When David Snogged John…

From the San Diego Comicon:

So very Barrowman of course, but bravo to Tennant, who’ll be very sorely missed for so very many reasons…

(via The Gay-Atheist)

Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Five (Spoilers)

No happy ending as Russell T Davies completes the most masterful BBC mini-series since ‘State of Play’, with perhaps the greatest writing of his career. Only one continuity error interrupts the otherwise overwhelming and horrific finale to Torchwood’s greatest triumph and their biggest failure. As Prime Minister Brian Green (Nicholas Farrell) betrays Peter Capaldi’s John Frobisher, the inhumanity of the human race to itself becomes clear. And what it takes to tip into fascism turns out to be very little indeed – a casual prejudice here, an abuse of power there, a lie to cover everything up, all in the name of ambition and keeping the status quo. The political commentary veers between an allegory with Nazism, as the children are indeed bussed away to their deaths for a creature which deals in them as drugs, and an indictment of our real world government’s preparedness to sacrifice basic human rights and civil liberties in the name of ‘keeping us safe’. Its severity is surprising for a franchise which has been so flakey in its first two outings, but it couldn’t be more welcome. Writing series 3 for adults has transformed Torchwood beyond all recognition, and has interestingly again (as with Dead Set) proven the value of daily, serialised television.

Day 5 doesn’t end with RTD doesn’t after all reaching for easy answers to ensure the defeat of the 456 – indeed quite the opposite. Humanity may be validated in the small scale sacrifices made by the most vulnerable people, but they’re outweighed by or preparedness to destroy one another. And in between Jack realises he must do the unthinkable if he’s to save 6 billion people, and there’s no coming back from killing your grandson.

The scene where Jack ensures humanity’s final victory is absolutely horrific. And yet again the horror has nothing at all to do with the alien/sci-fi element – the most horrible things done in ‘Children of Earth’ are perpetrated by our hero, and it ensures the franchise cannot go on as before – this is now a series with consequences. It’s challenging television – a biting political thriller, a painful human drama, and laced with commentary by Eve Myles’ Gwen Cooper acknowledging why the Doctor sometimes doesn’t intervene (as here), it really raises the bar for the future of the Whoniverse. If Davies really is to stay with Torchwood (which I hope is the case) he has set an extraordinary standard to maintain; similarly Steven Moffat will no doubt have watched ‘Children of Earth’ with Doctor Who series 5 in mind. I sincerely hope he takes his creation back on board – a broken yet immortal Captain Jack would be a very interesting addition to the cast alongside an unknown quantity eleventh Doctor…

Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Four (Spoilers)

Day 4 descends into unexpected horror, in the best-written, acted and directed episode of ‘Torchwood’ since the franchise’s inception. Writer John Fay, director Euros Lyn and the cast never hit a wrong note and leave you slackjawed after an hour of dark twists, shocking turns and the sort of quality you’d expect from ‘Spooks’ at its best. But that’s the ground ‘Torchwood’ now occupies – edgy adult drama where anything really can happen.

I saw very little of day 4 coming. I didn’t see the strength of the team’s plot against the government catching even the evil henchwoman off guard. I never thought the government would so happily capitulate with the 456. I never thought the 456 would kill everyone in its path when stood up to, even Jack and Ianto.

Ianto?

I actually welled up. Gareth David-Lloyd and John Barrowman’s characters ironically show more love for each other when Ianto is killed than they did in life, bringing out the sheer horror that it is to be Captain Jack, the man who can’t die, and putting the lie to his daughter’s claim that a man who can’t die has nothing to fear. His previous appearances painted him as a cocky superhero – he’s now changed to a man who can’t risk feeling anything about anyone, cursed by Rose’s gift of immortality. But that wasn’t the only strength of day 4.

Fay’s detailed cabinet discussions on dispatching 10% of the child population of the country (and the world) are even more horrific. Their casual collusion with the murderous, unseen alien, with their talk of ‘units’, ‘mystery jabs’ (Peter Capaldi’s Frobisher now resembling his spin doctor of ‘In The Loop’) and ‘low achievers’ is unlike anything I’ve seen in a programme of this kind on the BBC before. In many ways the government’s discrimination-ridden attitudes in choosing to kill all poor children are even worse than the alien’s plans. ‘What (else) are the school league tables for?’ Woah now a fierce political/social commentary which doesn’t just make you wonder, but makes this government even more dangerous than The Master’s. I’ve seen this episode likened to ‘State of Play’ – it’s not an unfair comparison.

The team is broken, humanity is at war with itself. Will RTD ruin everything with an awful, joyous reaffirmation of humanity’s shared solidarity again (as in ‘Last of the Time Lords‘), or will we get a thoroughly darker resolution? After this episode’s shocks and terrible sadness he has to tread very carefully indeed.

Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Three (Spoilers)

I had my doubts about the daily format, but I have to say this works. Forcing the show daily has meant it has had to have energy the entire time – the story can’t let up or drift into soap operatics, there simply isn’t time. It has to have plot, plot and more plot, and Charlie Brooker showed the way last year with the sublime ‘Dead Set’…

Day 3 isn’t perfect. Russell T Davies lapses into some of the weaker storytelling techniques of Doctor Who, such as the Frank Miller-esque newsreader talking heads, but otherwise he and co-writer James Moran knock this episode out of the park again. Jack seems to know the 456, but how? Do Jack and Frobisher know the same dark secret, the secret from 1965 which Clem MacDonald (Paul Copley) was part of? The route to the answers is full of subterfuge, threats and moral ambiguity, and appears to put the entire basis of this Torchwood team under threat. But whose memories of 1965 can be trusted?

The 456 when they arrive, are suitably dramatic and evil, and again both the writing and series pacing work to best effect. They arrive in a burst of fire and without form; we never see them fully, and Davies, Moran and director Euros Lyn take their time to linger on the creepy environment they set up. It works for the same reason Alien does – you know there’s a dangerous alien, but you have no idea what it looks like, nor what its intentions are. But why should such a malevolent creature collude with Frobisher? If it is part of the dark secret, what does it have to gain by keeping it secret too? And how does Jack really fit in? Did he also collude in the horror of 1965, as Clem MacDonald believes (and Jack himself seems to admit), or is something else really going on? We have two more episodes to go, so I’d tend to believe the latter.

The character beats are stronger this episode – Jack’s and Ianto’s talk about Jack’s immortality is a finely observed exchange, and it was nice of RTD to refer directly to the Doctor for once. Keeping both series largely unconnected was a terrible mistake and it’s nice to see it corrected. It’s frustrating that the men’s relationship is still at arm’s length, but it’s reassuring that RTD is moving it on somewhere. Peter Capaldi meanwhile continues to shine as Frobisher – the civil servant who will do anything to make the secret from 1965 go away. The exchange he has with Jack in particular is chilling, and is a really effective counterpoint to his more dastardly henchwoman’s manoevres. His initiating diplomatic relations with the 456 is a very welcome insight into the politics of the post-Master Whoniverse, and is potentially revealing – another advantage of having the series paced in a daily, single-story fashion – things like that can be fleshed out when they would otherwise have been overlooked.

The three teammates (and Rhys) have a long way to go before this is resolved, and it’s difficult to see how RTD can do so cleanly, but he’s clearly introduced Lois Habiba as a new fourth member of the team for the future, even though in both this and last episode he uses her far too much as a deus ex machina. Can Children of Earth break RTD’s track record of starting well and ending poorly?

Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Two (Spoilers)

Day 2 isn’t quite as frenetically paced as Day 1, and the writing by John Fay isn’t quite as tight, but the continuing government conspiracy about ‘the 456’ doesn’t let up, nor is it any the less intriguing. Bereft of headquarters and their government affiliation, Torchwood are on the run for their lives, but why? Gwen refers to Peter Capaldi’s John Frobisher as their man in the government, so why would he want to kill the only people who can help them tackle the 456? What is the dark, dirty secret only he knows? And what is it they’re building at Thames House?

Day 2 retains strong characterisation – Ianto and Jack retain their greater depth through the involvement of their families – Jack’s grandaughter and Ianto’s sister and brother-in-law both play key roles in humanising characters which have for too long been one-note. And their unsuitedness for one another continues to be a theme – their inevitable post-regeneration reunion is as ambivalent (nice ass by the way, Mr Barrowman) as we’ve seen them treat one another before. Can an immortal man ever find love? It is Gwen though who is a revelation – how ruthless is she? I love it! Her’s and Rhys’ relationship is now (finally) the cornerstone of the franchise, now both characters are written consistently – they bring energy and heart to a series which has for too long tried merely to shock. And the sense of menace which envelops the cast, which wasn’t there when Jack was on the run from the Master’s government in Who series 3, works well here. The conspiracy, friends turning into enemies, not knowing who the 456 are or their motivations, keeps an eerie, unsettling quality largely missing when aliens invade in parent show Doctor Who. It’s a nice touch.

So why can’t anyone know about the 456 on pain of death? And how does a lowly civil servant like John Frobisher have the connections to take Torchwood out? Fay (occasionally too often and too obviously) has us constantly asking questions, and only drip-feeding us answers. For the first time we can take nothing for granted – even the tone (I really really liked the horror of Jack’s regeneration), and it oddly settles the show down. It’s an approach which has brought longevity to shows like Doctor Who and Spooks, and thankfully RTD has now given this show which has had so much potential the voice that it needs. So the 456 need a chamber with an acid atmosphere, and they need it tomorrow. Why does the government build it for them, and what do they need it for? We’ve had dark conspiracies at the heart of the Whoniverse government before, but this one is a real delight, and it’s a delight because the real baddies are human – the sci-fi element seems this time merely to be a device to frame a very dark, human drama. It’s just what the *ahem* doctor ordered. Bring on day 3!

Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day One (Spoilers)

Characterisation at last, developing sub-plots at last, and genuine horror – who would have thought that this could have been written by series creator Russell T Davies? RTD has his serious hat on, to this opening episode of the daily mini-series’ considerable advantage, giving unexpected depth to Jack & Ianto’s relationship, stable characterisation to Gwen and twists and turns he hasn’t shown himself capable on Doctor Who for many a year. Torchwood has suffered from insufficient attention to character and sub-plot since the series’ inception – despite the risks of making series 3 a mini series, keeping it one story long looks like a brilliant idea after all.

The children of earth are stopping, stopping and saying ‘we are coming’ in unison across the planet. But who is coming? Who took the children in 1965? What is/was the 456 and why does the Home Office Permanant Secretary John Frobisher (Peter Capaldi) want to kill Captain Jack for Torchwood’s stumbling onto a connection to it? Are the 456 the aliens on the way? If so, why put a bomb in Jack’s stomach and blow Torchwood HQ to kingdom come? Clem MacDonald (Paul Copley) might give them some answers, if they can keep him and themselves alive long enough! It’s an episode of creepiness, inexplicable double dealing and not just strong character interaction, but standout moments too. Eve Myles seems finally comfortable as Gwen, and although Barrowman is clearly not playing the Captain Jack he started out as in Who, he’s still hamming it to the limit and has charisma to spare. And to RTD’s credit he finally gives shape to his and Ianto’s relationship, showing the serious love Ianto has for his immortal boss. Will they embrace what they’ve got? Will Gwen’s baby survive? What will the future be for Torchwood at the end of this story (in 4 days’ time)? I’m looking forward to finding out!

Torchwood 2:13 (Spoilers)

“Exit Wounds”

All seems lost. Captain John is back, is blowing up most of Cardiff, releasing all the weevils to kill as many people as possible, and has a mad on for Jack. Seemingly spurned by his former partner and lover, at the last minute he retreats with Jack into the past where they find the real mastermind – Gray. But Gray is lost – driven mad by the aliens who abducted him, he’s consumed with destroying Jack and Jack’s life, which includes manipulating John…

It’s impressive to have episodes with consequences, and this definitely delivers. The deaths of Owen and Tosh are heavy on the melodrama, but Naoko Mori shows just how bad a loss her departure will be to a series which has only just started to find its feet. Jack’s escape from eternal damnation is quite well written, but Gray’s motivation is threadbare, and their conflict, although well acted, is somewhat of a let down considering the build up it had. And was it just me but in series 1 wasn’t it established that Jack wasn’t his real name? Why is Gray calling him Jack?

Tosh’s death was really moving, but the episode really was all over the place. It wasn’t bad by any means, but the writing wasn’t anywhere near as involved as its timeslot promised. Gwen and Rhys’ relationship remains the bedrock of the series (which is welcome), but they’re far from the only characters in relationship. Owen and Tosh’s near relationship was thankfully at least addressed, but Jack’s relationship with Ianto is still just taken for granted. And Jack’s diminished by his friends’ deaths, but they’re far from the first ones he’s endured and it isn’t clear if his character is even noticeably changed. Maybe Doctor Who Series 4 will have an impact.

Torchwood 2:12 (Spoilers)

“Fragments”

The team is taken out by personalised bombs, in a booby-trapped building. Only Gwen is spared. Who would do this and why? Who will live and who will meet a horrible end? As their lives flash before their eyes, we see the origin of this incarnation of Torchwood. We see Jack’s brutal initiation in Victorian Wales, and the beginning of the horrible prophesy for the 21st century, which led to the deaths of the previous team to this one. We see Toshiko’s unwitting genius and unwilling heroism lead her to Jack’s attention, whilst trading alien technology for her mother’s life. We see Owen confronted by the murder of his fiancée by an alien, with Jack coming to the rescue, and we then see just how far Ianto was prepared to go to work for Torchwood, against Jack’s better judgment.

As far as origin stories go it’s both well crafted, and long overdue. It’s also pretty consistent with what we know from previous episodes and indeed from Jack’s revelations in “Utopia“, during his first meeting with the Tenth Doctor. Considering the continuity errors between the last series of Torchwood and Jack’s reappearance in Who Series 3, this is a welcome step in the right direction, particularly considering the persistent rumours that one or more fellow members of Torchwood will be joining Jack in Who Series 4. As a vehicle leading into the finale storyline it’s badly paced and badly timed, and the revelation that the bomber is Captain John is a bit obvious, and his motivation badly written. Noone dies, even Owen (who can’t heal, remember) isn’t remotely damaged by a bomb to the face.

But the acting’s good again, particularly Naoko Mori, who has been almost as underused as Gareth David-Lloyd’s Ianto. And the dark tone in the formation of Jack’s Torchwood was also a nicely delivered touch – these really are the right people to be working for him, and they really do have a joint purpose. But again we have a finale to deal with in just one episode (unless Captain John crosses over into Who Series 4, which I doubt), with almost no time to deal with the implications of what’s likely to happen. Captain John really does have Gray.

Torchwood 2:11 (Spoilers)

“Adrift”

A 14 year old boy vanishes into the rift and Jack doesn’t want to know at all. Whilst Gwen and Andy try to overcome their differences about Gwen’s wedding to Rhys, her concern about the disappearance grows. With Jack not caring and Rhys losing patience with playing second fiddle to Torchwood, Gwen discovers Jonah’s disappearance was far from unique, and the mystery deepens. What is a negative rift spike, why would Jack not care and how can Gwen balance her life and work under such pressure?

The acting is right up to par, particularly the pairing of Gwen and Rhys – Rhys once again being written as a far more credible character than he had been in series 1. Gwen’s introduction in the pilot last year promised a good mix of sci-fi and normal life, and this episode delivered. Even the Jack/Ianto partnership is finally addressed, albeit in hysterical fashion, although regretfully not as credibly as the Gwen/Rhys partnership. Ianto remains horribly underused, but this episode is Gwen’s chance to shine this season. Her investigation brings her to a deserted island in the Bristol Channel, where she finds Jack colluding with all the disappearances.

Gwen finds Jonah and some of the disappeared, all ravaged by disasters, having been lost in time and space. Her humanity changes their equation, as she finds Jack has tried to manage rift refugees secretly since the start, unable to fix their unique predicaments. Her humanity also affects him, as it becomes clear that his refusal to rescue the disappeared seems to be connected to his trauma over his lost brother, but Gwen realises her humanity really isn’t enough. This careful mix of human drama with science fiction proves this so far to be the best episode of season 2, as the finale nudges ever closer.

Torchwood 2:10 (Spoilers)

“From Out of the Rain”

Who are the Night Travellers? Why do they steal people’s souls and how do they get themselves into a long archived film? How do they speak to Ianto and why is Jack in the film with them? Jack worked briefly with them in the early twentieth century, but they got lost, trapped on celluloid, as the world moved on and left them behind. But now they’ve found a way out, and are trying to steal innocents to take their place. What is reality? Is part of your soul stolen when captured on film?

A good, if somewhat uneventful ghost story, with good atmosphere, despite zero character development. It’s not a bad one-off, I’ll grant – ghost stories are always nice. But this is no ‘Blink‘ – alongside a thin script there’s the occasional moment of cringeworthy acting, and an absence of the lightness of touch which so lifted episode 1 up above the standard of series 1. It’s also frustrating that Torchwood is still adhering to the Doctor Who series model, with meaningful continuity almost absent until episode 11, so at least we have that to look forward to next week. I’ve wanted to know more about Grey for weeks now.