Torchwood Returns

[poliphilo]

Torchwood is back. I'm surprised it got a second series. But I suppose what Russell wants, Russell gets.

They've drafted James Marsters in. Essentially playing Spike- only without the bleached blond hair. Does he worry about typecasting?

This first episode was pretty slick. The title Bang bang, kiss kiss says it all. Captain Jack and the Marsters character have a history. They meet in a bar, smooch passionately, then proceed to knock seven bells out of one another. Nice.

The dialogue is wittier this time round.

But I'm in it for the sci-fi and I'd like cleverer stories, really. 

The characters are still pretty charmless.  I don't care for any of them.

And that ongoing storyline where Captain Jack is romancing the office boy. I dunno- bad business practice- sexual harrassment- all that sort of thing. Leaves a sour taste in the mouth. 

Torchwood is a good idea- quite brave too what with all teh gay- but I'm don't think they've got the recipe right.

Comments

[arielstarshadow.livejournal.com]

They've drafted James Marsters in. Essentially playing Spike- only without the bleached blond hair. Does he worry about typecasting?

I suspect that, at some point, he worries about putting food on the table and paying the rent just like we do and if it came down to playing "Torchwood Spike" or nothing, he took the job.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Fair enough.

And he's the best thing in the show.

[arielstarshadow.livejournal.com]

I don't watch Torchwood, but that wouldn't surprise me.

It's something of a shame that our artists today (no matter what field they are in) have to put mundane concerns over art, but that's how the world works.

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed the first series but missed last night's episode. I thought the first series was very strong on dealing with morality, ends justifying means (or not) and the treatment of those we consider to be alien. However Capn Jack is a very naughty boy and often lets his hormones get the better of him. He is a great action man but a very poor boss! Not really a hero or a role model.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You're not missing much. It's slick and heartless.

Actors have always had to contend with type-casting. Marsters probably has fun. In Torchwood he gets to wear a braided military jacket, flourish automatic weapons and fire off witty one-liners. I wouldn't mind being paid to do that.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I have my doubts about Barrowman. I'm not sure he has the weight to carry the series. I preferred him in Dr Who. I think he's a supporting actor not a star.

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

There seems to be a thing about leading actors and nifty coats. Barrowman has his flowing army greatcoat. Spike has his jacket. The guy in Primeval (does anyone watch that?) has a funky coat too.

I'm sure there are more examples. There were when I started typing this, but they've gone...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'd like a coat like Barrowman's.

And I've always fancied a duster- like they wear in the spaghetti westerns.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

The first series has been playing here on cable, and I just can't get myself to sit through an entire episode. The writing lacks wit, the characters all seem desperately shallow and cardboardy, and Captain Jack was a much, much more interesting character on Dr. Who. It's all a bit of a colossal disappointment, really.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I found series #1 terribly disappointing. If I didn't love Dr Who I really wouldn't have bothered with it.

The first episode of series #2 shows signs of improvement. Russell T Davies is on record as saying that the new secret ingredient will be humour. If nothing else there were some smart one-liners last night.

[seaslug-of-doom.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to download the British version rather than watch it on BBC America because I always fear that the Puritans, over here, will censor.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's wise. I believe the versions shown on BBC America are around 4 minutes shorter.