Torchwood: Season 2

Such a good show & such a good price!

I'm a science fiction fan -- been afflicted since I read my first Robert Heinlein book at the age of 8 (and that's a scary number of years ago). When BBC-America began running Torchwood about 2 years ago, I was hooked after the first episode.

Of course, it didn't hurt that I was already familiar with the central character, Capt. Jack Harkness, from his appearances on Dr. Who, another BBC series that had wormed its way into my heart. And it didn't hurt that John Barrowman, scores a 9-1/2 on the handsome scale, or that his character is able to hold his sense of humor in the fact of death and destruction. However, the most important part of the first episode is that all of the characters were fully formed and ready to interact with themselves and their world.

The characters are fascinating; Gwen is the heart of the cast, an ex?-police officer with a sensitivity to both humans and monsters that they meat, whereas Owen, the doctor, is the opposite rude, callous, and unable to form a lasting relationship with anyone. Toshiko ("Tosh") is a shy genius with an amazing touch with computers, hacking in wherever she needs to find what she needs. Finally, there's Ianto, with, as Jack once says, his "beautiful Welsh vowels," another shy man who started off as the "receptionist" and liaison with the outside world. Finally, there's Cardiff, a city with a personality like no one has ever seen before -- Strongly Welsh with a modern overlay.

Watch a couple episodes. You'll find yourself as intrigued as I have become, and, no matter what your sexual orientation, probably in love with one or more of the characters, as well as the city and the delightful, scary, sad, funny, and brilliant monsters that you'll come across in each episode.

I've become a big Torchwood fan on its own merit. I did not come to it via Dr Who (which I've never really liked all that much except as some campy fun in small does... sorry Dr Who fans). Season 1 of Torchwood was great, if uneven in places, although the various character story arcs meant that even in the sub-par episodes there was still good meat for the character development of the team.

In season two, the main stories and the character development became much more cohesive and exciting. Like all good sci-fi shows, Torchwood made us care about the characters while all the supernatural weirdness was happening around them. Everyone got their own story trajectory that developed nicely over the season. This was useful because by the time you get to the last episode, you will have a strong emotional response to how the series ends (sorry, no spoilers... but bring kleenex).

I would recommend watching the first season first, however, as the longstanding story arcs are best understood as developed from season 1.

Season 2 hangs together very well, and some of the episodes are incredibly exciting and touching. It is really fun sci-fi, with some very interesting innovative takes on the whole 'secret society fighting aliens' genre.

[...]

I hate shows like Dr. Who, and any really British action, suspense or comedy film really. The only reason I got all the seasons of this TV Series is because the main character is gay! And, that's pretty unheard of either in Britain, and especially in Hollywood!

However, the show really surprised me, the writing was tolerable to good, the direction was acceptable to good, but the acting and character development was surprisingly excellent, most of the time anyway. Although a few of the extra's were kind of bad.

But, OMG, a gay main character! And, who didn't even try to hide it, just ingrained into the story!

In any case, the story kept me entertained and watching. My final judgment is that this is truly a really really good TV Series!

When one takes into account what Russell T. Davies has done with his iteration of the Whoniverse, it becomes apparent that he has created--to this point--a triangle between "Doctor Who", "The Sarah Jane Adventures", and "Torchwood" with The Doctor being the apex/midpoint between the other two. "Sarah Jane"--because its home is BBC Kids--seems a little more buoyant, obviously aiming for its younger audience. "Torchwood" is the punch in the mouth--it isn't pretty, it isn't nice, and sometimes the good guys don't get total victories.

This is part of the theme of Series 2--and if one gets antsy with "unclean wins", so be it. As I said about Series 1, Torchwood is a dark, somewhat cracked reflection of Doctor Who. It isn't hard to see John Barrowman's Jack Harkness as what The Doctor would be if all his flaws were brought to the fore and his desires laid public. Nor is it hard to not see that Eve Myles' Gwen Cooper as a Companion with a few more skills...and complications to her life and to Captain Jack's. The ways that Burn Gorman, Nakano Mori and Gareth Lloyd-Davies fill out the team compliment the lead taken by Barrowman and Myles, as well as the flaws they exhibit. Barrowman has a pulse on the nature of Jack--who is far more of a serious sort than when he was introduced--and Myles brings a wonderful energy and depth to Gwen, attempting to balance her life with Torchwood Three with her impending nuptials with Rhys Williams; to say nothing of what happens when Rhys (Wonderfully played with the element of Archie Bunker as a jealous lover by Kai Owen) finds out what Gwen has been doing with her nights.

Still, this season is a complicated story, and the story starts when James Marsters shows up in the opening episode, "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang". There seems to be an unspoken rule with science fiction on both sides of the Atlantic--if you need a slightly over-the-top, trash-talking gray area character then find The Artist Formerly Known as Spike. Marsters wonderfully embodies Captain John Hart, Jack's former partner (and lover) in the Time Agency; and his appearance sets in motion much of the twists and turns of the season. So does Freema Agyeman's three-episode visit in the middle of this set as Martha Jones, during which the first severe turn occurs within Torchwood Three with Owen Harper's murder and regeneration, how the team adjusts to an already grumpy medical specialist who suddenly cannot enjoy eating, sleeping, or boinking. I always felt that they never gave enough time in the series to Mori, who brought a considerable warmth and longing to Toshiko Sato, ultimately not fulfilled. Her turn in "To The Last Man" was a wonderful and sad performance, and really came to embody the heartache in Tosh's life. There is really not much done with Ianto through the second series--save the explanation of how he came to Torchwood Three in "Fragments"--but it seems as if much of who he is is saved for "Children Of Earth"...and the one scene with Barrowman and Myles that left me more than a little squeamish...

Still, through the drama and pain--"To The Last Man" and "Adam" embody much of the angst that goes unspoken between the members--to the action and slightly humorous moments of "Something Borrowed"...the sense of something going horribly wrong is there, and gets fulfilled in "Fragments" and "Exit Wounds". These two episodes, combined with the "Children Of Earth" miniseries, led many to suspect that Torchwood wouldn't be returning in 2010 when Series 5 of Doctor Who started...but that doesn't seem to be the case.

This set is a tough, hard series of episodes; a crime drama that is more visceral and gritty than the series it was born from. It's supposed to be that way. It can be a little over-the-top--but so, very much so, is the series that it was drawn from. And taken as what it is--the dark side of The Doctor's Universe--it fits the bill. I consider this set to be highly enjoyable, and I recommend it because Torchwood--as an anthology--is a very good work in progress, with room to get better.

Honestly, the only reason I started watching the show was because I thought John Barrowman was hot lol. Even though I heard negative reviews about it, I decided to watch it and judge for myself. I was pleasantly surprised with the show. Granted season 1 wasn't perfect but it had a lot of great moments. It had a lot of hits and misses but it was highly entertaining for the most part.

Now season 2 is absolutely fantastic! Much better than season 1. The show's dynamic has changed noticeably and the characters have become much more likable and fun. The story lines are more mature and interesting. Everything has been taken to a new level and the result has been great!

I can't wait to get my hands on the Season 2 DVD. The first season DVD was loaded with special features and I'm hoping this one would be the same. Every episode had commentaries, it's own behind the scenes look and miniature interviews with the cast and crew. It also included many deleted scenes and bloopers. But honestly, I would buy the DVD even if it didn't come with any extra material because the episodes this season have been really good.

I guess you could be a Torchwood fan without beginning as a Dr. Who fan, but I think you need to be conditioned to accept a universe that blasts right over conspiracy theory, to an absurd place with its own strange dark order and symmetry, all just beneath the world us mere mortals can see.

Torchwoods attempt do make themselves a bit more adult than the Dr. Who stories, and wind up a little sophomoric in the attempt, most of the time. The second season develops the team more. It is more about the Torchwood team, quirky as they are, than being just the Captain Jack Harkness Show.

The writing and acting totally carry this series way beyond what us American audiences are used to. (I do wish they would either stop killing off the principle characters, or let them stay dead when they do pass on!)

I doubt if the franchise will last as long as Dr. Who, but I think they have a few more great stories to tell.

Great entertainment, maybe not for the kids!

In terrific shape and a good continuation of the Whoverse.

I enjoyed it and hope that the series continues

Following solidly in the steps of the first season, Torchwood (2nd Season) is even bigger and better, with character development where you'd least expect. Characters such as Ianto Jones really come into their own in this season with strong lines and beautiful acting. The plot twists are intense, and sad moments really affected me! I'm not normally a series or drama fan, but this show had me riveted from beginning to end.

Many looks into Jack's back story, as well as more Doctor Who tie-in moments, make this season a must-see.

I wish there were three more seasons! :D

What makes "Torchwood" special is its adult, open-minded, and often dark approach to certain storylines and themes--in contrast to Dr. Who, which is also a good series, but more family-oriented and thus often not as satisfying--as well as its entertaining mixture of fantasy, science fiction and crime.

This season is even better and more exciting than the first one: unpredictable, full of adventure, suspense, fun, and sexual tension/innuendos. The characters are now more established and fleshed out, and even though Gwen has maybe still a bit too much screen time for my taste, it's very enjoyable to see the team work to save Cardiff and the world. This season ends in a finale that will blow you away, because it comes totally unexpected--and it will leave you wanting more. More of "Torchwood" and its characters!

Charismatic lead actor John Barrowman, who sometimes seems disappointingly underused as a supporting actor in Dr. Who--especially in the fourth season's finale--does an extraordinary job in his portrayal of Captain Jack Harkness. The range of emotions he displays is amazing; he really brings the character to life and is a pure joy to watch. It's also enjoyable to see the relationship between him and Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd), who has a lot of funny and fabulous lines and definitely more screen time this season, develop some more. Hopefully we'll get to see more of that and a strengthening of their relationship in the third one as well.

If Martha and Mickey (from Dr. Who) really end up joining "Torchwood," I surely hope Russell T. Davies won't change "Torchwood's" own tone and style but keep this a series for adult viewers who've come to love the characters and the modern feel of this series. There is "Dr. Who" and there is "Torchwood," and I'd like them to remain separated to a certain extent.

Seeing snogging and love between same-sex characters is definitely part of what makes this series so special and unique since it's the first time ever that we get an action-oriented SF/F TV show which also concentrates on character development and doesn't shy away from portraying love in any form.

The DVD set looks beautiful and elegant. In my opinion, red and black (1st season) are perfect colors for "Torchwood," so I hope they'll stick with that for the next season and return to a black set.

Along with the episodes you get some nice extras, such as deleted scenes, outtakes, a documentary on Captain Jack and "Torchwood Declassified". I'd have appreciated audio commentaries by the cast and crew, too, but maybe we'll get them along with other extras when season two comes out in HD.

Anyway, for this price the set is a steal, so don't miss out on this wonderful series. It's definitely worth buying! To quote John Barrowman, "Torchwood, YEAH!"

Honestly, the only reason I started watching Torchwood is because I think John Barrowman is hot lol. I heard that the show was bad but entertaining at the same time and I decided to just watch it and judge for myself. I honestly enjoyed the first season, even though there were a lot of hits and misses. There is only one episode I disliked and it was ep9 which pretty much focused on a character that wasn't part of the Torchwood team. But the rest of the episodes had a lot more highs than lows IMO. So I guess the best word to describe the first season is "entertaining". This word was used by a lot of people who don't like the show and criticize it too.

Now, the second season has been FANTASTIC. I've seen the first 11 episodes and I love them. There are only 2 episodes that I'm not crazy about, but they're still better than most of the eps in season 1.

This new season, the characters have developed and became much more fun. The whole atmosphere of the show has improved and the story lines are much better imo. It's definitely worth watching.

Reçu plus tôt que prévu, très bon état et mega heureuse.

Merci et à bientôt