Torchwood: Miracle Day. Offending Daily Mail Readers, where-ever they may be.

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 10 August 2011 19:14:00)

Good …

Lord … !

Grub, correct me if I’m wrong, here, but it is the 21st century, isn’t it … ?

It IS, isn’t it … ?

You see, what’s got me is the fact that the BBC’s getting complaints about Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Seemingly … ?

Well, you remember, in last week’s third episode, Jack manages to blow off a bit of steam, by having a one-night-stand with a barman called Bradley.

The US version of the episode is a touch more explicit, I’m told.

But none the less, the scene’s generated complaints to the BBC.

Now I’m thinking that that’s just plain silly.

For starters … ?

For starters, if people hadn’t worked out that John Barrowman — bless his fluffy pink socks — is a happily out gay man, playing a famously bisexual character, lord knows where their eyeballs are.

Next up … ?

The SAME people obviously missed the fact that one of the show’s main writers — and indeed its creator — Russell T. Davies is not only gay, but famously wrote Queer as Folk: so shouldn’t be surprised at him throwing in something like it in what is primarily an adult oriented show, despite it having it’s origins in a show that’s aimed at a mixed age audience.

And THIRDLY … ?

I’ve got the funny felling the complaints may well have originated with people who’ve not been watching the show long term, or been paying attention to this one.

After all …

One of the characters in Torchwood: Miracle Day is a convicted pædophile.

And that in Children of Earth … ?

Captain Jack very heroically kills his own grandson.

Now, I’ll be frank, if I may … ?

I’m going to keep watching: I’m enjoying the show.

And I — whether I think a given scene shouldn’t or shouldn’t be in an episode — believe that Russell T Davies usually knows how to create both entertaining and challenging TV.

If you don’t like it, because of one scene … ?

Watch something else.

Torchwood: Miracle Day. A thought about international Scheduling.

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 16 July 2011 10:47:00)

Hmmm …

OK, now that Grub’s had a rant about DVD prices … ?

Oh, AND about scheduling … ?

I’m thinking it’s now — officially — my turn.

You see, I’ve got to be honest, I normally don’t complain about gaps.

The gaps you normally get between a show being screened in one country — the USA, to give you an example — and the UK. To give you another.

Saying that … ?

Well …

Saying that, I’ve got to be frank, I’m maybe a TOUCH twitted off about Torchwood: Miracle Day, I really am.

Let me see if I can’t try and explain, shall I … ?

You see, I kind of like the idea of nattering away about TV shows I happen to like.

As does Grub.

You might have noticed …

At ANY rate, I like nattering about them.

As do a lot of other people.

Part of that pre-supposes that you, me, Grub, Debbi — my one of my regular commentors, over on Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar* — have been watching the show concerned …

At approximately the same time.

Approximately being the word: bless her, Debbi and her husband are in Baltimore: the recent first half of Season Six of Dr Who was shown by BBC America some 12 hours or so after it’s UK airing.

Which is sort of my point.

At least the BBC managed to air the show on the same day: even if it may have been with a twelve hour gap between repeats.

You see, what’s really frustrating for me … ?

Is that fact that there’s almost a week’s gap between the US and UK airings of Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Now, I’ve got to admit, knowing that I’ve just sat down and watched a given show with thousands of other people is a good thing. We’re human, after. Part of that, I think, is the simple fact that we’re tribal, and identify with others who enjoy the same things we do.

The sheer fact that footballº is as popular as it, is testament to that.

So the fact that Starz is airing Torchwood: Miracle Day a week ahead of the UK … ?

Well, I can understand the funding decisions behind it, don’t get me wrong.

But it’s STILL annoying … !

* It’s sort of a shame that Grub’s lost the password for one of his other blogs: 100 Albums You Must Have was a contentious, opinionated and beautifully written set of posts about the albums and LP’s Grub felt were indispensable parts of a music collection. It didn’t actually have enough ZZTop, Status Quo or Jean Michel Jarre in my humble opinion. But you notice I did say contentious …

º Grub’s a football fan, I’m not. So he’ll probably be a bit twitted off when I run this past you: What do you call a person in a funny shirt, who gets together with other’s in similar costumes, to watch the same thing, en masse, and sing strange songs about it? I call them football fans …

Torchwood: Miracle Day Episode 10. The Bloodline.

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 15 September 2011 22:21:00)

Hmmm …

Now …

Have I just seen Torchwood: Miracle Day?

Or have I seen something else, entirely … ?

Hmmm …

That HAS got me wondering, it really has … !

You see, I’m writing this, just after the finish of episode ten of Torchwood: Miracle Day, and it’s left me …

Well, in a very mixed mood.

‹‹‹•›››

Called The Bloodlines, Miracle Day’s tenth episode sees Jilly being given a lecture about the nature of the Blessing: the strange rift that, along with Jack’s blood, has been powering the Miracle.

When Jack and Gwen arrive at the Shanghai Blessing, to try and close down the Miracle at source, by introducing Jack’s blood into it … ?

They’re told, point blank … that it needs to be put into the Blessing at both ends, in order to stop the Miracle.

It’s only when Rex and Esther reveal that Rex has had a transfusion from Jack, and that they’re in Buenos Aires, that The Families realise that their Evil Plans To Take Over The World could well have a flaw …

‹‹‹•›››

Now …

I’m going to be blunt, here, if I could?

I’ve got to admit, I’ve enjoyed tonight’s episode, I have.

Actually, I’ve also enjoyed the series, being perfectly frank with you: a heck of a lot more that I did both Outcasts and the remake of The Prisoner.

But Miracle Day as a whole … ?

Hmm …

Miracle Day as a whole, I’m thinking is good … but flawed.

And I’m not sure I could put a finger on what the flaws actually are: although I know there’s possibly all sorts of possible arguments.

The change of location … ?

Well, that’s neither good nor bad, I’m thinking. It goes with the extra funding from the US, to have it set in the US. although I’m none too sure that Miracle Day made proper use of it, in the same way it’s purely Welsh predecessor did.

Same with Rex and Esther.

I don’t that they were as well used as they could have been.

As a counter point to that, though … ?

Esther’s death truly came as a shock to me, although I had a feeling someone was going to die in episode ten: it was adroitly handled, I felt, as Esther and her troubled family had been an emotional base for the series, in much the same way Gwen — Eve Myles — has been for the Torchwood team, over all.

Rex is another. Of the two, the one I found more sympathetic, with that incredibly well written relationship with Captain Jack, moments of sheer brilliant banter peppering the series.

‹‹‹•›››

But I’ve ALSO got to admit …

Well, I’m ALSO thinking that the series actually felt like some thing of an emotional backwards step, in a bizarre way.

You say, looking back on the series as a whole, I found it very reminiscent of series 1 of Torchwood.

Which I think was fantastic, I should say.

But that also was exactly that: a first series, and not something that had yet grown into the shocker that Children Of Earth was.

And right now … ?

Well, I’m thinking I’m tired, to be perfectly frank!

But I’m asking myself the same question that I was asking myself at the end of Children of Earth.

“Should Torchwood continue?”

Personally … ?

I think it should: I think an adult spin-off from Dr Who has a place. A place that Torchwood has both created and filled, very well, over the years.

But I’m also thinking that another miracle-flavoured series of Torchwood has to improve, if it’s to catch it’s own high point.

Torchwood: Miracle Day Episode 9. The Gathering.

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 8 September 2011 22:10:00)

You know, I’m a thinking, it’s sort of a shame Grub’s thinking that giving up the ghost on Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Really.

OK, granted, Miracle Day has been a lot slower than it’s predecessor, Children of Earth.

But I think that in tonight’s penultimate episode, The Gathering is Torchwood that is — if not at it’s best — then certainly on form.

The Gathering is some 2 months after the events of last weeks eighth episode.

And open’s with a big Welsh bang: the sort of big bang created by Gwen, as she ram-raids a Cardiff chemists, to steal as many pharmaceuticals as possible.

Her and husband, Rhys, have been robbing chemist to help both their neighbours, and Gwen’s Category 1 father, deal with any aches and pains they have.

In the mean time … ?

Well, in the meantime, Esther has managed to smuggle Jack into the UK, whilst banking his blood, a bit at a time.

And Rex, now with the CIA, has finally found a lead to the Three Families: ironically through a short story depicting the multiple killings of Jack that had been arranged by Angelo.

Rex has ALSO worked out something else, as well: that his particular CIA branch office has a problem with moles.

With all of this going on … ?

The fact that Oswald Danes has something he want’s to tell the crew, and that Jilly Kitzinger is now — seemingly — being taken to see the Blessing … ?

Well …

››·‹‹

Well …

What CAN one say … ?

Actually, probably lots of things, actually … !

For one thing … ?

Well, for ONE thing, the series has been coming along nicely: granted, Miracle Day is and has been slow, so far.

But I mentioned, earlier, that I felt The Gathering to be the most on form of the series, to date … ?

Along with episode 1, which had a lot of work to do, for it’s US audience.

But The Gathering … ?

Yes …

I’m thinking The Gathering is setting up Miracle Day for a nice big finish … !

Torchwood: Miracle Day Episode 8. End Of the Road.

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 1 September 2011 22:50:00)

Hmmm …

You know, Grub, it really is a shame you missed last week’s episode of Miracle Day, it really is.

I’m going to happily maintain that.

Although, saying that … ?

Saying that, I’m really none too sure if I’d say the same for tonight’s episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day, I’m really not.

And that’s despite a guest appearance — carried over from last week’s episode — of Star Trek veterans, Nana Visitor* and John DeLancieº.

»»·««

But let’s see if I can’t attempt some form of summary, shall I … ?

Following on from last week’s 7th Episode, Episode 8 — The End of the Road — sees Jack, Gwen, Rex and Esther taken by Olivia Calasantos to met Jack’s lost lost love, Angelo.

Who, by now, is in his 90s and left ravaged by old age, after having kept himself alive since 1928, by all sorts of methods.

And having tried to join the three mobsters who’d stolen a lot of Jack’s blood, in an effort to do … something …

…

…

Hmmm …

This episode didn’t actually tell us what, though …

Instead, it focuses more on Jack catching up with Angelo, by way of his granddaughter, Olivia — Nana Visitor — and this little reunion being interrupted.

Firstly … ?

By an aborted CIA raid, led by Bill Friedkin.

And then …

Then by Angelo’s death.

Angelo had some stolen Torchwood technology under the bed: something Jack calls a Null field.

Something that seemingly prevented the Miracle from working on Angelo.

And that Jack’s tells Rex and Esther has to be gotten out of the hands of the CIA.

A removal that sees Jack shot in the process, and Gwen deported from the US, by Rex’s former boss at the CIA, Allen Shapiro, played by John DeLancie.

»»·««

Hmmm …

Now …

What to make of this little lot … ?

Hmmm …

Now, I’ll confess, I’m not sure that I was ENTIRELY taken with End Of the Road: it’s strikes me it’s a filler episode.

Nicely done, well written and acted, but none the less, filler.

Frankly … ?

I’m thinking it’s a nice use of both it’s guest stars, Visitor and DeLancie: and something that had me, at least, wanting to see more of the two of them.

But … ?

I’m thinking this was the bridging episode, that’ll lead us to the last two.

Lets see what happens, next week, shall we … ?

* Nana Visitor played Major Kira in the long running Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: possibly the character with the worst temper — bar Odo — in the whole show.

º John DeLancie cropped up as the demi-godling, Q, in the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and appeared in near enough every one of the spin-offs, bar Enterprise. And frankly … ? Was one of my favourite semi-regular characters. Imagine running into science-fiction’s version of of an old fashioned warrior arch-angel, with powers and abilities beyond the capacity of humankind to perceive or imagine. And he’s got the most irritating sense of humour you’ve ever come across, combined with the most annoying personality. And LOVES knowing you can’t do a THING about it … !

Torchwood: Miracle Day Episode 7. Immortal Sins

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 25 August 2011 22:17:00)

Whoah … !

WHOAH … !

I’ve got to admit, I hate it when my mobile phone network — O2, in case your wondering — goes down.

It means I can’t tweet from my mobile.

Which has come in handy for the past few Thursdays as my desktop is on the other side of the room from my TV.

Which, as you can imagine, is what I was watching tonight’s episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day on.

Grub … ?

Grub, am I making sense … ?

Gosh, I hope so.

What I’m trying to say is that I am on Twitter* — @Cuddy2977, if you’re looking — and tweet about what I’m watching from the comfort of my rather battered armchair, by sending text messages to my Twitter account.

And had O2’s network NOT gone down … ?

I THINK my thumb would’ve permanently been on the keyboard of my ageing but trustworthy Nokia … !

»»·««

Now, I know Grub, bless ’im, is going to be telling you — at some point — that I burbling.

I’m actually going to disagree, here.

Because I actually think tonight’s episode of Miracle Day was worth tweeting about.

Let me try and summarise, shall I … ?

Immortal Sins follows on, almost directly from last week’s episode, The Middle Men, after Gwen has been coerced into kidnapping Jack and taking him to a pre-arranged point in the Californian hinterlands.

And, while Gwen’s taking him there, she and Jack are talking about how they feel. About Torchwood, itself. About how Gwen feel’s about her daughter, and how she’d happily kill Jack to defend Anwen.

And parallel to this is … ?

Is an old-school bit of Jack’s back-storyº, telling us of a time during the 1920s when Jack visited New York, fell in love with an Italian immigrant call Angeloª, and destroys a hideous alien parasite.

And gets repeatedly killed by Angelo, who can’t tell if his lover is a dæmon, or a blessing.

You an see the telegraphed mention of ‘a blessing’ right there, can’t you … ?

Because, of course, one particular scene shows us three businessmen making a deal to buy Jack and his blood.

And Immortal Sins climaxes with Gwen and Jack confronting the newly introduced — and so far unnamed — character played by Nana Visitorº.

Who tells him the lover he thought long dead is still alive and knows the answer to the question of Miracle Day …

»»·««

Now …

I’ll be honest, frank, confessional … and possibly rhubarb flavoured, here, as well.

I LOVED Immortal Sins.

I personally feel it’s managed to integrate the US cast and setting into the series, AND call on enough of the ‘old’ Torchwood feel to keep longterm fans happy‡.

AND I’m also thinking there’s enough in there for the more conservative viewer to have a heart attack about … !

I’m thinking it’s taken a while …

But Torchwood: Miracle Day …

Is now ready to rock and roll, from it’s US base.

And STILL make Mary Whitehouse spin in her grave … !

* I Tweet, Grub doesn’t. He gets bored easily. Let’s move on, shall we … ?

ª Told in a way to seriously annoy Daily Mail readers.

º Who I can still remember seeing as Major Kira Nerysʰ in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

ʰ Russell T Davies, I’m WATCHING you … Bloody Welsh Nationalists, HONESTLY … !

‡ Although I can pretty much guarantee Grub will find SOMETHING: but of the two of us, he’s the more cynical. You may have noticed …

Torchwood: Miracle Day Episode 6. The Middle Men

(Originally Posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 18 August 2011 22:25:00)

You know, I’m going to be frank, here.

Or possibly Fred.

Or, at least, honest, at any rate … !

I’ve got a Mac.

Actually, I’ve got two.

As Grub will possibly tell, with a certain amount of world-weariness …

At any rate, both come with remote controls: including the 1996 vintage one I’m currently listening to some vintage Doors on, to give Bruce — my Mid 2007 model Mac Mini — a chance to do some rather hefty video work, without overheating …

Hmmmmmm …

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Before Grub says something sarcastic* …

»»·««

At any rate … ?

I’ve got Jim and the boys, doing their thing in the background, in a whiskey bar in Alabama, while I’m writing this.

Rather than my USUAL Jean-Michel Jarré.

After having seen …

Well, after having seen episode six of Torchwood: Miracle Day, called The Middle Men.

After a nicely written speech delivered by Ernie Hudson, as PhiCorp Chief Operating Officer Stuart Owensº, explaining to Captain Jack that PhiCorp’s profiting from, without having organised, the Miracle, itself.

All his investigators have turned up …

Is that the Miracle seems to link back to something in the 1990s, called ‘The Blessing’ …

Hmmmm …

Add to that … ?

Add to that, the simple fact that Gwen has — with Rhys’ help — rescued her father from the overflow camp in Wales.

Which, as we found out in last week’s episode … ?

Is as much of a government-sponsored concentration camp as the one that Rex and Esther have sneaked into, in last week’s episode, and that Dr Vera died in.

Only Gwen and Rhys … ?

Have an easier time of getting out than Rex and Esther …

»»·««

Now, I could be sitting here, telling you how wonderfully wonderful and impressively impressed I though The Middle Men actually was.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, here …

The Middle Men is a competently done episode of Torchwood.

Competent, please notice.

Possibly I may even go as far as Good.

Torchwood: Miracle Day’s best episode … ? No, for my money, that title goes to episode five, so far.

* Of course, by the time I finish this, it could well be too late: he could well have got to Sarcastic, after going through Pithy, Ironic, Derisive … and possibly Trenchant. If I can work out what it means. I’ve got a Loaded Thesaurus, and I’m not Afraid To Use It … He say’s, in a particularly silly voice …

º In a more serious footnote, I think there’s two points I’m going to raise, here … Ernie Hudson is the SPIT of Sweetpea Atkinson, from Was (Not Was). Chap with the hat … ? Yeah, him … ! And I’m ALSO thinking that the Owens character … ? Is one of the NASTIER bits of work in Miracle Day, and that’s given the competition …

Torchwood: Miracle Day Episode 5. Categories Of Life

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 11 August 2011 22:03:00)

Whoah … !

Now that’s what I call shaping up … !

With a bit of a big finish … !

Phew … !

Oooh, Yeah … !

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’ve got FB active, as I write.

Just in case someone needs to natter … !

But I’ve just watched Episode 5 of Torchwood: Miracle Day, and I’m thinking — no, scrub that, I know — that Torchwood’s back.

Episode 5 of Torchwood: Miracle Day — Categories Of Life — sees the Torchwood team, supplemented by Dr Vera Juarez* sneaking their way into two of the Overflow Camps mentioned at the end of episode 4.

I say two for good reason.

Gwen has managed to get back to Wales, to help Rhys — Kai Owen — to rescue her father from an overflow camp in Wales.

And Rex, Esther and Dr Vera are smuggling themselves and a camera into a US camp to find out what on Earth is going on.

After both respective governments — rapidly followed by many around the world — have introduced the three new categories of life of the title.

• Category 1: Brain Dead, but still alive only because of the miracle.

• Category 2: Persistent and serious, but treatable.

• Category 3: Everyone Else.

And in each of the Overflow Camps … ?

In each of the camps, there’s a heavily disguised section called ‘The Module’.

A section where those classed as Category 1 are sent.

A section that Dr Vera immediately demands — in her under-cover role as a medical inspector — to examine.

The camp’s administrator takes her to one …

Shoots her …

And abandons her there whilst switching on the gas burners that dispose of the (still, technically, alive) bodies.

»»·««

You see …

I did SAY this is getting nasty, didn’t I … ?

No, actually, I said it was shaping up, now I come to look at it … !

Either way … ?

Either way, I’m thinking that Categories Of Life has moved the story on: it’s not told us what caused the miracle, but it has shown us that some — PhiCorp — has been both ready to exploit it.

And, in hiring someone like Oswald Danes, shown they’ve ALREADY got their publicity machine on the go.

And set up the camps to deal with the problems arising from Miracle Day … ?

Shown themselves to have solutions that Hitler would be envious of.

I’ll be watching next week.

I’m thinking Torchwood: Miracle Day is now officially worth watching!

* Played very sympathetically by Arlene Tur, if I’ve not mentioned her, before now: that’s entirely my fault, if I’ve not, by the way. Dr Juarez has been not only Rex Matheson’s love interest, but also a key way the series has introduced itself to a US audience.

Torchwood: Miracle Day Episode 4. Escape To LA

Hmmm …

OKAAAAAAY …

Hmmm …

Yes … That does make for a suitably waffly sort of opening, doesn’t it … ?

And, yes, I realise that Grub’s going to possibly be complaining about that.

Especially when I also admit that I’m listening to Plaza, the opening track of John Foxx’s Metamatic album. And wondering if Murray Gold — composer and musical mainstay of both Dr Who and most series of Torchwood — had given the album a listen before written the theme tune for the show.

There‘s a sort of do-dit-do-dit-do-dit-do riff that’s gone through both tunes that’s got me thinking. Go have a listen to both, before you say anything, Grub …

Let’s get moving on, shall we, here … ?

Shall we … ?

Yes, I think I should …

»»·««

Tonight saw the UK broadcast of episode 4 of Torchwood: Miracle Day, titled Escape To LA.

Escape To LA sees the Torchwood team finally finding a relatively safe haven in the US city of Los Angeles.

And collectively deciding that they’re best bet is to raid a major server farm owned by PhiCorp, in order to grab a very heavily secured server with a lot of juicy details on it.

While all this is going on … ?

While all this, Oswald Danes — who we found in last week’s episode is now working for PhiCorp — has a problem of his own.

In the shape of Ellis Hartley-Munroe, a Republic mayor from small-town America, with Tea-Party leanings, who’s campaigning for segregation of those who should’ve died on Miracle Day.

Something that, seemingly, PhiCorp are already considering.

It’s the reason why they’ve seemingly hired Danes in the first place.

The reason Dr Juarez has been seemingly shanghaied into working at what they’ve been referring to as an ‘Overflow Camp’ for some time.

Why they’ve hired a hitman to prevent Jack and Gwen to grab that rather well guarded server.

And … ?

And in one of Escape To LA’s nastier set-pieces, managed to arranged the death of Hartly-Munroe.

Hmmm …

I know we’re encouraged to recycle, but that scene was a little on the extreme side, wouldn’t you say … ?

I mean, we get recycling bags in the UK …

»»·««

Now, I’ll happily admit to having enjoyed Escape To LA, I really did.

Whilst simultaneously thinking that episode 3 was the better done episode of the four to date.

I don’t know if I can speak for Grub, here — he’ll hopefully be expressing his views, later — but I’ve found this rather good: it’s putting the final pieces of the PhiCorp puzzle in to place, given us — and the team — an insight into what’s going on, and started to get the plot moving along.

About my only real niggle, was Dr Nicholas Frumpkin, the minor character who’s biometric print is needed to break into the PhiCorp server farm.

Frumpkin, notice.

A character with a name like that, you wouldn’t think of casting an actor called Kelvin Yu, would you … ?

Torchwood Miracle Day Episode 3: Dead Of Night.

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 28 July 2011 22:12:00)

Whoah … !

Whoah … !!!

And once, again …

WHOAH!

OK, I’m maybe not THAT enthusiastic.

But I have just seen episode three of Torchwood: Miracle Day, and I definitely think this is where the series picks up.

Dead of Night follows on — after a short space of time — from the events of last week: and sees the combined Torchwood/CIA team of Captain Jack, Gwen Cooper, Rex Matheson and Esther Drummond on the proverbial run, and being pursued by Rex’s employers from Langley.

And on the way … ?

Quickly checking out a warehouse — owned by a multinational pharmaceuticals company called PhiCorp — and finding it suspiciously full of exactly the kind of painkillers and antibiotics a badly injured body could need: especially badly injured ones that can’t die, need.

»»·««

That’s not the only thing, of course.

On top of this, Jilly Kitzinger — introduced in last weeks episode, and played by Lauren Ambrose — has managed to recruit Oswald Danes for the drug company that she works for. The already mentioned PhiCorp.

Who — if not up to their necks in it — are certainly well prepared to take advantage of the simple fact that they’ve a lot of drugs sitting around.

And a congressman who’s prepared to go out to bat for them too.

»»·««

Now …

I’m …

Grub, can you look up ‘impressed’ in the nearest available thesaurus for me, please … ?

No … ?

I’ll grab mine, then … !

Hmmm …

No help in that, to be honest … !

So I’m forced to say that I’m definitely taken with episode 3.

Granted, it had one or two flat parts — the scene were Jilly recruits Oswald springs to mind here, at least for it’s opening parts — but on the whole … ?

On the whole, I’m thinking episode three is where Miracle Day is starting both to heat up.

And with some of that black Torchwood humour that graced the first three series.

Going on Dead of Night … ?

Yes …

Torchwood’s back.

Torchwood Miracle Day Episode 2: Rendition.

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 21 July 2011 22:19:00)

You know, I’ve GOT to confess — which I know Grub’s going to complain about, seeing as that’s a favourite phrase of mine — but I’m thinking that Torchwood now fully gone stateside.

Well.

That much should be obvious if you — like I — had just seen tonight’s second episode of the Dr Who spin-off’s fourth series.

And I’m …

Where’s me thesaurus … ?

Grub … ?

GRUB … !!!!!

Never mind … !

I’m impressed, again, I think.

Or … well, no blown away is possibly too strong a phrase, here, I think.

But certainly impressed enough. And concerned enough, after having a natter with Grub, the other day, to want to have me thesaurus sitting around, so I can find alternatives for ‘impressed’.

»»·««

I’m in burble mode, ain’t I … ?

Aren’t I … ?

I can tell, you know … … …

Let me get moving on, here, shall we … ?

Tonight’s episode of Miracle Day — called Rendition, according to the Wikipedia entry for Miracle Day — picks up from last week’s first episode: and follows hotshot CIA agent, Rex Matheson*, after his dramatic of Jack ad Gwen, the only two members of Torchwood to survive the ravages of the 456 in Children Of Earth.

The trouble starts on the plane, back to the States, of course.

Unknown to Rex, of course, is the fact that his fellow agent, Lyn — former Neighbours regular, Dichen Lachman — is under orders from their boss, Brian Friedkin — Wayne Knight — to make sure that Captain Jack doesn’t make it over to the US alive.

Which is convenient.

As it seems Jack’s the only person left on the planet who can still be killed …

»»·««

Now, I’ve got to admit, I definitely liked this episode.

Effectively, Rendition is the second half of a two part opening episode: and much better executed than the equivalent opening episodes of Outcasts.

What’s more, I’m also thinking that these two openers have nicely introduced both Torchwood, as a series and a fictional universe to it’s international audience, without alienating too many of the British audience that made it so successful in the first place.

It’s ALSO still got very much that oh so British — or possibly just Welsh — sense of humour. Possibly one that’s best highlighted by the scenes on the plane where Captain Jack was poisoned.

All told … ?

All told, I’m thinking I’m going to be looking forward to the rest of Miracle Day.

Having seen a very solid transition from its UK home, to its new US base.

* Played by series four regular Mekhi Phifer. And he’s impressed me with both his warmth and charm in interviews … and the simple fact that he’s playing Miracle Day’s token Gobby American. (I think, ever since Star Wars, British science fiction’s liked the idea of a Harrison-Ford-style Gobby American: in the new series of Dr Who that role has of course, been either Captain Jack: or River Song, in more recent episodes. Of course, in series 1, 2 and 3 of Torchwood, they’ve gone, instead, for a Doomy Celt: Ianto, in other words.) These days, of course Miracle Day has a much bigger US cast: but STILL needs a Gobby American. Mekhi Phifer’s character, Rex, in other words …

Torchwood Miracle Day: Episode 1: The New World. The Day Begins

(Originally posted on Nik Nak & Grub’s Who Peculiar, on 14 July 2011)

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’m possibly going to go into Rant mode at some stage during tonight’s post, I really am … !

You see, I’ve just had a quick virtual natter with my former co-author, Grub, about DVD prices.

He’s thinking about investing in the DVD of the first half of this year’s series of Dr Who.

As you may or may not know, the series has been split into two halves, with the first 7 episodes having been shown earlier this year, and the last 6 due to be broadcast in the autumn.

Grub, like me, is on something of a restricted income.

So tends to be a touch careful with his DVD purchases.

The fact that the BBC has released those first 7 episodes to DVD, a short time after their broadcast caught his attention: especially as the the recommended retail price of £25 seemed fair enough.

However … ?

Well …

I don’t think Grub was impressed with the lack of extras.

By the sound of things, it’s an extremely vanilla release, at a price he — and I, I should add — felt a touch too high, for just the first 7 episodes.

The Confidentials, as well, would’ve been appreciated.

As I pointed out … ?

I could do better, myself.

I’m not kidding, either … !

Especially given the fact that HandBrake — the freely available open source DVD ripper — is capable of copying the contents of a programme recorded onto a blank DVD by a home DVD recorder as well as it can copy a commercial DVD.

You can take my point, there, I think.

Not that I’m advocating outright video piracy, there: never have and never will.

However … ?

I’m AM suggesting that the BBC should really think about their pricing policy.

Especially when you consider that any of us reading this either have — or can easily get — the basic tools* to make the equivalent product for ourselves.

»»·««

Actually, there’s a reason I’m burbling on, like this, there really is.

You see, I’ve just seen — and happily recorded‡ — the first episode of Season four of Dr Who spin off, Torchwood.

Torchwood’s fourth series — or Miracle Day, as I should call it — opens with Owen Danes — Bill Pullman — a convicted child abuser, rapist and murderer who survives his execution by lethal injection.

And with CIA agent Rex Matheson — Mekhi Phifer — surviving a car crash that should have killed him.

A car crash, I should add, that takes place whilst Rex is talking on his mobile phone to workmate, Esther Drummond — Alexa Havins — who’s noticed some that the CIA computers have ALL had an email consisting of just one word.

TORCHWOOD…

That’s where thing’s start to get Hairy … !

Because, as event’s unfurl, we find that Agent Matheson and and Owen Danes aren’t the only ones to have been affected by what the press quickly terms Miracle Day.

The day, in other words, when everyone — everyone — stops dying …

»»·««

Meanwhile, back in Wales … … ?

Back in Wales we find that Gwen — Eve Myles — and Rhys — Kai Owen — trying to raise their daughter, Anwen, in the Welsh backwoods.

And seriously scared for their lives, after the events of Children of Earth.

It’s only when Gwen’s former fellow officer, Andy, gets in touch to let her know her father’s had two serious heart attacks that she and Rhys find out that heart attacks needn’t be fatal.

As they’ve taken place on a day like this.

A day when the last thing one needs is trouble …

»»·««

Now, I’ve got to confess, I’ve actually enjoyed this opening episode of Miracle Day.

I’ll admit, I don’t think it’s on quite the same par as Children Of Earth. But then, very few things are: I happen to personally believe that Children Of Earth was Torchwood’s equivalent of Genesis of the Daleks. The story, in other words, that leaves an LASTING imprint in people’s memories, and on subsequent stories in the series.

And, granted, I’m thinking that Jack’s newly found vulnerability will be the key to the whole plot.

But I do think Miracle Day to have a rock solid opening episode: with enough references to keep old fans happy, and attract a new bunch of US fans.

Granted, I’ve felt some recent TV sci-fi hasn’t made the grade: the remake of The Prisoner and Outcasts in particular.

But I’m also thinking, here, that Torchwood is not going to suffer the same fate.

Especially given that Miracle Day — going on its opening episode — shows us the series is as solid as ever.

* A copy of HandBrake, or other DVD ripper, a DVD or Blu-ray recorderº, a home computerª … and a pile of blank optical discs^.

º Such as can be bought from Argos at a reasonable price.

ª SENSIBLE people, like me, get them from Apple stores. Cheapskates like Grub get any old Windoze-based thang from the back of a lorry. A smelly lorry. That has bits that fall off. On a regular basis. Ever get the feeling you’ve walked into an on-going domestic incident … ?

‡ For my own personal use, I should add: I’m going to keep that recording, until Miracle Day’s official UK DVD release, which is when it’ll get replaced.

^ Available in many local shops. Chuck a brick.