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Post by rwctlc1107 on Dec 5, 2007 3:22:23 GMT
When does series 2 air in the UK?? series 1 jsut finished on BBCA and they are advertisign that they are airing series 2 in January. I was kinda shocked! I have always had to wait at least a year for the next series of any show to air on BBCA. I guess they were thrilled with ratings.
I also wonder if BBCA helped fund the production. BBCA shows Robin Hood within 6 months of the airing in the UK and I read that they helped co fund it and that is why we are getting fast turn around on that series.
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Post by Beattie~Babe on Dec 5, 2007 6:41:02 GMT
It must be being shown around the same time then ...... Robin Hood is about half way through the series here at the mo, so you'll probably get that soon as well.
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Post by orokiah on Dec 5, 2007 14:26:33 GMT
When does series 2 air in the UK?? No firm date's been announced yet but Digital Spy are saying 16th January ( link contains spoilers). There's also some fairly spoilery info at The Stage. The first series of Torchwood was produced in association with CBC...no idea if that's the case for the second. BBCA certainly aren't hanging around with it though! If DS are right about the start date here the US will only be ten days behind.
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Post by fenris on Dec 20, 2007 19:23:12 GMT
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Post by fenris on Dec 29, 2007 20:50:29 GMT
Following the screening of Torchwood's first season in late 2006, the BBC published three spin-off novels: Another Life, Border Princes, and Slow Decay. Now, with the second season debuting in a couple of weeks, three new novels have been announced, all available in March. Here's the info from the press releases;
Trace Memory, by David Llewellyn. Tiger Bay, Cardiff, 1950. A mysterious crate is bought into the docks on a Scandinavian cargo ship. It's destination: the Torchwood Institute. As the crate is offloaded by a group of local dockers, it explodes, killing all but one of them, a young Butetown lad called Michael Bellini. Fifty-eight years later, a radioactive source somewhere inside the Hub leads Torchwood to discover the same Michael Bellini, still young and dressed in his 1950s clothes, cowering in the vaults. They soon realise that each has encountered Michael before, but it's Jack who remembers him best of all. Michael's involuntary time-traveling has something to do with a radiation-charged relic held within the crate. And the Men in Bowler Hats are coming to get it back!
Something in the Water, by Trevor Baxendale. While investigating ghostly apparitions in South Wales, members of Torchwood discover a dead body. It's old, in an advanced state of decay... and still able to talk!
Twilight Streets, by Gary Russell. There's a part of the city that no one much goes to, a collection of rundown houses and gloomy streets. No one stays there for long, and no one can explain why - something's not quite right there. Now the Council is renovating the district and a new company is overseeing the work. There will be street parties and events to show off the newly gentrified neighbourhood: clowns and face-painters for the kids, magicians for the adults - the street entertainers of Cardiff are out in force. None of this is Torchwood's problem... until Toshiko recognises the sponsor of the street parties - Bilis Manger!
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Post by fenris on Jan 9, 2008 19:45:16 GMT
Rumour has it (potential spoiler font) that in addition to his appearance in the first episode of the second season, the producers of Torchwood have signed up James Marsters to guest-star in two more episodes. If it's true, there's no word yet on whether he will be turning up later in the second season, or in a hoped-for third season.
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Post by Beattie~Babe on Jan 9, 2008 21:52:05 GMT
Here are some stills of James in Torchwood ...... and for those who want a teaser from the first episode - Here
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Post by fenris on Jan 17, 2008 19:43:19 GMT
Episode 2.1: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
To be honest, I thought this was average at best. The producers' mission statement in this episode was clearly to prove that this is the new, improved Torchwood: Brash! Colourful! Exciting! Etc... but this intention was so transparent that instead it came across as trying too hard for effect, very eager to please, and - well, a bit desperate actually.
There wasn't really much of a story either. 'Untrustworthy former colleague of Jack's turns up...and turns out to be untrustworthy' about sums it up. And despite the fact that the primary purpose of the episode was to introduce Captain John Hart (clearly intended to be a combination of recurring enemy and anti-heroic, occasional/unofficial sixth team-member), I just didn't find the character particularly interesting or dangerous enough. It wasn't James Marsters' fault, though he was hampered by the amount of Buffy/Angel baggage he bought with him. Despite his best efforts, too often Hart just seemed to be Spike after raiding Sharpe's wardrobe.
I've read comments on other forums before posting here, and the majority of people seem to approve of Captain Jack regaining the cheerful, charming persona that he displayed in Doctor Who, but I have to disagree. Yes, Happy Jack works well within the confines of New Who, but Torchwood is a very different kind of show, in which Jack's haunted, troubled side was ideally suited. The smiling and more carefree Jack seen throughout most of last night's episode just seemed smug and out-of-place.
However, I did enjoy the subplot implying that Owen has taken a long, hard look at his life and decided that it's time he settled down. He promptly tries to hit on Tosh (seemingly for no other reason than she's the only single woman on the team, now that Gwen's unavailable) but she's so uninterested in him, she doesn't even notice (clearly gotten over the crush she harboured last season).
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of this series opener was that when the trailer played before the end credits, showing scenes from several future episodes, I didn't think any of it was particularly exciting. And I speak as someone who mostly liked Torchwood's first season, despite it's faults, and thought that the show definitely had potential.
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Post by orokiah on Jan 18, 2008 13:45:53 GMT
I don't know what it is about Torchwood: all the ingredients are there to make an amazing, compelling show, yet somehow they don't seem to come together.
They addressed some of the problems with the last series -- the opening episode was certainly pacier and funnier (loved the Star Wars line) and the team seemed halfway to competent. And if the trailer's anything to go by they're going to be spending a lot of time poking fun at their flaws: 'it's the end of the world'/'let's all have sex!'.
James Marsters was a superb guest star, who pretty much stole the show. But the diamond plotline they used to introduce him was a mess, I don't buy Jack/Gwen at all, and her speech about Torchwood coming back stronger every time was just embarrassing.
I enjoyed the episode and it was a hundred times more watchable than much of series one, but for me it's still not hitting the dizzy heights of must-see TV. Looking forward to Freema Agyeman's episodes though.
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Post by fenris on Jan 24, 2008 23:04:18 GMT
Episode 2.2: 'Sleeper'
Very average. The entire storyline was depressingly predictable - there wasn't anything that was particularly surprising or exciting. It might have worked if the entire episode had been told from Beth's point of view, similiar to the first season's 'Random Shoes', or New Who's 'Blink'.
Also (and judging by the content on other message boards, I appear to be in the minority), I think that the attempts to make the show more colourful and humorous are actually weakening it. Jack cheerfully describing himself as a "dashing hero" was just painful, as was Owen's jarring and mood-shattering suggestion "Let's all have sex."
While watching the first season of Torchwood, I always thought there was a good show in there somewhere, trying to get out. Well, based on the two episodes I've seen of this new season, that decent show has not only gotten out, it's escaped and gone AWOL. And what's left is a Torchwood that's basically a production line product: empty, soul-less and by-the-numbers.
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Post by aquarius on Jan 25, 2008 15:32:59 GMT
The second season of Torchwood premieres on BBCA this coming Saturday, and I can't wait! If I understand what I'm seeing here correctly, they've only shown two episodes in the UK so far?
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Post by Beattie~Babe on Jan 25, 2008 18:57:28 GMT
If I understand what I'm seeing here correctly, they've only shown two episodes in the UK so far? Yep .....
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Post by fenris on Feb 3, 2008 15:33:51 GMT
Episode 2.3: 'To The Last Man'.
Now that's more like it! As I've commented previously, I'd been disappointed by the second season of Torchwood so far. The much vaunted 'new approach' seemed to have resulted in a show that was all surface gloss with nothing underneath, with everybody just going through the motions. Plus, a sudden desire for the series to be more 'humourous' has seen Ianto bizarrely transformed into the show's equivalent of Chandler in Friends, standing by with a wisecrack for every occasion. I don't see this as progress. Despite it's flaws, Torchwood took itself seriously during it's first season, and that was it's major strength. Turning the series into a colourful, somewhat light-hearted romp is a massive backwards step as far as I'm concerned.
Thankfully, 'To The Last Man' is a move in the right direction. Yes, it repeats elements explored in the first season's 'Captain Jack Harkness' (a specific location where the past is bleeding into the present, the team interacting with doomed soldiers whom history dictates are destined to die, etc) but it also contains some fresh concepts, such as Tommy experiencing the political changes and social upheaval of the 20th century at the rate of one day each year. The glimpse of two Torchwood operatives in 1918 was also intriguing, and I hope we haven't seen the last of them.
Hopefully, the rest of this season will continue with the slightly bleaker tone of 'To The Last Man', as opposed to the slapdash approach of the initial two episodes.
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Post by orokiah on Feb 7, 2008 15:05:01 GMT
Good to see Rhys getting so much airtime in last night's Torchwood. I still find him more interesting and sympathetic a character than some of the regulars, especially now he knows the truth about Torchwood. The confrontation between him and Gwen, if bordering on soapy and melodramatic, was long overdue and well acted. I still don't buy Gwen/Jack though: the sexual tension is forced and contrived and the fact they have zero chemistry doesn't help. They seem to be finding a better balance with the humour in the show now, making use of the characters and the situation (Ianto moaning about being the one who'll have to look after the space whale, Rhys hopefully asking Jack if he's gay), instead of having Ianto spit out one liners for no apparent reason than that he's been designated as this year's comic relief. But, while I normally love John Barrowman, I thought he really overdid it in parts. The "I'm sorry my friend..." speech was stagey and overdramatic and downright embarrassing. He seemed to be on the verge of breaking out in song.
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Post by fenris on Feb 7, 2008 19:17:21 GMT
Episode 2.4: 'Meat'
One thing that often occurs in Torchwood (and occasionally in New Who) is that the producers seem to think that they can dictate to the audience what they're supposed to feel. During key scenes, the music swells, and you can almost imagine the producers whispering in your ear "okay, you're going to be excited... wait for it... NOW!" Or "emotional bit coming up. You will find it moving." The problem is that this attempted manipulation is so blatant and transparent it's counter-productive. The resulting 'emotive' scenes are never as touching, exciting, scary or moving as the producers clearly think they are, or want them to be.
Which brings me to 'Meat', in which Rhys is placed under the spotlight. Now, we're clearly supposed to care about Rhys because he's a good bloke, salt of the earth, and he loves Gwen and keeps her grounded outside of work, etc. Sorry, But I've always thought Rhys was dull and annoying, and this episode merely re-enforced that view. Apparently it was originally planned to kill Rhys off in the climax of the first season, but Russell T. Davies had a change of heart and so Rhys survived his stabbing due to the time-reversing gubbins that followed Abaddon's death. Personally, I think they should have kept him dead. Likewise, when Rhys got shot during 'Meat', it totally lacked any drama. I didn't care if he lived or not. Actually, watching this episode made me realise that I don't really give a hoot about any of the Torchwood team, even Tosh, who's the most likable. Owen, Ianto, Gwen - they could all get killed off and my only thought would be wondering what their replacements are going to be like (In contrast - and without trying to get sidetracked into the 'Torchwood vs Primeval' debate - I'd be quite miffed if any of the Primeval crew got snuffed, with the exception of Stephen, who can't end up as dino-chow too soon for me).
Gwen's insistence at the end of the episode that she's not wiping Rhys' memory (again) just didn't ring true. Does she really trust Rhys not to blab to somebody? I definitely wouldn't. Methinks this decision will return to haunt her later in the season. Also, the scene when she kissed Rhys in the Hub, and not only made sure that Jack was watching, but maintained eye-contact with him throughout (!!) was downright disturbing.
And as orokiah has pointed out, John Barrowman's weaknesses as an actor can't be ignored anymore. When it comes to being charming or cocky, there's no-one better (loved the scene where Jack flirted with Rhys' secretary), and he's good at portraying Jack in his serious, haunted, or semi-brooding moments. But when it comes to high-level emoting - anger or deep sadness - his shortcomings are all too evident.
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