and fights the occasional alien menace. This
series is so closely united with ‘Dr. Who’ that the season finale of that show
also provided a possible glimpse at the future for Torchwood with the potential
for Martha leaving UNIT and joining the depleted staff of Torchwood.
This is the kind of series that really could only come
from across the pond in England. They have a dry wit that seems all too lost
over here in the States. They are also willing to take a chance with their
television programming. It was a great idea not to try to water down this series
for a mainstream American audience. The producers have wisely kept this show
intact complete with all its risqué themes. This is what science fiction is all
about; pushing boundaries and making people think. Torchwood has it all; action,
drama and romance. The fact that it is so closely connected to ‘Dr. Who’ is a
plus of sorts. It does mean that you have to watch that series as well both are
so well done this is hardly a chore.
